Regardless of walks before or after work, leaving a dog 9-5 just isn't fair on it.
Soldato
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I have a lurcher, she's about 11 years old now but we've had her for about 10. She is an absolute legend 
She's prefectly happy to sleep in her bed (or on my bed, or on the sofa) pretty much all day and always had been, and no-one's at home from about 8.30am to about 4pm and there have rarely been any accidents. She also is really easy to walk thanks to the greyhound in her, take her to a decent sized amount of grass and she runs round and round in a circle for about 10 minutes, then flakes out for hours.
She's also very docile, a characteristic of the breed - she will stand quite happily while children pat her, pull at her eyelids, swing off her neck (OK maybe i'm going a bit far
) and doesn't even look round if we're out walking and another dog on the other side of the street is barking at her, perfect if you're looking at kids in the next few years.
This is Tess - making the case for lurchers
She's prefectly happy to sleep in her bed (or on my bed, or on the sofa) pretty much all day and always had been, and no-one's at home from about 8.30am to about 4pm and there have rarely been any accidents. She also is really easy to walk thanks to the greyhound in her, take her to a decent sized amount of grass and she runs round and round in a circle for about 10 minutes, then flakes out for hours.
She's also very docile, a characteristic of the breed - she will stand quite happily while children pat her, pull at her eyelids, swing off her neck (OK maybe i'm going a bit far
) and doesn't even look round if we're out walking and another dog on the other side of the street is barking at her, perfect if you're looking at kids in the next few years.
This is Tess - making the case for lurchers
Have you considered cost of ownership? There was a survey in the Daily Fail.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/a...nd-The-shocking-cost-owning-dog-lifetime.html
Cost of ownership over lifetime
1. WHIPPET £66,236
2. BASSET HOUND £56,064.12
3. BEAGLE £34,822.33
4. CHIHUAHUA £30,819.88
5. DALMATIAN £29,425.50
6. DACHSHUND £28,357.56
7. POODLE £24,952.62
8. PUG £24,420
9. DOBERMAN PINSCHER £22,009.62
10. JACK RUSSELL £20,640.45
The web article wasn't the same as the one in the paper itself. The cheapest dog by quite along way turned out to be a surprisingly to me was a Rottweiler (according to the paper article). Obviously they didn't take into account dry cleaning bills for where they slobber stinking gob all over your clothes or chew the neighbours legs off.
Get a gold fish IMO
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/a...nd-The-shocking-cost-owning-dog-lifetime.html
Cost of ownership over lifetime
1. WHIPPET £66,236
2. BASSET HOUND £56,064.12
3. BEAGLE £34,822.33
4. CHIHUAHUA £30,819.88
5. DALMATIAN £29,425.50
6. DACHSHUND £28,357.56
7. POODLE £24,952.62
8. PUG £24,420
9. DOBERMAN PINSCHER £22,009.62
10. JACK RUSSELL £20,640.45
The web article wasn't the same as the one in the paper itself. The cheapest dog by quite along way turned out to be a surprisingly to me was a Rottweiler (according to the paper article). Obviously they didn't take into account dry cleaning bills for where they slobber stinking gob all over your clothes or chew the neighbours legs off.
Get a gold fish IMO
Associate
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- by the sea
To have a happy / healthy dog - someone needs to be available for it most of the day.
I believe the standard advice is to leave a dog for a maximum of 4hrs at a time (exc night) so anyone who lives close enough to work to let the dog out in their lunch break, anyone who employs a 'midday dog walker' and people who work at home could manage a career and a dog!
Cost, also a good thing to consider!
Cost of dog - £650 (lab)
Crate / bowl / bedding etc - £100
Insurance - £20pcm
Food - £30pcm
Toys / treats - £10pcm
Flea / worm stuff - £20pcm
Vaccinations - £50 initially, £20 boost yearly
Insurance - £90 excess (1 accident p/y?)
Microchip - £25 one off cost
Neutering - £100-250 one off cost
hmm - i'm sure there's a lot else! he seems to cost us a fortune!
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Man of Honour
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- Glasgow
No, or at least I'm not, however I'm strongly suggesting that unless you've got someone who is able to come in around midday to at least let the dog out and split the day up if not actually walk it then a dog is probably not a suitable pet. It's not fair on the dog as they tend to appreciate knowing where their pack leader is (that should be you as the owner), they might need the exercise or even just a toilet break plus if they get bored which is quite possible then they might get destructive. It's not fair on the owner either if they come home to a destroyed house but frankly that's a fairly minimal concern to me if they're buying an unsuitable pet since the pet didn't ask to be purchased by them.
Sure people do have careers and have dogs while leaving them alone for 7+ hours a day, that doesn't mean I'd recommend it. People do all manner of things which aren't sensible and get away with it, that doesn't make it a good idea at all.
Deleted member 11679
Deleted member 11679
OP
Some really good advice in this thread for me to look through so thank you The post regards the costs, wouldn't bother me in the slightest. Don't smoke, drink or lead an expensive lifestyle. Would be happy spending the money.
This question comes out of not knowing much at all so I will ask it anyway. With the time issue would having two dogs somewhat alleviate the issue of the dogs becoming alone? I understand there could be an issue as they got older but as way round the issue would this be viable?
Easy in the first few weeks, moreover we could get a family member to call in each day for a few weeks at least. Wouldn't be an issue.
