What dog?

[Danni79]

Hi,

I want to get a dog but the trouble is I don't know what breed to go for!! My partner and I work 9-5pm but we can come home for an hour at lunch. We would take the dog out in the morning, afternoon and evening - plus we do not go out at the weekends so can spend all weekend with it. I do not want to go for a really hyper breed like a boxer or collie as we have a smallish house and i have the feeling it would be bouncing off the walls!! does anyone have any ideas or know of any web sites that could help me!! thanx in advance x x x

[Noweia]

I personally like greyhounds - they're very quiet, loving pets and require two 20 minute walks a day - and they like nothing better than sleeping!!!

[asciwhite]

Hi Danni79, I really strongly advise that you don't get a dog. The reason being that they need a huge amount of company as they are inherently pack animals. Either that or you get 2 small ones that will keep each other company while you guys are out. Dogs are fantastic creatures that give much but they do need more than walks. I have been lucky enough to be at home with our dog, a Rhodesian Ridgeback and they really do need company (dogs in general) rather than to be left alone.

I know this is going strange to you, but there are some amazing breeds of cats out there, and they don't mind being left alone, while you are at work! and kittens are so cute, I think our cat is actually a cat dog...

Please do think very very carefuly before you do get a dog and remember! holidays become a planning nightmare too.....

For a practice, why don't you advertise your dogwalking services in the local shops, as you say, morning, afternoon and evening. Winter is the hardest time for dogwalking! come rain or snow, blizzards or gails, they need walking!!!!!

[woofgang]

was going to post much the same as asci, dogs don't just need exercise, they need company as well. With respect, you are setting yourselves up for a sad dog and maybe a wrecked house. Yes, in some parts of the country, there is doggy daycare, but this is a costly option and imho looks like for you it might get to the stage of you gettigna dog for it to be in daycare all week...likely it would feel like it was more their dog than yours!

Why really do you want a dog?

[Danni79]

Thank you for you replies, whilst there are quite a few useful tips I have to disagree with some comments - I do not agree that I am setting myself up to have a 'sad' dog by having a dog in a working family. If this was the case 90% of dogs out there must be 'sad' as alot of family pets are alone for a while during the day with people at work and school etc this opinion means that the only people that can have dogs are people who work from home or unemployed people who shouldn't have a dog because they usually can't afford it!! I find a few of your comments patronising too I have had dogs all my life and have also done a course in canine pychology so I do know what I am talking about and my reasons for getting a dog are my own and don't need sharing. As I said thank you for your answers but only Noweia has really answered the question I asked. x

[scubadiver]

We've got two golden retrievers and are in a similar situation to yourself, with the exception that I work from home one day a week and we have staggered our working times so that the dogs are only left between 9 and 3.30, with one of us coming back at lunchtime.

I know from the days that I am at home, the dogs sleep most of the day- whether there is someone in the house with them or not. The most important thing is to spend quality time with them when we are at home. I would agree that holidays can be a problem to manage, but we have an arrangement with my parents that we look after their dog while they are away and they do the same for us. We also have a couple of friends that will take them for a couple of nights.

Goldies are lovely natured dogs and while they need to be walked at least twice a day, as long as they can burn off their energy when they are out, they don't tend to get hyper the rest of the time. I've also heard similar stories about greyhounds- lovely natured and would rather sleep than walk.

Don't let the negative posts put you off- a loving home where the dog is safe and secure is more important than constant companionship- although you will need to take time off work initially if you get a puppy- they do require constant attention!

[kate1976]

If you rescue a dog, the rescue will be able to match you up with a suitable dog! That's what I did!!

I can't really add anything else but wish you well and hope you find your perfect companion soon!

[happy_face]

It really annoys me whenever someone mentions a question about getting a dog there are always someone who disregards the question and have to preach on about the responsibilities etc. Why is that Danni79 can't ask the question of most suitable breed without people being so condescending and answering as though she's got no responsibilty or experience in life.

If someone asked the advice on best buggy to buy would anyone turn around and say 'are you really sure you want a baby?, why do you want a baby?'

I'm glad you answered back Danni79 and I want you to know that we have a staff which lives with us and we both work 9-5pm and like you come home during the day for lunches. I don't think it's cruel and he's a very happy dog.

If you go to the website www.epupz.com there is a category for breeds (think it's called breed gallery) and it's got loads of info about different breeds so it can give you an idea. Good luck and hope you get a nice one which will make you all happy

[meltoadhall]

i have a red setter puppy and at the moment am in the position of being off sick for a while. this has worked well in being with him all day, but when i go back to work it will be shifts so he will be alone at times during the day. he is crate trained so no wrecked house when i'm not around either.

holidays shouldnt be a problem whats wrong with taking the dog with you?

a site that helped and still helps is

http://www.petplanet.co.uk

hope you get sorted out.

[bex401]

My other half is lucky as he can take our dog to work with him(he's a telecommunications engineer),she's a mad jack russell & loves going to work with him & always comes home tired.Most dogs love company,but if you get them into a routine at an early age & they get loads of attention when you come home,most adapt quite well.

[=rizla=]

To go back to the original post, we've had a couple of german sheperds and they always seem fine, we both work shifts so sometimes the dog's left on her own for 8 hrs or sometimes not at all. She always seems happy, we just give her plenty of attention when we get home.

Never any damage in the house from any of them, and both of them were rescue dogs, but they do need a fair amount of walking!!! I would definitly advise against boxers have had a coupel of friends whose houses were half eaten by them!!!!

[bizzylizzy]

Golden retrievers from me too. They're lovely soft, biddable .. and sometimes lazy dogs. But then I'm biaised as my retriever is the best dog in the world. :-)

But I'd also have to agree with the greyhound person. Greys are always thought to be very energetic dogs, but in fact they like nothing better than sleeping. There are many greyhound rescue centres that have some beautiful dogs just waiting for a loving home. Two would be nice, they'd keep one another company during the day.

Good luck.

[Danni79]

Thank you all for your help x x x

[danilee222]

Hi I'm 15 and I've never lived without a dog. It must be so boring. Anyway. We have 3 dogs (2 Staffs and a X-breed) My mum goes to work at 9am and I leave at 8am (same with my brother) the dogs are alone from 9 until about half 3. They are fine and well behaved! (One is only 3months old!) I think it would be fine for your dog.

[kes101]

hi danni79 i believe that you should get a smaller dog as you suggested. i have collies myself and work and find it a struggle at times with them but i would never be without them.

i would not suggest a jack russel or a spaniel breed as both are very active dogs and need alot of attention. the best breds i would say would be a yorkshire terrier or westie. whatever you choose i wish you luck with it and enjoy

[cazz_mm]

Have you got a dog yet?

If you haven't my suggestion would be to get a slightly older rescue dog. I would agree with Noweia - I love greyhounds and lurchers and they are placid dogs around the house (not to mention there are sooo many of them in rescue centres).

Many people think that they are big boisterous dogs but they are the laziest dogs I've ver met. As long as they have a nice comfy bed, they will sleep all day.

Though no matter what breed you go for, I urge you not to get a puppy or young dog - training them is hard when your not around all day and they are more likely to pick up bad habits - chewing furniture for example. Also you can get puzzle feeders to keep dogs occupied for hours at a time to get them throught the time that you are working.

Hope this helps x x