I’d like to get a dog

[Letitgonle]

I’d like to get a dog and am looking for where I can get the best advice on what kind of dog would suit me/ my lifestyle, as I don’t want to get one that I can’t offer what it needs. Where is best for me to read up on everything and get advice?

Join the Facebook groups of any you’re particularly interested in, hear the questions and problems their owners make and see where you land.

You can also do a thread on here and explain your situation and you’ll get suggestions to take forward.

Try posting in The Doghouse with details of your lifestyle and ask for suggestions.

Tell us. What's your lifestyle? What do you want in a dog? Do you have a breed or type that you like already?

Getting a dog is usually a bad idea. There are so many backyard breeders now and they hold you back from enjoying life so much.

I'd start from what is your lifestyle right now, and what can you offer a dog. If you are already a keen trail runner and love nothing more at weekends than hiking/running and prefer UK camping to holidays abroad then thats a different thought to someone who has an active social life, loves their beach holiday, and isn't very keen on walking in the rain. Neither are right or wrong, but puts a different spin on dog ownership

My lifestyle is not very wild - I work from home mostly. One day per week in the office, and otherwise sometimes out in the evening. Tend not to be out all day over a weekend, very very rarely have big nights out, and overall spend a lot of time in my local area. I would need a dog that can cope at least half a day alone though, once it was trained/ready to do so.

I travel with work around 5 times a year - from 3 days to a week. I’d get care for this time obviously.

For my own holidays, I like to holiday in the U.K., and am more of an outdoor type holiday than city break etc.

I have a garden, with a private large patio area, which then opens into a large shared garden space, shared with one other family who have cats. There are a lot of cats which wander in and out of the garden generally, and squirrels.

I walk a lot, and love to go to parks etc, and live near three big parks. No issues at all with rain etc!

ideally I’d like to get a rescue dog or puppy (latter through one of the many schemes to adopt from abroad)

im aware that some of this might make it difficult, which was why I wanted to consult! There is absolutely no way I would get a dog if I’d be a bad owner to it and make it unhappy. But I’m also willing to adapt where I can to make it work.

There are some breeds that are more inclined to separation anxiety. These are usually doodle type dogs. Some people will say a dog should never be left alone but most are happy enough, especially if it's from a puppy. My dog was actually visibly annoyed that we were in his space when lockdown first started but is used to us now.

I'd be careful about stereotypes tho as I got my dog to go running with but any walk longer than an hour and his feet hurt.

It sounds like most dogs would work with you. What of you stayed overnight somewhere?

I don’t really, unless as part of an actual trip away, and for that I’d have some kind of care really, or the dog with me. In terms of training myself to be a good owner - I think one point would be this, and making sure I go home when planned. But that shouldn’t be too hard 🤣

Ok thanks! Yes I heard doodles, dachhnds and spaniels hate to be alone. Where is best to find info on which breeds would be ok with alone time?

I'd do it the other way round and Google dogs you like the look of and see if they fit your lifestyle. That's what we did because any online "tests" we did recommended dogs I would never have.

Thanks, I’m trying to look around! I don’t want a dog with a high prey drive (honestly the amount of squirrels in my garden is crazy) and that seems to be tough amid the breeds I like

What sort are you after? Mines prey driven but it's not actually too bad. Once or twice he has tried to chase a flying pigeon and the hedgehog population has declined 😢

You can't go wrong with a staffie imo.

Yes, there's a stigma and uncertainty about how the new ruling will affect bully type dogs, but staffs are great.

Staffs are:
Lazy
Loving
Hate the rain but love puddles - especially muddy ones
Want cuddles
Think they are the size of a hamster whilst they heave themselves on your lap/shoulders/head
Have the most amazing smile
The guilty side eye is hilarious
Low maintenance, no grooming appointments needed
Hardy, not prone to disease
Friendly
Will hide behind you when there's a threat (swan/bit of rubbish blowing around/cats)
Easy to train
Loyal and just love people

I'll think of more things later but, yes, a staffie. Beautiful family dogs.

Yes!!!!

If you are at work one day a week, the dog will find those days alone hard. It might be a nuisance to the neighbours (as is a dog near us). Something to consider as it can be a real problem.

I was budgeting to put it with a dog sitter for that day per week

I don’t think that working one day a week is a barrier to getting a dog whatsoever. Leaving dogs home alone seems to be a massively taboo subject on MN but in reality if you train them from early on to be left for periods of time the vast majority will be ok with it. In my opinion constantly being with your dog at home 24/7 just creates separation anxiety when they do need to be left.

We have a 10 month old golden retriever. On the days that I’m working I walk her around the block first thing and then leave her with a chew/enrichment activity to do for the morning. I get a walker to come in around lunch time to take her for a good off lead run with a group of doggy friends. This keeps her happy and breaks the day up for her - typically when I come home again around 5/6pm she’s still snoozing, shattered after her walk!

If you are looking for a rescue, then contact some that are local to you and they will match make! You can follow them on FB and let them know if you feel you can offer the dogs a home.

@Letitgonle

We got a dog. He's fabulous, but changed our life completely.

We used to long walks, coffee's etc etc so thought a dog would be great as we are so active.

Now we have the dog, we are still active but now it feels forced, because we HAVE to walk the dog. We also can't stop at any of our old cafe's anymore because the dog won't sit still. He just barks because he's too excited.

We don't go without him, because we feel bad, he goes with us everywhere. Which I think is the problem because now he can't be left alone without whining!

Mines a working Kelpie. Fabulous breed but hard work 😂

Good luck!!!

@Letitgonle I've just updated a recent thread I made about getting a dog - I've just adopted one from our local Dogs Trust. They choose the dog for you after you've filled in a form and chatted over the phone. It became apparent that the initial dog they had for me wasn't suitable but another one was and I pick her up next weekend.

You may be better to go for a dog that is a bit older as the puppy stage, whilst quite adorable, is very hard work. Don't go for a working dog if you aren't going to do any training with it - its not fair for their brain! And don't get an energetic dog if you're only walking it on a lead.