Hi

We're hoping to get a dog, but will be at work most of the day. One of us will be able to come home at lunchtime every day to let the dog out and play with it for a while, but it will be on its own for up to 4 hours at a time.

I've had lurchers and jack russells as pets a few years ago while living at home with my parents, including lurchers from puppies. They were always left on their own and managed fine but I know it's not ideal for them. The dog would get one walk first thing in the morning, one as soon as we get home and a longer one in the evening. It would be a very well loved addition to the family but is this enough?

We have enough space for the dog to stay in the kitchen/utility room and wouldn't mind a few puddles on the kitchen floor. We would be happy for it to go in the lounge once we knew it wouldn't chew the sofa! In terms of breed we'd love a whippet (ideally would want a lurcher but our house just isn't big enough).

We live in Essex - can anyone offer any advice, even if it is just to say we should wait until one of us will be around some more?

thanks

Katherine

I am in the same position as you and it is possible to have a dog.

The main thing to bear in mind is that they are a very big tie.  Being at woek all day you will then have to spend all evening with your dog.  You will very rarely be able to go out in the evenings and week-ends.  I have a dog sitter to spread the burden!

It is worth it though!

Firstly -Are you looking for a pup or an older  rescue dog ?
Ideally , yes its nice to be at home 24/7 but this is the real world and many people do have to work.
It really depends on the breed you choose and the amount of quality time you are able to spend with the dog ( a long as its not a pup you are looking for)
Its fine , saying we will walk in the morning, lunch time and when you return from work but we all have other things to do in our lives
( shopping/cooking/housework/time with children etc etc)
If you can honestly hold your hand on heart and say yes we can dedicate special doggy time to your dog then why not .

If you can spend quality time with the dog and pop home during the day then yes, i dont see why not - unless its a pup you are hoping to home.
But even so you will still need to take time off work for the first couple of weeks to introduce the dog into your home and family :)
Good luck :)

Idealy dogs are social animals and love the company of humans, many many people are out all day at work but still manage to offer a good loving home to a dog. I'm sure you must have given this a lot of thought and if you've had dogs before realize how much commitment is involved.
I have whippets and believe this breed would be well suited to your situation, since they sleep all day, wouldn't be too bothered about being left. My dogs sleep all day whether I'm there or not, but miraculously are wide awake when the lead comes out lol.
Whippets are very independent types, a bit like cats in some ways, very laid back go with the flow dogs. They don't ask for much but do insist on comfort, so be prepared for him/her to get in your bed and comandeer your sofa. Mine aren't allowed in the beds or on the sofa, they know this full well but will still sneak up given the chance and jump off promptly when they hear you coming lol very devious! They love their walks too, so be prepared to walk him at least once a day. There is no way you can get out of this even in the depths of gloomy winter and you have flu, he won't stop pestering until he gets what he wants (can be quite vocal) Whippets feel the cold like no other dog does, so will need a coat in cold weather too, but is not bothered by hot summer days at all and loves to sunbathe. Some also tend to have a high prey drive so unless you want him chase rabbits and other small animals, (mine are hunting dogs) this should be discouraged from day 1. If you are planning on having an older dog it would be worth finding out about the dog's prey drive history. They can also be a bit discerning with their food too, (again, a bit like a cat) and put me in mind of gourmets as they know decent grub when they see it, but will eat most things-eventually. eg woof a bowl of chicken down in seconds, take 2 days nibbling on some food you bought 15kg of because it was on special offer. lol They are fantastic to watch running at full pelt and are faster than most other dogs you will come across, so breathtakingly graceful too. They are prone to muscle strain and enjoy being massaged after a good run too. They hardly moult at all so grooming is a piece of cake and they tend to be very clean dogs (cats lol) so even the most houseproud would cope with them. Hope this has given you a bit of insight into the breed, good luck whatever you decide.

Glad to read some realistic posts on this subject -in an ideal world we would all be able to spend all day every day with our dogs but most peope do have to work and as long as you give the dog your time and attention when you are at home ( and be prepared for a few mishaps in the early stages) I'm sure you would make an excellent owner.

I have 4 adult Belgians and 2 pups, I also work as a supply teacher this enables me to take off the time I need when I have to (like when breeding a litter), means I can pop home at lunch time and gives me the holiday periods too. I could earn loads more money if I was working more BUT  feel that I have achieved a good balance between the need to earn some money and the time to spend with my dogs.

4 hours is the longest my dogs are left for and they are all fine with that - good luck !!

I have no experience of the breeds you have talked about but when i was living with my parents most days the dogs would be left for several hours while my parents were at work and i was at school... They slept all day and woke up when we came in, they were walked in the morning and spent all night in the living room with us, they had their hour or two of playing and then had a lie down infront of the fie, they didn't seem to mind at all, just another excuse for a sleep.

One was a real xbreed from the RSPCA and the other was a CKCS

We have done this, had a puppy.  Mum then uses up 2 weeks holiday looking after pup all day.  Dad then used up 2 weeks holiday looking after pup, and then we had a roata to who went home at lunch (my school is only 10 mins away) one person would look after pup in lunch time Luckily then pup was only on its own for just under 2 hours untill I was back home.

It is possible if you can get the first few weeks off work,  also do you have a neighbour who could check on it between while you are working (just half way though the 4 hours)

Do remember that you will have to do training and even more so as you will have less time!

Rox

I would say as long as you can take some time off initially to settle him/her in it should be fine, we have 2 whippets and it always makes me laugh when people say you won't be able to go out in the evenings and weekends because our 2 will just sleep and sleep and sleep :D

Our 2 don't open their eyes after about 8pm until they wake at 7am so as long as you don't mind getting up early with a hangover i'm sure you will be fine to have a social life with a whippet :D

Steve

I agree it would be fine for you to have a dog, an older dog might be easier than a pup though and would give an unwanted dog a second chance. Also have you thought about having two so they have each other for company while you are out?

I own two CKCS and I also work all day but my partner comes home every lunch time to let them out and play with them.  We decided to have two so that they would be company for each other.  We spend the majority of the evenings and weekends with them though.  I really don't think it is a problem as long as someone can come home in the day to let them out.  My two CKCS are absolutely fine with no behavioural problems at all.  They even know the routine that every morning when I put my shoes on they go straight into their bed in the kitchen and wait for their biscuit! I also give them stuffed kongs/chew toys to play with but most of the time they just sleep. 

I work full time and unfortunately it didn't work for Bradley my (yes he will always be mine) boxer.  This was due to me working 10 plus hours a day and being a single parent.
I have to state when I got Mr B the longest he was on his own was 2.5hrs. He was walked approx 4-5 times aday was mentaly stimulated. When my circumstances changed he was left far to long,  his walks weren't long enough.  My weekends were completely devoted to him,  because he was no 1 in my life.  But sadley I had to let him go and live with a wonderful lady who is into power walking and training for a marathon.  She also works from home. So he is having a wonderful life now.