Are we ready for a dog?

[sweetkitty]

That's it really, we have 4 DC ages from 9 to 3, I'm a SAHM and will be for the next 2 years at least so thought it would be best to get a puppy and get the puppy years over and dove with whilst I'm t home.

DP runs marathons and would eventually be looking for a running partner.

We want a large,short haired breed, been looking at ridgebacks.

What else we have a large utility room that we would gate off that could be the dogs den

Oh we also have a 13yo moggie who might be upset at a puppy coming into his house but my experience is that once the cat let's the dog knows who's boss they settle down.

Growing up we always had mongrels so am totally unsure of all this selecting a breeder stuff as well.

[digerd]

If after 2 years you expect to work F/T, then no. Don't know if that breed at 2 years-old can be left for 4 hours, if you will be working P/T.

I met a RR dog a few weeks ago and he was tall, but not hefty, and was not a manic/excited dog, but was 7. He was lovely and they are bred to run for miles.

[sweetkitty]

Thanks

No not expecting to work full time more like part time college course if it happens at all.

[SunnyL]

First of all dogs can't be running partners until they are at least 1 yr old - their joints are too soft and you will risk giving it early arthritis and other joint problems when they are older.

Puppies are very hard work - very rewarding but they do require a lot of time and attention to train them into lovely dogs. Just take a look at all the lovely 6month - 1 year old dogs on Gumtree that are being given away due to 'change in circumstances'. If you read between the lines it's because their owners couldn't be arsed putting the investment in when they were puppies and now they have temperamental teenagers.

Leaving a dog part time shouldn't be an issue so long as they get used to being left alone. Some breeds are better than others though. Working type dogs get easily bored and frustrated and will eat your house I.e. spaniels, collies etc. sight hounds are far better when left for periods of time I.e. greyhounds, whippets, lurchers etc.

Also to note - few rescue homes will let you have a dog if your children are under 7 years old. This is because they don't feel young children and dogs mix particularly well. Be very cautious about this - don't ever leave your dog alone with small children. Even the easiest going dog can snap if a toddler pulls its ears or pokes it in the eye.

My advice would be to continue to investigate your options before committing. Can you volunteer at one of the rescue homes to get you used to how much time and attention dogs take?

[sweetkitty]

Thanks SunnyL I did know about the no running until a year so I meant once the dog is over a year.

My plan would be to gate off the door between the utility and kitchen have a crate and bed in there so the dog could have its own refuge.

I do know how much work you have to invest with a puppy have been thinking about it for at least a year, we are not impulsive people and like to research and research. I'm almost too much the other way and keep thinking is this a good idea, are we mad?

I grew up with two large dogs and did have a lot of responsibility for them, they would have hardly got walked if I didn't do it, I took then to the vets (yes and payed as I got older), fed them, groomed them etc.

[tabulahrasa]

Actually with large breed dogs you need to be careful of their joints for 18 months.

If the main thing you're after is a running companion you might be better looking at something a bit smaller and hardier...if you're after a pet with the occasional run then it's not such a big deal.

No-one but you really knows if it's the right time for a puppy - I will say it's like having another baby in terms of upheaval and the time they take up when they're small.

[sweetkitty]

Ideally a dog that's lazy around the house but happy to go on a 30 min walk to a 15 mile run with DP or anything inbetween.

[Ullena]

Well done for planning ahead

Would you consider a smooth coated collie or a cross of one? Lovely dogs, nowhere near as intense as borders, and once fully grown will happily jog along with you all day. I have a kelpie cross smooth coated collie, and he is a joy. Reserved with strangers, but totally soppy with his family and guests once introduced. He is a largish dog, but tall and lean rather than bulky. Very settled at home, provided he gets his walks.

Having owned him, this is probably my ideal dog. I would go for either of the two breeds he is crossed from, but the mix is lovely if getting a cross. Steady, reliable nature, and oddly lacking in the usual doggy type smell when wet.

[barkingtreefrog]

Our dog is a collie/spaniel and will run beside us in the hills then curl up at home. He has (and needs) 2 hours exercise a day though. He has half an hour walks before work and then usually a run with one of us after work. During the day he has an hour with the dog walker. He's very good with children but we made sure he was used to having his ears pulled and fur messed with from the start! What is the reason for wanting a short haired breed?

[ginauk84]

Have a look here: www.cani-cross.co.uk/

All sorts of breeds are suitable to run with :) What about a lab?

[moosemama]

Large, short-haired breed that loves to run .... obvious choice - greyhound!

Many people who have greys go running with them and as per your last post, they are equally happy with a good old zoom around a field then snoozing the rest of the day of the way. Same with most lurchers.

There are often lurcher pups available for rescue, so you could still get a pup if that's what you have your heart set on.