Need honest advice about getting dogs..

[holidayfairy]

Bit of a background

1. We have never had pets and so far never been interested in getting them but have slowly changed our views over some time now.

2.we are in our 40s and have two children 7 and 14 years

1. We both work full time and have to commute 45 minutes but there will be one or two days one of us will be at home in the day time. would be happy to have a dog walker if we cannot walk the dog.

Girls love pets especially the younger one. We are a responsible family and will really try our best to give the dog proper care.
The youngest don't know that we are considering getting a dog as don't want to break her heart if it is not for us.
So,
Is having a dog for us?if so, what breed and how to get one.
Would the house smell- sorry had to ask as far as I remember it doesn't but may be I have not noticed it.

Sincere opinions please..

Why would you not take the aupair into consideration ?

It is just that they are only in the house one year at a time and it is best to take them out of equation. Although, I guess that they would let the dog out and keep an eye out if asked.

Why is day care not an option? My dog goes to day care from 9-1 with a local dog walker. It costs £10 then she is flat out till kids are in at 4!

We had a dog while I was at home with my small children. When they went to school and I went back to work, we had an au pair mostly for the dog! She also collected the kids from school as I finished a bit later than them and was around for those days when someone wasn't well enough to go/stay at school. As the kids grew older they had a rota for walking the dog before and after school - not always very keen but they did learn that that's what responsibility for a dog entails.

You can get dog care whereby they pick up your dog, keep all day and drop home. I think an au pair would help break the loneliness - if she is a dog lover too she may welcome working for you.

Thanks all again, we have decided that we will have to wait for sometime to get a dog and you have all helped us make this decision.
We are disappointed but given our circumstances it is probably not the best thing at the moment.

How about volunteering with the Cinnamon Trust? You get to walk a dog without the day in day out commitment.

For several years my mum took a working guide dog out for 'fun' walks - obviously they do a lot of walking in their jobs but this was purely off-duty where he could run around after a ball, mooch about with other dogs and generally hang out in the park. He loved it, my mum loved it and his owners loved it too as it made him a happier, healthier dog . An arrangement like that would be perfect for your family