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.

Just to clarify my previous pist, a previous owner kept them like that not me.

I grew up with dogs. My parents worked although DM was always home by 3.. our dog was fine.

Over 4 hours is too long. Imagine if you were desperate to pee, but you are locked in an area where you cannot go??

You also can decide to stay late or go on to a friends house if the dog has been left alone.

A 6 month old dog is still very young to be left alone.
Youd need some day care. Or services where somebody comes and walks your dog often with others for 1-2 breeds.

For a breed I'd say a labrador.Very friendly. Easy to train. Good with children. Great companions. I grew up with labradors. They were great.
Had I the space and time it's what kind of dog I'd choose.

We have a cockapoo, he’s amazing and sleeps most of the day and great with kids and also no shedding hair. But after a few weeks of having him I couldn’t bear to leave him alone so we ended up roping in the in-laws! They collect him in the morning and keep him til we get home from work. We were like you, thinking we could leave him at home alone for 5 hours but what kind of life is that for a dog? I know plenty of dogs are left for that time when their owners are at work but honestly they need company and it’s not fair to the dog.
If you can’t get a dog sitter or work from home
I wouldn’t recommend getting a dog.

Until you get a dog you have no idea how it changes your life, you will absolutely have to cut short meals out early, no day long shopping trips, you always, always have to get back for the dog, they need humans you are their world, also you don’t know what personality your dog will have, it might be anxious and suffer from separation anxiety and that’s a whole new level of restrictions (speaking from experience) unless you are prepared to change your lifestyle please don’t get a dog.

@linerforlife

A westie!

I used to have a Westie and there's no way I would have left her by herself for that length.

We have a dachshund who is ridiculously happy and pre lockdown was left for 6 hours on 2 or 3 days a week, and - very occasionally - 9. Very sociable and happy when we are around, like the company but also happy to snooze the day away and then spend time with us once back.

But given what you have said I would definitely go for a Staffordshire... we grew up with one. Easy to train. loyal and tolerant. fun. And yes, my Mum would even leave him for 9-10 hours on rare occasions. More normally not longer than 5 hours. Best family dogs ever

And of course don't shed.

Do remember that we are now a nation of people with "fur babies" rather than dogs ... so long as yours is loved and looked after, they will be fine. The one caveat I agree with which others have raised is that a young dog/puppy can't be left that long - they would need to be adult

You sound like the perfect family for a cat

I do agree with comments about the dog taking over the remaining hours of the day to some extent. You do have to incorporate maybe two hours a day upwards to exercising a dog. You always have to think 'what about the dog' when making plans.

It would be do-able if you hired doggy day care for the two long days (as long as it really is just the two days, but if other days creep longer, add more day care)

Finding one who works at the weekends might be the limiting factor.

As your DH is the one who is keenest on the idea, you could make that his task

I think you sound very sensible OP. I was also told I’d be the one who “wouldn’t have to do anything” - everyone else would look after it. That lasted about 3 weeks before the DCs went back to school, DP had a massive work project. Guess who ended up being the one at home with mad dog despite me working from home also?

Our dog is lovely now but there were times when he was a puppy I felt near breaking point with him.

@Bananacocks

We have a cockapoo, he is fine on his own for 6 hrs. He is great with the kids and never leaves a hair anywhere, they get a lot of stick on here but they are amazing dogs.

Yours is but you can’t assume all cockapoos or any other mixed or pure breed will be. My dog is a breed known for being good with children and I know a few who hate dc.

I think with dogs you have to plan for the worst and stop any issues in their tracks, so tackle separation anxiety, resource guarding etc at the first sign and before it becomes a problem rather than assume it won’t happen.
6 hours is too long to leave a dog alone, we have a 4 hour rule or daycare. And the 4 hour rule doesn’t mean popping back after 4 hours and then going out again

Dogs shouldn’t be left for more than four hours. Just because their are posters on this thread testing they left theirs for 5,6 and even 9 hours doesn’t mean it’s right. It’s cruel and unfair and if you can’t make arrangements for your dog to be walked/visited/let out while you are at work all day you should get a cat instead.

*there!

Re PP suggesting leaving dog in car. Please don't do this - dogs are being stolen from locked cars.

OP - looks like you've come to the conclusion not to get a dog. The fact that you're on here asking and doing the mental load of working out how it would work for your family suggests that your DH is unlikely to shoulder the burden.

Can one of you come home between 5-6 hours (or switch days off) to take the pup a walk or anything? This is what most working Americans do.

Just ask your DH and kids if they want to be dog owners, or good dog owners. Do they want a dog, or a happy dog?

@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.

Good God.

Why on earth would you recommend someone left their dog unattended in a car for several hours?

Dogs should never be left unattended in vehicles. Ever. Even if it's not warm - heat isn't the only risk. Dog thefts are on the rise and plenty of thieves would think nothing of smashing a window and taking off with your dog. It only takes a few seconds.

There was a dog walkers' van stolen in London last week - the van was dumped with one (old) dog left inside, the other two dogs were taken. One was found the next day but the other is still missing - probably sold off on Gumtree or being used for breeding somewhere.

I cringe when I see dogs alone in cars. Similarly when people leave them tied up outside shops. Why on earth would you risk it?

@bjjgirl we have a basset and they are incredibly needy and can't be left alone. Brilliant dogs and fantastic with children, but need a lot of work to build up to being left alone. Although ours rarely barks inside, only when playing on a walk.

Some dogs can be left more than others, from memory not many will go more than 3 hours, but with the right breed and training and a dog walker you might be able to find a solution.
current Dog is number 6 and a lot of thought went in to rules and selection. She can be left for 3 hours but she was crate trained from birth and even if we are home all day we still have an hour or two quiet time in the crate. We specifically chose the breed as it fits our life style and does have some tolerance to being left and is defiantly not a barker.
All to often people choose the wrong breed and dont spend time listening to the breeder and training.
Have you spoken to any breeders?

Having just re read the whole tread, I would see if you can borrow a dog so you DH and kids realise how much of a life changer it can be.
After dog No 5 we waited 6 month looking and re considering it before number 6 came along

I mainly didn't want to bother going into all the detail about how to convert a car into a dog-safe transporter but yep I didn't mean simply shut it in the car, perhaps I underestimate the awareness of people on this board
In terms of dog theft yiud have to be pretty bloody unlucky to have a dog nicked from a secure crate in a vehicle parked on a private premises but hey never say never.

@Ihaventgottimeforthis

I mainly didn't want to bother going into all the detail about how to convert a car into a dog-safe transporter but yep I didn't mean simply shut it in the car, perhaps I underestimate the awareness of people on this board In terms of dog theft yiud have to be pretty bloody unlucky to have a dog nicked from a secure crate in a vehicle parked on a private premises but hey never say never.

Did you read my post about a dog walker getting her van stolen with the dogs inside?

No matter how secure you think it is, dog thieves are determined and if they want your dog, they'll go to all kinds of lengths to get it, including driving off with your vehicle if they have to.

Why on earth would you risk your pets life and safety by leaving them unattended in your car?

Dogs are stolen from secure kennels on private premises so a so called dog safe transporter is no different.

A cavapoo - good with kids, non-shedding, sleep most of the day if they are alone.