Which Puppy Breed Should I Get?

[JulesP]

We are forgetting that the OP is a dude.... My ex-husband spends his entire time in his shed :laugh:

[Loving my Oldies]

We are forgetting that the OP is a dude.... My ex-husband spends his entire time in his shed :laugh:

OP might be a dude, but he works 9-5 plus travelling time to be added to that. Not a good scenario for a happy well-adjusted dog.

[JulesP]

We are forgetting that the OP is a dude.... My ex-husband spends his entire time in his shed :laugh:

OP might be a dude, but he works 9-5 plus travelling time to be added to that. Not a good scenario for a happy well-adjusted dog.

Disagree. I've worked the entire time I've had dogs. As do the majority of people.

[dididog]

Don't be put off by people who say that having two puppies at the same time is a nightmare. Afterall there are two of you . I would never never never have a solo dog and be away from home for 10 plus hours a day.

It sounds like this is the OPs first proper go at raising a puppy. I dont think it would be a good idea to try and raise two puppies when you have that little experience, especially when its a high maintenance breed like a German Shepherd (though IMO all puppies are high maintenance).

I am currently raising my first puppy and I would consider myself quite capable and have had a pretty easy puppy and still it has been a lot of hard work with plenty of mistakes made. If there had been two.... well I probably wouldve stuffed it up and ran out of steam very quickly.

Edited March 20, 2014 by Terri S.

[eddie123789]

I have had dogs in my life from birth till about the age of 19-20. I'm 26 now and think it's about time again for another. I would have thought having a routine time away from the dog would be better than working shifts, where your times are always changing. But basically I have to work and I guess all of you do to. We obviously have family who would be able to call in on the dog during the day, but is not something I can guarantee.

[minimax]

We are forgetting that the OP is a dude.... My ex-husband spends his entire time in his shed :laugh:

OP might be a dude, but he works 9-5 plus travelling time to be added to that. Not a good scenario for a happy well-adjusted dog.

Disagree. I've worked the entire time I've had dogs. As do the majority of people.

+1

I don't think my guys have even realised I'm home today instead of being at work, they are going about their normal business.

[huski]

Don't be put off by people who say that having two puppies at the same time is a nightmare. Afterall there are two of you . I would never never never have a solo dog and be away from home for 10 plus hours a day.

It is a nightmare, for the vast majority of people who attempt it, even if there is more than one owner.

When I get a pup it doesn't run with my other dogs, for many reasons. Pups need to learn how to self settle without the company of people or other dogs, otherwise if it is in a situation where it is on its own, many can't cope.

I leave my beagle home alone during the day frequently, sometimes for 10 hours at a time. She has little to no value for other dogs, not every dog needs or even enjoys the company of another dog.

[JulesP]

I have had dogs in my life from birth till about the age of 19-20. I'm 26 now and think it's about time again for another. I would have thought having a routine time away from the dog would be better than working shifts, where your times are always changing. But basically I have to work and I guess all of you do to. We obviously have family who would be able to call in on the dog during the day, but is not something I can guarantee.

I normally take a couple of weeks holidays when I get a puppy just to settle it in. During the hols you can slowly leave it for longer times to make sure all is ok.

[eddie123789]

That was my intention to take a holiday. Also for the first few month have friends and family drop in during the day.

[ann21]

I have had dogs in my life from birth till about the age of 19-20. I'm 26 now and think it's about time again for another. I would have thought having a routine time away from the dog would be better than working shifts, where your times are always changing. But basically I have to work and I guess all of you do to. We obviously have family who would be able to call in on the dog during the day, but is not something I can guarantee.

I normally take a couple of weeks holidays when I get a puppy just to settle it in. During the hols you can slowly leave it for longer times to make sure all is ok.

This. I think you need to ease the puppy into spending time by itself. Also I found the first few weeks were crucial for potty training. I would also be getting someone to come visit the puppy around noon to break up the day abit (also don't puppies need to be fed 3x a day during the initial months?). I was studying when I got my puppy, plus I had my mom with me to help out but it was not easy. It can be done, as other posters have pointed out, but it requires a ton of commitment.

[ann21]

That was my intention to take a holiday. Also for the first few month have friends and family drop in during the day.

Hah. You beat me to it :)

[Rebanne]

If the dog has access to the yard and shelter while you are at work and can be inside with you when you are home I think a lot of breeds would cope with that.

30mins/day is not a lot of exercise though for an adult dog. How much experience do you have with dog training? Do you plan on doing any regular training with the dog?

My GSD's coped with less then 30 minutes a day exercise. It's what they were used to. They were also outside a lot and mostly slept outside. I had one barker out of 5 over the years, never at night, only if I was out during the day. Most were trained to competition level and competed in trials, both obedience and agility. I think they were pretty happy.

[Staffyluv]

There aren't many dogs that don't shed 'much'.. Even short coated breeds like Staffords shed like crazy - I can sweep my place every day and get a good handful of tiny black, eyelash shaped hair..

If you are averse to shedding, I do suggest one of the non shedding breeds..

Most dogs like something to do, so training, socialising and time with you is important - if you don't give a pup something to do, they will find it on their own.. Great things like pulling the washing off, or digging your garden up or worse, escaping the yard to find something to do or someone to play with.. :)

Good luck - I don't have any suggestions for breed, I think choosing a dog breed is a very personal thing (as they don't all appeal to all of us).

