I'm weird, I admit it.

I like the bed with the footboard, but I think it's too much unless there's lots of space around the bed - esp the foot.

I haven't had a footboard on a bed since I was living at home with mom and dad - and then I had a bunk bed ;-) !

After I married, we had a softsider waterbed, and our house had a HUGE bedroom, and I really wanted a four-poster frame for it, but couldn't afford it.

now I'm glad, as the homes I've lived in since had much smaller bedrooms and a footboard - esp one that came up higher than the bed itself, would have made the rooms seem even smaller.

I vote for without - esp if the dog is going to be getting on and off the bed.

laura