Thinking about getting my first dog

[AGD]

Don't get a dog if the house will be empty most of the day. It's not fair on the animal.

 

[subbytna]

Get a rescue dog, it'll free up space for another dog to be rescued fro a bad place.

 

[Gambisk]

get a retired grey hound or whippet, they make excellent first pets. Fespite being thought of as racing dogs they are incredibly lazy so quite content to be left at home while your at work, they also don't require long walks as they are sprinters so 20 mins 2-3 times a day is plenty. They are also incredibly loving and affectionate, but be aware that they don't socialise well with other dogs so might need a muzzle if you plan on taking them to the park for a run.

Edit: a great link if you interested http://www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk/About-Greyhounds/

 

[tom_e]

We've got a rescue lab cross that we've had since he was around 1 he's now 5 and has no problem just flopping round the house when were at work, granted he'll do exactly the same when were not the big lazy beggar.

 

[rubberduck]

I assume 2 is better but a bit more expensive

Probably about twice as expensive, give or take?

 

[jamesblade]

Wouldn't be fair to get a dog if it's going to be on its own for so long, dogs are social animals.. Just asking for problems never mind how down that dog will feel..
Consider it if your circumstances change ..

 

[Schlong&Stable]

Im happy to accept that tbh, i am kind of on that side of things

Maybe kittens would be the best bet, but 1 or 2? I assume 2 is better but a bit more expensive

Cats are solitary creatures, so there doesn't need to be 2. In fact, recent research shows that cats are probably better off on their own full stop. They can get stressed with a second cat around.

 

[neil_g]

Cats are solitary creatures, so there doesn't need to be 2. In fact, recent research shows that cats are probably better off on their own full stop. They can get stressed with a second cat around.

Cats tend to be solitary creatures, especially if they're not related (according to this link anyway: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/11137187/Revealed-why-cats-hate-each-other.html)

yup..

http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l600/fallenlightphot/IMG_1371_zps634e75c9.jpg

 

[xdcx]

The guy that said avoid pedigree breeds, lol....

OK, 9-5 and not home at lunch? Why even bother having a dog? It's not nice, even if the dog can physically go 8 hours with no accidents or much care it's still not fair on the dog as they love their owners, so if you can get home at lunch seriously make this a strict routine and go with it. Consideration for dogs lifestyles has seriously divebombed the past decade and that saddens me as there is more dogs now in homes than ever and we know for a fact a lot of these humans shouldn't have them. Just sit down and think about it carefully from a dogs perspective before you commit and ensure you'll always put the dogs wellbeing first over 9-5'ing.

Insurance, I am £18 a month that is lifetime cover on a VERY good policy for my older dog (6). You can get it much cheaper, tenner a month, but not worth the paper it is written on.

Vets, most do puppy packages so your 2 vaccinations, microchip and worming for first 6 months. Typically £100ish. From there it is worming/flea treatment and a booster each year. Not expensive at all as spread out throughout the year.

I always recommend sight hounds to people in your situation. 9-5 worker who will walk twice a day minimum. Greyhound, Whippet (what I have), Saluki and to an extent if you want a properly small dog, Italian Greyhound although not a sight hound share a lot of traits with sight hounds with some added loopiness! Sigh hounds are extremely lazy, 18 hours sleep a day type lazy and 2 decent walks a day will see them come home knackered, no need to walk them for hours on end 3 times a day. Whippets are 35mph sprinting couch potatoes who will cuddle you to death.....

I would always discourage people in your situation from getting something like any form of Spaniel or Collie. I have grown up surrounded by spaniels my entire life, I simply wouldn't have one in the house, never mind when working 9-5..... Working dogs in general is always going to be a challenge given your situation, Labradors to an extent are an exception here, good ole Labrador

If my advice is helpful at all please feel free to trust message me or ask away in here I can blether on a lot more than I just did. I have plenty of contacts and information/knowledge of breeders through the UK for several breed types and can help with anything you are stuck on.

 

[Alienfish360]

The guy that said avoid pedigree breeds, lol....

Yes, I suggest avoiding pedigrees and instead looking at mongrel breeds, often cheaper, and also less likely to suffer common genetic defects caused by tight breeding.

I may be a hypocrite in this, as I do have a pedigree, but that doesn't mean I would recommend them.

Maybe, what I say is to weigh up the potential issues over a pedigree if you don't specifically want traits that the pedigree breed comes with, too many people pick a dog for fashion, and not one that suits their lifestyle which is a shame.

