Which dog to get if i work during the daytime?

Question

I was wondering if anyone could help me, i'm thinking of getting a dog but i work normal day time hours during the week. Can anyone recommend a dog that would be suited to being left alone for this amount of time. I would walk dog before and after work, leave him/her with lots of stimulating toys and employ a dog walker to walk it most days of the week. i also dont work in the school holidays. Im looking for a fairly small lish breed as i dont have a very large house. Can anyone recommend what breed may be best for me?

I am a teacher so i work between 7-10 hours a day.

Thanks to everyone who is giving me helpful answers. To those who are telling me i am a cruel person this really isnt that helpful, the reason I am asking this question before I get a dog is to get some useful advice. Not to be made out to feel like a cruel, terrible and selfish person

Answer 1

Congratulations! I work all day and have two dogs. One is a Toy Fox Terrier and the other is a rescued mutt. They are great company and keep me moving. I would suggest that you do some serious homework. Decide whether you want a purebred dog or a rescue dog. Would a puppy or older dog be better for you? Puppies require lots of care and attention and training to become "polite". Watch some dog shows and see the different groups of dogs. There are several on line sites that allow you to take quizzes to find out which dog breed suits your personality and needs. Go to the library and read up.

I found that Dachsunds sleep a good bit during the day and are ready to play when you get home, but they can be hard to house break. Some terriers can be barkers and some can be hyper. Papilions are small and very intelligent.

Talk to some competent breeders. They love to talk about their breed. Sometimes they have dogs they want to retire. Talk to the people at you local humane society and tell them your situation.

Good luck and I hope you find your best friend!

Answer 2

I'm not inclined to recommend any breed. Dogs are sociable animals and enjoy companionship.

If you are working up to 10 hours a day and presumably sleeping 8 hours, shopping, socialising watching Tv and so on then that doesn't leave much time for your dog.
A puppy or young dog is out of the question and an older rescue dog who has spent time in the company of the kennel staff, visitors and other dogs is going to have difficulty coping alone in a strange environment.

Quite a number of teachers get dogs at the start of the school holidays - the dog then gets used to its new home and new family then it's back to school and the dog starts to be a problem because it can't cope on its own.

A couple of teachers that I know take their dog to a dog creche every week day and another one has her dog as a day boarder with someone who looks after dogs and walks them. This is much better for the dog but expensive and personally I can't see the point in getting a dog if someone else is looking after it most of the time.

Many local rescue societies ask for volunteers to walk their dogs and a lot of people who really like dogs but can't have one for some reason or another derive a lot of enjoyment from giving up some of their time to dog walk. Perhaps this is an option for you?

P.S. I've been reading through your answers and had another think about it. You could try a rescue Greyhound - they are unbelievably lazy dogs and require very little exercise. They love comfort and are usually very quiet and placid.

Although in an ideal world I think dogs should not be left on their own for a long time.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Sorry but, it would be cruel to want a dog to go through that. A cat, on the other hand, would be fine.

And to all the losers who think this is ok, start calling around. A reputable breeder and most ethical no-kill rescue groups would never allow you to have a dog. Really. Simply because *you* do it, doesn't make it ok. Yes, you have to work to pay for a dog. But, if you leave it all day, then what's the point of having one? Being able to feed it doesn't make up for leaving it alone all day.

Whippets? Shih tzus? Greyhounds? Ugh. These are all social family dogs. While any dog would be a bad idea, these dogs would be a TERRIBLE idea! Ugh.


Edit: So with the 'additional' information you've added, does this mean you don't care that your home isn't right for a dog? That your desire for a dog outweighs the dog's welfare? You need to think long and hard about that.

Answer 4

I would not advise a puppy as these cannot be left alone for long periods, it would also be unfair to leave it, regardless of whether it has toys. Visit a dog rehoming centre and see if there is one that catches your eye, there is often a good variety in these sorts of places, you will probably want to give them all a home! I have always been a dog owner and i keep Labradors, they are wonderful but are not small and require lots of walks. Smallish breeds to consider would be; Spaniels (most varieties would be suitable, springer spaniels are very lively and require long walks) Terriers, which are not often popular because some can be snappy and irritating-although the patterdale or lakeland terrier are a good option. I could go on, however the best bet is to buy a decent dog book, and you will be able to research which would be the best for you with regards to your lifestyle and home etc. I would recommend anyone to get a dog as they are the best companions ever, however they are a big committment and i can never understand people who buy them on a whim, and then either dump them at a dog centre or flog them in the local paper, they are for life! good luck :-)

Answer 5

You could opt for a medium sized breed. Consider adopting a dog that is a year or two old, that has already been trained. Crating the dog during the day is always an option, and not as cruel as people think. Walking before and after work, is an excellent idea. You need to have some time to train the dog, though, before leaving it for the entire day. So consider acquiring the canine during a holiday break, or a long weekend. It's possible, seek advice from a vet or a vet tech, too.

