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Original poster

Am I suitable to own a dog and if so what sort

20 replies

SmileyMylee · 27/04/2009 21:17

I have always, always wanted a dog, but until the last year have been out at work all day and know that this would be cruel for a dog.

I have experience of dogs (we had a wonderful labrador when I was growing up) but am obviously not an experienced dog owner.

I am at home now and am around the whole time (with the exception of say up to two hours when I go shopping.)

We live in a city, but have a large garden (200 ft) and live opposite a large park and the children's school is near a large wood.

I would plan to do one 'quick' walk in the park for say 30 mins at 7am and then a longer walk in the local woods after the school run at 9 (for say 1 hour) and a third walk (say 30mins to 1 hour (at 2.30 ish). If pushed I could do a 30 minute walk in the evening at 8 ish.

At weekends we enjoy going on local walks and so the dog could have longer walks then.

We have 1 rabbit (who is a house rabbit and has free run of the house currently in the evenings) but could be contained to one room if necessary.

We have 3 children. 9, 7 and nearly 4. They are all very good with the rabbit. They handle her gently and treat her with respect. However all the dog rescues I have contacted have refused to consider me because I have young children. I would not consider getting a dog until the youngest started school in September when I would have more time to focus on the dog.

So my main questions are:

Would I really be an unsuitable owner due to having young children in the house?
what sort of dog would be suitable given the exercise that I can commit to? I was thinking of a smaller dog anyway.
would it be better to get 1 or 2 dogs?

OP posts:

Tortington · 27/04/2009 21:19

sounds fine.
small ish dog

please don't go to a breeder

MmeLindt · 27/04/2009 21:22

We just got a dog before Christmas (a puppy) and our DC are 4yo and 7yo so I don't see why the age of your children should be a problem, especially as they are used to the rabbit.

We have a Maltese Terrier/Cavalier King Charles and she would be more than happy with the walks you are intending doing. She is actually content with just one long walk and lots of garden time (plus the school run of ca. 30 mins). She does not need a walk in the evening, she just goes into the garden for a wee.

Don't know if that is too small a dog for your though, she is a real wee lapdog. I suspect your rabbit is bigger.

ingles2 · 27/04/2009 21:24

you sound like you would be a great dog owner

So what sort of dog would you like? size? grooming? any allergies?
I (as always) will recommend a cocker spaniel. They don't need as much exercise as you can give and make great family pets. On the down side, they need a fair amount of grooming and they can be quite smelly.
I would buy from a reputable breeder. IMO your children (well the 4 yr old) are too young to get a rescue dog.

Original poster

SmileyMylee · 27/04/2009 21:40

The rabbit is a mini lop and tiny!

I would love a Cavalier King Charles but am a bit worried about all the stuff I've read about heart conditions. I would love one that I could have curl up on my knee whilst I watch television (although I will have a battle to prise it away from my DD.) I also love labs because the one we had when I was growing up was the most amazing dog you could imagine and I'd love my kids to experience that kind of loyalty.

I would love a rescue dog ( I like the idea of giving a home to dog without one, IYKWIM), but I'm a bit worried about their initial behaviour if they've had a particularly bad start to life. I only know two people who've had rescue dogs. One worked wonderfully, the other had to be returned as it kept snapping at the children.

I'm new to this, but wanted to start my research early.

OP posts:

Original poster

SmileyMylee · 27/04/2009 21:42

Custardo,

why do you advise against a breeder? Is it just because there are so many dogs needing good homes or do they treat the dogs cruelly. (I've heard a bit about puppy farms and I'm not sure if this is the same as a breeder).

OP posts:

MmeLindt · 27/04/2009 21:45

That is why we went for a puppy as I did not want to take the risk of a rescue dog.

Our pup looks quite like a Cavalier King Charles, her face is definitely more spaniel than Maltese.

I am hoping that she will have the best features of each of the breeds, so far I would say so. I don't know if it is the mix or if it is her family, but her brothers live in the same village and they are all great dogs. Very gentle with children, well behaved, quick to learn.

stleger · 27/04/2009 22:16

You might find a rescue centre with a bitch who has puppies, or they may know a family dog who needs to be rehomed for reasons like moving abroad - as opposed to wanting rid of their naughty dog.

