Is a dog a possibility for us?

[littledolly2]

At the very early stage of research here so hoping for some help! I've never owned a dog but DP always has one growing up and now DD (11) is mad about dogs so we are seriously considering one. We have a decent size house with an enclosed garden in a small town but the problem is I work full time. I do go for a walk most mornings at 6am so could take the dog out then and DD doesn't leave for school until 8.15am. She's first home around 4.30pm so I realise I'll probably need a dog walker for the middle of the day. Between us we can exercise the dog against in the evening.
How do people who work full time manage with a dog? What breeds are better suited to this kind of household and would the dog stay indoors or be in the garden while we're out?
Excuse my naivety here - as I say I'm in the very early stages of exploration here and want to spend a good few months looking into things before I make a decision. Thanks in advance for any comments.

@wolfiefan

Are dogs have a dog flap into over an acre of fully enclosed garden.
With dog toys. Different areas to sniff, run around etc.
And we live in a very secluded cornish village were a) no one would steal our dogs because we all known, like and respect each other and b) of a strange car or person was seen trying to scale our garden walls the neighbours would be put there like a shot.

So frankly I agree with oliking... You are judging without knowing the circumstances or situation.

Our first cavalier had a serious heart issue by age 3 and was restricted on exercise, even our vet said the dog being left quietly sleeping for the whole day was a good thing as he needed rest.

So don't comment on what you don't know about

If you can definitely afford a dog walker then I think its doable with a lower energy older dog such as a greyhound. Even though they are quiet I think they need that company during the day so I would hesitate to get one if you can't afford the walker.

Completely off the main topic: isn't 'toilet' a strange way to describe urinating and defecating in dogs? A bit like that strange US 'potty training'.

And on the main topic: some dogs would be fine with that situation.

Still judging. Justify all you want. No reputable breeder or rescue would consider you with that set up.
They eat a toy.
Get soaked and muddy with no one to dry them.
Eat plants they shouldn’t etc etc.
I have higher standards than that.

That's presumptious of you. Again
Presuming we do not carefully check our garden, presume we don't give our dogs only dog safe toys, presume our house is not always warm so the dogs don't get cold... Etc... Etc... And our dogs came from a well respected breeder who knew us and came to see our home prior to us getting the dogs.

OP, I waited 10+ years for my own dog as I worked FT and could only be home 1 or 2 days a week. For me, that was not the kind of life I wanted to give a dog - even using daycare for all the other days still did not sit right with me because of the risk that the dog wouldn't like it, was sick, etc.

I am only able to have one now because some family moved in with me, so someone is home all day. They brought 2 x JRTs with them so the dog has plenty of company. Even with that set up I am still grateful I now have a job that allows me to WFH 3 days a week. On the days I work I still get a walker in to break the day up.

That said, he's a young springer - so quite a full-on dog.

Firstly sorry to the OP for the post getting derailed.
Thank you for the support theredjellybean.
Wolfiefan lots of assumptions going on in your current post.
Our dog was bought from a reputable breeder. He has great life despite what you think. He has the run of a well fenced yard a warm house when cold is an issue and a cool one when heat is which is more likely given where we live. (drought area). Hot climate.
Lastly as are people all dogs are different and some would not be happy living in our dogs situation i totaly get that. Our dog however is well loved cared for and a very happy dog. So lets just move on and let the post get back to what it was about. Thank you for your concern about our dog but it's not needed.

OP - I work full-time (apart from winter, which is quiet in my line of work) and have a dogwalker who does one hour with my dog halfway through the day. It was the same with my previous dog (who would have managed fine without a toilet break as , in extreme weather, she once held on for 18 HOURS because she refused to go out). I do this principally so the dog gets cuddles, jolly company and an outing for one hour in my absence. Both dogs have been fine with this regime. I also leave the radio on (my parrot likes this too) and my dog can look out of the window at passing life/cats/people if she fancies a bit of entertainment. However, both my dogs were adult when this started - I don't think a puppy would manage with just a dogwalker for an hour and being alone the rest of your working day.

I always find it strange that people that work full time would want the hassle of throwing a dog into the mix! Dogs are a massive commitment, no matter how well they come being left alone they thrive with company and companionship. Being sent to a daycare centre with strange dogs can be a highly stressful experience for many dogs. I have wanted a dog for years but had to wait until I changed my job to term time and 3 hours a day to get one, because that is the right thing to do. If I could have someone come and pick up my dog and take him for a two hour walk, on his own, that might work BUT thats not how dog walkers work, he would be mixed with 4-5 other dogs and walked en-mass. He is a pack animal, we are his pack, he is happiest when we are home. There is a reason why some charities wont rehome to full time workers. It is down to animal welfare. Just because they can cope alone, doesnt mean they should have to. Maybe get your child to do some voluntary working dog walking on a weekend or something with you?

I've got 2 young spaniels OP and being honest, I can't leave them for more than a couple of hours at the most and rarely do. DH and I work together so ours come to work with me part time, and if I've got hair/eye/Dr appointments, I make sure someone is home to be with the dogs. I think it's really cruel to leave a young dog at home alone all day, even with a walker coming in. You may get away with an older rescue dog, but any dog is a massive commitment as well as an utter joy.

No. In your shoes, OP, I would not get a dog, not at all.
Get a cat. Cats are a good solution. And they really don't mind being home alone. A dog is a social pack animal. Dogs are not meant to be alone inside (or outside for that matter) for long stretches. It's not good for them.
And if you think your DD is going to come running home in the dead of winter, thrilled to walk a dog after a long day at school, think again.

And don't do borrow my doggy! You're not home during the day. It could go so massively wrong leaving someone else's dog alone in a strange place all day for a week.

I really would think about a cat.