To get a puppy?

[Inatizzielizzie]

Just to be clear we are still researching and haven't made a decision but it would be so helpful for any advice!

Here are our circumstances-

We have small terraced house and patio walking distance to large parks with woods and a fenced dog park with woodland. We do feel fairly cramped but the reality is we don't want to move.

Twin boys starting school in September.

I work p/t freelance (3 days a week, all home based).

Husband works from home 2-4 days per week.

We are very outdoorsy, spend most free time outside and holiday in the uk.

Does this sound a good time to get a dog? Is it madness? My family are not dog people and keep saying we are far too busy for a dog. Would we realistically struggle to find the time?! I want to consider everything before making this life changing and life long decision.

Thanks in advance!

It sounds like the perfect time to me. Hope your DCat isn't too horrified though!

The one thing I would say is be sure the little boys understand how to treat the dog - not being grabby all the time, dog will need to feel safe from prodding little fingers etc. But it's lovely to grow up with a dog.

Either get dog from a rescue, or from a reputable breeder.

There are loads of ways of creating safe spaces for dogs without resoeting to caging them up!

Pups need their space to sleep undisturbed, families never used to lock them away. It can be done, easily, believe it or not.

Anyway, not to derail, just saying.

Also, not so black and white, it depends on the school set up wrt taking pup on school runs, with car, walking, distance involved, etc. Lots to factor in.

Thanks everyone. I am more leaning towards reputable breeder due to some of the things mentioned with a rescue and due our situation - for example lots of rescues won't rehome to families with under 6s, lots have rules ie fence height in garden, then factor in the cats. I think a puppy may be more sensible but not ruling a rescue out. Anyway, it's a way off yet as I have a lot more research to do! But it seems that our situation is generally considered ok, which is a good starting point! My main concern was that the time needed to raise a pup or dog would be too much for my circumstances but it is reassuring to hear that it is doable (with a lot of effort etc)

Getting a puppy is a bit like having a baby, but the development stages go by a lot faster. When you get the puppy you will need to make it your first priority for a while, even though it will do some really annoying things. Expect sleepless nights, accidents in the house, chewing your favourite things and socialisation, training and walking in all weathers.

The first year is the most intense, by 2yo most dogs settle into their personalities and routines.

Be prepared for your DCs to find the reality of the puppy really annoying. The puppy may jump up on them and lick them in the face, it will eat their toys, it will play bite, pull on the lead and generally be a handful until trained.

How long this difficult period might last, with no sleep, toilet accidents, shark mouth puppy, etc. is impossible to say. Like babies, puppies differ a lot.

When choosing a puppy you want to stack the odds in your favour. Get a breed that is intelligent and calm, like a poodle for example, from a breeder who breeds for temperament and health (parents should have been health screened and you should be able to see at least the mum). Invest in puppy classes with a good, reward-based trainer who can teach you how to train the puppy and set aside a lot of time at the beginning for socialisation (the socialisation window closes at 14 weeks).

Pups need their space to sleep undisturbed, families never used to lock them away

People used to keep dogs in the garden in kennels - still do in many countries. Also, people used to be a lot more blasé about the risks of letting kids and dogs mix unsupervised.

I'm not saying that a crate is the only way to create safe space, but it's a very effective, portable one. It also keeps a young puppy safe when the owner is not available to supervise it - say, upstairs bathing the kids.

Thank you so much! Brilliant advice!

My list of suitable breeds on reading so far include -

Whippet (but cats?!)
Vizsla
Labrador (very stinky!)
Golden (very stinky!)
Minature poodle

We're similar to you OP in that I've wanted a dog since I left the family dog at my parents years ago. Always struggled to make it work.

We got our puppy 3 weeks ago and he's fitted right into the family. Not hugely hard work, the early mornings are a breeze because we're up then anyway, the house is puppy proofed now and he's totally changed our weekend activities.

