Just a thought could you borrow a dog for a few weeks from a friend you know like they have these babies that do everything but are dolls. OR contact the local RSPCA in your area and kennels dog trust etc and perhaps start first by FOSTERING.

All dogs take work – if you're looking for one that's less work than others I'd suggest starting off by fostering a dog to see if having a pet is something you're ready to commit to.

There are a ton of dogs out there that need fostering until they find permanent homes. Also consider adopting an older dog from your local shelter – some dogs that only have a few years left make their ways into shelters because their owners died, and not many people want to care for them. Older dogs can come with health problems but they will be more easy to care for than a puppy.

A good dog believe it or not that is a real couch potatoe is the GREYHOUND. They are great home dogs, good with kids too, love chilling out, yes they need exercise but not a huge amount. You could easily get an older greyhound from rescue.

A king charles spanial is an easy dog to keep too.

I would NOT recommend a labrador to be honest. They need a lot of activity.

DOGS BARK, its how you bring them up that counts. A dog needs a lot of work, training, consistency and patience.

No dog is safe 100% WITH kids.

Cute, well my Lucy is cute but she is a jack Russel. I wouldnt have any other breed.

Affectionate. Dogs are dogs, not humans they dont show affection like we do. You give them a lovely warm home, feed them, take them out for walks, that is affection for them. They lick you if you let them, THAT ISNT AFFECTION to you. A dog is more of a companion. We make the mistake of humanising them, which comes with all kinds of problems.

Dogs can soon manipulate an owner believe me. By them doing cutsie things, it could actually mean they are taking advantage of you.

As to leaving the dog on its own. IF you are going to get a rescue you wouldnt want to leave it straight away, nor a puppy. So IF you really decide to get a dog I would do so when I could take a holiday, as a teacher you have school holidays so you could arrange this quite easily.

Anyway for me I would foster or borrow one first. A dog is a HUGE TIE, costly and is hard work.

BUT I WOULDNT BE WITHOUT MY POOCHIES my older dog is 17. SO IF YOU GET A PUPPY this could be with your for a long long time.

Now this is cute: http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t...otle/smile.jpg

I am experienced with dogs have had one for 50 years, but I still make mistakes as BEING CUTE in the dog world, can turn cutsie to DIVA very quickly LOL. She even has her own pink collar with bling.

RSPCA etc will not allow you to foster in a flat.

aw that little pooch is lovely!

My dog fits the ops's criteria but im not going to recommend it for various reasons.

A greyhound sounds good, ive always fancied one of those.

Thanks for your advice guys.... some useful information there.

I definitely don't want a cat though. Find them a bit snobby and boring!

I will have a think and see if anyone else has anything else to say.

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

So you were just taking the piss all along.

are you kidding on with this last sentence?

That isn't funny given the state rescues are in at the moment.

Oh dear please give up all thoughts of a dog x.

Even though I hope it was a joke, I'm inclined to agree with you.

Obvioulsy its not the 1st option, but you know they are there for a reason. I would be a great dog owner I an sure, its just in case kinda thing

I want one who....

"Isnt in distress by being left alone (I am a teacher but could get home on lunchtime most days)
Is quite chilled out / likes sleeping
Affectionate
Good with kids
Doesnt bark loads"

You dont ask much do you?

You shouldn't have a dog, you dont have a clue.

You're a teacher that intends to leave a puppy alone all day? (oh sorry maybe a brief visit at lunch time) A shelter will laugh you out it's door and a breeder who sells to you should be shut down.

harsh but true.

OMG how can a teacher be so stupid?

They are also bursting at the seams and many have waiting lists before they can take in a dog.

I am usually willing to give the benefit of the doubt and say there is a dog out there to fit most circumstances with a bit of effort - such as employing a dog walker.

But the number one criteria is that a new owner enters into it with 100% commitment. Not with the thought that if they get bored or it doesn't work out then they can just dump the dog on an overstreatched rescue.

It is your attitude, rather than your circumstance, that makes me now think you wouldn't be a suitable pet owner.

I think he's just a wind up merchant. I can't take him seriously at all now.

Guys i think you misunderstand my intentions. 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

Ok but you said - "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"

What did you mean by that?

Just meant that its always an option

Working in rescue I've seen dogs come in because they don't match the owners new sofa so nothing would surprise me - sadden and anger me but not surprise me

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

Black Labrador Bitch.

Well I'm biased but she never barks and is well tempered and doesnt mind spending time by herself as long as you get a crate as if introduced to them immediately as a puppy they come to enjoy it. Mine does anyway, she'll just stroll in when she feels like getting away and resting.

However, they do she a lot of hair. A lot! And walked a bit more than other dogs..well from what i've noticed anyway.

But overall i would definitely go for a labrador. Any other questions you need to know about labradors just ask.


Edit: Didn't realise there was a second page to this thread and now i see you've talked about a chocolate lab. Good choice! Our couches are black as is our labrador so i can see where youre coming from!

Ok edit again. Just read the whole thread, really should have done so from the start. Anyway if you have intentions of sending it to one of those 'homes' i would think twice about getting a dog.

Its not an 'option' - its irresponsible and offensive to all the people who've given genuine advice on this thread.

You should NOT get a dog under any circumstances.

Agree. A dog is for life.

Stop answering him!

Anyone who says that it's an option to give a puppy to a rescue if it doesn't work out and who also says he will get a chocolate labrador to match his furniture is just on a wind-up. He's getting all the reactions he wants and at least one of his posts comes across as if he is pissed.

Just read my post again a few posts up. I typed that without reading the whole thread. When i said about the dog and couch i was joking.

OP, DO NOT get a dog. Finished.

Sorry I think my intentions were misunderstood when i said about the choc lab matching my sofa, I didnt say that I had chose it because of that. I had based it on various opinions given here. It is just a fortunate coincidence that it does match the sofa.

Update.... a mate of mine has heard of a guy who is sellin some pups, gonna go and have a look in the week! Excited!