Okay this is totally off track here but I am considering moving the sofa from the lounge into the conservatory and getting a leather sofa/suite for the lounge anyone any tips. Somehow cream does not seem a sensible option with my two. So though Mocca (brown) any suggestions??

How does leather stand up to dog paws I figure it has to be easier to keep clean than fabric but does it hold smells etc.

Never had leather so need all the help and advice I can get.

Much appreciated, Karen

We've had leather for the past 4 years - it's been wonderful, the dogs have probably caused it less damage than the kids who regularly come armed with ball point pens :(  Both dogs sleep on it during the day when we are around, and Bonnie is prone to 'digging' to make her bed before she settles down, and it's showing no ill effects from that sort of treatment.  It wasn't cheap however (about £2K for a large two seater and an even larger 3 seater) but is standing up well to 'family hugs' when the two adults are much larger than average...

Hiya Karen

I would never have thought leather suitable until reading a previous thread on this forum some while ago - it came highly recommended by others & its the best thing we ever did :D We went for a dark brown with 'stitch' detailing which shows up all the dogs hairs that out previous tapestry style sofa didn't This might seem worse at first - but it is so easy to keep clean and we feel our lounge is alot cleaner as a result (probably alot less smelly too!) :D
Go for it !
Jo
x
p.s We went for a shiney version - in hindsight, a 'dull' finish leather is probably more comfortable ;)

Thanks

We went leather when we bought our first munster after she decided to jump on the fabric one while in season. [you can imagine] I would never go back to fabric now. Leather is easy to clean ,looks better and is really comfy. Our dogs are not meant to sit on the sofas but when we are out they do [all 5 of them and 2 cats] and it has taken it well and still looks good. Just to add to the life span of it we use throws for everyday use - children ect - and remove them when we have guests. hope this helps.

Wonderfull, get leather, the best thing since sliced bread.

Very grateful to you all and I think leather will be my choice.

Karen

We have a brown leather chesterfield its the second  we have owned in over 20 years its brilliant just wipe it with a damp cloth.
The one we have now we bought second hand from someone who was changing colour schemes in their house it was an absoloute bargain.We had been about to put deposit on one in a shop but this is better quality.

Look in Loot but make sure you get a quality one :)

Forgot to say before that we had a dralon one with plumbs covers I was washing the covers every week 

we have a navy blue leather suite which was bought almost 11yrs ago best £2,500 ive ever spent and it still looks like new, if one of my boxers dribble on it out comes leather cleaner kit and it just wipes of and talking dogs all of mine sleep on it allbeit im down to 3 now and the youngest is just 5mths old and there isnt any sign of wear or claw marks to be seen, go treat yourselfs and invest into something that will last for years

I have had cream with the last 2 suites and they both went and held out well. Sometimes you have to watch the darker colours more for scratches as they can show more easily I think.

I would highly recommend leather..and I bought mine from a place on the internet....they were fantastic value and the service was tip top.
[link]http://www.treatyourhome.com/?OVRAW=sofa&OVKEY=sofa&OVMTC=standard[/link]

I too would recommend it, we have a dark green dull leather 2 seater & 3 seater, cost £3K, but worth every penny.  Dogs have not done any damage with their claws.

Juliet

Leather sofa's are the best things that I've ever bought.

Me too, got a 2nd hand leather suite (as new) that was over £4,000 new, for £500 (got papers, as people emigrated,) several months ago, best thing we've ever bought,brilliant!

If you don't let your dogs onto the sofa, it doesn't matter what sort you have ;) ;) ;)

Daisy

Daisy if only that were true it's more like "can the humans get onthe sofa these days with the dogs and cats" :)

Karen

We have a cream leather sofa its great with two young children and a big bouncy puppy its perfect. It is so easy to keep clean quick wipe down everydayis all it takes.
Mary

Sounds great for two kids and two dogs, but what about cats?? One of which tends to claw the side of the sofa when she's in a bad mood!!  Would the leather rip?

Sorry cant help with cats as we dont have any, Abby thinks they are a snack to have before dinner.
Mary

Our sofa's leather all be it Burgundy but its great with dogs kids etc.....  Any marks just wipe straight off.