tell me about becoming a dog owner for the first time

[timetosmile]

DD (9) has been on and on and on about wanting a dog forever - she's great with the local ones and helps the neighbours take them for walks etc (inc clearing up poo!)

She has fallen in love with a King Charles spaniel she sees on the way to school, and would like one of those.

I am not particularly pro/anti dog - never had one, but would be happy to, and I think DD would really love it as opposed to it being a 'phase'.

DH had dogs as a child, but thinks that although lovely, it might be a real hassle.

Our youngest DC is 5 soon, and pretty happy around dogs, except the unpredictably jumpy ones.

I work all day 2 days a week, but otherwise I am a SAHM or work a 4 hour day, so the house would be empty for 2 days a week I could nip home for 15 mins at lunch if needs be

We have a nice big (fenced) garden and could afford to look after it, and are a pretty outdoorsy family anyway.

What are your wise thoughts about

getting a dog?
the breed/temprament/suitability?
any health issues with the breed?
where to get one from a happy 'proper' source and not some dogdy breeder?
what to do with a dog when owners are out from 8.30-5?
It would be for a family pet, not for competition/shows etc

thanks MNers x

[EasyToEatTiger]

It could help for you to go and watch a local training class and talk to the people there. Whatever breed, you will need insurance, you will also need regular vaccinations/worming/de-flea stuff. A good training place would be very helpful, remembering that you will probably be responsible for most of it and it's an important factor of dog ownership.

A good re-homing organisation would help with the kind of breed that suits you and your family life. They are very good at asking the right questions.

You obviously don't want a dog with blatant health issues, but there are so many unknowns in life. A lot of issues can be sorted through training.

You may also want to find out about dog walkers for when you are out all day, especially if it is ongoing and regular. Dogs like routine!

It is like taking on a new member of the family, and it is a major commitment, and a bit of a learning curve. Not one to be missed!

[MiseryBusiness]

If you do decide to get a dog, everyone in the family has to be on board and if not you will have to realise that you will be the main carer for the dog and it will be your responsibility.
IMO there isnt really a family breed, there are some typical breeds that are more suited to a family of course. Most breeds need between 1hr - 2hrs exercise a day.
If you go down the puppy route you would need to dedicate a lot of time to training and socialisation.
CKC spaniel do have a few health issues some far more serious than others so it would be very wise to get a puppy from a reputable breeder.
The best way to do this would be to contact the CKC spaniel breed club and they should have lots of information on the breed and any breeders planning a litter. You would more than likely need to go on a waiting list and be prepared to answer lots of questions on your suitability.
Personally if I was out of the house that long 2 days a week I would hire a dog walker/doggy day care for those 2 days.

[assumpta]

I agree with misery.

A lot of time needs to be spent with a puppy, but what you put in, you get back.

Puppies are gorgeous, but they are very hard work. You will need to watch it like a hawk for house training, teach it boundaries, be prepared for sleepless nights again, perhaps only a few, but could be many. No more sleep-ins for a while. And that is without all the training involved. You need to think about the time taken out for socialisation class, training classes, vet visits. If your children are at home sick are you realistically going to be able to get out to exercise it properly and leave a sick child at home on their own. Even lots of small dogs need proper exercise, not just a quick trot round the block. It will probably mostly fall on you to do as you are the one at home the most. I know my old neighbour got a puppy and although her husband, and children, were on board, she was the one that followed it around in the evening, as well as all day, watching it didn't wee or poo in the house, he wasn't consistent enough and wanted to put his feet up after a hard days work, which is fair enough, but she was in tears with the stress of it all. They now have a lovely, but very lively, bouncy, 2 and a half year old dog but it still brings it challenges; as do most things in life!

Regarding the breed, I think this takes lots of research. Some sites try to match a dog breed with owners, i.e, small, med or big dog, big or small garden, grooming time available.

We had been thinking of getting a Tibetan terrier pup recently, I then spoke to some people who explained some things about the breed, and athough they are beautiful, I realised that they weren't for us. In the end we ended up getting a small rescue dog on Sunday. He is sleeping soundly on the mat by the back door, with the odd bit of kennel cough thrown in. Dogs are not called 'mans best friend' for no reason. Good luck in your search.