He's a fast learner too so accidents in the house are rare now (15 weeks old)

Do it. We have daycare 3 days a week and juggling days/vet visits/ copious visitors is a challenge but it's soooooo worth it. He's currently lounging on the floor after a morning of cuddles and play

I’m homestly not trying to put you off (I love my dog ) but one thing that I found hard was that we got our puppy just when the dc got to the age where they were starting to be more independent and it was a shock suddenly having a “baby” again

Oh, and if you do go ahead definitely get a Golden Retriever!!,

Please consider getting a rescue dog. They will give you lots of love and deserve a loving home. One of the best things I ever did (x2).

Puppies are bloody hard work. If you take your eyes off them they will chew/have accidents. It’s not easy. Can you take weeks out of work to establish behaviour and routines?
Your list of breeds are VERY diverse.
Viszlas bloody hard work and not for the faint hearted!
Goldens. FUR!!!!!!
Consider grooming and energy issues. Also potential health issues. Labs and hips etc.
Whippet and cat? Doable but not sure any pup is very fair on a 15+ year old cat. We have a wolfhound and cats. It’s manageable but you do have to manage it. (Dog and cats separate at night etc)

Not a Vizla - lovely though they are. As a first time dog-owner with young children, you want a breed that is calm and easy to train. So not something high-energy like a Vizla or - god forbid - a Springer (my favourite breed but they are insane ).

A poodle is a good idea. Or a working cocker or border terrier (the latter only if your garden is escape-proof). If you want something larger, a retriever (lab or goldie) is a good call.

Thanks everyone! Great to hear the realities. The best fit seems a vizsla as they are a bit smaller, lot less smell and hair than golden and lab but they are higher energy. Anyway, we won't be. making decisions on a rescue or pup / breed before meeting dogs, speaking with recues and breeders etc.

Thanks! A lab seems a good choice but I only hesitate because all I've met are so smelly and super hairy. Not a deal breaker of course and all dogs smell and shed, they just seem to be at the top end of the scale! But again temperament, health etc is more important than something like that so of course not ruled out!

If you are saying you are already a bit cramped at home and are planning another baby I wouldn’t be looking at getting any kind of large dog , a whippet or border terrier would be way more appropriate . Go to a pet shop and look at the actual size of large dog beds and visualise that in whatever rooms in your house you want the dog to sleep . If you plan on using a crate ( I don’t ) look at the actual space they take up .

I wouldn't have a retriever, lab or viszla in a terraced with just a patio, I've got two labs and they are no more smelly than the lurcher, and less smelly than golden retrievers I know, but they do shed terribly, and a garden is a godsend with a hyper young dog ime!

Thanks! Great idea. Really not keen on a terrier of any description but appreciate labs etc are large breeds. All things to add to the research list!

A whippet ticks every box except the cats, which is possibly a deal breaker as due to size and layout will be a hassle to keep them seperate etc.

Do NOT get a viszla as a first time dog owner - they are wonderful dogs but by no means guaranteed to be smaller than labs/goldies and have a huge exercise requirement when they are young. In your position a whippet (from a puppy so has time to become cat friendly - though we had a succession of whippets and lurchers growing up, all of which were rescues, and no cat issues - we had 3) or a poodle seems the most sensible option from your list - and are both fantastic breeds - but would also consider border terriers, miniature schnauzers, show cockers. Avoid anything brachycephalic like the plague and carefully research any health issues common in the breed you choose.

A whippet bought up with cats would most likely be fine with those cats .

Having a dog is like having a permanent toddler, a puppy is hard work and you may need time off to settle the dog in.
Puppy classes and family puppy classes.

X-post re. terriers - do take a look at Borders though as they are known for being super family dogs and are quite possibly the least terrier like of all the terriers! Any dog is what you make of it - no matter whether it’s a lab, a poodle or otherwise - they require incredibly careful socialisation and management around small children. As you can see this one is ferocious...

Thanks! Yes, I would rule out anything with a flat face as we are v active and it just wouldn't cope, as well as being so un healthy and I wouldn't want to support the breeding of dogs who can't breathe. I LOVE whippets so so much but my younger cats race round playing and chasing each other and I worry a whippet could chase and kill them?!

Beautiful border! Will look into them then!

A crate is not to avoid having to do the work. A crate gives the puppy a safe space - crucial in a household with young children. The kids need to be taught never to interact with the puppy when it's in its crate.

Well said! Mine choose to go in the crate if they want.