Suggestion for dog breed.

okedoke

We intend getting a pet dog in the near(ish) future. I love dogs but have never owned one so am undecided as to breed. We would consider a pup or an older rescue dog. We have a fairly large, secure, garden. We have a baby under one and two cats and the most important criterion would be temprement, the dog will have to get along with both baby and cats. I understand this may be largely a question of training (we would have no problem putting in a lot of time to obedience training and socialisation) and getting sufficient exercise (the dog would be walked twice a day). But I understand that some breeds will have a greater chase instinct than others.

Other criteria - medium sized. Myself and wife both work so the dog would be alone in house (or garden) for 6/7 hours per day, 4 days a week - I presume this factor may make a rescue dog rather than a pup more suitable?

I'd be interested to hear any suggestions for appropriate (or inappropriate) breeds?

Nody

Honestly I'd say your best bet would be rescue simply because they would (should) have evaluated the dogs they have to see what their personalities are like to let you get the best possible match.

ene

the majority of rescues won't let you rehome a dog if you have children under 5 and work full time

deadwood85

Get an older rescue they won't mind being left alone for 6/7 hours.

A puppy wouldn't be a good choice with a baby and being left alone that long.

A lot of breeds will have to be ruled out with the cats.

Probably best to wait till the baby is a bit older ( puppies are like having another baby with the training needs)

If not go for the older rescue dog ask for one that is low maintenance, trained and won't mind being alone.

I'm sure one rescue will have some old guy just looking for a couch and two walks a day and a bit of love.

Good luck

ShaShaBear

I'd say sighthound. Some of the rescues for such breeds in Ireland do fully check them out before rehoming and I know of plenty who are fine living with cats. They are huge couch potatoes as well, and love to lounge.
The downside being that a lot of them are not particularly fond of the cold, but a lot are crate trained and are happy to sleep in a safe space for a few hours at a time. We fostered one girl who was an absolute dream with my daughter, who was only three months old when we took her in. She was extremely gentle, excellent on the lead, perfect manners with guests and strangers, and no reactivity to cats while on walks (mind you we have no cats here so that wasn't tested in full).
Perhaps this would be something to consider?

Inexile

I wouldn't recommend a sighthound in this instance as most rescues that I know that work with them insist on them being an indoor dog. As ShaSha Bear has commented sighthounds don't like the cold so would need to be indoors. 6 - 7 hours indoors without a toilet break may be too much for a lot of hounds.

OP I would contact a few local rescues and discuss with them what dogs they might have that would suit your situation. Don't forget there a lot of crossbreeds out there looking for a place of their own.

ShaShaBear

Inexile wrote: »

I wouldn't recommend a sighthound in this instance as most rescues that I know that work with them insist on them being an indoor dog. As ShaSha Bear has commented sighthounds don't like the cold so would need to be indoors. 6 - 7 hours indoors without a toilet break may be too much for a lot of hounds.

OP I would contact a few local rescues and discuss with them what dogs they might have that would suit your situation. Don't forget there a lot of crossbreeds out there looking for a place of their own.

I think most of the rescues are going to insist on indoor living, especially as we approach the winter months. And at 6-7 hours OP, you would probably be best looking to get someone in half way between that to let the dog out and/or feed and walk.

okedoke

Thanks for the answers folks - lots to think about

Zak Flaps

6/7 hours is a long time to be leaving a dog on its own. A little unfair. Would you consider a second dog for company?

njs030

Agree totally with going into a rescue and seeing what they suggest.
Does it have to be a "breed"? Plenty of lovely mixed breeds in rescues that fit all your criteria.

Cows Go µ

I don't get why everyone is saying 6/7 hours is too long, most people work 9-5.30 and plenty of them have dogs without issue. It's a long time for a baby puppy, yes, but once they are a few months old I've never had problems. And I have shelties who are not known for their laid back attitudes to life. (Normally I'd fully recommend a sheltie but while some are good with kids, they are sensitive and most wouldn't deal with babies well. Plus they are hairy and I'm sure you have enough to do without grooming/hoovering up hair)

At the start, it's good to have someone come over half way but once the dog is old enough to hold on for that long/used to the house then really they should be fine.

I've only ever had herding breeds so this may be different for others but I don't see what the problems is

scudzilla

I'm totally biased but consider a boxer, GREAT with kids, loyal to the whole family/household, don't shed, medium sized and a great deterrent for any unsavoury characters

ShaShaBear

Cows Go µ wrote: »

I don't get why everyone is saying 6/7 hours is too long, most people work 9-5.30 and plenty of them have dogs without issue. It's a long time for a baby puppy, yes, but once they are a few months old I've never had problems. And I have shelties who are not known for their laid back attitudes to life. (Normally I'd fully recommend a sheltie but while some are good with kids, they are sensitive and most wouldn't deal with babies well. Plus they are hairy and I'm sure you have enough to do without grooming/hoovering up hair)

At the start, it's good to have someone come over half way but once the dog is old enough to hold on for that long/used to the house then really they should be fine.

I've only ever had herding breeds so this may be different for others but I don't see what the problems is

It's not a problem for all dogs, but can be for some. So telling everyone who is considering it that it will be fine could be met with disastrous consequences. Our Shadow was MORE than happy to be left for 6 hours a day while we were at college/work and he spent the whole day sleeping. He was also 7+ at this stage, and this was the lifestyle he was used to.
We left Opie on his own for an hour (and we had been building up to that hour with great success) when he was a pup and came back to find he had ingested all of the TV cables and half of the hoover pipe and plug.
If the OP were to get a young pup, outdoors in this weather would be a no. Indoors for 6 hours unattended would/could lead to utter disaster.

NicoleW85

I 100% agree with scudzilla - Boxer! Ours is almost 3 and her best friend is our 1 year old cat who turned up on our doorstep last year as an abandoned month old kitten. They've been inseparable since! We don't have kids yet but I have no concerns whatsoever for when that time comes.

heldel00

I have grown up with boxers (we had three at one stage!). Really fabulous dogs. Brilliant temperament. They look a little intimidating but when I get my garden secured properly I'll have another in a heartbeat.

ene

ShaShaBear wrote: »

It's not a problem for all dogs, but can be for some.

I totally agree, i have had dogs that are fine from 7am to 5pm or even 6pm in the garden but my current dog gets upset after about 20 minutes. I have tried everything but he just hates to be alone!