I've recently adopted a beautiful 4yo chocolate labrador as I've mentioned in other posts. A couple that I know have fallen in love with her and have asked me to see if I can find a rescue labrador for them (they don't own a computer). They both work full-time, she has never owned a dog and doesn't have very realistic ideas i.e. she said she wants one exactly like mine, trained the same way, same sort of look etc. He has owned dogs before but I don't know this couple well so have no idea what type of dogs he's had or how well he looked after them. I told them that as they work it wouldn't be very fair to have a dog, especially a labrador as they wouldn't be able to offer it enough companionship during the day, as well as toilet breaks etc.

Then I started wondering about older dogs that are currently in kennels. Do you think that a home where the couple were out all day (able to pop home lunchtime but only for short time) but were able to give love and exercise in the evenings and weekends, would suit some dogs? They don't have any children living at home although do get visits from some aged 5+

I personally think that a rescue dog is better in this situation than stuck in a kennel all day, with no home.
I'd be dubious that she wants one already trained (is she prepared to put the time and effort into having a dog). But otherwise don't see any problem having dogs and working.
I do. And so do alot of others.

I think she is just naive about what is involved in looking after a dog. I'm sure they'd love the dog but I don't think she would know where to start when it came to training, although her husband might.

I think she is just naive about what is involved in looking after a dog. I'm sure they'd love the dog but I don't think she would know where to start when it came to training, although her husband might. I think she's looking for an easy option because she isn't very confident about training herself.

I doubt any of the rescues will give them a rescue dog especially as they are not experienced at all with Labs and out at work all day !

Just suggest they contact one of the rescues and get them to have a chat. It will be better coming from then rather than you telling them !

Try http://www.helpalabrador.co.uk

They I am sure will be happy to talk to them or put them in touch with the nearest Lab rescue to where you live.

Lucy

Just to update on what I've done. I found a few good rescue centres (where they promise to do homechecks etc) telephone numbers and passed those on to them.
Thanks for the suggestions. I did have a long conversation with the woman, explaining what was important when looking after a dog and what she might expect, pushed the idea of an older dog and mentioned different breeds (although not specifically greyhounds).

There are some dogs who are ok being left for a few hours at a time, especially older dogs. I'm not sure about a lab, never had one myself but have heard they need a lot of exercise and stimulation.
I can say that there are many old dogs in rescues, not necessarily pedigrees or labs, who would be suitable for a home where they came home at lunchtime and then had their fun on a night (as long as they weren't left ALL day, if as you say they would come home at lunchtime).
Did I mention greyhounds? ;) (had to get a plug in there somewhere)....they are generally couch potatoes, especially the oldies. It's Greyhound Awareness Week too, so my vote would be for one ;)
Lisa
xx