Am here for some advice, actually, I'm here for quite a lot of advice I guess...

A few background details first, to enable a better understanding;
* I'm 28
* I live alone
* I work shifts (8hrs) , alternating every other week.
Week #1 is 6am till 2pm Mon - Thur, 6am - 11:30am Fri
Week #2 is 2pm - 10pm Mon - Thur, 11:30am - 5pm Fri
* With the exception of a family Rabbit long-long ago, I have never owned a Dog (or any other animal) before.
* I have a house, with a garden and enclosed fence.

I don't think there's any other details that I'd need? I've been talking to colleagues about this on and off, some say it's a good idea because it's company for me, and that [most] dogs will be okay for 8hrs alone, provided they have access to water, food, and some room. Others say it's unfair because they'll be alone for 8hrs.

I'm here to gauge opinions by existing dog owners, and to ask what breeds might be best suited to first-time owners. I'd be looking at a puppy, not a rescue dog too. I don't want anything too big, nor would I desire a rat. Likewise, I wouldn't want a dog that's too docile (such as a Beagle); I've heard they're rather docile?

This is the website I'm using as breed reference for the moment: https://uk.pedigree.com/getting-a-dog/breed-selector

no such thing as too docile...what are you expecting it to do?

No puppy should ever be left alone for 8 hours even a dog should be walked at the very least in that period. If you're travelling to work that makes it even longer and then if you sleep for 8 hours that's a lot of time for a dog to amuse itself.

also if you have never had a dog you would probably be better off rescuing an older dog as puppies aren't easy

I would also say, for a puppy you need to be there to house train and train in general, with 8 hrs away and not having had a dog before I would look at an older rescue dog who is already house/trained and would not mind being left. But saying that, I expect no rescue would give you a dog with working away 8 hrs. So maybe a cat would be a better option?
They are company too and as long as they get fed/watered they probably be ok with your working hours.

You'll never house train a puppy being out so long and I think it's cruel to expect a puppy to cope alone for 8 hours. Even an older dog would struggle to go without toileting for 8 hrs, I couldn't and nor could my dogs. 5 hrs is realistically as long as they should be left so you would need a dog walker or someone reliable to call in during the day. But then you will need to go out and leave the dog to go shopping or a night out so that's the poor dog all alone again. They are social beings and need company. I think with it being just you working so long that it is unfair to get a dog as you haven't got anyone to help out. How will you feel walking it before you go to work? in winter when it's cold and dark and so early? They really are a big responsibility.

Sorry if I sound harsh but I've had dogs all my life and can see it from their point of view and as someone involved with rescue sees the sad outcome when people expect too much of dogs left alone for a long time. It frequently all goes wrong with the dog unhappy and not settling so chewing and messing in the house or barking and upsetting neighbours so they end up in rescue and everyone is upset. I'd agree that a cat would be a better option.

No dog or puppy should be left alone for 8 hours at a time. You will be coming home to an unholy mess to deal with, as apart from not being able to wait so long to go out, the dog is highly likely to get destructive either through boredom or anxiety at being alone so long. It won't get enough mental or physical stimulation, human interaction or exercise to use up its energy, which is asking for behavioural issues and separation anxiety. For a puppy, this is disastrous to its development.

Puppies require tons of time and commitment, they need feeding 3/4 times a day, to be taken out 2/3 times an hour every hour their awake, to sleep and play in equal amounts along with socialising and training. In between all that, they need watching and supervising to stop them chewing things, eating things they shouldn't, going backwards in their housetraining or getting themselves into troubles you wouldn't even think existed. They are exhausting, many say their harder work than a baby (I've never had a baby so I can't comment on that, but when my dog was a puppy I was lucky if I got 5 minutes to myself).

If you are dead set on a dog, you will have to look into employing a dog walker to take the dog out while your at work, doggy daycare (like nursery for dogs or find a neighbour/ friend/relative who can help, by which I don't mean just looking in for a few minutes every few hours, but actually take the dog out for a walk/back with them for a while/stay with it . That is the only way you are going to get a happy dog and an undemolished house. A dog shouldn't be left alone for longer than 4/5 hours ideally, with you working 8 hours + travelling and asleep for another 6-8 hours, that is 16-17 hours a day the dog will be alone/have to occupy itself. It's not going to sleep whilst you do as it will already have done so whilst you were at work. No breed will be happy with that lifestyle, even the tiny lapdogs who don't require as much exercise wouldn't be as they crave human interaction and love to be with their owners.

