Should I get a dog in my position? What breed should I get? 26, 4 year old son, work part time...?

Question

So I have wanted to get a dog for a while now but have only really thought about it now. I am not sure whether I should get one or not in my position.

I am 26 and have a 4 year old son. I am working Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm (coming home at 1:30pm for lunch) and get a strady income. I'm living in my own apartment with my son and are doing well. It's a two bedroom apartment but it's fairly spacious. I'm on the first floor so have access to a grassy backyard.

I really want a dog for the support and love it offers. I also need one to kick me to exerice more often as am overweight. I don't care about shedding but professional grooming is a no. No small dogs, no long fur. Must be good with dogs, cats and children. Playful, active and affectionate. One that won't mind my son and his cousins (aged between 2 and 12) or my friends children (aged between 1 and 6) playing with it.

Any advice or breed suggestions would be great!

Answer 1

Getting a medium or large sized dog in an apartment is not fair to the dog. It is going to end up on a 4-6 foot leash in the "grassy backyard" pacing back and forth out of boredom. You claim the dog will be the catalyst for getting you to lose weight. That is just not going to happen. You will start off walking with it and then you will slowly go back to the way of life you lead now only neglecting the furry little guy you claimed you wanted to begin with. Dogs take a lot of time to train properly, need lots of love and attention from many different people, need to be socialized around other dogs due to their pack nature, and cost a lot of money to take care of properly. Your four year old son needs you now. Take him for walks so you can both manage your weight, and give him the unconditional support and love instead of hoping the dog gives it to you.

Answer 2

First: Congratulations on asking the question instead of just running out to get a dog. Good for you.

If you're committed to taking the dog for walks every day, regardless of weather and no matter how tired or sick you are, I really don't see a problem. You're an adult and you can appreciate the task you're undertaking. Just don't count on the kids helping out on a regular basis.

My first suggestion is to go to the AKC website and just start looking at all the breeds. It's a decent resource and will give you a lot of ideas about a breed that will be a good fit for you. Identify a few breeds you're interested in, and then do some focused research on those breeds and ask questions of breeders and owners.

Having said that, I honestly think you sound like a great candidate for a Labrador or Golden. There is a reason these dogs are so popular. (Actually, a lot of reasons.) They are great with children, very patient, and large enough to be taken jogging (and goofy enough to enjoy it). A Golden will probably adjust to apartment life better than a Laborador.

The problem with both of these breeds, however, is a side-effect of their popularity: there are a lot of unethical breeders out there who don't know anything about breeding or care about the dog. So, do your research and get some recommendations as to breeders, then ask the breeder a lot of questions. It's strongly recommended you do this for any dog, but especially for breeds that have become victims of their own popularity.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Serious thought must be given before considering having an animal of any kind, they are demanding and take up a great deal of your time; almost like a children they need constant care and health factors are a must. Vet bills are expensive, although you can cover this by insurance there are many very competitive brokers around. I personally have had animals throughout my life and they reward you with many hours of joy but they can also bring a great deal of heartache and they are a considerable responsibility.

These points should be considered:

1. You live in an apartment, large dogs need lots of space and lots and lots of excercise, and this is essential to maintain a happy healthy dog. They are naturally geared to run free in open spaces so I repeat excerise is a MUST lots of it, this can be very tiring, especially since you have a 4 year old and a job, which is alread very time consuming. And don't forget to take a toilet bag to clear up after in public places!

2. The cost of maintaining a large dog is expensive, vet bills and food can add a heavy burden to your budget.

3. Safety elements - you will be responsible for your dogs behaviour - you must train it so that it is obdeient and answers to all your commands and that at all times it is completely under your control. Training is very time consuming and some dogs respond better than others. I have always had Dobermans and Alsations - Dobermans are very hard to train but Alsations are eager learners and quickly respond to training. Labradors are great with children. Dobermans as all dogs can be unpredictable TRAINING IS ESSENTIAL.

4. Holidays - if not possible to take the dog, then it must be housed in Kennels for the duration of your holiday, this again adds to your budget, it is not cheap. Leaving it with family or friends is another alternative but will they want the responsibility?

The points raised above may make you feel despondent, they are not intended to do so only to underline the demaning factors of having a dog. Having said all of this on a more positive note a dog is a wonderful companion and will give great joy and protect you; as for being playful, active and affectionate - the ball wil be in your court, you will be the owner and trainer.

