Dog for living in a flat

[MyNameIsCleo]

I'm considering a dog, but would like to get views on a) is it ok in a flat? b) what sort of breeds would be suited for this life?

Not massive not small flat, we have a large garden, but on a different floor. Out 7.30am until 6.30pm at work but would definitely get a dog walker / doggy day care to make sure they weren't left at home all day, and can be taken to work (in an office) some days.

Thanks in advance for your views!

[QueenMortificado]

I'm sorry, I know you're going to get others who disagree but I don't think it's fair at all to get a dog when you'll be out for almost 12 hours every day. Even with a dog walker the pup will be left alone for 5 hours each time and be very lonely.

Can you arrange to walk someone else's dog instead until your circumstances change?

I'm desperate for a dog but until I can spend all day with him I'm not going to. Putting the dog first would give him a happier life elsewhere.

[Floggingmolly]

Greyhound. They sleep for 18+ hours a day Their minimum exercise requirement is three 20 minute walks per day...

[QueenMortificado]

Also, do you have any floor to ceiling windows in your flat? Otherwise the dog won't ever get to see the outside. So as well as being home alone most of the day he'll feel like he's in a box the whole time. Not very nice for the dog.

[MyNameIsCleo]

Mortificado - I am very undecided because of leaving them in the daytime particularly, and that's the sort of useful thing I want to hear, along with other views on in what situation it would be ok, to help me make the decision. So thank you

[MyNameIsCleo]

Ah interesting Molly!

Also just to emphasise the fact that they would be able to go to work a few days a week which hopefully helps?

Hadn't thought about them not being able to see outside!

[Costacoffeeplease]

I wouldn't

[Floggingmolly]

I've got a greyhound who has to be physically scull hauled off the sofa when it's time for his walk. We've got a garden, but he refuses to go out there. He has zero interest in the great outdoors...

[MyNameIsCleo]

[tabulahrasa]

The flat isn't really an issue, the garden on a different level would make toilet training a puppy a bit harder, but not impossible.

A 11 hour day though... Honestly, that's a huge amount of time, I wouldn't even consider having a dog if no-one was going to be in for that long most days.

[AChristmasCactus]

You are not at home for long enough to give a dog the time and attention it needs.

[MrsLettuce]

It's no situation to bring a dog into. Sorry. You simply don't have time for one.

[TeddyIsaHe]

No breed is suited for 11 hour days alone, even with a dog walker and days at the office. I'm sorry that's probably the opposite of what you want to hear. If you were to get a pup there is absolutely no way they could be left alone for that length of time for a good few months, and even a rescue needs weeks to settle in and feel comfortable. You could maybe get away with 11 hours very, very infrequently, but even then it isn't fair. But do lots of research on breeds, so if your circumstances do change you'll know what would work for you.

[MyNameIsCleo]

Thanks all, and please don't worry about saying the opposite of want I want to hear, I asked to get genuine opinions from people as I'd never want to get a pet in a situation that wouldn't be fair on them.

Not planning on moving or changing my lifestyle anytime soon, so sounds like another dog isn't practical (had one previously in house/less work situation).

[AgainPlease]

No no no. The poor thing couped up in a flat on their own most of the day? That's horrible.

Even with doggy daycare for 6 hours a day at £30 (London) a day full time - that's £600 a month you will have to find.

No. Just no.

[BagelGoesWalking]

It's not just the fact that you would have to employ and pay someone to do a couple of walks every day as you're out for so long, it's that they would be totally alone for so many hours, it just doesn't seem like a very fair existence for a living thing.

Also, would you really want to go out again in the rain/cold etc when you've got back from a 12 hour day? The novelty might wear off fairly quickly however dedicated you are.

[frenchiepup]

We lived in a first floor flat when we brought our french bulldog puppy. We also had a large garden on the ground floor. We ensured we carried him up and down the stairs as its not good for puppies to do stairs whilst growing especially as frequently as required when toilet training! However our pup quickly got used to it and used to stand at the door to say he needed to go out for a wee (or that he wanted to go outside for a play!). 11 hours a day alone is a long time for a dog and especially a puppy. However if you can take it to work with you 3 days a week and doggy daycare 2 days a week i think you would make it work. Our pup goes to doggy daycare every now and again, he loves it and comes home knackered!

[MyNameIsCleo]

Thanks again everyone.

For people who do have dogs, how long do you leave them for? Are you largely part time / SAHP / retired / not working / shorter days / have a dog walker?

For me I'm out for too long, just interested to know others situations.

[tabulahrasa]

I do most of my work at home and when I am out it's in the evening when everyone else is in.

So he's not routinely left at all, I mean other than he is left obviously, he doesn't come shopping or to appointments or what have you, but not for set periods of time.

Before that I was at home with small children, then at uni, but my childcare was also dog care, then part time, but in a job I could always take a dog with me.

[Bakedappleflavour]

A cat would be better. I really wanted a dog too but we live in a flat so was out of the questions. I have two indoor Birman girls who have every advantage of a dog (affectionate, playful) but are a good 50% less high maintenance. Win win!

[nagsandovalballs]

We have a cat for these reasons. Plus we have a cat flap so she comes and goes as she pleases.
Have you considered a guinea pig or hamster?

[MyNameIsCleo]

I used to love my guinea pigs and hamster when I was a child! Sadly DH hates cats.

I've accepted its not for me in the current situation, but when I was thinking about it just started wondering what most dog owners do, as was assuming that a lot of others are out for long days too.

[Bakedappleflavour]

I find it so odd that some people hate dogs but love cats and vice versa.

My dp thought he hated cats too before we got ours

[tabulahrasa]

"as was assuming that a lot of others are out for long days too"

Most of the dog owners I know have children that aren't in childcare, so either work part time or opposite times to their partner... Which means short days or they just swap which adult is in, but there's usually one in.

[allfurcoatnoknickers]

We have 2 dogs in a flat and it isn't an issue at all. In fact they LOVE looking out of the window at goings on in the city outside and are obsessed with riding in the lift - they think it's some kind of magic cuddle box where people get in and tell them how cute they are.

We also work, but due to a combination of doggy daycare/dog walkers, dog loving neighbors and flexible work from home policies at DH's office, they're never alone for more than 4 hours. It costs a fortune and requires military style scheduling, but it's worth it to make sure they have happy lives.

[Ylvamoon]

MyNameIsCleo- have you looked at your local dog rescue? Ours has dog walkers... maybe instead of having a dog, your family could volunteer? This way, you can get to know all the different breeds and sizes without having to commit to actually owning one!
P.S. I have currently 2 dogs, work about 6h/ day Monday- Friday ( some of it from home). I am lucky enough that I can take them to work with me... we usually have 3-4 dogs in the office!