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Pets

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I think I know the answer to this question but want to see what MN says.

36 replies

OrmRenewed · 28/06/2010 12:21

Children desperately want a dog.
DH and I would quite like a dog but can see the downsides.

The reason we haven't so far is:

  1. We live in a town and I think dogs in towns are very hard work if they aren't going to be pita for everyone else.
  2. We only have a tiny garden and small house.
  3. We both work full-time.
  4. We have 2 cats.
  5. Vets costs! Bad enough for 2 cats.

But we are moving to a larger house and garden, DH is working school hours only and has school holidays off. He will be working 100yrs from our new house so in theory could pop home to see dog. The current owners of the house have a dog so won't be too much of a shock for our neighbours.

So tell me, is it still a complete no-no. I am torn TBH. It would probably something smallish in the terrier dept.

OP posts:
ilovemydogandMrObama · 28/06/2010 12:25

Apparently in Japan, there's a dog share scheme where you take a dog out for a walk and it's jointly owned by several people.

Just an idea

rubyrubyruby · 28/06/2010 12:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OrmRenewed · 28/06/2010 12:30

7, 11 and 13 ruby.

Don't want to share a dog He will be mine ours alone!

OP posts:
Themasterandmargaritas · 28/06/2010 12:35

Oh Orm, yes you must do it. Sounds like you have thought it all through properly and would make an excellent dog owner. Our dc would be totally lost without our dog (and recent puppy!).

ShinyAndNew · 28/06/2010 12:35

I live in a town in a small house with no garden and love having a dog. I cannot imagine life without one. however I grew up with dogs. I think it depends upon what sort of person you are.

Your dog needs walking every day, regardless of rain, hail, sleet, snow. My routine with my dog is all off kilter atm, because of the heat. Which is a pain in the arse and tiring. He cannot cope in the heat, so he bouncing of the walls all day waiting for his walk, which is having to be done in the evening once it is a bit cooler, when I am tired and usually relaxing. But I wouldn't consider not having a dog because of this.

Training has gone as far as I think we are able alone and he is getting along a lot better with other dogs, which means he can now attend obedience classes. Which also means an end to lazy Sunday mornings in bed.

There is constantly dog hair and bits of chewed up bones/dog toys all over the house.

If I wash his bed he wee's on it. Be aware of the weeing and pooing issue. Puppies will shit and piss all over you house, until they are house trained. Which depending on the dog/training method could take days or months. Once you think you are over that, remember they will get old and may become incontinent. Ergo, the shitting and pissing starts again. Many male dogs deal with change/stress by pissing all over the place.

Vets are expensive. Even with insurance there are still vaccines, wormers, flea treatments and dental checks to pay for.

If you get a black dog you never can never wear white, vice versa for white dogs.

They are bloody hard work.

If you can read all that and you still think you would like one, then I think you should get one.

Eleison · 28/06/2010 12:39

When I got my terrier I was working part time away from home and drove back to walk him etc. It does sound like it will be do-able if DH is motivated to build the dog routine into his day.

Some breeds are SO much more self-sufficient than others, and my JRT is entirely happy to flake out for chunks of the day provided that all his needs are met (I've worked at home for a couple of years now but he still keeps up the routine of not expecting anything from me in work hours).

downside of JRT is that they are likely to be more murderous less reliable with cats than some breeds.

rubyrubyruby · 28/06/2010 12:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SingingTunelessly · 28/06/2010 12:43

I see you say DH will be able to pop home but realistically how long will the dog be left on its own for?

You really can't leave a puppy alone for long apart from the fact it's unkind to them, they get distressed and will destroy the room they are in.

If DH is able to pop home at lunchtime, maybe consider an older rescue dog who is calmer?

OrmRenewed · 28/06/2010 12:45

I was thinking of a JRT as it happens - dad has one and is totally wonderful! But the cat thing bothers me - he can't help barking at cats I fell in love with a patterdale terrier a few years back but anything terrierish will do.

I go running three times a week (in theory!) so the excerise wouldn't be a problem and we will be a few mins walk from open fields.

Can cope with the poo/wee/hair issue. I've got kids FFS! And cats.

Vets bills bother me - after we move there will be less money to spare. I just paid £66 for a check up, jabs and worm treatment for one cat!

Thanks for your input everyone.

OP posts:
ShinyAndNew · 28/06/2010 12:47

I had a JRT who was horrified of cats.

OrmRenewed · 28/06/2010 12:47

singing - a rescue would be ideal really. My dad's dog was a year old when he got him.

