Help, overwhelmed with choices! Which breed for me?

Hi, I am interested in owning a dog, not soon but in a year or so. Im not sure what breed though! I live with my partner in a house with a large garden. We both work but I am only out of the house 8:30 till 4pm and I can come home for about 30mins at lunchtime. I also get all of the school holidays off and weekends. I have never owned a dog before but my mum and dad always had dogs in the house as I was growing up. They ranged from a golden lab to a leonberger. I would prefer a middle to giant sized dog. I would prefer a dog who is laid back and quite independant (I realise a puppy will be excitable!) I would prefer a dog who does not need lots of excercise and mental stimulation. Basically one of the easier dog breeds if they exist! Many thanks Danni

Hi Danni,

Was it a puppy you are after? because if so, it isn't really ideal to leave a pup for longer than a couple of hours at a time. As I am sure you realize they need to toilet every few hours or less and obviously this isn't possible if you are out for most of the day (even with the lunch break). An adult dog who is gradually acclimatized to being left would be absolutely fine with your routine though, provided it was exercised before you went and when you got back.

I think an older rescue dog might be the way to go unless you have have a plan in mind for a puppy (dog sitter, friend/family member to watch them, etc.).

I think it is good that you recognise that you don't want a dog that needs a lot of mental or physical stimulation.

Some of the giant breeds like Bernese mountain dogs could potentially be a match for you. They are however very reliant on attention.

As labradork says puppies are a lot of work and really need someone around for a lot of the time. If you were to get a puppy the best time would probably be at the start of the summer holidays, after that you will still need a dog sitter or at least someone to come in a few times during the day to take the pup out to toilet and offer stimulation.
Otherwise, perhaps an older, laid back rescue dog might suit you?

In terms of breeds as an adult some of the giant breeds or toy breeds might suit you in terms of exercise needs

I would get the puppy at the start of the summer holidays ideally so would have 6/7 weeks off to begin with, do you think that would be ok? I would excersise the puppy in the garden before I went to work and a walk every evening with a long run every few days. What sort of breeds do you think would be suitable for that excersise regime that are medium, large or giant? Thanks for your speedy reply! Danni

Thanks I will have a look at bernese mountain dogs! Im a bit wary of getting a rescue dog as my parents rescued a dog before that was completely out of control and spent several years trying to help it but unfortunatly they had to give the dog away again. It was a very sad experience for everyone involved. Also how easy would it be to train an older dog? Whilst I was looking at breeds the Great Dane popped up. Although they are enormous the temperement sounded something close to my idea! I will copy and paste it
Known as the "gentle giant" and the "king of dogs," the Great Dane was originally bred as a hunting dog but is now bred as an exceptionally large companion dog. And he makes a good one. He is a gentle, friendly, docile, peaceful, and a really, really big dog. He is exceptionally devoted to his owners, especially children. However, a six-month-old Great Dane puppy will outweigh a six-year-old child, so parents must be cautious that no one gets accidentally squashed. But the Great Dane is people-oriented and committed to pleasing them. They are playful, and will need to be walked daily, but their exercise needs are only moderate. They also love to nap with you, and will take over your couch. They might also go steal some food off the countertop before you wake up. They make good watchdogs, and are often reserved towards strangers, but in general, they don't bark much. They get along well with other animals. They are trainable and do well in the competition ring. They are also quick to housetrain. (I know, thank God, right?) So, if you are looking for a dog that honestly believes he is a part of the family ... if you are looking for a gentle giant to have in your home ... who will be able to sit and look you in the eye at the dinner table ... if you are looking for a peaceful, devoted companion who loves his family and home, then the Great Dane might be for you.

Do you think that is an accurate picture of a great dane? Thanks for all your help! Danni

Personally I don't think that at 14 weeks (8+6 weeks) the pup will be old enough to hold its bladder/bowels and be self sufficient enough to be left alone for a period of 4 hours which is why you would probably need to consider day care or having someone in or getting an older dog.

