Hi - My family have owned dogs of various makes & models! for many years and now I have home of my home I would dearly love to have one (particularly a flat coated retriever). I fully understand the demands & committment a dog entials and am therfore not pursing this lightly. My main concern is like most pepole, both my husband & both work F/T (well I work 4 days / 1 day at home) and I'm realy torn as to whether keeping a dog when we are not at home all the time is cruel? I already have a dog walker arranged during the day, and obvoiusly we would exercise him/her morning & night too.

I would be really grateful if anyone has any views - either positive or negative???

Thanks
Jo.

When my husband and I first moved in together we had one springer spaniel, we both worked full time. She got a walk before we left for work, walk midday with my mum and then an evening walk. She was perfectly happy, the fact that you are taking so much time to think of what is best for your new puppy suggests you will make a great home for a dog, good luck. I don't work anymore and I therefore have 3 dogs - hooray!

Yes I agree with crazyspaniel (the first bit, the second bit about not working is in my dreams :D) sounds like the dog would be tired to be bothered about being left from all the walks it would get :D :D
Good luck

Lots of people work who have dogs nowadays . I think it depends on the breed and how energetic it is / how many walks etc it needs and how much energy and dedication you are pepared to put in .
Obviously some people come home from work too tired to do anything and then of course it wouldnt be a good idea but if you can get a dog walker and some one to pop in during the day etc to check on your dog things should work out ok
Good luck :)

I used to walk a flat coat for a couple who worked full time they never had any problems with her - she was a lovely dog.

Best of luck

Claire :)

hi jo

i got 4 f/c and i work to,most people have to work know days,i sold a puppy to some in the same situation as you,and four years down the line the dog/owner are doing well.you say if you are not at home all the time is it cruel,has long as the dog as a routine and quailty time and love with you i cannot see the the problem,like now i am at home doing the housework guess what the dogs are doing sleeping,most dog will sleep while you are not there.you do not need to over exercise af/c in the first year,lots of socilizestion like dog class in the night or at weekend events,it depends on where you live in surrey /hants the f/c club has some active on every weekend,like ringcraft,gundog,agility,walk,etc,
if you want more details on this breed please give me a call 01252310267 after 8pm for a chat.and see were you can go from there.

I do agree with the above comments but would just like to say to not underestimate how hard it is to have a dog when you work full time and keep it happy, you cant go out in the evening because its not fair when the dog has already been on its own all day. So even stuff like food shopping has to be done individually so someone is home with the dog, its hard to go out at weekends cos that should be the dogs quality time.
Perhaps you think I'm being excessive but thats the sacrifices I think people should make if they plan to work all day.
Also getting up for a long work before work isnt easy either!!

Im looking after a cocker x at the moment and it is hard work. Im up at 5am (or before ) to go for a decent walk (in the dark :( ) home again at lunchtime for a couple of hours to give him another decent walk. If I want to go out in the evening I drop him round my mums because it really isnt fair to leave him all day and night.

Claire :)

I agree...I work, and am single, have an afghan hound. She gets a run off lead in the morning, its dark, but I have to force myself to get up and out regardless of the weather or the dark. another walk in the evening, even if i have had a hard day. I take her to obedience on mondays, ringcraft on thursdays, and often a show on weekends. I rarely agree to go out during a weekday evening unless she can come. (she comes to weightwatchers !) It is perfectly feasible to have a dog and work....but you probably cant have a big social life unless you include the dog!

Hi, I have had 6 flatcoats over the years and bred 3 flatcoat litters. I have only sold to people who either did not work and had someone at home at all day, or worked from home and were flexible, or families who did split shifts. For instance one was a teacher and had school holidays and the other worked nights as a nurse or something. (This has happened twice and both homes have turned out brilliantly). I have offended some people I am sure by turning them down but it is imperative to be honest with both a breeder and a purchaser. My only home that turned out wrong was in fact to someone who was at home at all day, but just could not cope with the flatcoat personality. I wish in this instance i had heeded my warning niggles and not gone by the book! I do agree with Briedog that it is unrealistic to expect all your pup homes to be stay at homes, but I must emphasise that flatcoats in particular need loads of human interaction and company to thrive. You must expect your life to be turned upside down. You must have a very trusted dogwalker who understands the breed, you must make time for obedience classes at least once a week and it will be much harder to housetrain a pup of any breed if you are not there constantly to watch the signs of needing to go. It takes them much longer to catch on to what is acceptable. Please arrange to have holiday available for as long as possible when you get a pup. I am not saying not to go for a flattie, but do research the breed very thoroughly first. Many flatcoat breeders prefer not to sell to people that work full time, But please don't lie to your prospective breeder about your circumstances, most breeders can detect frauds by instinct, but find one who is happy with arrangements and make sure you have a good relationship on bith sides for honest advice and help. Good luck in your decision making. bev.

We have 4 akitas and they are outside dogs BUT they are walked in morning and night,time spent on each brushing and making a fuss of them and they have big runs,we also have them in 2 at a time for fun time.One thing I will say is that I intend to breed more now and I'm going to start working from home as I need to be there as I couldn't live with myself if something happened when I wasn't there and my pups need me there to help with the socialization,for my first litter I was off from Chikos 7th week and didn't start back until pups were 6 weeks old.But i say go for it,you have thought it all through,sandra.

you wrote that very well,hows the sleep going and the puppies

Well its great you took the time to ask a question that you could have got a bad responce to . but honistly i think it will be fine you already sound like a good owner. and really most dogs sleep the day away if you in or not. most of my dogs have been spaniels and there well known for being lively yet they sleep all day just make sure you leave fresh water a nice bed food and lots of toys.and mabe a kong or two and you will fine.
Goodluck xxxxx