Which Puppy Breed Should I Get?

[eddie123789]

Could you guys please let me know what breed of puppy you think would suite our situation best? I have a breed in mind, which I will reveal once I get some of your suggestions, but this choice has come from the heart, as we used to have one when I was a young kid, and I have a minor quibble about it hence me seeking further advice.

Me and my wife are recently married, not planning on having children just yet, but im certain they will come within the dogs life span, so thats important to consider.

Our first dog together, but we have both had dogs in the past as children.

We have a large extended family who visit weekly, so it would have to be good with Un familiar people.

I want a dog that would be really obediant, and would listen to my commands, with the right training obviously.

Dont want a small dog but something medium to large(ish) in size.

Would prefer that it didnt shed hair everywhere, or kept to a minimum with grooming.

Able to exersize it for 30mins weekdays and longer on weekends.

Would live in the garage and have access to a fenced yard, occasionaly allowed in the house only with us.

We both work 9-5 weekdays, so it would be left alone at these times.

Also not put much research into the sex we should get, but I have always had females and the wife has always had males, and advice on that? Although I can probibly find info on here somewhere.

Any suggestions would be appreciated, im hoping everybody cherps in with breed I have in mind, then my dessision is easier :-)

Anymore details you think are important let me know.

EDDIE

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

I want a dog that would be really obediant, and would listen to my commands, with the right training obviously.

to go with above requirement - I was going to suggest poodle - and they don't shed everywhere, but you do have to get them clipped every 6 to 8 weeks which can be expensive depending how big the poodle ends up.

Would live in the garage and have access to a fenced yard, occasionaly allowed in the house only with us.

Might as well get a dog with a double coat that sheds between seasons, if this is what you want.

I can't think of any dog that would enjoy this and be one that will be really obedient and listen to your commands... And leaving it mostly in the shed and back yard won't help it be good with strangers either. In fact this has a huge correlation to serious dog bites. Ie a dog that is mostly a garden ornament and not part of the family in the family home, is more likely to be a biter (in stressful situations) too.

It's potentially the worst thing you could do if you're planning to have your dog live with your children too.

http://blog.smartanimaltraining.com/2013/12/11/new-study-sheds-light-on-serious-to-fatal-dog-bites/

[kelpiecuddles]

Over the years I've raised three dogs around children very successfully and in reality I would say they are mostly outdoors dogs in the sense that that is where they are allowed to play, etc. We have taught that indoors time is quiet time which they spend on their beds, usually sleeping, my dogs aren't allowed to wander wherever they like around the house. I guess to some it might seem like we would be excluding them but it couldn't be further from the truth, we took them bushwalking on Sunday as a family and spend a lot of time outdoors so although they are outside most of the day they aren't excluded because we are also outside most of the day. So I don't think having dogs that are mostly outdoors necessarily makes them 'yard ornaments' but some people do treat outdoors dogs that way so be sure that a dog is what you want, a dog isn't just for a half hour walk once a day.

[dididog]

Maybe you should say which breed you have in mind so people experienced with the breed can tell you whether or not it would be good for you/suggest similar breeds :) ? Is there a reason the dog cant live in the house with you? I dont think many breeds would be super happy being alone 9-5 weekdays and then on top of that be kept separate to the family. You might find your yard getting destroyed if it is only getting 30 minutes of exercise a day on top of all that, even some small breeds need that much exercise. Are you planning on undertaking any training with your puppy after the basics?

I was going to suggest a gun dog considering you want a friendly, obedient, large/medium dog but most gundogs shed a bit even with regular grooming, need closer to an hour a day of exercise/mental stimulation and generally like to be close to their owners.

Perhaps someone else has a better idea though, I just cant think of any breeds I know enough about!

Its great you are thinking and researching and asking for advice first but I think you may have to revise some of your expectations for this dog otherwise you might run into trouble down the track.

Edited March 19, 2014 by Terri S.

[minimax]

If you want it to live in the garage, perhaps a dog isn't the right thing for you?

[raineth]

If you both work 9-5 and the dog is not really allowed inside, then realistically how much contact with you is this dog going to have every day? Please be realistic when thinking about this. How much time do you currently spend outside before and after work? What if it's hot, or really cold, or raining, how much time do you spend in the garage or outside in bad weather?

The thing with dogs is that generally the more biddable ones are even less likely to be able to handle minimal human contact.

Also if the dog is to be largely outside, you may find that a non or low- shedding coat would be more work than a shedding coat as these coats tend to catch and hold onto more debris as a general rule.

Also dogs who are outside at night are much more likely to become barkers.

What is it that you object to about having the dog inside when you are home? Allowing your dog inside when you're home is a very easy way to ensure it has company. Most dogs thrive in company, it is the most important thing to them. Also when your dog is inside it's so much easier to grab a minute here and there to do some training.

Edited March 19, 2014 by raineth

[Glen]

Have to say I feel sorry for the dog you may choose. Not much of a life to look forward to. I think the idea of a garden ornament rather than a flesh and blood dog is a good one.

[Animal House]

Id suggest a cat.

[Guest hankodie]

We have a large extended family who visit weekly, so it would have to be good with Un familiar people.

I want a dog that would be really obediant, and would listen to my commands, with the right training obviously.

Dont want a small dog but something medium to large(ish) in size.

Would prefer that it didnt shed hair everywhere, or kept to a minimum with grooming.

Able to exersize it for 30mins weekdays and longer on weekends.

Would live in the garage and have access to a fenced yard, occasionaly allowed in the house only with us.

We both work 9-5 weekdays, so it would be left alone at these times.

Hi Eddie, unfortunately from your criteria above I can't think of any breed that would realistically fulfil all the points that you've written, especially if you're looking for a kid friendly, biddable, family dog that would be OK with living in the garage and only having 30 minutes of exercise/human time a day.

A lot of the popular kid friendly dog breeds (labs, goldens, etc) need lots of human contact and generally like being close to their people. I know my golden retriever wouldn't cope living in the garage, especially if he only got 30 mins of time with me every day. He's very people friendly but I think that comes from him having lots and lots of human contact.

Dogs, especially puppies, are a lot of work and require lots of your time. Regardless of breed I think you're going to find that they will need much more than just 30 mins of exercise - dogs also need mental stimulation, training, play time, socialisation so they get used to all sorts of situations and other dogs & people, etc etc etc. It's a huge time commitment.

I know lots of people who work 9-5 and own dogs, I know a lot of people on DOL do and it is doable but your average schedule would look something like this:

- Wake up very early before work

- Exercise dog for 40 mins to an hour (depending on the breed you choose it could be more)

- 15 mins of training time (again it might need more depending on breed)

- Feed before you leave for work

- Dog is left on it's own, will need something to do while you're gone as to not get destructive so you need to provide interactive toys, frozen bones, treats etc to keep them entertained

- You come home from work

- Dog is ready for more exercise and time with you since you've been gone all day and it's been on it's own

- You spend an hour or more walking it/training it

- If it's a puppy you will need to factor in obedience class which usually takes place after work

actually scratch that, obedience is a good idea regardless of age, dogs (especially working breeds) need to be given a job to do

- Dog will want to be around you for most of the evening seeing as you've been gone all day

- Your dog would probably want to spend more time with you on the weekends seeing as you're home more so you need to factor that in too

- Activities on the weekends include outings, hikes, going to parks, more training time, etc etc etc....

Someone else please chime in if you object to the above, I work from home but my schedule with my dogs is quite similar to that.

The point is, it's a lot of work! And time. And from what you've written you might need to think about how much time you can realistically commit to owning a dog.

Wish you lots of luck and good for you for doing your research and not making an impulse decision.

Edit - not being snide here but have you considered a cat? Much happier to be left on it's own during the day and won't require as much of your time.

Edit - snap Caz :laugh:

Edited March 19, 2014 by hankodie

[Steph M]

You can put any dog in a garage and a yard but a happy well adjusted dog who's good with guests isn't raised in that manner.

[Brandiandwe]

I'm not an expert, but I also can't see this working out. I have three dogs. They live indoors with us, and even with each other for company, me working at home 1-2 days a week and having a more independent and lower exercise need (supposedly) breed, mind still need over an hour of exercise everyday, 20-30 minutes per dog of individual attention every day, and they still miss us when we go out.

Do you think you're being realistic here?

[Kirislin]

Maybe a more aloof breed (one of the larger sighthounds) would cope, but they wouldn't be that obedient I suspect. Many racing greyhounds are kennelled outside but they'd still need somewhere warm or to be rugged, even an ex show dog I suppose because lots of people who show, kennel their dogs, so they might be used to less human interaction than most of the pet dogs here and so not crave it so much. But a dog that doesn't have alot of human contact might not be that good when it comes to socialising. When you have family around it might be afraid or standoffish, I dont know.

I dont really know what breed would fit your requirements off hand.

Edited March 19, 2014 by Kirislin

[Glen]

Excellent post Hankodie.

[Brandiandwe]

Maybe a more aloof breed would cope, but they wouldn't be that obedient I suspect. Many racing greyhounds are kennelled outside but they'd still need somewhere warm or to be rugged, even an ex show dog I suppose because lots of people who show, kennel their dogs, so they might be used to less human interaction than most of the pet dogs here and so not crave it so much. But a dog that doesn't have alot of human contact might not be that good when it comes to socialising. When you have family around it might be afraid or standoffish, I dont know.

I dont really know what breed would fit your requirements off hand.

See, I have greyhounds and one is an ex-racer. They would all be miserable if not with their humans. Greys are kennelled but have other greys for company. Leaving them outside, in my opinion, is risky because they will find the one pointy stick to rip themselves open, and, as you say, aren't especially biddable. Many groups also insist on greys being indoor dogs because of their lack of insulation, and mine are indoor because of the neighbourhood cats and wildlife - I really like seeing all the reptiles! :)

[persephone]

Eddie ..good for you in throwing the question in here.

We have a large extended family who visit weekly, so it would have to be good with Un familiar people.

I want a dog that would be really obediant, and would listen to my commands, with the right training obviously.

( and by training, I am hoping this refers to you ;) you cannot teach a dog , unless you know your dog , and what makes it WANT to do the things you ask :)

Dogs are pack animals ..so , while they can stay alone when people work - they NEED people contact to LEARN how to behave.

Dogs are not automatically good inside, or with strangers, or kids.

All this is hard work on the part of an owner - a LOT like bringing up a toddler , really . if a toddler is left in their room alone a lot of the day , they are going to miss out out on so many things which will make them a social and well behaved individual - do you agree?

often, a dog left outside at night will find LOTS of ways to entertain itself --- like digging/chewing/barking at noises/howling/chasing cats/possums/birds/rats etc .

There are outside dogs , for sure ..however, they do need extra training/company and opportunities to do stuff , so as to stop them going crazy .

If you do reading on here - you will find there ARE ways of having a dog sleeping indoors ,and being a part of your family.... the thing is, before you get a puppy , there is much about dogs to learn :)

An example .. a puppy who is trained consistently to sleep/be calm in a pen/crate can then learn all about "inside" , and "family" ..and pick up good manners .I pup kept outdoors, and allowed inside occasionally may well be the one who races in, jumps on things, grabs items , then poos on teh floor

be patient - allow yourselves to think 'outside the box' ....and let us know which breed you are considering?

Edited March 19, 2014 by persephone

[schnauzer]

I hope you are not considering a schnauzer as they would not cope at all with being so isolated.

The majority of problem dogs we get surrendered live in this type of situation. They become barkers as they are lonely and don't have social interaction/enrichment/enough exercise/mental stimulation. Move them to a loving family as an inside dog, with people who are home a lot more, use lots of fun obedience/agility training and positive rewards = no longer problem dog.

Perhaps you could consider installing a dog door, exercising the dog before and after work and allowing the dog to live inside with the family?

[aliwake]

Our dog is in the yard all day when we're out, and he enjoys it, but he is inside when we get home and with us all night - most of the time through the evening he is just sleeping, but he likes to be near his people, and get lots of cuddles when we're home. We don't exercise him before work, but he does get dedicated cuddling time in the morning, and sometimes some ball throwing. He then gets kongs and other treats when I leave for work. He gets a walk or park time or swimming in the afternoon to tire him out.

I agree with everyone else that if you're not willing to have your dog inside when you're home, it is not going to be a successful experience for you or your dog. Don't get a dog unless you want it to be part of your family.

[persephone]

....and I just found this article in case you needed some verification ..

http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_BackyardDogs.php

[twodoggies2001]

I've had dogs all my life from Pekinese up to Great Danes and each and every one of them has lived in the house and been part of our family. We now have two Miniature Schnauzers we humans being the pack leader. Most dogs crave company and that's what they should get. Neither I or my husband are away from the house all that much but when we are,the dogs have access to the house and can go out via a doggie door. In my case, I can't imagine having my dogs living in the garage and not with us. If you are not amenable to having your dog stay indoors with you when at home, maybe you should reconsider getting one.

[persephone]

..I know I say about inside dogs ...

we also do have working sheepdogs who live outside ...BUT they are part of a large working family/pack ... As babies, they are inside often to get used to the sights & sounds, and to bond/learn 'calm' ; As adults they enjoy spending time with us gardening/hunting feral cats etc ..and of course, when there is work ..they are with their boss all day running/mustering etc .They are well occupied!! . Being on chains at night and when we need them to be - they have kongs, drink bottles filled with food , lots of bones - and ,luckily, are allowed to dig themselves dens in the sand and bark at kangaroos/foxes/things that go bump in the night .We don't have the worries of suburban life, thank goodness !