Very early on puppies should not be over exercised (5 mins per month of their age), at this time socialisation is the main consideration.

My family have a bernese who as an adult would have been fine with 10-15 mins walk (not just the garden) before work and then perhaps another 30mins in the evening. For him his main enjoyment has always come from pottering around, smelling new things and meeting people and dogs rather than the exercise but he needs to get out to have all of the above

You would probably be best off visiting some shows to get a feel for which breeds you like and chatting to the owners of these breeds as they are most likely to give you an honest opinion of what living with their breed is like.

You could not leave a young dog alone all day.
A young dog needs to be educated, socialised and trained. If they are not supervised they will become bored and destructive.
If you really want a dog, I think you should look into daycare.
So many dogs are in Rescue because owners have forgotten that while they are puppies for a few months, they are not mature for a couple of years.

ClaireandDaisy - thank you for your concern, I am here for opinions and advice, no need to scold
WhichPets - Thanks for your advice, I will take it on board and maybe visit some rescue centres and breeders! My mum and dads Leonberger used to love pottering about too, smelling everything! That level of excercise seems like something I could definitely commit too How old would you reccomend a dog being before he/she can be left alone for 4hrs? Also what about kenneling? I have a pretty big garden and it would be an option, space wise. What do you think? Or is this surrendering the dog to a lonely life? As you can probably tell I have lots of things to consider!! Thanks for your help Danni

Hey, if you don`t want truth, you shouldn`t ask.
Most Rescue dogs are aged around 1. That`s not coincidence. It`s because a dog has an adolescence.
You would not believe the amount of dogs that are put in Rescue in the Autumn because they are eating their owners house. Dogs turn into Kevin around the age of 1.

Do you think that on a February morning, you will walk your dog for an hour + in the dark and the rain? Will you have the energy to dash home from work, feed the kids, clear up where the dog has shat and chewed and go training?
In summer it`s easy to think of balmy evenings romping with kids and dog in the fields. In November it all gets a bit different.

we daycare a great dane, that is much as described, her owners were in the same position as you more or less, however Lonna has never been left, she came to us for the day from being 10 weeks old,

I think you are being incredibly unfair and judgemental. Of course I would like the truth about the questions I have asked. You have no idea what type of person I am yet you have judged me already. I feel that you have given the impression that this forum is not very friendly and tells people what to do rather than offer advice. If you had even read my first post you would see that this is not an impulse buy. I am not looking to get a dog for another year or so. I have had dogs in my family my entire life so yes I do actually know that you have to take them out in all weathers and clean up their mess, dont patronise me. Also I dont have any kids. I get in from work at 4pm, relatively early so it would not be a mad dash.

Lizzy23 - thanks for your post thats very helpful, i will definitely bear in mind the amount of time he/she will be left alone, maybe a rescue dog would be best.

If you are looking at getting a dog, i think a rescue greyhound might suit your requirements? They are usually pretty easy going, which can be contrary to popular belief, don't require tons and tons of mental/physical simulation, and there are plenty of them that need a home!

I've never thought of a greyhound but I have seen posters for rescue greyhounds somewhere though. I will have a look into it! Thank you Danni

Yes definitely visit rescues and breeders; if you are looking large rather than giant you may find an older chilled out rescue that fits the bill, otherwise I think most large/medium breeds would need a bit more exercise and stimulation than you can commit to.

My cousin has a great dane and she is pretty much as described. She's quite happy lying on the sofa with a cuddle most evenings but enjoys a walk too They have a similar lifestyle to yours and she fits in well, although could probably benefit from a bit more exercise.
She is a little nervous but they got her as a rehome at 4 months.

I think in terms of leaving a dog all day alone it depends on the individual dog. My dog would probably have been fine at around 10 months. A dog that is bored and lonely can become destructive so it is something to think about.
It's not impossible to work and have a puppy but I do think whilst the puppy is still young you may wish to consider day care or even having a neighbour pop in a few times a day to begin with to socialise, feed, toilet the puppy.

