best dog hair vacuum that's not a dyson? - eta: I got a Dyson anyway!

ORIGINAL: cryssi

thanks!  is it hard to push b/c it's not self propelled (or so I think I've read?)

 
I think it can be harder to push because it just has so darn much suction. If you have it on the low pile setting it practically sucks itself down onto the carpet. Once I adjusted the carpet height up a little it became much easier. I think it's because we have a berber that is pretty flat and dense after eight years of wear.

thanks!  I think the vacuum that quit on us was the wind tunnel.  You're right about the hair wrapping around the rollers...of course that is pretty much all MY hair!  LOL  I must have sucked up something a few weeks ago, because it stopped picking up and I got a really bad rubber smell with white smoke coming out of the bottom of the vacuum.  I cleaned out the roller but that wasn't the problem.  I suppose I could go and get it repaired, but seeing as how it was a hand-me-down vacuum anyway, we might as well get a new one.  I liked the dirt finder on the hoover, but am looking for something that sucks better...(I wanted a dyson when they first came out - pre dog days for us).

I borrowed my neighbors Dyson to test it out, I was disappointed, my old vacuum worked much better. I also like having a vacuum with a bag,  much easier on my allergies. I now have the Kenmore progressive, but mines red. I love it, but it is loud.

I have the Kenmore Progressive. It's heavy, but it is self-propelled. I really like it. Has a little light that comes on when it "reads" dirt and goes off when you've gotten it all
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I am fine with it and would recommend it....especially good for the price

We hate our Dyson! My dad and sister insisted that we "needed" it. Nevermind that neither of them ever vacuumed. My mom and I can't stand the stupid thing. I hate the hose tool. It always gets stretched in an odd way that makes it not work. The power button is oddly placed, so it always takes me some time to remember where it is. One day i'd like to make it disappear, because it just takes up space. 

Here's what Consumer Reports has to say on this subject:
 
[linkhttp://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=consumer&id=4758406]http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=consumer&id=4758406[/link]
 
 
 
 

Has anyone discovered a vacuum that works for long-haired dogs? I have four rough collies and have gone through so many vacs it long ago ceased to be funny. [:@]

Thank doG, someone else who likes a Dyson.  So far it's the only vac we've bought (out of frustation) that's worked for 4 collies (so far). We bought it on sale & with a coupon, so the price wasn't too outrageous. It was recommended by a friend who has 5 rotties.

I love Consumer Reports - but their vacuum reports aren't my favorite. They leave out some great vacuums due to price and they don't do long-term testing. I'd rather spend $600 in a vacuum that will work great for 10 years than go through 4 or 5 $200 vacuums in the same time frame.

I've had a Kenmore Progressive canister for several years now and am happy with it.  I love the canister vs. an upright and can get under everything with it.  Never had a problem with it and I'd get another if needed.  I am done with uprights that are heavy and clunky!  I also don't like bagless vacs, so having a bagged canister is for me! 

ORIGINAL: sairey

Has anyone discovered a vacuum that works for long-haired dogs? I have four rough collies and have gone through so many vacs it long ago ceased to be funny. [:@]

 
I have three Samoyeds and the Eureka Boss Smart Vac has been working great for us so far.

I noticed that the Dyson model Consumer Reports tested was something called the Dyson DC 15.  This may be a completely different model than the Dyson Animal, which was designed for picking up pet hair. I can only say that I've never had a vacuum work as well as the Animal for pet hair and just about anything else in its path.  True, the hose is a little "hinky" but I usually use the hose straight up for sucking cobwebs off the ceiling. It's a snap to empty - just hold it over the trash can and pull the lever.
 
Joyce

[linkhttp://www.dyson.com/range/range_overview.asp?model=DC15&sinavtype=menu]http://www.dyson.com/range/range_overview.asp?model=DC15&sinavtype=menu[/link]
 
they have a DC15 Animal...

I long for a Dyson animal. I actually had one in my hands and the money for it literally had to go to something else while I was standind there. It was SO on sale, too. []

I love canisters and had one for a long time, but it died when I got my Spitz mix AND a long haired cat. Their hair would combine in solid impregnable masses in the hose and the poor thing died a horrible death from impaction. [8D]

I actually am just hanging out at the bottom of the scale - I have a teeny little thing that is not much more than a dustbuster on a handle. I have all wood floors so I have the luxury of trading power and convenience for price and ease of use. I do intend to get a "real" vaccum again soon - maybe one of the Dyson knockoffs I've noticed are coming out and actually are getting decent ratings. Or I might try a canister again - I suspect after 13 years they've figured out a workaround for the hose problem, lol.

http://www.dyson.com/range/range_overview.asp?model=DC15&sinavtype=menu

they have a DC15 Animal...
 
That's the one I have.  It really is pretty amazing.  Like others had said before, I thought my carpets were really clean, but the first time I used this vacuum, I was impressed.  I'm not thrilled with the hose/gadgets thing, but overall I really love it.