Suitable dog breed?

Question

Can anyone suggest a suitable dog breed for us, we are at work 5 days a week 8 till 5 but could get home in our lunch break is there any dogs that are more happy to be left alone for day time? large garden etc accessible for them.

Answer 1

I work similar hours to you and my rescue greyhound copes well with that - I just make sure he gets plenty of attention when I am home.

As you work full-time, a puppy will probably not be suitable - they are VERY demanding. An adult dog may be the way forward (plus you'd get that warm, fuzzy feeling knowing that you've saved a life!) Whilst you could probably find a breeder that would sell one to you, not all breeders are responsible enough to make sure that the dog's new owners are suitable.

It might be worth going to your local rescue and seeing what is available. The dogs will have been assessed and the staff there will know which dogs (if any) would be suitable for you.

Just be aware that rescues tend to ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION when re-homing a dog, and you MIGHT not be able to take ANY of their dogs. Not a slight against you, but they are very careful to ensure that the dog goes into the best possible home.

You might also be better waiting until after Christmas to get your dog. Christmas is such an unusual, frantic time of year in the best of homes and that can be very confusing for a dog of any age. It would settle in better once the festivities are over with.

I'd be inclined to either go to an all-breed rescue or a breed-specific rescue of one of the breeds that is independent enough to cope with being left alone.

If you're in the UK, the following link will hopefully be useful:

http://www.dogpages.org.uk

(there's also a section on the forum called "homes offered" where you can put down your details and hopefully someone from rescue will contact you via the site. You can also ask advice on the forum)

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

3 to 4 long walks (hour or more) a week would be enough to keep just about any dog happy. Stay away from a working breed dog (shepherd, shelties, huskies etc) as they'll be very high energy. As for being good with the kids, that's a matter of proper training plain and simple. I suggest you get a trainer to help you know the right and wrong way to keep and treat a dog to keep everyone safe and happy. Especially if you're first time dog owners. Always consider a rescue or a mutt.

Answer 3

All dogs love attention. But, they will become use to your schedule. If you have or plan on having children anytime soon I would suggest a Golden Retriever. They are amazing family dogs. Large yes but they are fine in the house. If your wanting a small dog I would NOT suggest a Jack Russell like one of the other posters. They are extremely high in energy and will become bored when left alone for long periods of time. And when a dog gets bored they tend to tear up things. For a small breed, I would suggest a chihuahua or poodle. I also agree with other posters about getting a slightly older dog that is already house trained. This would cause you less stress and since you are at work all day it would be extreamely hard to house train a dog. Good luck and hope you find what your looking for.

Answer 4

no no no no no. Please do not get a puppy then send it mad by keeping it in solitary confinment.In a 24 hour period, you work for 7 hours, spend say another hour travelling to work and back, then another hour getting ready in the morning. Another hour for cooking, chores and the like, then a couple of hours watching the telly, 8 hours asleep.So out of 24 hours, the poor dog has to spend 20 hours totally alone. This is downright cruel.
All breeds will suffer. How will you be able to take the dog out every hour to housetrain it? How will you manage to feed it 4 times a day at first? What will you do when the dog pees and poos all over the house? What about when it starts chewing holes in the furniture and furnishings in it's distress at being isolated? What about when it barks and howls and cries all day long in desperation? Dogs are genetically programmed to be part of a pack. It is sheer mental torture to force them to live in isolation for 20 hours a day or more. Just because you want a dog doesn't mean that you should get one regardless of your lifestyle.
My son adores dogs, grew up with lots of them but works full time. So he won't have one. For now, he has 2 cats and everyone is happy. He will get himself a dog once things change in his life. That's the sign of a dog lover.

Answer 5

If your at work you may be better off trying to rescue an older dog that can be left alone.A pup will not be adviseable,they need toilet training,socalisation and all the other stuff that comes with pups.Some rescue centers wont rehome to people who are at work all day,but you could also rehome private.If you can get home at lunch time then least thats something and you can take it for a very long walk so it's tired for the rest of the afternoon.Also maybe look into dog sitters who can be at home all day with your dog or a dog walker who can take it out.Like i said though i defiantly recomened an adult dog.Good luck

Answer 6

I would suggest a low-maintence breed so that you don't have to worry about making sure it's brushed three times a week as well as considering the breed's energy. A Siberian Husky would be nice, but I suggest this breeed only to people who have a fenced in yard (at least 5' in height for your fence) and space for the dog to roam. If you're interested in something smaller, I would go for a border collie, cocker spaniel, an american eskimo, or a japanese spitz. I don't agree with the suggestion of a jack russell, as that breed tends to be highly energetic and you may not have to energy yourself to play as much as it'll want you to when you get home.

Answer 7

For gods sake why do you all suddenly start going on one when people ask things like this. I have 3 dogs and I work full time. I have had them all since they were pups and I have no problems with them. If i didn't work I wouldn't be able to pay for things like vet bills, insurance, etc.

And before you all start I spend nearly all night with my dogs from the minute I get in from work until I go to bed.

There is only one thing I would suggest and that is to get two dogs then they are company for each other.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Answer 8

All animals need their share of attention and interaction or you may as well leave them in the wild...how about a HOT DOG? You could always ask a friend to pop in during the day if you really want a dog but that could get the dog confused as to who its master is. Why not get a cat instead...

Answer 9

Lots of people will probably say that you shouldn't consider having a dog but MOST will fit in with your lifestyle. Larger breeds tend to cope better being at home without being destructive, as long as you are able to give them plenty of exercise at other times, such as your lunch breaks. Most dogs will cope with being alone for 4/5 hours anyway.

Answer 10

You may want to think about getting an older dog that is housebroken. Puppies go to the bathroom a lot. Even with you guys going home on your breaks, there would probably still be little messes around the house. I have a beagle and she likes to be alone during the day but she is always playful and excited to see us when we get home. She's really good around kids too.