Can I get a dog, and if so what breeds should I look at?

[Bearsinmotion]

I currently WFH four days a week, with occasional travel. I have two secondary school DC.

I feel I am finally in a situation where I can get a dog, having wanted one for years. However, I am disabled, which means I can't walk long distances, although I can get to fields easily where a dog can run off lead and we have quite a large secure garden.

I think I need an intelligent breed that could be trained and have money and time to spend on training and for a dog walker. Although I am not disabled enough to qualify for an assistance dog I could easily find jobs for an intelligent dog to do. But I also have a speech impediment so am unable to shout or raise my voice.

My ideal dog would be a German Shepherd, and I know they make good assistance dogs. But I am not convinced I could physically manage the training process when I don't qualify formal assistance training if that makes sense? The DC are very keen on the idea and happy to help but ultimately I need be responsible of course.

Is it just a pipe dream? Would I be better looking for a smaller dog that would be physically more manageable but less trainable? Or is it not fair to get a dog at all?

Adopt a greyhound!! Such common misconceptions that they require lots of exercise and are hard to manage - I adopted a 9 year old ex race grey back in May and he is the easiest, most loving dog I’ve ever known. He walks to heel so no pulling, he only needs 2x 20 minute walks a day (though we tend to do longer, steadier walks at the weekend which he manages fine), he’s not territorial whatsoever, he only barks during play (they’re known for being fairly quiet dogs, but they will whine if you stop stroking them for too long!) and there are so many gentle greys looking for homes. He’s incredible with my 5 year old too. Please do look into them - he’s filled a massive hole in my heart since we lost our JRT I’d had since 8 weeks old.

Second a greyhound. They just want to charge around the field for 20 mins then doze! They're very sensitive and would hate being shouted at. They're just the nicest, most loyal dogs. Not as bright as a German shepherd but would fit so much better into your life.

German Shepherd’s are incredibly strong. I used to walk one for a disabled lady. They could easily pull you over and you’d have to take them out a lot as they bark, howl and dig if bored. A garden won’t be enough for that breed.

I would opt for a much smaller and intelligent breed that’s not as strong willed- don’t forget things like grooming etc. After having a lab as beautifully natured as he was, the hair was phenomenal! Grooming plus mess! He was also a nutter- trainers thought he was deaf until they realised he was just stubborn, formidably strong too. Now have a staffie- she’s only little but solid and muscular.

The problem with big breeds is if they aren’t stimulated and given what they need, you’re left with a huge problem. At least with little breeds it’s only a little problem (which is why you see so many badly trained ones!)

All DC say they will help with dogs. Few rarely do long term.

I agree with PPs about a greyhound. Poodles are also a good choice and they are scarily intelligent and can be very well trained.

I was also going to suggest something like a greyhound or whippet!

You want intelligent but low maintenance, relaxed temperament, happy to walk but happy to snuggle on the sofa too, nothing highly strung or likely to suffer separation anxiety.

Also something that you can easily lift/help in and out of your car if needed.

Nothing reactive/yappy if you WFH - barking at people walking past the house when you’re on teams calls gets annoying (ask me how I know 🤣).

Personally I’d avoid large breeds and long haired breeds, small terriers (yappy), vizslas (highly strung/boisterous), spaniels/spaniel mixes.

I’d maybe also consider a staff? I’ve never met one that wasn’t chilled and just generally “meh” about everything they come into contact with, seem like the easiest dogs on the planet to own 🤣

A big intelligent working dog that you’re unable to walk as much as it needs would be a huge mistake.

A greyhound is a great suggestion. They’re generally happy with minimal exercise and they sleep 95% of the time. Or one of the small companion breeds - Bichon maybe, or a Shih Tzu .

Agree an adult greyhound or a small companion breed. A king Charles caviller would be intelligent but easy to manage but they do have health complications. A bichon or shitzu could also work. Don't get a puppy as they're bloody hard work and WFH and a young puppy is not compatible if youre actually required to do any work.

I don’t think a dog is a pipe dream but definitely a dog like a GSD which is strong enough to pull over even an able bodied person would be a very bad idea.