Answer 6

any breed you get is hard for a dog to be left a lone for long periods of times especially puppies which require alot of attention. i suggest going to your local shelter and adopting a small adult breed dog, they are usually already potty trained and can handle being alone. just make sure you do it like on a Friday after work so you have the whole weekend to get to know each other. plus you never said how many hours a day you would be gone 8,10,12??? that makes a different also. also when you hired someone else to walk your dog. the dog tends to bond with that person and not with you because its usually with them more. just think about that. maybe a cat would fit your schedule better?? any way good luck in what you decide.

Answer 7

I also work in a school (and therefore school hours - full time, term-time only) and my greyhound is fine with being left alone. I just make sure he's walked last thing before leaving for work and first thing when I return.

As for the breed - my house is fairly large but frankly he spends most of his time sleeping in the same place, so I think he'd manage quite well in a smaller house. My aunt looked after him once when we went out - stayed out for 6 hours and he didn't move ONCE! If you'd prefer a smaller dog, I believe whippets have a similar temperament.

You've thought ahead and are going to get someone to come in whilst you are at work to walk your dog. You sound like the sort of person who would make a great owner.

As some others have said though - puppies and very young dogs can be very demanding on your time, so I think you'd be better getting an adult dog from rescue. Click on the link below to find rescues near you:

http://www.dogpages.org.uk

As you aren't sure what breed to go for, I think your best bet would be to go along to a few local all-breed rescues and see what they have. Speak to the staff there about your situation. Be as honest as you can, and they'll be in a better position to help you out.

Many rescues will err on the side of caution and under normal circumstances might not want to re-home to a full-time worker, but you've thought ahead - you're willing to employ a dog walker (it might be worth sounding out a few potential dog walkers and get a few names first so that the rescue knows you are serious). You get (long) school holidays and weekends, so there's plenty of opportunity for you to spend time with your new friend.

Maybe try a few rescues if your first trip is unsuccessful.

Each dog in the rescue will have been assessed by the staff as to its needs, its temperament and the most suitable home for them, so you should find that you go home with the right one for you.

Good luck.

P.S. I've spoken with staff at 2 major rescues who have said that they would be willing to rehome to me if the right dog was available. Given the amount of controversy this issue has caused I'll not name them for fear of the animosity being directed at said rescues (who do a great job).

So yes, ring around - some rescues probably would willing to rehome the right dog to you.

P.P.S. Greyhounds are known for being aloof and independent, and many cope quite well with being left for even longer periods than you are suggesting. Stalkers_love_me really should do more research.

Answer 8

I work 3 hours each day so my dogs are never alone for more than 4 hours tops, I NEVER go shopping on the way home either!
I would Never Ever leave my dogs all day while I worked 9-5 or whatever, it's far too long, if you work out the time it takes you to get to work, maybe 1/2-1hr X2 so that's another 2 hours making it 10 hours the dog is alone then maybe you might want to go out for the evening lets say another 3 hours making it 13 hours that your dog hasn't seen you then you go to bed and that's perhaps another 6 hours, so a total of 19 out of one day that your poor dog hasn't seen you, whats OK about that???!!!
EDIT, my dogs go for a long walk (about 1 hour) before I go to work, 1/2 hr when I get home and a really long walk before it gets dark all off lead! I wouldn't trust anyone else to walk my dogs it's too much of a responsibility, that responsibilty is mine!

Answer 9

a stuffed toy dog. Forcing an animal with a strong pack instinct, to live in solitary confinement and hold its bladder and bowels for up to 10 hours should be made a criminal act. It shows a basic ignorance and no concern at all for the animals. Don't be selfish. Get a couple of cats until you are in a position to be a good dog owner. How on earth will you housetrain a puppy if it is simply left alone all day to pee and sh1t in the house 6 times a day while you are out? How will you feed a puppy 4 meals a day if you are out for 10 hours. You are a teacher so you MUST have a modicum of intelligence. Think about it. In a 24 hour period, you work 10 hours, sleep 8 hours, another hour or 2 for shopping, cleaning, laundry, getting ready for work.So, in a 24 hour period, the dog will be in solitary confinement for 20 hours at least.

Answer 10

Don't. My husband had the fanciful notion that we should get a dog so we applied to the pound. Their answer was "it's cruel to keep a dog in the house all day." Fair enough, I concur. But then the evil madam who was on the reception desk said "He'll be put down long before someone like YOU gets an animal from this pound!" Leaving me in a state of complete shock, I have two cats and pet rats also who are very happy and healthy. Don't put yourself through the heartache of being insulted by these people.