I agree with the leather being easier to clean - we have leather couches in the family room and then fabric in our "grown ups" lounge. The only problem is that our dog is like yours - not allowed on the couch but I know he sneaks up there sometimes at night when we're all asleep. The leather gets very dirty and oily from him, and there are definite scratches and damage appearing from his claws - he doesn't scratch at it, just weight, him stretching and moving etc.