Will my life be suitable enough for a dog?

[missbunnyrabbit]

In a couple of years, I'm going part time to three days a week. I live alone, and a 2 minute walk from work so can easily come home to walk and toilet a dog for half an hour during lunch. I would walk him before work and after work too, and also in the evening.

I have a very homey lifestyle, spending time in my house or small garden. I go on short walks every day to town or to the local park, or just around the streets. I don't have friends so don't go out really, only with my boyfriend on Saturday night for a couple of hours.

I have always wanted a dog, would love to make one happy with lots of cuddles and walkies.

I think it's definitely that he will be left alone for 2 sets of 3/4 hours for 3 days a week that will stop me getting a dog. Is it too much? Even if he's walked before, during and after those times? I know it's not ideal, but when I'm not working, he'd have sooo much attention and love.

I'd want a toy breed with low energy, like a Shih tzu or a Maltese.

I know a dog is a huge commitment etc etc but I am often lonely and I have loads of love to give.

What do you think? Could it work with my work hours?

Just a left of field thought - would your school be open to the idea of a therapy dog and would you? At DD's school, the office manager and head bring in their dogs. One is a therapy dog, the other just a sweet natured well trained dog. Kids who are having a rough day/ time can spend time cuddling or playing with the therapy dog. The other dog just hangs out with the head. The kids love it.

So the breeds I've researched and am interested in are....
Bolognese
Maltese
Shih tzu
King Charles cavalier spaniel
Toy poodle
Pekingese
English toy spaniel
Tibetian spaniel
Havanese
Bichon frize

I've found that websites aren't reliable with information - some day that some of these cope being on their own, and then some don't! Maybe I should start a thread for people with these dogs and get research that way.

Thanks guys :)

You’d be unlikely to find some of those as rescues. Consider the exercise and grooming needs of each. Look at the heat issues. Eg cavaliers.
Then contact some breed clubs.
You wouldn’t be able to leave any puppy for hours.

It would be really hard to say that every dog of any particular breed can be left alone. You can teach most dogs to be alone but a lot of the smaller breeds are historically bred as companion animals so may be more suited to people being around more/most of the day.

Your life sounds brilliant for a dog.

I also think you could get a puppy in the beginning of summer anf train it over the holidays. Toilet training doesn't take a year! It took us a few weeks

Toilet training varies dog to dog. Most dogs are sorted out by about 4 months. One of ours, pretty much done and dusted, day or night, rain or shine, at 13 weeks - would take herself out unprompted.

Most recent puppy, 6 months old before she was what I would call reliable during the day, and another month or two structured overnight training. I was tearing my hair out.