Original poster

SmileyMylee · 27/04/2009 22:23

I've contacted 5 rescue centres already, and they've all told me that as I have young children they are unlikely to have any dogs that would be suitable. All the write ups on the dogs say 'suitable for families with teenagers' or for retired couples or quiet households only.

Most seem to have Staffordshire Bull Terriers or Rotweilers only (or perhaps this is just because I live in London.)

Is it simply a case of keep trying?

OP posts:

mrsjammi · 27/04/2009 22:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ingles2 · 27/04/2009 22:32

Smiley the reason the rescue centres say that is that just can't be sure if the dog will be fine with children, so they won't risk it/
They don't even rehome cats with small dc's.
I'm afraid you won't find an adult dog that way. You need to put your name down for a puppy and wait. Ring them regularly so they know you're keen.

Original poster

SmileyMylee · 27/04/2009 22:38

Ingles2. Thanks I'll do that tomorrow.

I'd love a puppy!

OP posts:

chickchickchickee · 27/04/2009 22:59

If you wanted a CKCS you could try breed rescue, such as here www.cavalierrescue.co.uk/

Original poster

SmileyMylee · 27/04/2009 23:23

Cickchickchickee - thanks for this, will call tomorrow.

I'm getting really excited now.

OP posts:

bella29 · 28/04/2009 11:26

You sound like a perfect home for a dog.

Have you tried Battersea?

LittleB · 28/04/2009 17:07

I was in a similar position to you, although I'd had rescue dogs in the past, and wanted to get another when dd was 2, but we didn't want to risk an unkonwn rescue with our daughter, so we got a puppy (a nova scotia duck tolling retriever - did alot of research and he seemed the right breed for us - he's lovely and affectionate with a retriever personality but smaller!) Then when he was 18mths and a grown up sensible dog we got another puppy, a border terrier cross, he is equally lovely and smaller.
If you plan to have 2 dogs I would wait until 1 is 18mths or more before you get a second, the risk of 2 puppies together is that they bond more closely with each other than you and they can be very hard to train.
Just a word of warning re Cocker spaniels, if you do get one don't get one from a strong working background in your situation, my SIL did and he's the wrong dog for her as she ins't working him, he's a bundle of untrained energy!
Both my dogs are fine with a couple of walks per day, and some playing in the garden, I think most dogs would be happy with what you can offer except those from a strong working background.
Perhaps get a rescue dog when your children are older, I know I'll have another rescue one day.

GrimmaTheNome · 28/04/2009 17:20

If you know what breeds you're interested in, its worth looking at their websites - sometimes there are older dogs who need a family home. We got our current dachshund at 10 months (when it became apparent he wouldn't make it as a showdog), but the great thing was that we were sure he had a good temperament [better than the predecessor we got as a pup, you can't tell exactly how they will turn out] and was used to kids. We call him a 'semi-rescue' dog.

GrimmaTheNome · 28/04/2009 17:24

Smiley as to real rescue dogs - have you tried the Dog's Trust? It looks from this as though they will consider families with small children.

Original poster

SmileyMylee · 28/04/2009 21:41

bella29 - Battersea said that they rarely got dogs in that were suitable for young families, but I could send in a form and join the list

GrimmaTheNome - thanks for the Dogs Trust link, I've just done the form.

LittleB - thanks for the advice re waiting 18 months for the second dog. I hadn't thought of the bonding issue in this way

Thanks for all your help.

OP posts:

aprilflowers · 28/04/2009 22:29

We have a lab/cross - brilliant with the children and other animals in the house. The cats boss her around. She loves the children. She has about 2 or 1/2 hours per day. May be a bit more when she was younger
They are big dogs but such loving natures - though lots of energy and chewing as pups.

bella29 · 29/04/2009 10:27

Worth going on the list for Battersea - we got our child-friendly girl there and she is fab.

They also have branches in Kent and near Windsor, so try there too if they don't operate a central list.

Very best of luck x

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