Anyone have a Dyson Animal vacuum?

I've had it with our old vacuum. A belt broke today, and I am NOT fixing it! It is way past time to replace it.

I have a couple cats and a very hairy Australian Shepherd in the house. I have carpet in every room.

I had a Fantom Thunder vacuum a few years ago, but everytime you took the "bagless" canister off to empty, it left dirt all over the sweeper and the floor. When it had mechanical problems, I learned the company was sold, and I could not get parts. :-( So, I've been using my Mom's ancient Hoover. Sounds like a freight train!

The Dyson DC14 Animal is supposed to have special things to funnel hair along baseboards into vacuum, as well as a pull out hose with an attachment to clean upolstery that has a beater bar in it. The thing is $550 !! But, I have allergies, and with the amount of hair..... I am thinking it may be worth it. It's bagless, but the little video on the Dyson site shows a canister that would be easy to remove and dump - at least they make it look that way...... If you have one, is it really that easy, and when you empty it, does dust go every where?

So, I'm asking all you pet folks..... What vacuum do you recommend?