Hi all

I am planning on getting a puppy at some point in the next 12 months and I want to research it in as much detail beforehand to make sue I get the most suitable breed for me

My main criteria is...

- Short haired
- Shall to medium sized
- Doesnt bark much
- Doesnt get stressed when left for periods during the day
- cute but wouldnt look too girly with a man!

Walks wise it will get about 20 mins in the morning and 20 minutes after work. I live in a terraced house with a yard - but I have a massive park two mins from my house. It will get a huge walk at the weekend

My housemate came up with the following
beagle
harrier
plott
smooth fox terrier
whippet

Are any suitable? I was thinking Beagle. A friend had a staffordshire bull terrier but that was too energetic for me

Any advice appreciated!

cheeers

Also, can anyone refer me to any good "what breed to get" website quiestionnaire things??

springer spaniel??

ticks the boxes i would think?

plus my dad has one and hes a 6ft 4 inches truck driver whos built like a tank so i think they count as ok for men to walk....

beagles are as bad as staffies for energy levels, they're also incredibly intelligent and need a lot of stimulation

but, being left for periods isn;t a breed specific trait
it depends on the dog itself.
if trained to be used to be being left from a young age, they can be fine with it
but some dogs regardless of the breed will never adjust to it

Anyone who thinks a particular dog might look to "girly" for a man shouldn't be getting a dog. Besides 20 mins in the morning and evening won't be enough for any of the breeds you have mentioned as they are all quite energetic. Beware of beagles tails, I have seen one knock off a computer monitor.

Oh and don't forget a rescue dog.

Thanks for the advice guys

I thought some breeds were better with being left alone?

I like Plotts - anyone know anythin about them?

I don't think 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes after work is enough exercise really A long walk on the weekend does not really make up for that, plus it isn't really suitable in my opinion to leave a dog every day from morning to evening. If you are passionate about getting a dog, think about it more, and consider if it's possible you can get someone to pop in and walk it during the day time.

I forgot to mention that I would be able to come hime most lunch times to let it out

also, I know in theory they arent supposed to be left alone but realistically most people do dont they. as if someone with a full time job could stay at home the whole time

What to remember is dogs thrive on human interaction, leaving a dog for hours on end is a recipe for disaster, they become harder to house train and most end up with behavior problems.

Here are a couple of sites



http://www.dog-names.org.uk/dog-bree...tical-list.htm

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/2102

Of course, many, many dog owners have full time jobs but I would like to think the ones who have thought it through before getting a dog
- Are able to get home at lunch times to walk the dog
- Are lucky enough to have a friend/neighbour pop in
- Hire a dog walker to take the dog out daily for them

As mentioned above dogs need human interaction. They can get anxious and stressed from being left alone for long periods of time daily. In my opinion whatever breed you pick it will apply.

I agree with others who have said that 20 mins walking morning & evening is not enough for the vast majority of dogs, regardless of breed. If this is all you can manage or are prepared to do, what about getting a "golden oldie" from a rescue centre? Quite often these dogs are used to being left for several hours at a time and aren't able to do much more than short walks around a local park. If you come home at lunch time to provide some company for it, you might be the ideal owner for an elderly dog. Some rescues (e.g. Dogs Trust) will rehome these dogs under full foster care which means you would also get most vet bills paid by the Dogs trust. Some of these elderly dogs make fantastic pets & companions & you miss out on all the difficult puppy training & behavioural problems that can accompany young dogs.

The vast majority of people who work full time don't leave their dogs alone all day while they're at work. They arrange for friends/relatives/neighbours/dog sitters etc to visit the dog during the day time to let it outside & to play with it & provide some company.

It can be very misleading to opt for a particular breed of dog & think you can be sure of what you are getting. Yes certain breeds are more inclined to certain behavioural traits that others but ANY breed can end up being noisy, hyperactive, aggressive, etc etc if they are not raised properly. Early life experiences, inherited traits, behaviours learned from the mother & siblings and the environment in which they are raised can have profound effects on a dog's temperament & behaviour for the rest of its life ~ the breed is not the deciding factor.

my hubby is 6ft 5" and built like BSH he doesn't care what he looks like when he walks our Shitzu x

Didn't you get the answers you were looking for in January?

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=972770

apart from the small to medium bit (and puppy bit), the ideal dog for you is a retired greyhound.

do not get a beagle - they're noisy, attention seeking and very very energetic - my OH has three of the buggers...

I've just read the previous thread that ejm linked to.

boltonjohn said in that thread:

Thanks for your advice guys.... some useful information there.... I didn't realise there was these homes though, so I suppose if i get a puppy and its too much, I could always send it there....

If I Was to get a puppy, i would get it at teh start of the summer and dedicate lots of time to it. Juts if it gets a bit much come september, i would 1stly hire a dog walker, and as a last last last resort i would only consider the dogs home .....

Nah I am starting to think a chocolate lab, my couch is brown so it will match no probs...

Either a wind up, or someone who has absolutely no clue about animals. Either way, the identical question is being asked eight months later.

The OP is a wind up merchant.

lol - I have just realised who he is - he is pervy binocular man with the good looking neighbour

Definitely a wind up, but I do have to thank him for the one of the funniest threads ever on the Advice Forum.

Binocular thread:
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...938&highlight=

I've just read the binoculars thread PMSL! This is a pretty lame wind up thread compared to that.

Yes I love it (The thread linked to in post 56 of that thread is too).

Yeah, read that too. DS is brilliant, I hope to stay long enough to get to know everyone and spot the fibbers and multiple namers!

Ditto

Why thank you nice to be appreciated!

In all seriousness, I do genuinely want to get a dog though

Ur like me you want dog but your circumstances aren't quite right. I agree with orangebird a greyhound is a good dog if you don't have loads of time cos they enjoy just a quick sprint and then spend most of the rest of the time sleeping! I really want to get one but i live too far away from work to go home at dinner and I don't know my neighbours well enough yet to ask one of them to take it out for me. I am now keeping an eye out for people who look like they dont work so i can befriend them and then ask them!

I think if you can get back at dinner then its not too bad, but you should give your dog a longer walk after work than 20mins. If you really dont have time to squeeze this in then you obviously have bigger priorities than owning a dog at the mo.

Totally agree with this, as much as I love my beagle he is a handful....

And from your list - he barks at anything and hates being on his own

The OP should get a goldfish.