whats the best breed for us

[dsfm]

my partner and i live in a small one bedroom house so space indoors is limited. we have a reasonable size garden and there is plenty of open space not far from where we live. we work all day but have evenings and weekends free, we would like a smallish breed that isn't not vocal and that doesn't mind being left during the day. we are very outdoor people so walks and exercise is no problem. any suggestions on the breed for us?

[ganesh]

A cat!
No,seriously,any dog I'm sure is going to hate being left alone all day. What can it do? Sleep all night,then sleep most of the day? I think you shouldn't get one at all- I used to leave my dog 5 mornings a week and I felt guilty about that.

[maggie01]

I have to agree with ganesh. I leave my two dogs for 3 half hours 4 mornings a week . I have one day off and spend most of that day with them. We had two so they were company for each other. Dogs like the company of others and would be totally bored all day. Although I am sure there will be others on here who will dissagree.

[rogerr]

I' m afraid there isn't a dog that will fit that description.

[lankeela]

Why not find a rescue centre that will welcome you to walk their dogs for them at weekends.

If you are determined to get a dog, then a puppy would be out of the question. You could consider a retired greyhound, they do like to sleep a lot, and would be ok being left. They don't take up a lot of room, and would be happy with a walk before you left for work and a walk on your return - but will you want to do this every morning and evening even in winter?

[horselady]

I would dearly love a dog but as I work full time I have to accept that I just can't have one. Always had a dog when the kids were small and I was at home. 4 years to retirement then it will be my dog days again. It just isn't fair to leave them on their own all day.

[eyeshade]

However.....there are some dogs in the rescue centres that may have been left all day previously with their owners and may well be into a routine. It wouldn't hurt for dsfm to go and check. Not ideal of course not but I am sure they would love it to bits and it beats being left in the kennels with no-one to love it. We used to rescue from Battersea and they often said a good owner most of the time is better than a bad owner all of the time and they did have dogs like this. Can dsfm, or one of you get home at lunch times to give doggie and quick wee and a game? That would be even better?

[alimart]

Answer is simple...

Don't get a dog. Get a cat.

If you must get a dog, why don't you get someone to walk the dog during the day?

Better still - there are more and more people who take in dogs for the day (�15 per day) - try that option.

Would you leave a kid on it's own all day every day?

Don't be selfish - the dog's life would be miserable and you'd probably have a dog with behaviour problems.