I would pick a few breeds that appeal to you and research them, find a good breeder to ask questions and go from there..

[_PL_]

No way outside and in the garage. You may have grown up that way but ideas of what a 'happy' dog is have changed.

Allowed in for a couple of hours when you're home + the 30 minute walk. How much human contact do you realistically think a companion animal needs. Add to that, you've got no ties to home like children or a work-from-home setup. Your dog would be alone in the backyard, you get home late and go straight to bed... that's 23hrs if you minus food time. Like the dog near me who cries itself hoarse all day then all night on weekends.

Non shed and small breeds: put one outside and see how long it takes for your neighbours to complain! :laugh:

Perse I use the exact same link as you but if people have their mind made up what can you do. Then people contact me to get a friend for their lonely dog or to surrender a dog because they can't live with the barking and nuisance behaviour. Or decide they can't spend enough time with the outside dog and 'it's not fair on the dog' when the whole thing was avoidable in the first place.

Put a dog door in or get an indoor cat. Cats are (mostly) wonderful dear little things :) and I wish people who hate cats would try living with one instead of putting a dog into the yard alone.

[Staff'n'Toller]

If you have children visit, and you are going to have children in the future, choose a breed that is great with kids. Then find a breeder whose dogs are calm and have good temperaments, who socialise their pups well - before 8 weeks - and go from there.

A GSD is not a medium breed, if you have 2-3 kids and you want to take the dog on holiday with you, will you upgrade your car so everyone can fit?

How much intensive training and continuous socialisation (with kids) are you prepared to put in now, so that your dog is very used to children when you have your own? The kids will want the dog to come inside, the dog will want to come inside with the kids. You will need a biddable dog that is not a pain to have in the house.

Housing is much higher in density, even in the 'burbs, than it was, and neighbours are much less tolerant of problem barking/escaping these days.

A few things to think about... :)

[juice]

I have outside dogs, but they are not ornaments, I work from home, and they get walked twice a day, and have access to the garage.

One is asleep a few feet from me outside on a bed, another crashed on the couch in the garage, third one sunbaking as usual.

A lot of people put their dogs outside when they go to work.

Mine have a couch, carpet, beds, and a ceiling fan in the garage, access to the garden, and a screen door onto the front of the house to scare anyone who walks up the drive :laugh:

I would suggest 2 dogs? Perhaps a little older so you know what you are getting. Dogs vary even within the same breed, so don't just look at breed but each dog on its own merit.

I was about to suggest a couple of greys, they don't smell doggy, would be happy with a short walk and sleep a lot, you would need to rug them up though.

[westiemum]

As a kid we always had 100% outside dogs, however there were always 2 of them, and I would spend a lot of time outside with them playing etc. as an adult now with an inside (when we're home) dog - I hate the mess, but I love the extra bond our dog has with us.

Don't get put off Eddie, you just need to be realistic about your expectations. If your dog doesn't feel included enough they may get bored and cause problems like digging and barking. And if you want them to respect you enough to have a good level of obedience, then once again they will need to spend more time with you than you've suggested.

It seems like your biggest concern might be the mess made by a shedding dog? I agree it sux, but it's also completely worth it, and just part of being a dog owner...

For me the muddy footprints might be even worse than the hair. But on the upside, having a dog finally motivated me to get a cleaning lady, so life is good :)

Allwake thats so true - the first thing I'm going to do in the new house is get my marvellous cleaning lady back!!! Oh how I miss her!!!

[Dave73]

I have a GSD and she sheds a lot not as much know that she has only 3 legs but still a lot, and I feel GSD's require a lot of attention they need to be part of the family to stay happy.

Get a Rhodesian Ridgeback, they don't shed and are extremely clean and are fine on there own can be a bit aloof actually, our male RR was fine on his own till 2 years but he was inside whenever we were home, and wasn't to happy about his little GSD sister turning up but know he is besotted with her. Also they are supreme athletes but can be couch potatoes as well just have to adjust there food with there exercise regime as they can get fat very quickly, great with kids, good watch dog and very healthy, our boy is 7 know and has been very healthy.

Edited March 20, 2014 by Dave73

[LisaCC]

If the dog has access to the yard and shelter while you are at work and can be inside with you when you are home I think a lot of breeds would cope with that.

30mins/day is not a lot of exercise though for an adult dog. How much experience do you have with dog training? Do you plan on doing any regular training with the dog?

My GSD's coped with less then 30 minutes a day exercise. It's what they were used to. They were also outside a lot and mostly slept outside. I had one barker out of 5 over the years, never at night, only if I was out during the day. Most were trained to competition level and competed in trials, both obedience and agility. I think they were pretty happy.

You're training your dogs too though. A lot of people never train their dogs past basic manners, those dogs I would think would need more exercise as they aren't getting the same mental stimulation.

Thats why I asked about training.

[kelpiecuddles]

How about a pair of older dogs who are already used to this sort of lifestyle, plenty of dogs come through rescue that have come from families where people are out during the day and are already used to that sort of lifestyle. It's often hard to place pairs of dogs so it could work very well. Or an older dog and then add a puppy once the older dog has settled in maybe.