Deffo need to go back to the drawing board breed wise imo

I was going to say a Shih Tzu because they're so loving and don't need lots of exercise (but will do long walks too if you like)... mine is very happy when I wfh. But although they're cute and tend to have fun personalities I'm not sure they're described as especially intelligent (you mentioned German shepherds)

That's really interesting, thank you all. We live near a greyhound track and there are a lot of them in the shelter, and I would prefer a rescue. I thought that would be a bad idea as an older dog may not be able to be trained but if it was easier to control that's less important.

The kids have been set on a GSD but I suspect whatever dog we got they would fall in love with!

I'd avoid a GSD if you want something your teens can safely walk. In the current climate I can imagine that causing issues with some people and you don't want your kids getting abuse. I speak as the owner of a large strong breed myself, attitudes towards big dogs have changed.

Agree with others that the easiest options could be poodle or greyhound.

I'm also going to suggest one of the few breeds that I'd consider downsizing to; Smooth Collie. Trainable, intelligent but not as active as a Border Collie.

Greyhound!

I deffo would lean towards an older, quiet in nature rescue. Puppies are damn hard work and even if they end up well trained most will take several years to reliably not lunge, jump up or ignore your recall!

I know I always bang the drum for rescues on these threads but it sounds as if making connections with a reputable rescue organisation might be a good way to proceed.
whichever breed you get you can’t guarantee temperament and puppies and adolescent dogs are incredibly hard work.
A good rescue will let you meet a dog a few times to see if they would be a good fit for you and vice versa.
(I have also met a few rescued greyhounds who are just gorgeous!)

We got an ex racing greyhound and a lot of the harder training has been done. He just needed to be taught to live in a house but that's pretty easy. Just where to go to the loo and where they're allowed basically. The bits outside the home are harder in my opinion as there's more distractions!

And in terms of recall, presumably if I can't shout it would be possible to train them based on another noise, like a whistle?

Yes that would be fine. That is an area you’d have to think carefully about though. Just letting them off in a park and you being stationary doesn’t really work. A lot of dogs would either make a nuisance of themselves with other people/dogs or stand and stare at you. They need continuous movement so they can mooch and sniff along the way really but aren’t likely to have a good run round without good reason

Your teens don't really count as they won't be around for many more years. You need a dog you can be self sufficient with.

Thanks @Dunnocantthinkofone , my thinking was I can get to the park and walk around it slowly with the dog on or off lead, but I can't chase after it or shout.

So even if a dog is trained to recall based on calling it's name, it should be able to be retained to respond to a whistle?

This is all really helpful, thank you.

Puppies are more exhausting than you can imagine. I’d adopt a whippet - check out rescue sites.

100% yes that’s deffo possible

TBH I’m a dog trainer and I’ve literally NEVER met anyone fast enough to ‘chase after’ their dog, regardless of physical prowess - we just aren’t built for speed like they are! So don’t overthink that one!

Its important for you to choose a breed relatively easy to recall train (ie low prey drive) though as a slow potter around on lead might not be enough for a lot of dogs
There are ways around it though. Dog walker a couple of times a week to supplement what you can do. Or hire an enclosed field twice a week for a decent,safe run

Thanks @Dunnocantthinkofone , we live rurally and we have got at least one "dog field" you can hire by the hour for exactly that.

That's all really encouraging, I was thinking we would need to get a puppy to train it from the start but it sounds like an older calmer dog would be fine.

We do have (aging!) guinea pigs but I am categorically not getting any dog until they have gone.

So glad you are considering a rescue, there’s so many big dogs in rescues now and you’d be able to provide them a perfect home. I love a rescue as they have already assessed the dogs and hopefully worked on any training needs. They’ll be so glad to have you, you sound like you can offer so much! Good luck to you all, let us know how you get on.

Not just fine…..better imo for your needs
Be very careful about choosing the rescue place. There are lots which are so keen to get the dog homes, they aren’t careful enough or upfront about any quirks.
In your situation, I’d suggest choosing a breed short list of those which match up best with the lifestyle you can offer, and then approach breed specific rescue centres rather than the national ones.
And be scrupulously honest about any limitations,your lifestyle etc to give them the best chance to find you the perfect match