hello all,
myself and my partner have just moved in to a new house with medium sized garden right beside a common and have decided we want a dog to go alongside are skittish cat of which we adore, What we need advice on first and foremost is the fact that we both work, and the viability of leaving a dog for a stretch of 6 hours, or perhaps we are being unrealistic and cruel in our expectations, and are we best leaving it a while longer until our circumstances change.We would idealy like a whippet but would like some info on how best to integrate the cat and dog together if that is possible.
Thanks for your help in advance whether good news or bad.
Gary

Hi Gary,
You will get lots of people on here, agreeing with the fact that you can have a dog and work fulltime and a lot of people who don't.
Every situation is different, and only you and your partner can decide if it's the right thing for you both.
Dogs are very hardwork, some breeds more than others, would you be willing to spend most of or all of your spare time with him, especially if it's a puppy you're considering. Would a rescue dog be more suited to your circumstances? Can you get home during the 6hrs the dog would be left and walk them or could you get someone to do it for you? There are lots of poeple who do work and have happy well adjusted dogs but there are also a lot of people who find themselves having to give up their dog because they found either they were unhappy or the dog was.
Whatever you decide, good luck
Sharon
X

Ask yourself, would you enjoy being left all on your own, with nothing to do (no books/TV/music/radio etc) for 6 hours and not be able to visit the lavatory in all that time?

No? Nor would a dog.

Gary,

Many (but not all) adult dogs would be fine if left alone for six hours, so long as they are given plenty of attention and exercise before work and after work. I assume your cat is a house cat, so a dog would also have some companionship. Or perhaps you might consider hiring a dog walker who could take your dog for a stroll while you and your partner were at work. Access to a dog run would also be ideal, perhaps through a dog flap.

Leaving a puppy alone for six hours would not be a good idea, IMO.

Stacey

thanks for your well thought replies, we wouuld with enormous pleasure lavish the dog with love and attention and would welcome it into our home, we have a lovely secure garden of which the dog would have access, We realise a pup is not a good idea of course but need advice on an older whippet dog being integrated with our cat and where to get one, after we have considered our options. Advice not criticism would help (if i could spell it).
Thanks

Gary, please don't take people's postings as criticisms - people on this board will give you their opinions - but that's what they are - their opinions!
Only you can decide what to do - Have you contacted a rescue centre and asked what the position with rehoming an adult would be with regards to working? Have or would you consider a dog walker?