What's a good "starter" dog for someone with a bit of a dog fear?

[NellyF1]

What's a good "starter" dog for someone with a bit of a dog fear and who is new to owning a dog?

Interested to know about the breed, gender, etc. that would be best.

Ideally not a very loudy or aggressive breed.

Also, how much does all the maintenance (living costs, food, vet, etc.) costs come to? Can he/she be left alone during the day from 9-5? How often must he/she be walked, is there risk of them pooping in the house unattended?

There is no dog that will thrive on being left alone 9-5 .

Some dogs do mess in the house occasionally. If they're fed on a routine and taken out regularly they usually don't.

I pay £45 a month pet insurance. Vet costs can be very high but some dogs only ever need to go for booster injections.
Food costs vary too. Ours is about £10 a week.

I dont go on breed as much as temperament.

If you leave them alone 9-5 then the chances of them pooping in the house go way up! Dogs shouldn’t be left that long. You will need a dog walker at the very least, if not daycare.

If we are talking about you here, I implore you to never get a dog. You clearly have absolutely no clue as to what it takes to raise and train a healthy, properly socialised dog.

One really unless you can be reasonably certain that your fear won't result in the dog being rejected and needing to be rehomed. You'd be better off speaking to friends with dogs and asking if you can borrow the dog to take on walks and interact with them.

Most dogs will need 1 long or 2 shorter walks per day.

Average insurance cost would be around £500 a year

Food around £20 a month, more if special brands are needed.

Then you'll need to think about toys, bedding, grooming and kennelling if you need it when on holidays.

I’m not really sure there’s a such thing as a starter dog. Dogs require a lot of effort, training, and attention no matter what. I would definitely avoid any breed of working dog, for what you’re after...which eliminates a lot. But be very careful and do your research. I’m a little hesitant here, because I don’t think it’s a problem for someone who has never owned a dog to have one. However, if you are actually fearful, I would strongly advise against getting one at all. Puppies nip, bite, scratch, and jump, no matter the breed. And it’s important that you not be fearful—and to know that you will still not be fearful when dog is no longer a puppy.

Sorry, that should say 'none really' at the beginning

Agree there are no "starter" dogs but a better dog for you could be an older rescue dog that is already trained but needing a loving home for whatever reason.
BUT no you can't leave them 9-5 but might be able to manage if they had a decent walk at lunchtime. What would be the point of getting a dog though if it would be alone all day and the poor thing would be utterly miserable? :-( In your shoes I would not get one.

A "starter dog" in your circumstances is one that belongs to someone else.

Or a cat.

I must have glazed over the gone 9 to 5 part. I agree, if you get a dog, it needs to go to doggy day care. If you’re not prepared to do that, please PLEASE do not get a dog and leave it home alone all day.

@CloudyGladys

A "starter dog" in your circumstances is one that belongs to someone else.

Or a cat.

Perhaps a goldfish?

Dont get a dog, ur "slightly" afraid of them. Plus your neighbours will not thank you for leaving it alone for long periods.
I had a neighbour who left their dog alone for long periods, it howled all day, I offered to let it out. Their solution was to get another dog. Didn't work, 2 dogs howling is even less fun.

@Aquamarine1029

If we are talking about you here, I implore you to never get a dog. You clearly have absolutely no clue as to what it takes to raise and train a healthy, properly socialised dog.

^ This with bells on.

To be quite frank the worst experiences I have had are with other peoples dogs attacking mine while we are out walking. So unless you're prepared for this forget it.

Have you considered a tamagotchi?

@Aquamarine1029

If we are talking about you here, I implore you to never get a dog. You clearly have absolutely no clue as to what it takes to raise and train a healthy, properly socialised dog.

I completely agree. It's a living animal. The term 'starter dog' as though you'll progress and trade it in in a few years when you get the hang of it. It's not a fucking bike.

Don’t get a dog if you’re scared of dogs, you’ll more than likely be fine with your own dog, but they're often approached by other dogs as well.

Dogs shouldn’t be left for more than 4 hours a day, that’s altogether, not 4 hours a walk and then more time.

Walking, for an adult not hugely active breed, you’d want to be doing 2 half hour walks at least, that goes up a lot with more active breeds... but they’ll need out to the toilet more than that, every few hours for an adult, more like every 20 minutes for a puppy.

Cost varies by size and by whether you need to pay for care while you’re at work.

There really aren’t starter breeds tbh, there are breeds that are easier than others, but that’s relative - they’re still a lot of work.

Loud or aggressive is very little to do with breed...

Agree with PP that leaving a dog 9-5 is not possible. You might be able to do a couple of days where a dog walker will have them out for 2-3 hours but ideally they need to be around people as they are social. We rescued a greyhound a couple of years back as their temperament is generally very placid however they must be walked on a lead and some may try to chase small things (cats or birds). Ours has barked 5 times since we got her and is the most laid back beautifully matured creature I’ve ever come across (although everyone’s biased). Greyhounds don’t need a lot of exercising and many are house trained if they are rescue. But they do need company as any dog does.

Don't get a dog if you don't like dogs, OP.

Why do you want a dog op?
What do you want from the experience / relationship?
(I don't think op is going to come back tbh)

@GCAcademic

Excellent trolling, OP.

Starter dog, indeed.

Yeah. I think you're right.

@Smallsteps88

Have you considered a tamagotchi?

Tamagotchis still exist?

I agree with @GarlicSoup (as well as everyone else about the 9-5 issue) - you need to remember that dogs are attracted to other dogs. Sometimes in a "nice" way, but often not, sadly. How would you cope with that? Another dog running at you from across the other side of a field, barking, threatening, jumping all over your dog while the other owner calls from a vast distance "it's OK, he just wants to play"!

Please don't get a dog. They deserve so much better.

Don’t get a dog OP. You are clueless! This has to be a wind up 🙄