OP posts:
thumbwitch · 28/06/2010 12:48

ilovemydog, a friend of mine has a dogshare with another good friend - it works very well (they're not Japanese though)

OrmRenewed · 28/06/2010 12:59

Patterdale Isn't that lovely?

OP posts:
SecretSquirrel193 · 28/06/2010 13:14

I reckon a retired greyhound might suit you
A lot are good with cats, and it would be happy to crash out on the sofa during school hours, and be up for a walk before/lunch/after to suit you.

A terrier, especially a puppy is going to be hard work in terms of being left alone. A lot are like my breed of Border Collies, where if you don't give them a job, they become self employed. You would need to terrier proof a room, and I think you'd go through a fair cost in bones and toys to occupy one. They were bred to be busy all day on the farms/with the hunt so crashing out for a few hours isn't ususually on the agenda!

thumbwitch · 28/06/2010 13:18

I want a whippet - I have heard that they can be more like cats than dogs, apparently don't shed too much and aren't that fussed about going for long walks/runs. But they might compete with the cats for lap room.

DH loathes cats and I am not a dog person at all - so I have compromised on saying I would be happy to have a whippet when DS is bigger (haven't told him the first bit above).

OrmRenewed · 28/06/2010 13:22

Really squirrel? That might work. I know a very beautiful whippet and some delightful lurchers but not met any greyhounds - I know they are very beautiful. I always assumed they'd need loads of excercise and chased cats!

Will have a think.

OP posts:
SecretSquirrel193 · 28/06/2010 13:35

Some do, but an awful lot don't Whippets IME tend to be more cat chasey.

Eleison · 28/06/2010 13:35

Greyhounds don't need loads of exercise, funnily enough. Some will chase cats. You'd need to make it clear at the rescue place that you have cats and couldn't keep a dog that wasn't good with them.

Friend of mine has a rehomed racing greyhound, lovely quiet dog. This friend has cats without problem. It is his second greyhouind -- the first was good with cats too.

There was a failed rehoming, though, when they were given dog that did chase cats, despite having made it clear that they owned cats. So you have to be very clear that any rehoming will be provisional on the dog settling with cats.

Eleison · 28/06/2010 13:37

(It wouldn't have to be an elderly dog. The racing industry throws up loads of young dogss that are levely but just not up to scratch for racing and need homes.

OrmRenewed · 28/06/2010 13:37

Thanks.

Have had a look at the Greyhound Rescue site. Oh my lord those are some beeootiful dogs

OP posts:
Smalline · 28/06/2010 13:39

Have you thought of fostering a dog? you can stipulate your requirements, must be good with cats, children, can be left for short periods etc.

DC and DH kept on about getting a dog, I wasn't that keen cos I knew I would be doing all the work, anyway we fostered a 16 month old English Springer Spaniel, he is a fabulous dog, excellent with the children (who are 7 & 9) fully house trained I could go on and on for ever. We have now adopted him, to be honest I cannot imagine life without him now

thumbwitch · 28/06/2010 13:39

I have known two whippet/labrador crosses - both were beautiful dogs (looked like 6mo lab puppies their whole lives), very human-oriented and lovely manners. One of them I knew better than the other, and she didn't chase cats. She hated squirrels though...

mistlethrush · 28/06/2010 13:53

Re cats - it depends how they've been brought up... If brought up in a household with cats, no problem. If cats are introduced relatively late on - more likely to be an issue! But greyhounds/whippets are renowned for liking short bursts of high intensive activity once or twice a day with big long naps in between...

CountryGirl2007 · 29/06/2010 00:10

It sounds like you will be able to give a great home to a dog when you move, working 100 yards away is great as he'll be able to pop back at lunch and let the dog out. Any breed can get along with cats, even though a lot of people say terriers and cats don't mix, I know a few terriers that live with cats with no problems at all, but they have been raised with them since pups. greyhounds can also be cat friendly.

ShinyAndNew · 29/06/2010 08:33

Orm, my vets do a pay monthly scheme. For a greyhound it would be £12 a month there abouts, and it pays for all annual vaccinations, flea treatments, wormers and dental checks, plus a free full health check each year. You get 20% off the food they sell and 10% off all extra treatment. Some things aren't worth claiming on the insurance for. My dogs shampoo is only £6 per bottle, so no point claiming, as there is a £25 excess, so we will benefit from the 10% off. I believe a lot of vets have similar schemes.

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