I'm not sure about leaving dogs in the garden; my main concern would be that they bark a lot and annoy neighbours or get stolen.

I'm sure you will find a dog to suit you, its just always slightly harder when you are out of the house so much It's worth speaking to the breeders of some of the breeds you are interested in and seeing whether they would be happy for you to have a pup, otherwise an adult rescue of the breed could be an option.
I know your family didn't have a great experience with rescues but good rescues do temperament test, should match you up with a suitable dog for your circumstances, and will take a dog back if needed.
A retired greyhound could certainly suit

I know from working in a pet store previously that many people do get puppies and work fulltime. A lot of the time it is an absolute recipe for a disaster, but sometimes for those that are committed it can work out

There are always greyhounds that need homes, in fact there are two now in the rescue section that are suitable to go to a new home with people who work full time, as they are house trained, and have each other for company. I know you're not looking for something right now, but makes a good example of what may be available.
Exercise wise they may be perfect but always depends on the individual dog, and hey can be well trained and take part in doggy sports with some work.

I think an adult dog would be OK to leave but a GD youngster will totally trash your house while you are out. Any breed gets bored but the size of a GD means that the trashing is enormous. LOL There are a series of pics on a GD site which you might look at!
Louise

Hi danni, I am in the same position as you work wise as I work in a primary school, I took the family dog with me when I moved out he is a collie cross spaniel so pretty much as active as you can get, but he is 10 now, not that it makes much difference! I walk him in a morning before I go to work and then a long one when I get home and that is him pretty happy. He always gets a long one usually a day out involving a swim at a weekend and comes everywhere with me. We are studding him out so we can have one of his puppies so I will have a puppy in the house in a few months time, we live next door to my brother and sister in law though and my brother in law starts work as I finish so will be ondog duty while I am at work, also live near to my brother, 2 sets of parents and 3 grandparents who all can't wait to help out which is really the only reason I can consider it.
Like you if I got a puppy the 6 weeks hols would be my ideal time to bring him home, but this is looking beyond unlikely for me!

Thank you both very much for your advice! You have given me lots to think about! Thank you xxx

I too would think a puppy a bad idea I'm afraid. A mature dog used to being left a few hours would be a much better fit than a puppy who needs the sort of attention and time commitment you'd expect to give a toddler. And the Kevin phase can be challenging to say the least. It's the stage most people seem to give up at and get rid of the dog :-(

Not all dogs in rescue are there because they're problem dogs as such. There are tons of fantastic dogs looking for homes through no fault of their own They may be lacking in manners and basic training coz nobody ever bothered to teach them how to behave but you'd have to teach those things with a pup anyway.

If you're not ruling out crossbreds then maybe going along to shelters or looking at websites for rescue groups will help you find your perfect dog.

I really don't think a puppy is the way to go.

WP is right Bernese can be laid back. I am now on my second Bernese but will say Ollie was not fussed about a lot of exercise and we later found out that was because he was an unwell dog even from a puppy he was happy once house trained to be left for a few hours. The most I left him was 5-6 hours once when I was having to sort my mum out for hospital but it was only once Gorden would take time off if needed if I was going to be away all day. He was very family orientated he was comfortable with 3-4 hours as an adult.

Dillon whole different kettle of fish loves his walks loves his family and becomes bored and naughty very quickly. Now he is house trained he can be left for 3 hours and will sleep we are greeted with a manically happy dog when we arrive home though.
We time going out around his feeds they need feeding 4 times a day till 6 months and then three times a day till a year old. You will find most breeders of large and giant breeds recommend this regime with feeding.

No way would we be able to leave him for more than 4 hours at a push and be comfortable and him be comfortable. Not at his age anyway when older and slower he may then tolerate being left for longer I am sure and there won't be the feeding regime to worry about either.

This breed does live for its family though and do need them around most of the time and are happiest when you are around most of the time.