Can you recommend a breed for me?

[northernsquirrel]

Hi everyone,

Looking for suggestions for a dog breed- I'm currently wanting to rehome a rescue dog. Never had a dog myself but had experience of looking after a friend's lurcher.

I live alone, work 8 hours daily but can pop home at lunch or take dog in car (community worker), able to walk twice a day, very active at weekends. No other pets in home and no children (although interested in adopting in the future if still single)

Thanks in advance x

I hate to be that person but think long and hard about getting a dog in your circumstances. My setup is similar, I have a dog and make it work but it’s bloody hard work. If I had my time again I’d get another cat instead.

I love but him but he’s a tie.

work 8 hours daily but can pop home at lunch or take dog in car (community worker)
I really don’t think it’s at all fair to have a highly social pack animal home alone for 8 hours a day bar a lunch break or car drive.

I’d get two kittens instead if you desperately want a pet.

Unless you are willing to pay for day care, your current circumstances are not suitable for a dog.

Sorry but I agree with pp - your current circumstances don’t fit with having a dog, unless you are prepared to pay for day care, or using a dog walker who would do a couple of hours active morning walk with you still returning at lunchtime. The dog would be very lonely.

Do you have a dog rescue near you that maybe you could volunteer at, at weekends, or The Cinammon Trust or Borrow my Doggy for weekend walking?

I don't think a dog is right in your circumstances.

Maybe you can spare a few hours a week and do some dog walking for a rescue?

Unless you can pay for daycare or a walker/sitter, then I don't think it would be fair to get any dog given your circumstances. You can't leave a dog all day (even with you popping in at lunch it's too much) and you can't leave your dog in the car, especially not in the summer.

Sorry OP. No rescue would consider you in those circumstances, and for good reason. Dogs need company and companionship.

Thank you all for your honest responses...it's certainly food for thought x

If you want a walking buddy, what about Borrow My Doggy?

I got a dog in your circumstances, and I really regret it. I made it work, but she hated all the time alone, and it definitely impacted on her character and quality of life.

I now work part time and have the money for daycare. I can see what a huge difference it makes for my current dogs, and really regret that I got my first dog when working as I did. I loved her very much, but wasn't able to give her what she needed in those early years.

In the past I would have said no to any dog, then we rescued a retired greyhound, we were told they slept up to 20 hours a day and I would agree.

There is somebody home here all day but we walk her twice a day and she sleeps pretty much the rest of the time. If you are home at lunchtime or can arrange a dog walker then maybe a greyhound would suit. Before we got our dog I watched every youtube video on this dog, they work full time and have a dog walker call in at lunchtime.

www.youtube.com/user/degsgunn

Agree with other posters. Not a good idea to get a dog when you are out all day. We have a spaniel and she's hard work! Me and my DH are at home with her all day and walk her off lead for an hour everyday. We lover her to bits but she's more of a commitment than the kids. After a day out working, it's unlikely you'll have the energy left over to make up for leaving her.

You can’t get a puppy.
And few rescues would consider this. On a hot day? Dog stuck in a car? Awful.
Daycare or dog walker etc. Or rethink.

Greyhounds and whippets are very lazy and quite happy to snooze most of the day away especially an retired one. As long as you get out for at least one good walk/run a day it would be ok. It's not ideal but if you come home at dinner its not too bad. Look at greyhound trust. You would need to be honest about it though and find the right one suited to it, I had 2 lurchers, but I had to rehome 1 as he did need more than i could give him.

Another vote for a greyhound bit be warned, many have separation anxiety so you may end up with two.

I work part-time and have to get dog walkers. What with vet bills, dog walkers, house sitter when we go on holiday the blessed dog HAS COST ME A FORTUNE!

I don’t think your circumstances sound that bad for certain breeds. My last dog was left during the day and my mum used to come in and do an hours walk at lunchtime and she was fine.
My current dog I wouldn’t leave for more than two - three hours and tbf only do that once in a blue moon.
Previous dog was a shar-pei though and they are very independent.