OT - Dyson vacuum

 I'm looking at the Dyson animal DC41.  If sme has used a Dyson or owns one please let me know what you think and which one you prefer.  I have two dogs (miniature pincher/miniature australian shepherd mix) that shed a lot and need to get rid of the dog fur.....thanks in advance.

I had the Dyson Animal. I loved it in the beginning, best vacuum I ever had. But after a year, it did start to lose suction and I got rid of it.
Still havent found a vacuum that lasts me longer than a year
Good luck!

I finally went to a Dyson when I was tired of fighting the cat hair all the time with my Bissell : )

It's not the Animal but i got it at Home Depot -- LOVE

I have the DC15 Animal and I love it!  I have had mine for several years now.  I have 4 cats.  Love the ball.  It makes it so easy to steer.  It is just like they say and just a "turn of the wrist"  I use mine every other day and I haven't had any issues with mine loosing suction like the previous poster but I have heard others say the same.  I have never had to have mine repaired either.  The only thing I dislike it the hose.  It is difficult to stretch it out very long.  Hard to explain, it's just awkward the way it extends out of the top of the handle.  It is very...I don't know a good word..."scrunched"??...up so that they can get more hose length but it makes it difficult to stretch out.  

Other than the hose, though, I have been thrilled.  I love that Dyson guy and would marry him if I could.  LOL 

Oh...if you do get one, vacuum with your old vacuum if it still works.  Then use the Dyson.  Holy Cow!  I had been leaving behind enough fur to build another cat. 

If you can afford it, get a Kirby. You will be appalled at how much dirt your vacuum left behind that the Kirby will suck up. Plus, it has a zillion attachments.

I dont have the animal... but I love mine.  It does not lose ALL section, but it will lose it if you get something stuck in the tubes.  I have no complaints with mine, except I wish I would have got the animal.  LOL

I have had a Dyson before, and it was a big PIA.  I hated the way the hose attachment worked, it was all such a hassle and the thing weighed a ton.  I gave it away and bought a much less expensive Shark at Costco.  It is the best vacuum I have ever owned.  The suction is amazing and it's really easy to dump the canister in the trash.  I have tile floors and area rugs and it works great on both.  The hose has a pet hair attachment that makes it really easy to do the furniture.  I only have one cat, but she sheds non stop...just like any other cat.  
The Shark has been getting a workout with my hair too....I swear I lost a tumbleweed's worth of hair every day for 3 months.  My hair loss is slowing down and the cat is getting rid of her winter fur, so it's a constant battle at my house. 
Good luck with your choice!!
Sara in Maui

 I love my Dyson.  It is an older Animal one.  Probably 5-6 years old.  It is just now starting to act like it needs to be replaced.  We have had up to 3 dogs and a cat.  A friend of mine used to come over for Bible study once a week and he is very allergic to cats.  After about a month, our cat came out  of hiding during bible study.  He said he couldn't even tell we had a cat.  He bought a Dyson, himself, the very next day!

 is it the ball or the regular? both have their positives and negatives. i feel like the regular one sucked things up better, but it was bulky and heavy and hard to get corners. the ball gets corners great and is light and easy to carry but i don't think it works as well.

 I loved it at first. I have had mine for almost 4 years now, and I'm really considering downsizing. We live in an apartment so only one floor, but it can be a PITA, especially when I want to vacuum while my daughter naps. Also, cleaning it takes a bit of time. I usually change out the filter (we ordered extras so we rotate them), wipe everything down and rinse out the canister in the bath tub. No, I don't submerge it, but I run water through it. It usually takes about 20-30 minutes before everything runs clear. Then I let it air dry a day or two. It beats having to change bags.