As for insurance, I don't bother, many policies require you to pay the fee and then claim it back, which means if there's costly treatment required, you may not be able to get it if you don't have the cash to pay before claiming back.

What I would suggest is if a policy is £18 per month, stick it in a savings account that you have access to each month. Essentially self insure.

 

[Edward78]

Having a "ruf" time with making a choice?

 

[4T5]

9-5 plus travelling time is to long a time to leave a dog alone. Do you live close enough to work to come home for dinner ? Do you earn enough to get one of those Dog walkers round for an hour or two per day ?

If not then get a Budgie or summit.

 

[xdcx]

Yes, I suggest avoiding pedigrees and instead looking at mongrel breeds, often cheaper, and also less likely to suffer common genetic defects caused by tight breeding.

I may be a hypocrite in this, as I do have a pedigree, but that doesn't mean I would recommend them.

Maybe, what I say is to weigh up the potential issues over a pedigree if you don't specifically want traits that the pedigree breed comes with, too many people pick a dog for fashion, and not one that suits their lifestyle which is a shame.

As for insurance, I don't bother, many policies require you to pay the fee and then claim it back, which means if there's costly treatment required, you may not be able to get it if you don't have the cash to pay before claiming back.

What I would suggest is if a policy is £18 per month, stick it in a savings account that you have access to each month. Essentially self insure.

I do agree regards saving account and self save, absolutely. I have never insured a dog in my life but I did in this situation due to break up with my partner and moving around etc, it made more sense and I shopped around for a good policy which was good and not just nonsense. So good policies can be had which are worth the trouble, but yeah self save in the grand scheme is always going to be that much better overall. There are cons to this too also, such as being tempted to buy shiney stuff with it!

Pedigree front. Disagree in a lot of ways but more so at top level there really isn't a black/white approach to pedigree/non pedigree. Pure example being Labradoodle/Cockapoo, they cost more money than most genetic problem free pedigree dogs because lets face it, they are "fashionable" almost.... I see what you are saying about genetic issues in some breeds, but that is no reason to say avoid PEDIGREE dogs completely because for every breed with known issues there is 3 breeds without.

I would never say to someone don't get a mongrel or non ped as there is lots of awesome dogs out there. Same as I'd expect someone not to say don't get a ped as all peds are troublesome. It's a bit narrow minded and simply not a easy subject to categorise as simply as that.

The tight breeding you hint at can be avoided for peace of mind by doing your home work and looking for the right dog. Many peds will have breed co-efficiency in the 25% region and above, there is no need for this I would simply walk away. Efficient and good breeders are out there, this is why I offered to help the OP if he so desired with known breeders etc.

Not wanting starting a massive debate on this, I'm trying to get away from work man, come on! But hope you can see my point and acknowledge it like I have yours

 

[Alienfish360]

I do entirely see your point, and breeds need to be taken on a, breed-by-breed basis, my advice then I suppose while probably statistically correct was also poor advice and poorly phrased.

 

[hudson86]

Most rescue places wont let you have a dog if its going to be on its own for more than 3-4 hours and they do check / make follow up calls. Often the contract you sign does mean they can take the dog back if they are not satisfied with your care etc.

 

[kinger8938]

Lots of great opinions and suggestions here and i am leaning on the side that a dog may not be right for us at this point.

We were debating cats or dog, we love both ideas tbh so am thinking cats may suit our current lifestyle more and maybe look into dogs later in life when we have more time for one

 

[Uncle Petey]

Sounds like a wise conclusion

 

[xdcx]

Yes very wise, the true decent point here is that you are doing research and asking opinion to come to a conclusion on what would be best for your family and the potential animal.... Most people just go out and get something then worry about this so kudos to you for being a decent person

I do dislike cats very much though btw

 

[kinger8938]

Yes very wise, the true decent point here is that you are doing research and asking opinion to come to a conclusion on what would be best for your family and the potential animal.... Most people just go out and get something then worry about this so kudos to you for being a decent person

I do dislike cats very much though btw

Haha cats do indeed suck, but i dont mind them

Thanks for that, that was the idea really i do understand the whole argument for dogs needing more care and time during the day so really wanted to get to the bottom of it and make a decision

Not in any hurry but will begin my cat research now :3

 

[Psymonkee]

Cat research is super simple:

Cat shelter
Find cute kittens
Adopt!