Realistically can we have a dog?

[Lagoonablue]

I would love a family dog. We had one when I was growing up and would love that for our family.

Trouble is I work part time so dog would be home alone. 3 days pw. I would,d of course pay for a walker but still....

If that hurdle is surmountable, there is also the issue of breed. I want a small dog, good with kids, not too energetic. One that doesn't shed ( DS has allergies).

Ideally would love to rehome a dog but at same time would like to know the dogs history. So thinking....buying a puppy more realistic.

So is dog owning possible for us and if so any suggestions as to breed? I quite like poodle cross the dogs and also terriers if that helps.

[TooOldForGlitter]

I know it is a sort-of 'joke' in the DH that someone will pop up and suggest this, but, would you consider a retired greyhound?

They are not all big, many small ones no bigger than a collie. Minimal shedding, low exercise requirements, placid and generally calm, usually not barkers, good with kids, I could go on

[Lagoonablue]

Oh I hadn't really thought of them at all! They seems a lot larger than I wanted which was kind of westie size.

I will consider them though,thanks.

[ejsmith]

I think that because of your work a puppy is out - you can't leave them alone that long. An older dog might cope better, especially if they are used to a 'going to work' routine. As for breeds I'd say a bichon frise or bichon havanese (Havanese are ridiculously expensive though) - they tend to be healthy, are easy to train, don't moult and are great with kids. Obviously speak to local rescue centres but also, when you decide on a breed, get in touch with the breed clubs (see the Kennel Club site). Sometimes breeders hold on to a dog hoping they're going to mature into a winning dog then change their minds (just make sure they are raised in the home rather than outdoor kennels). Other dogs end up in rescue due to death, divorce or emigration and will come with a detailed background to give you an idea of what to expect. If you go ahead it might take a while to find 'the one' so I wouldn't tell the kids until a decision has been made. Oh, and please don't get litter-mates in order to 'give them company'. It's really difficult to get them to bond with you, rather than relying on each other, and any type of training gets really complicated.

[Lagoonablue]

Thanks for that. Good advice.

[PeresteckBalveda]

I'd echo the retired greyhound recommendation. We don't have children but just had a toddler and a 5 year old to stay, and he was completely unfazed. They really are the most chilled dogs (apart from when they have a mad 5 min run in the garden, much like cats do sometimes), and need relatively minimal walking.

Might be worth looking at the Retired Greyhound Trust and seeing if there are any rescue kennels nearby to visit to see if they suit.

[Lovelydiscusfish]

For the days you are out, what about doggy day-care (like nursery, but for dogs), if there is one near you? My friend sends his rescue greyhound to one of these - it sounds great. Guilt-free dog care while you work! Apparently not terribly expensive - though he does live up north, where everything is cheaper.

[MushroomSoup]

I second the litter mates advice.

We were conned persuaded by a breeder to take two litter sisters and we have had to work extremely hard to train them, separate walks and training schedules.

[AlpacaLypse]

A lot of dogs that are looking for a new home aren't 'bad' dogs, or unknown background dogs, just victims of a change of a family's life - often they've had to move to rented and can no longer keep the dog for example.

In an ideal world you need something like maternity leave to settle a puppy in. Even teachers with their long summer breaks often find it hard to have a puppy settled by the beginning of September, having collected it in late July.

A lot of people assume that poodle crosses (cockerpoos, labradoodles etc) will automatically have the best traits of both breeds. Balls. You're just as likely to end up with a dog that is as challenging due to sheer boredom clever as a poodle and as wilfully disobedient on the subject rabbits full of an urge to work hedgerows as a Cocker - and which still sheds its coat.

[tak1ngchances]

Coat shedding is not really an indicator of allergic reaction. There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic breed. Please bear that in mind, the country is full of dogs in rescue centres because the owners were allergic to them

[Poledra]

Ha ha! I remember posting a very similar sort of post with regards to getting a cat about 2 years ago.....

We now have 2 cats, older boys taken on from a family who were emigrating. They're fab - had lived all their lives with children so settled well into our house with 3 DCs.

Hope your story ends as happily as ours did

[Lagoonablue]

There is so much info it is blowing my mind! Thanks all. I am veering towards a rescue dog and an older dog and will consider day care! Just got my son out of nursery and starting again!

I don't think I can bear to go to a rescue centre tbh....all those desperate, unloved dogs. I would come home with all of them! Still, it seems like the right thing to do.

I am still researching breeds. Are cockapoo ty,pe dogs frowned on as daft breeds? Also, wondering about small poodles - though expect they need a lot of grooming.

Someone else suggested a Norfolk terrier and have to say I like terriers generally.

It's going to be a long, well researched process this......

[AlpacaLypse]

Hi Lagoon, just going through Threads I'm On and found this.

As I think you might guess from my previous post, I do frown on Designer Dog cross breeds.

If there is a breed you particularly fancy, get in touch with the breed association and ask about their own rehoming service. Most reputable breeders will take back puppies if it hasn't worked out so there are often young dogs looking for homes. This can be challenging though if the first owners have not done the early puppy training stage properly.

[PeanutPatty]

Contact Poodle Network UK. They are brilliant.

I'd also contact Hounds First, Lurcher Link etc etc for greyhounds/lurchers/whippets and all the variety of mixes that these dogs have.

We've rehomed a rescue Grey x Whippet who is 3. We've two boys under 4. My youngest is now 2 and we got him five months ago. The hound that is. Not my son.

I would avoid any dog under 3 as they are the equivalent of teenagers. Doggy daycare or perhaps someone who is at home nearby on the days you are working who would like some
Canine company might be another option esp if you do the am/pm walks so all they need to do is cuddles

[wanttosinglikemarycoughlan]

I have a mini poodle
She is lovely. Looks more doodle like as she is not poodle clipped
I work 3 days a week but am home at lunch time
She is very easy going. We started her off in a crate but stopped using it by the time she was 1
Both dc are allergic and we have had not problems. She is the easiest dog I have ever had. Good fun with the kids and bouncy, very cuddly, can walk as long as we want but not chomping at the bit to go out and need to be dragged out when it is raining

[BellaVita]

We got our girl from her original breeder. A family bought her at eight weeks and had her until she was 17 months. The family unit broke down (divorce and the mum had to go back to work full time) so she was handed back. I had been looking and looking for a youngish dog and my wait paid off. The breeder came through ChampDogs and happened to be fairly local to me which was an absolute bonus.

She came perfectly house trained, gives paw, sits and waits patiently for her food until you say she can take it, walks lovely on lead, socialises very well with other dogs too.

The breeder would have kept her but she has other family dogs/puppies and our little darling was used to being the only pampered dog in the household.