I would suggest an older rescue dog, but a rescue won't rehome to someone who works 8 hours a day. You won't find many decent breeders willing to let their puppies go to homes where they'll be alone for so long either, and any that will are not the ones to be getting a puppy from in the first place. The only dog that will be content with the lifestyle you have for it is either a retired greyhound (their not as energetic as you'd think, though they still need two 20 minute walks a day) or an old dog whose happy to sleep most of the time. Unfortunately both these come with big drawbacks to consider. Greyhounds are big and you've got to be drawn to that type and look of dog which a lot of people aren't. For an old dog you've got the fact that your taking on an animal which is heading for the final lap not just starting out, and everything that entails. Again not many can take on a dog knowing its in its last months/years.

In all honesty, whilst I could give you many breeds to look up, I don't think a dog is the right choice given your working hours, it's not the recipe for a happy content dog, nor a peaceful, harmonious lifestyle for you. Have you considered any other pets at all or are you only interested in a dog? Any you specifically like/ don't like? As I can think of several small pets that would be ideal for your requirement and be perfectly happy with your work pattern.

Oh and beagles aren't docile! Their extremely willful, rather stubborn, can be very difficult to train and they have a tendency to just wander off wherever their noses take them. They are quite a difficult dog and like most hounds, are not dogs for beginners. Their also prone to howling so aren't the breed to leave alone bored either unless you live miles away from anyone.

I've got retired greyhounds and even my 10yr old who is lazy and sleeps a lot wouldn't be happy left all day with a walker coming in. She wants a fuss and a cuddle and to know I'm there. The other thing about older dogs is that they often (like us) can't go as long without a wee as they used to and just going out in the middle of your working day with a dog walker may well not be enough and they just can't help it.

Dogs don't come with an 'off' switch for the hours their owners are at work then come alive when it suits them.

I would advise against getting a dog if it's going to be left for long periods of time. We only had our dogs because we both work at home, so the dogs are never left alone.

You have to put the needs of the dog before your own.

Yes I know, even these two aren't really a good suggestion but their the closest option for the OP to consider if their really set on a dog. Obviously neither could be left alone for so long but their the two choices that are most likely to deal with that type of lifestyle, certainly more than something young or energetic. They need some serious thought though,an old dog might sleep lots but as you say they can't go long without needing to go out. Really though, I personally don't think the OP's lifestyle is suitable for a dog, any dog.

I've got some sympathy for existing dog owners who's circumstances change and who find themselves having to cobble together care arrangements for a time. I have been in that position myself. But there is absolutely no excuse for getting a dog in the knowledge that you will be working full time. And bringing a puppy into the home in those circumstances is unforgiveable.
It's not just a matter of feeding and toiletting. Dogs are sociable and need company.

i'm a bit worried that you have got as far as thinking about breeds OP.
Please don't just think aout your own needs. Put the dog notion aside till your circumstances change. In the meantime if you want company when you get home there are more suitable pets than a dog.

Absolutely agree with all you say and with Colliewobbles points too.

The colleagues that say a dog will be ok for 8 hours are so wrong! How disgusting.

Why don't you volunteer a a local pet rescue- walking and cleaning out the kennels etc, so you get to know about dogs? Then think about sharing your life with one.

If it's an 8 hour shift, I guess you'd have to add some travelling time to that as well.

Sorry to disappoint mate. It's ok to leave a dog alone very occasionally for that amount of time, but to do it five days a week is far too much.

It's very wrong to bring a dog onto this situation, if you had a dog and then your circumstances changed I would be trying to advise how to cope but knowingly bringing a pup into your life knowing you will leave it for so long is not on at all.

Also what is too docile ? That worries me a bit too.

Well I guess I wont be getting a Dog then - am glad I came by here to ask first.

Maybe at some time in future you'll be in a better position to get a dog but I'm glad you did ask. The idea of helping out walking dogs at a local rescue is a really good one if you would like to do that you would learn a lot about dogs generally and all rescues are desperate for help with the dogs.

It's great that you have asked first, many people buy first then think of asking later, which is far harder to solve. Kudos to you for asking. And if you still want a pet for company, have a look about, there are plenty who will fit in with your current lifestyle much better than a dog.