Is there a dog for us, or could we have a dog at all?

[NomenOmen]

We'd really love a dog (DH, DD 5yo, and I). Both DH and I grew up with dogs, but haven't owned one recently. DD adores dogs and is very responsible, respectful, and careful around those she meets. All dog owners comment on her great attitude towards their dogs.

The trouble is both DH and I work full-time, although I only need to be in the office 3 days a week and could work from home the other 2. But on the days I go in, they're long days, so I could probably only squeeze in a half-hour walk in the morning before commuting. DH and DD could walk a dog on those afternoons about 4.30 when she gets back from school. The dog would be on its own (with access to a big garden if we could set this up safely) from 8am til 4.30pm on the days I go to the office.

My gut feeling is that, regardless of how much we would love a dog, it just wouldn't be fair to leave a dog on its own 3 days a week. Admittedly, it would only be like this about 30 weeks a year (because of the nature of my job), but I don't think that would mean much to a lonely pooch!

Also, we tend to spend 5 weeks a year away from home. 2 of those weeks we could conceivably bring a dog along, but it would be difficult. I'm not sure it's kind to leave a dog in kennels, or with friends, etc., for 5 weeks a year.

There is a remote possibility that I will be able to work from home from next autumn for between 6 to 18 months, so if we were to get a dog, I might be in a position to help it gradually get used to being left for longer periods of time.

Is there a dog breed which would tolerate being alone for 3 days, and which does not need 2 hours of walks a day? Would we ever be likely to find a rescue dog which would be suitable?

I think I know the answer and we wouldn't dream of getting a dog unless we could offer it a good quality of life... But I thought I might ask in case any of you have any bright ideas.

Thanks in advance, and apologies for the long post!

[Dirtybadger]

Personally I think those days are too long. :( Sorry

If you were out for 4 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the evening, some dogs might manage, but 8.5 hours in one go regularly is a lot.

Perhaps you could look into volunteering somewhere near you walking dogs :)?

[WhenSantaGotStuckUpACunnyFunt]

It is too long to leave a dog to be honest, but don't despair just yet. Would a dogwalker be an option? A person would come into your home in the middle of the day, play with the dog/take it for a walk etc so their day is broken up and they won't be completely alone all day!

[WhenSantaGotStuckUpACunnyFunt]

That's a good idea too, you could all volunteer for a local dog rescue and walk dogs at the weekend :)

[NomenOmen]

Yes, that's what I thought.

Hadn't thought of volunteering to walk dogs!

[kateecass]

We have various doggy daycare centres near us. Maybe that would be an option or a dog walker. Don't think it'd be wrong to leave a dog with friends either. And my dog loves going to the kennel!! She drags us in!!

[NomenOmen]

Sorry, x-posted with you, Santa. Would a dog-walker coming in at midday be ok for a dog? Better than 8 hrs alone, I guess.

Are there breeds which are more tolerant of being alone than others? I know poodles, for instance, need to be with their people all the time.

[NomenOmen]

Thank you for your posts, everyone. Much appreciated.

[MostlyCake]

I have almost exactly the same argument with myself periodically....I know that it wouldn't be fair and I think you do too.... it's also unlikely a rescue place would give you a dog unless your circumstances changed.

I second volunteering at a rescue place. Not quite the same but might give you enough of a fix!

[Sunflower49]

My friend has a dog and takes her to her Mum's every day before work and collects her at night-is there anyone available who likes dogs who would do that for you ?

[AllThreeWays]

We have two dogs and work those hours five days a week. They vet a morning and evening walk, and are in the house when we are home. I see no problem with it, the breeders got then had no problem, my vet has no problem.
If they are well exercised and have a good sized back garden, hey are fine. mine sleep most of the time I am gone.

[AllThreeWays]

sorry excuse the typos

[NomenOmen]

Commiserations, MostlyCake.

No, sadly, no family near us, and I couldn't impose on friends (plus, I don't think I know any SAHPs near me!)

[MILLYMOLLYMANDYMAX]

Friend works 4 days per week and takes her dog to the doggy day care nursery. He really loves it. They also go away a lot. In total 3 weeks spread over the year (1 x 2 weeks + 1 week) in kennels is not an awful long time.

My girl came from a rescue centre and she was the most lovely placid girl. Sadly she is no longer with us. We are now looking at the K9 Angel website.

[NomenOmen]

I'm glad your dogs are fine, AllThreeWays. I'm just not used to the idea of having a dog like that (both DH and I had SAHMs when we were growing up). Do yours keep each other company, do you think? Not sure we could have 2 dogs.

(Sorry for slow reply - on phone).

[NomenOmen]

Will check out local doggy daycare, MMMM. Thanks.

[AllThreeWays]

Yes that is why we have two, but have only just picked up the second one, and first dog has still been happy.
Just offering a positive perspective to working and owning dogs.
Am a little confused as to why you asked now, as you are arguing your own point :-)

[kitsmummy]

If you have plenty of spare money then this could definitely work for you. A rescue greyhound would be good (they are known for snoozing all day) and a dog walker 3 times a week, or doggy daycare 3 times a week.

A 1 hour dog walk would probably be around £10 per day and daycare probably around £20 per day.

[Artandco]

I think you could if you had a dog wallet. Most dog walkers around here collect dog around 11ish and take them back around 1 ish so nearly 2 hrs out. You can get extra walks if you will be longer. The same people may do dog daycare or dog house sitting whilst you are away so they are use to same people

I would say a medium size dog would work well.

[Artandco]

Maybe a spaniel of some type

[theeternalstudent]

We have a dog walker that comes and takes her out in the middle of the day for a couple of hours. We walk her in the morning before going to work and in the evening she gets let out in the back garden.

I think rather than looking for a certain breed of dog rather go looking for a low energy dog that will be happy with his own company for those hours that you are at work.

Our dog is so lazy, she is happy to sleep when we are out.

It is possible as long as you are willing to pay for a walker!

[mistlethrush]

With the right dog, if you were willing to get someone in on your work days, this is certainly doable. You would need to choose your breed carefully though - you wouldn't want a high energy breed like a collie, spaniel or some of the terriers. Some pointy hounds would be fine, although some suffer from separation anxiety so you would need to ensure that you got one that didn't - or get two that keep each other company to some extent (still won't work with bad SA, but can help).

[needastrongone]

Mmmm, spaniels have lovely natures, but most enjoy a lot of company and also have a lot of energy too, I thought an older dog, a retired greyhound or the like?

[Sunflower49]

An older dog may be a better option but also if an older dog is used to company the SA would be even worse than a younger dog, just pick carefully if you do go for it :)

[Sunflower49]

And I agree about not focusing too much on breed (speaking as somebody with an incredibly lazy husky. Nobody believes me on that one)!