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!

Your setup sounds perfect for a dog, but working from home with a puppy around will be hard work.

As many have already suggested, rescues might be a better option as it also gives you the opportunity to get to know the dogs personality etc before you take them and means you don't necessarily have to focus on a particular breed as you'll be able to match with one who's personality and traits and already known (not every dog of the same breed is the same!).

We rescued a 12yr old collie cross 4 years ago (despite having a smaller and younger dog in mind when we started looking). She was and is just perfect for our situation. Rescues were fine with us rehoming despite living in a city centre flat and both working ft at the time, so your situation on paper is much better than ours (we had loads of parks nearby and a dog walker already lined up I should add). She's very smart and playful, but because of age doesn't need to be on the go as much as if she were younger and can happily entertain herself. As a puppy she would have been hard work! We often get compliments about how well trained and behaved she is - all of it her previous owner!

If you bring it up from day one to be respectful of the household cats a Whippet should be fine with them.

I have a Vizsla, I wouldn't recommend them as first time dogs. They're extremely high energy and can be neurotic and clingy. Mine is extremely well-trained and is a nice-natured dog but is very exuberant and bouncy and can be a bit spooky with strangers, especially young children. Working-bred Springers, Cockers and Labs are all also generally high-energy, high-input dogs.

Having a puppy is a big commitment and does take over for a while, but I'm sure you've looked into all that as you're doing research.

I'm just here to recommend a cavapoo. They're intelligent dogs, very easy to train, don't need oodles of exercise but will happily go on nice long walks etc. Ours has no interest in cats, is very gentle with children (others from our litter group have small kids too with no issues) and if you train them right they can be left for periods alone. They're also small, don't stink, don't really shed etc either.

Good luck anyway!

My bichon loves walks and is easy to carry if she ever got fed up on one! She doesnt mind rain unless it is heavy. I think personality maybe influences as much as breed? But yes long muddy walks of miles and miles maybe wouldn't be good due probably die to size. Mine seems similar in personality to a cockerpoo. Very lively!

Due to size not die to!

Thanks so much everyone, can't believe all the replies and so much fantastic advice. We havr decided on the breed.......... whippet!!! Just spoken to a lovely breeder who is going to mate her dog soon so we could have one from her. Going to spend the next 4 or 5 months researching and preparing further! Thanks again everyone.

Just a word of caution on breeders. Never search online and KC reg means very little. Have you contacted the breed club?

Thank you. I contacted a couple directly, ones who were recommended to me. I've been in touch with the whippet club etc. I'm going for show lines because of the cats.

That’s fine. I also went with show lines and personal recommendation. Just depends who is doing the recommendation. Often really good breeders have a very long waiting list, expect references and a home check.
Maybe see you at a houndshow soon? If you see the newbie with the wolfhound (normally cuddled up with her on the floor!) it’s very likely me.

Good luck!

Thank you!

Wolfie - aww wolfhounds are so lovely.

I think so. I do love hounds.