We are a family working fulltime, but would like a dog?

Question

Ok basically we all work random days... me and my father in a family buisness and my mother in a seperate jobs, normally my dad would work 5-6 days a week, and myself normally 5 days sometimes 4 days at quiter times or in winter when we shut on sundays for a few weeks. My mother works normally 4 days a week.

We would love something like a Basset Hound, French or British Bulldog. All our days off tend to equal up with someone being here 4-5 days a week, and only 2-3 with the house empty, quite often only for 4 hours if i'm on a short day, but possibly spells of 8-9 hours in our buisiest times, but that'd be like 1-2 days in the week. Is it ok for that little amount of days on it's own, hopefully with us living near someone would be able to nip back to let the dog out or something, would this be suitable or not. note it isn't suitable for the dog too come to work as it's food industary.

I'll give you a run down in points in a lower "additional comments" section. Cheers Matt.

Ok to run down.

- Weekends would be covered compeltly from 1 family member guaranteed.

- 2-4 (normally 3 days) would be guaranteed to be covered aswell with people being off in the family.

- that'd leave 2-3 days with the dog on it's own sometime less when lucky.

- Quite often on those days on it's own i myself would be working a short day, so 90% of the time even on 1 and sometimes 2 days would it be on it's own for 8-9 hours, however roaters could be worked to minimize that occasion as much as possible.

-The shorter days last a max. max of 5-6 hours. but normally 4 hours or less even.

- On the longer days the dog would quite often have someone check in for 20-30 mins if not longer.

- All other things outside work could be done to the full, excersise, walking, play, grooming. Basically all the care the dog needs. We have researched hard into this, but my main priority is the dogs hapiness.

So could this work? And would these breeds be a good choice? Ta Matt!

Thanks for all the answers so far, anything else people say is welcome, the dog would be able to have a guaranteed walk each evening, and about 4-5 days a week 2 walks in the day, plus play inside the house and garden whenever people are in when wanted and such.

Answer 1

Having a dog is a big responsibility, but if you are prepared to properly care for the dog i think this is okay. I own a boxer and i am a full time student. When i have very full days i hire someone to come and let him out while i am gone. If you can't exercise your dog too often, don't get an active breed. I have to take my dog to the dog park for 2+ hours a day to expel all his energy. It is not fair to keep a dog home all day if you can't devote the time to him/her when you come home.

I think you can manage a dog if you and your family are all prepared for the responsibility of taking care of a dog, it is like having another child. They need love and attention too.

Answer 2

It doesn't sound that bad.. you should be able to do it.. If possible see if you can get a friend to let the dog out on the days that it's alone for 9 hours .. but.. from the looks of it.. it's fine.. You do want to make sure that the dog does more than just go outside though.. they need exercise.. Bulldog's may be a bit much.. (nothing against them as a breed), but they are a bit needy.. basset's are pretty good for it.. tend to be somewhat lazy around the house and then excited when they are out and about. (this is not ALWAYS the case, but common.. the downfall being that the house must be houndproofed. the nose will get them into anything.. )

Answer 3

I think the fact that you are so worried about this shows that you are more than ready to get a dog. What I hate is those that just do "oh, I want a dog", but don't make sure they are able to care for it. There are many people that work that have dogs. Me and my husband both work, and we have two dogs. (We got the other one for company for the first one when I started work full time).

In the beginning, a pup is not going to be able to hold it's bladder all day, so it either will need to be left outside on those time's where you are unable to get home, or you need to make sure someone can come home at lunch to let it out.

Make sure the dog gets plenty of exercise every single day, as well as making sure that training is a priority of every member of your family.

In regards to the breeds you have mentioned, I have never owned these breeds, but from what I have read about them in the past, a basset hound may not be a good idea. They are hunting dogs - and as such need to be rigorously exercised and trained, or else they become a nuisance with barking, escaping and chasing things. A French bulldog is a fairly low maintenance dog though, so should be ideal. A british bulldog is also fairly low maintenance, but should also have rigorous training due to their strenght. both a french and british bulldog need to be exercised though, due to their penchance for putting on weight and becoming obese.

good luck with your new pup.

Answer 4

The answer is, It depends.

If you adopt an adult dog from the shelter that is already house trained, this schedule would be perfectly acceptable as long as all members of the family agree to treating the dog the same way so that it learns consistency. This means, everyone feeds him the same thing in the same amount at the same time every day. Everyone walks him at approximately the same times every day. Everyone trains him the same way. For example, mom can't be giving him treats from the table one day and then you come home to expect him not to beg!

If you're interested in a puppy, this probably isn't the right time for you to get one. They MUST be allowed to go outside to use the bathroom every 1-2 hours simply because their bladders aren't big/strong enough to control it and they WILL have accidents. This will just create a cycle of frustration for your family and confusion and upset for the new puppy. Puppies also require lots of interaction and care for the first few months especially, not to mention they can be destructive if they are left to their own devices due to mere curiosity and teething!

Hope this helps :)

Answer 5

Sounds like you've got it covered.
I wouldn't call you a "family working full-time," considering someone will be there 4-5 days out of the week. Some dog-owners are only around on the weekends (though I wouldn't suggest this).
The first year (and ESPECIALLY the first month or two) is when a puppy requires the most attention, so as long as you've got someone to watch it and check on it during longer periods of being away (and it sounds like you do) you're already a better dog-owner than lots of people out there.
Good job!

Answer 6

Contrary to what the franken-dog breeders will tell you, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Not even the infamous "labradoodle". There will be some dogs which don't set your allergies off, but there is no way to predict which based on breed. My advice would be to find an animal shelter with puppies and to ask to go along and spend some time with some of the pups they have until you find one that doesn't trigger your allergies.

Answer 7

If you really want a dog, I would consider an older dog. They do not need as much training and attention as younger dogs.
Older dogs are easier to potty train because they already know how to hold their 'stuff' in if they really need to go. The will wait for you until you get home.

If you cannot take the dog out, you should train it to pee and poo on doggie pads.

I hope this helped you at least a little bit.

Answer 8

dog is not for u srry. he will poo and pee all over the place. unless u got a kid that will take care of it at least 10 hours a day. otherwise u making a mistake u will just end up giving him to a shelter. i got a sheltie and stay with him most of the day and i have soo many problems. and they r well behaved house dogs.

Answer 9

not with a puppy..
Try going to like a breed specific rescue and adopting an older dog (like a year)
Get doggy day care or a dog walked for long days

It could deffinetly work though

Answer 10

sure. I'm a college student who works part time and I have time for my dogs.