Thinking about getting a dog, would this be a nice life for it?

R2R

R2R

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I was wondering if you could advise me if this would be a nice life for a dog....we are seriously considering getting one (was that or a baby so the OH went for the pooch idea lol)

Basically we both work full time, have a yard (mine). The dog would get up with me in the mornings, have an hours run at the yard whilst I do the horses, then go in a crate at the yard until liveries come down and let it out. Liveries are all friends and would be more than happy to do this, and would probably be between the hours of 10 and 3. I then return for the evening, dog would be out with me and then come home and be walked before bedtime.

There would be the odd day where the dog would be at home, we would walk in morning before work, OH would walk before he leaves at 10am,, then I return at 6.30 to walk and again walk before bedtime. The dog could also come to work with me, with much the same routine apart from walk at lunchtime. We have a brick walled garden and plan to get a small dog, and cat flap so the dog could have access to the garden whenever he/she liked at home when they are home.

Do you think this is a fair life for a dog?

Also, can you recommend a breed which would suit this lifestyle - I really want a dachshund (sp) but not sure whether it would suit this life?

Thanks
 
I would think a dog would have a really nice life in that lifestyle. It would be having so much time outdoors and if the liveries didnt mind letting it out a keeping a eye on it then i would deffo go for it and have one.

As for a dachshund i dont really know much about them to advise you sorry.
 
That would be a fine life for a dog. Not keen on Dachunds personally, my MIL has two and they are a bit nervy and snappy, also don't have the speed to avoid the horses...

A border terrier might be a good choice, good tempered, still small but not too small.
 
I have a dachshund, Murphy! i love him to bits but i will admit he is a little bugger! we have had 2 dachshunds Oscar lived till he was 15 and he was a very wel behaved boy generally however Murphy who we now have is mad, hyper , a bit possesive over footballs etc and he follows my mum around like a lost lamb constantly! he is not at all snappy though and i would trust him with children you can do anything to him and he will not bite, he is quite nervous of other dogs from a bad experience when he was younger, however oscar the old boy had no fear of anything! both of them were terrible for chasing cats but only for the chase they would never of hurt them. i have stopped taking murph to the stables now because he kept going off on the scent of a rabbit and not coming back for ages and he's not the easiest to spot because of his size. he is very good with the horses though very very good. my mum says she wont ever have anything else however i would go for something a bit more trainable. heres some pics just coz i love them
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Murphy snoozin with his hot water bottle

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me with oscar when i was bot 4/5

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murphy sunbathing

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I'm not saying it couldn't work but what you're describing is complicated and there are potential problems to do with the dog's safety and security.

For example, a lot of dogs, in particular puppies, and male dogs, are escape artists and need a lot of supervision. You would need to choose your dog carefully and consider an adult dog, or modify your plans if you got a puppy so you could give it more supervision during its training.

Having other people let a dog in and out of a crate at the yard is a bit of a risk and a responsibility. Also, leaving your dog with access to the garden could be an invitation to dog-thieves especially if you get a pedigree dog, or to house thieves via the dog flap.

I wouldn't say you can't work full time and have a dog though, I did it myself, but went home at lunch time to give her a good walk, and never left her for more than 4 hours. I think it's preferable to leave a dog in a house rather than a crate for any length of time, though obviously if it's a puppy you have to expect a certain amount of destruction, they get bored with no stimulation and make their own entertainment. Adult dogs can adapt to a routine though and make their own little empire at home.

Your worst bet would be to get a male terrier puppy, this would never work with the routine you are describing! I would suggest a bitch and a placid breed with an even temperament.

By the way people who say they are getting a dog as a baby substitute will invariably find a baby comes along within a year!
 
We almost added a dachshund over summer, but eventually decided against it because of the breed's back issues. We already have one special needs dog, and decided something hardier would be a better fit for us.

I know lots of friendly dachshunds, but they have been socialised extensively with other dogs, kids etc. They can be barkers, and my friend had all sorts of problems curing her dachshund, George, of separation anxiety (they bond closely to their person, and separation anxiety is fairly common). As far as temperament goes, long-haired doxies are sweetest of all, due to their spaniel heritage.
 
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