Hi there

My wife and I have decided to get a dog. we both work - but she works only 15 mins from home and I can work at home at times. We would definitely get a dog walker too and take leave initially.

What do people think of this? And also what should we do to get one. Would Battersea let us have one? we want to avoid a puppy farm/pet shop. Any advice would be gratefuly received. We would love a Cocker Spaniel.

Thanks

Cannot advise about rescues some will and some won't rehome to working people, however if you can put things in place to make sure the dog is taken out every 3-4 hours and are willing to put in a lot of walking and training either end of the day I cannot see a problem. You would need to pick the right breed and the right dog from that breed to do it though.

Good luck with your search and let us all know how you get on !

Many rescues won't rehome to full time workers, which I can understand but don't wholly agree with, primarily because, as you say arrangements can be made, and just because someone can stay at home now, doesn't mean they'll not have a change in circumstances. I'd contact a few of the homes/centres to see what their policies are, stress that the dog will not be left alone for more than 4 hours at a time.

I'd not recommend a puppy, as they do need alot more work and attention, obviously.

If your set on a particular breed, read up abotut it, I'm not sure about spaniels but iirc they are more energetic than some other breeds so you may face a destroyed house if left too long. Perhaps find a specialist spaniel rescue (a quick google will source one) and ask their advice, the smaller rescues are likely to work with you more than a bigger one (ie working round your schedules etc)

IMO every house that can accommodate a dog, should have one, they make life brilliant! So go for it!

imo a spaniel is not the easiest dog to have if you are working full time they really do need to be kept busy or they can get quite destructive and have issues. If you get a puppy they can also be buggars to toilet train.

If I was working full time I would probably get a couple of lurchers or whippets as they are quite laid back and lazy

I was going to suggest a couple of greyhounds. Lazy buggers and two will keep each other company. They are fantastic dogs and so many retired racers are desperate for a good home.

Second this. Lovely dogs, Greyhounds, sadly overlooked by many people. They don't need lots of exercise and will happily lie around snoozing. Go get one

An English cocker wouldn't be a bad choice. A working cocker would. But I am of the 'if you work full time you shouldn't get a dog' school.

I was just going to suggest a Greyhound. Every owner I have met have said they are such an easy relaxed breed and so many need homes.

If you get a spaniel and aren't at home to look after it you will have to throw several items of furniture out in the first few months. Our Springer chewed a leg off the dining room table

He also pulled two of his beds to pieces and managed to take the lino up in the kitchen and destroy it. He calmed down once he realised he was home, but it took a while.

Springers are a lot different to cockers, especially English. Why someone would have a springer as a pet I'll never know. Fabulous working dogs. But pets at home, no work at all? Nope.

I've had two springers as pets and they were both wonderful and loving. But they are needy and destructive when left alone, chewing through furniture and even walls!
I was fortunate because I could take them to work with me most of the time. I also had considerable health care problems with them both - loads of allergies.

Thanks folks. Don't fancy a greyhound. Any thoughtson border terriers? Thanks

You will be missing out then!

Terriers are clever little dogs, I wouldent be leaving one home alone as they will get into mischief.

I have a Border Terrier x Parsons Jack Russell. He is a super little dog and he wasn't destructive as a puppy. We have had him since he was 8 weeks old and he is nearly 6 years now.

As it happens, he is very needy and hates being left. But that is our fault as we baby him a bit. Having said that, I work in the afternoons and he is now used to being left for a few hours.

Border Terriers are happy with a lot or a little exercise. He has three walks a day and sleeps in between walks mostly They are a very loving dog and my dog is totally faithful to me.

I love dogs was brought up with pets both dogs and cats. But my mum was a stay at home mum and had plenty of time to take the dogs for long walks. A few years ago OH and I really wanted a dog as we miss not having a dog in our lives. Decided to go for a rescue one but were turned down as we both go out to work. Ended up getting a lovely cat.

Things can be put in place (walkers, friends popping in etc) if you work full time, being home all day with a dog doesn't guarantee the dog will be walked and cared for properly.

Key is finding the right dog for the situation, some dogs in rescue are very used to being left for a while and would do well, others will be destructive if you go to the kitchen and leave them alone. Just need to really do home work on breeds and be honest about what you are prepared to do to make it work.

My best advice is to get the dog you need and not the dog you want. Do remember that not every dog conforms to the breed standard. Take Greyhounds for example. Lots of people will say they are couch potatoes and would rather spend the day sleeping than being out and about. That isn't true of a lot of them. People also think that smaller breeds don't need a lot of exercise, but many of them (especially terriers) can comfortably walk for miles on end.

When my Mum and I set out to get a dog (I know I've called him my dog on a good few occasions, but he's not just mine as my Mum and I adopted him together) we were adamant we were going to get a smaller Staffie (preferably an older bitch) and we went to the SSPCA and Dogs Trust. Couldn't find a dog who would suit us at the former (although we fell in love with a lot of them), but there was an elderly female Staffie (who ticked all the boxes) due to come into the latter. We reserved her, but we very sadly got a phone call a week before we were due to get her to say that she'd been put to sleep because of several medical issues. After we'd gotten over the shock of that, we went to the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home. We had a good look round and there was an adoreable blue and white male Lurcher, but he was reserved. A member of staff said he would have been really good for us. As we were chatting to her about him, a call came in saying the new owners had pulled out, and he was free again. He had been a stray and they needed to make sure he didn't come from the same town as us (it is their policy not to re-home a rescue to the same location as where they came from). It turned out he wasn't, so they got him out, and it was a done deal from then on. He was perfect for us. I don't normally believe in fate, but us having him was just meant to be. We went back and forth visiting him for over a month as he had to have a couple of operations (one to remove a couple of teeth and the other to strip him of his manhood and to remove several fatty lumps). He then developed an infection, so that meant an even longer wait. When we finally got him home it was like he'd always been in the house. Didn't really need a settling in period as he knew he was home. So, there you go, we were pretty much dead set on getting a female Staffie, but got a male Lurcher instead.

Keep an open mind and you never know a dog (from a breed you hadn't even considered) might come along and be the perfect dog for you.

Thanks GibsonGirl and MolliePops and to all of you who replied. some very helpful indeed. Will keep you all posted!

I disagree with you on that point. I think the vast majority are lazy and will happily soon for hours on end, there will be some that are hyper and on the go all the time.

So glad you ended up with a lurcher, just goes to show it really isnt about the breed but the individual dog itself.

It's not just a matter of checking on them or taking them out to do the necessary though. Most dogs like company. I've had dogs all my life and can count on one hand the number of times I've left them for more than 4/5 hours (with someone checking).
I think you have to be honest with yourself about how often you could be at home.

Another vote for a greyhound, whippet or lurcher. Really low maintenance dogs with gentle affectionate natures. I've had links to sighthound rescues for years and never met one that wasn't lazy! My last dog was a lurcher and I now have a whippet.

I'd steer clear of terriers, spaniels or border collies as those are particularly high maintenance. They need lots of exercise and mental stimulation or they will make their own entertainment, which generally involves wrecking the house!

You are very welcome. Good luck!

Good luck on your search! I believe the dog chooses you, bit funny sounding I know. I bet you'll give somebody a lovely home

You don't mention children, do any live at home?

If so this may have a bearing on the most suitable breed for you, but I wish you good luck in your search.

I'd recommend a Golden Retriever, but then I'm biased as they're the only breed I've ever owned ( or should I say.. have owned me!)

Ha, I have to agree, Archie's lovely and very puppy like for all of ten mins, then sleeps we had visitors yesterday which kept him busy for a few hours, and then I found him tucked up in his crate snoring.