Help me choose a bread please

[Nochangeplease]

I’m hoping to be able to get a dog next year. Something I’ve wanted since I was a child. I know it’s hard work and I want one so badly that I’ll overlook the mess, the sleepless nights ect.
So there’s me and 2 kids both over 8. I work in a school so I’m out from 8-3:30. Can pay someone to come over during the day and would originally get plan to get a puppy during my 6 weeks off.
I’ve narrowed down several breeds but would love some opinions based on my preferences.

1. Good with kids
2. Easily trained
3. Not big
4. Doesn’t bark a lot
5. Doesn’t need loads of exercise because I can’t do this every day. But capable of coming on long walks on days off.
6. Doesn’t suffer terribly with separation anxiety.

I should also mention I do not have a garden. Willing to walk before and after work though but realistically these won’t always be able to be long walks.

Whippet!

😂😂I'm quite partial to ciabatta myself 😂 You might want to ask @mumsnetHQ to edit the title of your post 😂

But more seriously having a dog without a garden is going to be very hard. Are you prepared to take it for a walk before & after work? And then out again for a wee before bedtime? How is that going to work o@ around your children? If you get a puppy at the start of the summer break it will still only be 14 weeks when you go back to school and may not be completely house trained, so you'll really need daycare for a while and that's not cheap.

Sorry to be so negative, I completely understand longing for a dog but do you really feel you can offer a dog what it needs right now?

Roasted tomato focaccia or a good garlic flat bread are my favourite breads

Hovis?

You can’t guarantee a puppy at the start of those six weeks. A bitch may have two seasons a year and a decent breeder won’t have puppies available all year round.
No puppy can be left that long.
No puppy is good with kids. Those buggers bite.
You can’t guarantee any breed won’t have separation anxiety.
You can’t expect a dog to walk for half an hour each week day then go out for two hours at the weekend as you’re free.
I would stick to granary!
Or a total rethink. What can you offer a dog? How much grooming, walking and training?

Gotta be tiger loaf...

Try not to spend too much dough on the hot dog bun of your choice

It has to be a hot dog surely?!

No way would I consider getting a dog without a garden. My 2 ask to go out to the toilet anywhere up to 10 times a day. It would get really old, really fast having to walk them every time they needed a wee. It’s also a bit worrying that you don’t have time to walk it much when it can’t just be let out into the garden to get out the house for a bit/burn off some energy

I’ve only just noticed you’re planning on getting a puppy. No good breeder with sell a puppy to a person with your circumstances. You can’t leave a puppy on it’s own that long, and you’ll have a hell of a time house breaking it when you have no garden and you’re back in work full time a few weeks after getting it

Oh god I didn’t even notice the typo I’m going to blame auto correct I promise I can spell

No garden!! Toilet training is going to be a nightmare!

I live in central london. Not a lot of people I know have gardens and I know a fair few who have had puppies that have turned into well adjusted dogs so it is definitely possible although I appreciate it will be hard.
I’m never going to have a garden. This is it.
I know there are breeds that require little more than a couple of short walks a day.
I can definitely get help in the early days so the puppy is not alone. But I appreciate it’s unlikely that I’d manage to find and get a puppy that’s ready just in time for the 6 weeks holiday.

So where would a dog go to the toilet? A puppy can’t go out until vaccinated so in public isn’t an option.
You’re focusing on what you want. Not on what you have to offer.
I started with how much time I had. How much exercise and grooming and training I could do.
I really can’t see a puppy working here.

Sorry Posted too soon. In fact, of all the people I know with dogs only one has a garden. I can see this is really beneficial during toilet training but going forward it shouldn’t be an issue as long as the dog has the exercise it needs?
I also know the novelty would wear off for the kids pretty quickly but I know it wouldn’t for me! Oldest is 15 so I can leave the kids here whilst popping down for toilet breaks.

@Wolfiefan I have a balcony. I’d have to ask friends how they’ve managed it.

There are indoor dog toilets that look like fake grass! I saw one at someone's house

can see this is really beneficial during toilet training but going forward it shouldn’t be an issue as long as the dog has the exercise it needs?

What happens when they need a pee in the middle of the night? Are you prepared to get dressed and go out?

Here are some breeds I’ve narrowed down. Some are probably unrealistic whereas others are not what I’d of chosen but are on the list due to things like low exercise needs.
Miniature poodle
Miniature schnauzer
Cockapoo
French bulldog
Shih tzu (harder to toilet train)
Yorkshire terrier
Cavalier KC

I’m aware of some of the health issues with some of these. But the French bulldog for example reads as quite a good match for us.

A nice sourdough for me

I agree with pp. a puppy will be a nightmare with no garden. We do have a garden, and it’s fine in summer when we can leave the door open but still a PITA when the dog wants to go out and you have to stand and wait for it in the dark and pissing rain. Especially one like mine who insists on a witness so he can be called a good boy, and also takes 20 mins to select exactly the right blade of grass to piss on.

The thing that would worry me is being out all day. You really need doggy daycare. Unfortunately separation anxiety can hit any dog so you can’t exclude that.

My yorkie would fit your criteria. But see above. But even with a relatively easily trained dog it still takes quite a bit of time and effort. Lots of small dogs can turn quite difficult if not socialised and trained correctly.

I would stay away from a puppy. I know with kids it’s tough but an older dog would suit your circs better. Better able to regulate its bladder, already trained, and it will be much clearer as to it’s personality.

There are indoor dog toilets that look like fake grass! I saw one at someone's house

No way 🤢. You want to take a sniff of my flower beds, you wouldn't want that in your house believe me.

@userxx again this is something I’d need to consider but I know more dog owners without gardens than with so I know it’s definitely possible, but difficult. It’s something I’m willing to do.

I don't have a garden and I've got 2 80lb shepherd mixes that I raised from pups 🤷🏽‍♀️

Toilet training is shit regardless of whether you've got a garden frankly, but the biggest concern is leaving them for long periods of time when they're young.

OP, I would get a small breed like a border terrier. Good all rounder, not huge, friendly, generally good with kids.

I'm not necessarily an advocate of "must have dog with you at all times", but in the early days they should have someone around after a couple hours. Unless you can get home from work during the course of the day, you may struggle.

My brother lives in London with no garden and has a Frenchie. She's a lovely little thing and suits their life really well. They house trained her using puppy pads on outdoor steps going up to their flat. Until recently they have always wanted to stay in London but have recently started eyeing up further out so they could have a garden. It's doable without one but life is a lot easier with one, that's what they seemed to have concluded.

Well I’m currently working 4 days. Leaving at 8:15 home by 3:30. I have family round the corner (my mum) who would be more than willing to puppy sit in the early days. Later on id get a dog Walker. obviously this is hypothetical right now and a lot can change in a year especially with Covid. I’m just planning. If my job changed or my role and I had more hours I’d have to put the idea on hold anyway. There’s no guarantees right now.