Shouldn't be an issue as I am a school teacher. 'Could' build getting one around a school holiday.[/quote]
Interesting one. Would need some thought so thanks.
Again, useful as a starting point for a list thank you.
The post regards the costs, wouldn't bother me in the slightest. Don't smoke, drink or lead an expensive lifestyle. Would be happy spending the money.This question comes out of not knowing much at all so I will ask it anyway. With the time issue would having two dogs somewhat alleviate the issue of the dogs becoming alone? I understand there could be an issue as they got older but as way round the issue would this be viable?
Easy in the first few weeks, moreover we could get a family member to call in each day for a few weeks at least. Wouldn't be an issue.
Shouldn't be an issue as I am a school teacher. 'Could' build getting one around a school holiday.[/quote]
Interesting one. Would need some thought so thanks.
goldilocks said:
Again, useful as a starting point for a list thank you.
I second that.
The sensible replies in this thread give you your answer, DON'T GET ANY DOG unless you have plenty of time during the day to exercise and spend time with the dog.
If you do go against this advice and get a dog, go to a rescue centre.
Don't fall into the trap of getting a puppy.
If you want pets then get one which is regarded as low maintenance.
Newfoundland, saw one outside Tescos the other day, and thought it was a bear.
Jesus!!! This is a puppy!!!
My thoughts on the OP are that we have 2 dogs, to keep each other entertained, even though we always have someone in.
ags
Without going back and quoting, whoever said staff's are active dogs are delusional. I have 2 - a 6year old and a 10week old. Both are alone for 5hours a day and are fine with it! all they do is sleep !! Run around for 20mins and sleep for 2hours.
I've had a few different breeds and put my hand on my heart when I say staffs are the most loyal dogs you will come across. My older one will lay in bed all day with me if Im ill, They have such bad reputations because of the clowns that own them, but please dont let that put you off.
Rescue selters are full of staffs but they tend to be 6months + which I wouldn't get due to training issues and not having a clue about how it was raised... remember dogs dont forget !
You can pick up a KC reg staff for around the 250-800 mark depending on colour.
I've had a few different breeds and put my hand on my heart when I say staffs are the most loyal dogs you will come across. My older one will lay in bed all day with me if Im ill, They have such bad reputations because of the clowns that own them, but please dont let that put you off.
Rescue selters are full of staffs but they tend to be 6months + which I wouldn't get due to training issues and not having a clue about how it was raised... remember dogs dont forget !
You can pick up a KC reg staff for around the 250-800 mark depending on colour.
Flea / Worm stuff = £20pcm ? are you crazy ? worming gets done every 6-12months and fleaing usually lasts 5-6months with frontline..
As a pup I wouldn't buy a bed, just use an old duvet or sleeping bag because your chucking money away, it will only last 6months before needing a new one.
As a pup I agree with the £30 pcm although depending on choice of food it could be greater. Dont feed pups wet food, it comes out the other side the same way, get proper puppie buscuits.
As a pup I wouldn't buy a bed, just use an old duvet or sleeping bag because your chucking money away, it will only last 6months before needing a new one.
As a pup I agree with the £30 pcm although depending on choice of food it could be greater. Dont feed pups wet food, it comes out the other side the same way, get proper puppie buscuits.
im lucky that i work close enough to my house that i can go home at lunchtime toletthe dog out and give him his lunch, on the days i cant make it home my mum can pop up
i got my dog as a puppy from the dogs trust and my mum had to fill the form in as they wanted to know how long he would be left alone during the day and shes retired so some rescues wont let a dog go to a home where it would be left
i got my dog as a puppy from the dogs trust and my mum had to fill the form in as they wanted to know how long he would be left alone during the day and shes retired so some rescues wont let a dog go to a home where it would be left
I have a rescue staffie and work all day. Fortunately I only work round the corner from home so pop home a couple of times a day to walk him. Maximum time he is on his own is 3 hours. There have been two occasions since I got him six months ago where he has been left for 4-5 hours, turned him into a nervous wreck for the rest of the day!!
If you are going down the rescue route, make sure you see the dog in different environments rather than just in the shelter. I took Lewis for several walks over a few weeks, watched how he socialised with other dogs in the shelter and even took him home for a few hours before deciding he was a suitable choice.
If you are going down the rescue route, make sure you see the dog in different environments rather than just in the shelter. I took Lewis for several walks over a few weeks, watched how he socialised with other dogs in the shelter and even took him home for a few hours before deciding he was a suitable choice.
terrible advice - jacks not great dogs to leave alone all day. (I have 2) In fact what dogs do like being left alone all day?
I don't think it offers the best life to a dog to have just one and leave it alone for 8-10 hour stretches. They are pack animals.
We picked a 6 month old Staffy up from the RSPCA a few months back and never regretted it. Although we were after a small dog it turns out our dog must be crossed with something as he weighs 22Kg and according to the vets is the right weight for his height
He has been to training but due to an issue with his leg he's had to have 90 days rest (as much as you can rest a puppy).He generally gets left on his own from 8am till lunchtime and if mum picks him up he then chills round her house till 4pm, other wise he gets left alone from 1pm to 4pm and he's not been a pain about it as he tends to just sleep.
This is him with a small tree stump in our garden to keep him occupied: