Does a dog like this exist?

[Ohdoleavemealone]

DH and kids are nagging for a dog and I don't think we can find a good fit for our family and that it wouldn't be fair on the dog.
We need a dog that will be happy to be home for a good stretch of time (5-6) hours 2/3 times a week.
Good with kids
Easy to train
Medium in size
One that won't shed too much as I have allergies.

DH found a breed but they are rare and good breeders are hard to find.
Anyone recommend a breed that will fit? I don't want to agree to a dog and then regret it.

I disagree with your DH. If you are getting a dog knowing you don't want to alter your lifestyle you are setting yourself up to fail. PP is right that its not just 6 hours at work, its then popping to the shops afterwards and dropping DC at clubs.

@NaturalStudy

I disagree with your DH. If you are getting a dog knowing you don't want to alter your lifestyle you are setting yourself up to fail. PP is right that its not just 6 hours at work, its then popping to the shops afterwards and dropping DC at clubs.

Due to the nature of the work it would have us doing half a day each at the premises which are only open at weekends so if I open at 9am, DH will leave home at 10.30 to meet with me. I'd leave work at 2ish so even if I did stay for another hour or so, then go to the shops on the way home, it really isn't likely to be more than 6 hours. But I keep hearing than 4 hours is maximum and it would be 4 hours easily, probably closer to 5 realistically.

@Kishkashta

Seriously - 5-6 hours three days a week is completely reasonable for an adult dog! Even for an older puppy. And you can always hire a dog walker, especially while the dog is young. In terms of breed standard schnauzer is another good idea. Miniature schnauzers are barky so would not go this route. I love the look of wheaten terriers too but never met one. And of course you have poodles and all the popular poodle crosses.

No it’s really not!

I mean even if you do find a breed that suits and will fit in with your lifestyle, the puppy won’t arrive with you like that. It could be two years before it stops being a crazy puppy and you’ve got it trained properly (who will be training it while you’re both busy running your new business btw)?

www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/factsheets-downloads/factsheettimeforadog05.pdf

Please op, don’t leave a dog for that long, it’s a miserable existence. They need company and stimulation.

@PuppyMonkey

I mean even if you do find a breed that suits and will fit in with your lifestyle, the puppy won’t arrive with you like that. It could be two years before it stops being a crazy puppy and you’ve got it trained properly (who will be training it while you’re both busy running your new business btw)?

I have pointed this out today myself. I wish DH hadn't mentioned it in front of the kids because they won't stop asking now and I think we need to wait until we don't need to be at the business before we get a dog.

@PuppyMonkey makes some very valid points. 4 hours max to leave a dog, and that’s a settled, trained adult dog, not a puppy or adolescent dog.

Do you have a rescue centre near you? Perhaps you could do some volunteer walking as a family when Covid restrictions allow, or sign up to Borrow my Doggy.

Apart from the welfare point (which should not be ignored), if you got a puppy that was 'fine' (quiet, not destructive, not messy) being left for six hours by the time it was six months old - you would have found an unusual dog.

Most would not cope with that at that age. It would be a massive gamble. Breed won't make much of a difference to your odds.

Four hours is not THE maximum for all dogs. Many won't cope even with that - though some do and more don't but their owners are unable to recognise that they cannot cope.

It sounds like you'd be introducing this regime right when the dog was about to enter the most challenging time of his/her growing up - adolescence and like you are not really up for changing your life too much for a dog. Which is fine but the answer is to not get one rather than get one and hope you have the magic pup that will not need as much as other dogs.

Seriously - a dog left alone for 5 hours a few times a week is a miserable existence?
If he is otherwise stimulated I completely disagree, sorry.
Now a dog who is never let off the leash on the walks...

A. 5-6 hours is too long for any puppy/young dog to be left.
B. Allergies don't necessarily depend on how much dogs shed, or how long their hair is.

If this is your business property I would say there are measures you could take to have the dog with you. A crate in the office, a cage in the car. So you can check on & attend to the dog frequently.
Some dogs may cope with long periods of solitary, but no dog will thrive on it. Sleeping means they are bored & lonely with nothing else to do but wait till you return, perhaps get scared & bark at the door.

@Ihaventgottimeforthis

If this is your business property I would say there are measures you could take to have the dog with you. A crate in the office, a cage in the car. So you can check on & attend to the dog frequently. Some dogs may cope with long periods of solitary, but no dog will thrive on it. Sleeping means they are bored & lonely with nothing else to do but wait till you return, perhaps get scared & bark at the door.

There is no office. It's a pop up business in a school hall. It would be like taking a dog into a cafe or restaurant.

Thanks to the people being honest. Everyone is confirming my thoughts really. It's not the right time to get a dog. I just hate that I am seen as the bad guy because DH decided to have the conversation in front of the kids and then keeps going on about it!

What about a lab? And just find a local doggy daycare or Walker for lunch times?

Just as an aside the mental load, caring and training dogs and puppies always falls on the woman.. 80%

Our chihuahua is fine left for that long but it only happens once or twice a year if that.I wouldn't get a dog knowing it would be a regular thing from the start.

@Ohdoleavemealone Who cares if you come across as the bad guy now, if you get a pup and then realise it's not the right time you will come across much worse when you rehome. Stick to your guns, you're doing the right thing.

P.s my dog was left for 2 hours today and he's taken a chunk out of the wall scratching it...... he's 11 years old 🤷‍♂️

A westie!

Nope, please don't.

I'm glad you have your head screwed on and I hope your DH listens to you. 5-6 hours a few times a week might be fine for an adult dog but no way is it acceptable for a young puppy.

@smellyolddog

Just as an aside the mental load, caring and training dogs and puppies always falls on the woman.. 80%

I have made it clear that I am indifferent about a dog. Don't dislike them but don't want the responsibility and that I would not be doing the heavy lifting. DH has been researching breeds and breeders etc. I have just listened and expressed my opinion.

Can’t you get a dog walker on the days you are gone that long? I work from home (even after lockdown) but have just started using a Walker a couple of times a week, to give me a bit of a break if I’m busy but also in preparation for real life, meals out etc and means I’ll be able to go out for 5 or 6 hours and not worry

@smellyolddog

Just as an aside the mental load, caring and training dogs and puppies always falls on the woman.. 80%

How totally sexist!

In our area loads of dogs go to doggy day care centres on the days people have to be out. May be a city thing tho. Our dog happily is left 9-2 occasionally and happy. Has a walk before & after

I think you'd regret getting one, they are tying and with a young family even more so, your dh is unreasonable discussing it in front of the kids and Im I'm sure he's keen now, but the novelty can wear off quickly when you're having to house train, walk twice daily in all weathers, miss social events and nights out because you have to back for the dog. I've got two dogs who were purchased and the owners circumstances changed. Those dogs spent hours in a crate every day and some weekends and evenings and had definite issues with separation anxiety, they had been traumatised. It was definitely cruel how they ended up living.

You are right op, it isn't the right time. Stick to your guns!

I recommend this breed 🤣

If you plan on leaving the dog alone for that length of time, I hope you are factoring in getting up nice and early to take it for a very long walk first.
Together with another long walk when you get in. Even when it’s freezing cold, windy and raining.
I’d say that you can forget leaving a puppy alone initially too, it’s not going to train itself! It can take months to train a dog.
Are you planning on only going to work and only leaving the dog 5/6 hours? You won’t want to go out again, socialise etc? So that 5/6 hours on its own, turns to pretty much 24 hours on its own where you only interact with it to feed/water it/quick walk. Have you had a dog before...
I used to get up at 5am to take my dog for a walk, go to work, go home lunchtime and drive him to my mum’s, collect him and walk him after work. He chewed everything in sight and took a good four months to train.
He’s nine now and sleeps most of the day, so he’s happy to be left. An older dog may suit you better.

I'll second the Borrow My Doggy suggestion, you could find a perfect match local to you, there will be owners of lockdown puppies back in the office soon, needing company for their dogs. Have a look, it's a great site.