We want a dog but are clueless!

[DrMum83]

Help please!!

We are desperate for a dog, but have so many questions and queries it seems so difficult!

Background:

Myself, DH and toddler DD.
Reasonably sized house, secure garden (0.75 acre)
We're out of the house 2 days per week, 7.30-6pm. In the rest of time.

So, we're mostly worried about leaving a dog on those two days. We have lots of pet visiting services nearby. DH keen for Labrador..
We want a dog that's good with dc, young but possibly already had a bit of socialization and basic training.

1. What sort of dog should we go for?
   
2. Is it feasible to leave a dog for nearly 12 hours even with a pet visitor once daily?
   
3. Do we need a dog flap so he/she can wander in and out?
   

Any advice/thoughts are welcome! Tia

[Princesspeach1980]

12 hours is a long time with only one visit, especially as a pup. Could you stretch to a daycare?

I wouldn't get a dog flap big enough for a lab, it would be big enough for a burglar

[DrMum83]

Lol, thanks princess - good point re burglar flap!
Yeh, I'll have a look at daycare

[Wolfiefan]

No you can't leave a dog for 12 hours. Doggy daycare?
You sound like you want an older dog? Rescue? Remember an older dog may not have had the start you would want or the training you would do. It may have issues or bad habits. If you want a rescue try somewhere like blackretrieverx. They foster their dogs so can give you an honest picture. And support for life.
In terms of type of dog? There are lots of breed quizzes. How much walking, grooming, training, playing etc are you prepared to do.
And lastly I wouldn't yet. Not with a toddler. Not as a first time dog owner. They take loads of energy and time!

[TrionicLettuce]

Daycare isn't always suitable for all dogs. It depends a great deal on how the individual daycare is run. Some are great and give dogs lots of individual attention whereas others are pretty much a free for all with loads of different dogs together all day. Some dogs can cope with the latter, some can't.

I personally wouldn't go ahead with getting a dog if daycare was a necessity for them as if it turns out they don't like it, or it's encouraging poor behaviour around other dogs, then it could be very difficult to work out an alternative.

[LaPharisienne]

The breed quiz on the crufts website is great and I'd strongly recommend lots of research and careful thinking about your lifestyle and which dog would suit it best rather than "our friends have X dog and he/she is soooo lovely" or even worse "X breed are soooooo cute" or whatever.

For example, labs are big, shed lots of hair and can't regulate their appetites so you have to do it for them or they get grossly fat. They eat anything and everything including their own shit. As puppies, you need to be careful not to exercise them too much and build up slowly, as their joints are prone to problems. They are prone to arthritis.

Otoh, they are endlessly cheerful and everyone's friend. They love going for walks. Long walks. They love swimming in all weathers. They are intelligent and easily trainable.

So... Good for some people, not so good for others!

[DrMum83]

Thanks all. As disappointing as this makes us, I think a toddler and dog couple with our working hours, isn't viable at the moment. I don't want to regret choices we've made. Think we'll wait a few years until kid(s) are a bit older.

[LaPharisienne]

Ah well. I guess better to wait until you can really enjoy it!

[Mycraneisfixed]

I have two Cavalier King Charles spaniels and they sleep on top of each other and are very close. They are left for hours at a time and are happy with each other for company. They have a snug outdoor kennel for when I've left them outside on a dry day and then it rains. Cavaliers love being taken out for walks but don't need taking out every single day if you have a good sized garden.