Petar

Here's Oli at 8 and 12 weeks! He's already 6 months old now ☺️

Hey there! Yes - indeed I went ahead and purchased a German Pinscher pup. We've had him for around 4 months now and couldn't be happier. We love him to bits and adapted our lifestyle where possible to give him the right environment. Leaving him alone for longer periods during the work day (4+ hours) is still an issue, despite leaving him with kongs, bones and other toys. We're continuing to try and accomodate this where we can and working out how much is a "puppy phase" and how much we need to make some more concessions so when we arrive home he isn't a jumping squealing mess. Overall I'm thrilled to have him in my life but it is a big learning curve. He's really intelligent and only took a few weeks to learn sit, shake, high 5, down, crawl, stay and wait before eating. If you have any other questions, I'm happy to help where I can!

Thanks Angelsun for your email responses! Looking forward to your further replies to help me make the right decision ????

I've read that they actually make very good guard dogs. Their size would be perfect for us and our living conditions. I just wish I could find a breeder to have a proper conversation with. I've emailed a few in the first instance and have explained my full situation, but have not had any of the experiences as described above - phone calls, genuine interest, etc. I don't want to buy from the wrong person either. I want someone with a genuine care for the animal. There's one place selling them but I don't have a good gut feeling about the seller. Is there a place to voice concerns about this?

Good point regarding making some lifestyle concessions. We're not the sort of people to make a commitment without seeing it through properly. It's always been our approach to health and fitness, and now our business as well. We wouldn't take the decision lightly, but at the same time don't want to be unrealistic about the time we aren't physically with the dog and don't want to come home after a long day and find the place destroyed haha. I really wish we could bring the dog with us! But our place is tiny unfortunately, and don't want to simply tie him up outside when he could roam the house and yard freely. Unless that's a better alternative to leaving him home alone?

Thanks heaps Cazablanka. Will look into these definitely. However I'm based in Melbourne and these are interstate. What's the protocol with purchasing, and wouldn't it be better to see the dog in person?

I'm definitely open to an older dog - that would save the early puppy stages where they potentially need someone 24:7. I'll put some further enquiries out there to pounds and shelters. I've reached out to breeders but they seem to be taking a while to respond, I'll wait and see. German Pinscher seems to be fitting the bill from the reading I've done, but would prefer a more experienced opinion of my circumstances and openly and honestly discuss my situation to determine if I'm truly suitable (much like I'm doing here ????).

Melzawelza - your dog looks beautiful! (So does the cat ????). Kami, Persephone (and others). I really appreciate the support and time you've taken to help me make the right choice. Thank you for sharing information and bringing to light things I need to further consider which I have not, as a previous non dog owner I want to be across what I potentially may face. That's why I'm here - to ensure I'm prepared and making the right decision for such a serious commitment. I guess that's why I get a little disheartened by other posts. When I'm trying to do the right thing, it's like I'm simply getting dismissed. But that's life, and obviously the response has been overwhelmingly positive, helpful and invaluable! I love the idea of a shelter dog and saving my ideal companion. However does this leave me open to potential Unidentified illnesses or functional/genetic issues which would be prevented going through a breeder? Or do shelters identify any of these? Thank you all.

Love the idea of fostering/trialling! Many thanks for the suggestion! I'll look into it right away. And have already emailed some breeders. This is really fantastic, as I don't know what's out there and what exists for my circumstances! Appreciate the support ????????

Thanks for the ongoing advice! Much appreciated. Even the condescending responses, good on you for taking time out of your day to add zero value to the discussion. Great point regarding lifestyle and after work activity. Our cafe is actually a health focused cafe - we are very active individuals and already do go for a walk/run after work especially as a way of getting some fresh air after the longer days.

Don't mind the look and description of the Chow Chow, however it appears I'll have to battle with a lot of hair around the place?

Teebs yes thanks for stepping in! Definitely don't want a dog attacking anyone it doesn't know! That would be a nightmare for any social settings or visitors! A dog the will bark, alert if something is wrong and step in if something bad is happening.

I realise some of my criteria and questions may sound naive, that's why I'm here! Last thing I want to do is go out and get a dog then try and fit a square peg in a round hole, leaving miserable dog and frustrated owners. Thank you all for your input, it really is helping. After your suggestions, bull type breeds are off the list. Also I disagree respectful re: couch space haha! That was just an example, but a large dog = more surface area obviously, and in a smaller size dwelling I can't see it suiting us. And like some have mentioned I need to ask the question - how do other full time professionals own dogs? In this day an age with 9-5 being almost a myth, how do they keep their dogs happy and disciplined? Being home for 3 full days and an afternoon each week is surely more than the average couple? However understand the point of inconsistency of training a puppy and not being there to correct/reward/address behaviours. Would gladly consider an older dog, perhaps up to 3 years old?

Also further to this - my partner and her family owned a beagle for around 10 years before it died around 5 years ago.

Thank you all for your replies and insight! It really is fantastic. To clarify - our unit is more like a smaller dwelling style rather than a block of flats. The property is at the rear (up the driveway) of another property and has a small yard of its own. We fully own the premises. I'd be happy for the dog to have access to both inside the house and the yard. Thursday's, Friday's and Sunday's one or both of us are home basically all day. I envisage this enough for training and obedience purposes, as well us play and bonding time with the dog? I am very focused on having a well behaved, disciplined and obedient - as well as good natured and friendly companion, and am prepared to put in time I have available to do so. Aside from this we are home Monday afternoon from about 3pm. Days aside from this we are home between 6-7pm, which still gives us some time with the dog before bed for walks, play and attention. I want the dog to be our companion when we are at home, not simply restricted to the backyard all day and night. I did consider dobermans also, as correctly trained they seem to suit our purposes, but they are perhaps a bit too big and take up apt of space when we'd also prefer a good sized couch companion. Which is why I am now leaning towards a German Pinscher. Dogs are dogs - obviously chances are I will be finding some evidence of hair and such around - I even find my partners hair all over the place! (Hehe) I just want to minimise the chances and get something I can realistically look after. That's why I'm doing my due diligence and extensive research and reading, and being realistic about my circumstances and what I want. Greyhounds would also probably fall into the too big category.