Incidentally I have two Alsations, two cats and they get on famously and have fun together. And I love them to bits {I live in a large house and have no children} but my animals need just the same time and funding.

If you decide to get a dog, love him and care for him and he will return it a million times over. I wish you well.

Answer 4

A mini or standard poodle may do well. Our poodles have tons of energy and love to do tricks/ go out for a run/ anything that will please us, but are more than willing to sleep/rest if we aren't feeling up to doing anything that day. Poodles will love everyone in the family equally, unlike many dogs which attach to one person more than the others in a family. Your son can easily teach a poodle tricks and the poodle will always protect him, even without training. Any dog with the proper training and socialization will like children. (Note, the children also need proper training. If they scare/abuse the dog, it will bite no matter what.)

They do NOT need a professional groomer. You can easily brush your own dog. It only takes a few minutes each day to brush out any knots, it really isn't a big deal. With a simple beard trimming kit you can use the various attachments every few weeks to shave the face and paws, and that is it. Definitely not as much work as some would make you believe. I almost always groom my own poodles. And, as a bonus they are water retrievers so they actually like to take a bath.

I love my mini poodles. They brighten my day. Everytime I come home they lavish me with affection. I always feel loved and needed when they are around, which is pretty much always since they hate to be separated. (No separation anxiety. They don't destroy things, they just aren't as happy unless the family is around.) I think a poodle may be the dog for you, but check out the breed info at the akc website. You can find info there about all the dogs you may consider and breeder info once you decide.

Answer 5

Hi, I would suggest a Dachshund! They're small dogs (but not too small), they're lovely indoor dogs, they do not have long hair and so are very clean, if you raise them well they're also very quiet.

A big or medium dog will not fit in to a small unit like yours, and off cause big dogs also leave BIG deposits on your small backyard!!! I have 2 Dachshunds (male & female) and my daughter is 2 years old. They are her best buddies and they'll protect her from anyone and everything....even me when she's naughty and needs a good hiding! Kids do need a pet of some kind, and dogs is your kid's best friend. Cats on the other hand are to independent and your son will only enjoy it for the first year - there after the cat will do his own thing. So,dog it is!!!Teach your son from the start to feed, cuddle and walk the puppy - this way they'll both learn how to respect and love each other.

Hope you'll find the right dog for yourself and your family..
Good luck!

Answer 6

I think you are ready, I was going to suggest a cavalier king charles, but these breed do need a grooming every 3 months or so, the reason i suggest this breed is , i am a vet nurse and groomer, over the years, the only breed i have never had a bad experience with ie....snappy, temper etc, is the cavalier, i finally got a puppy last year, and she is a little doll, love her to bits, my baby.
My boyfriends daughter was afraid of dogs, and i knew that this breed is great with kids, now she cant wait to visit every weekend to take her for walks and play.
Hope you find the right puppy....good luck.

Answer 7

the first question you have to ask is
can you have one
if so what is the deposit for it and can you afford it
what size does the apt. say you may only be able to get a small dog

also remember a pet costs a lot of money
not only for food but shots,spay/natured,check ups,flea medicine......etc etc

the other thing is you want a small dog
a large dog in an apt is a no no
big/med dogs need space room and YOU DON'T HAVE THAT
with children like that is another reason you don't want a med/lrg dog

once you answer these questions then get back to us

Answer 8

Hmmmm Golden Retrievers are excellent family dogs, however I suggest you get a cat. You work way to many hours to have a dog, honestly it wouldn’t be fair to the little pup or older dog, a cat would suit your life style better. Furthermore its great to socialise children when small to respect and understand animals, so maybe getting your kid a rodent as its first pet would be a great start( I had rodents when I was little and loved them!) Also please make sure your son will be gentle with the new animal, I see too many kids being WAY to rough with their pets and it just makes me feel disappointed and sorry for the animal.

Answer 9

SOunds like you could get a dog! Because you come home for lunch, that will provide a time for potty brakes! AS to what breed is good for you... Golden Retrievers are excellent if you want a larger dog! And for a smaller dog.... how about a jack russel or beagle! Good Luck...

Answer 10

I don't think you should be even thinking about getting a dog you work too many hours for a start, the dog will get bored and may well start to destroy your apartment,if you want to loose weight get a kite and go out with your child, or even better get a bike and go cycling together. Whatever you do don't get a dog' it just won't be fair for it.