What breed of dog to get- opinions please

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shadowboy

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I am planning on geting a dog around the first/second week of August while i am off till 3rd Sept, so will be able to settle it and put it into a routine. I havent had a dog before personally, although I did grow up with one in our household- so i know all the basics.

I want something quiet- we have very easily irritated neighbours, so it must be a breed that is generally quiet. We have a large garden, and live close to the local forest so have 150 acres of woodland and parkland to walk through. My work might be problem, you guys can tell me if it is. I work from 7.30am till 4pm monday to friday, but for only 40 weeks of the year as I am a teacher. so I have 6 weeks off during the summer, two at easter and two for xmas and another week off every six weeks. So based on this info what kind of dog would suit me? I like my bike at weekends/going to the beach in my camper so dog would come with me (cant ride anymore due to docs orders)
 
Are you going for an adult/rescue?

I think your hours are ok for an adult, provided you can get home for lunch to walk chosen dog.

Do u have a specific size cut off.
I would probably go with a retired greyhound or whippetxgreyhound...they like to sleep barely make a noise and are happy to live in and out if you find u need to kennel it at any time.
OR a less lively smaller breed like an adult cavi/shih-tzu or x breed.
 
I wouldn't get a risk getting a border terrier - mine is a right yappy little feck!
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I think greyhoud/whippet like Cala says... then he/she will chill while you are at work but will be good fun to take on walks etc.
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I have two rescue dogs and one I bought from a breeder (mine are all mad Boxers!). The thing with rescue centres is that they don't like you to leave the dog on it's own for a period of more than 3-4 hours at a time. So if you're at work from 7.30am til 4pm five days a week (irrespective of how many weeks off you get a year), rescue centres won't let you take on a dog.
I'm lucky enough to be a full time housewife/mum, but even when I go out, I always make sure I'm back within 4 hours max.
Try your local paper, there are usually people needing homes for unwanted pets (unfortunately).
For what it's worth, I agree with the Greyhound idea.
Hope you find your 'perfect companion' soon!
 
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If you get a greyhound they will do this all day while you are at work....

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Ha, Acolyte that picture made me laugh.

Also could get dog walker in for a lunchtime walk if you're out all day (not for Acolyte's greyhound - wouldn't want to disturb him) but re original post.
 
I have a rescue collie x. Shes always been very quiet at home but bouncy walking and playing in the garden when she was younger. For most of her life with me she has spent about 80% of it sleeping! I used to leave her 7.30am til 5pm but the cleaner came around lunch so she was able to go outside.
 
Personally I think that leaving a dog from 7.30-to 4.00 is very unfair. Unless of course you can arrange for someone to come in the middle of the day to see the dog.

It essentialy means that the dog will have company for around 6 maybe 7 hours out of 24. Not nice.
 
You'd be fine having a dog while working those hours, providing you choose the right kind of breed. Generally, avoid any very energetic/intelligent breeds as they will get bored and many become destructive (though of course, there are exceptions). Small dogs are good, but many of them tend to be very noisy (especially shih tzus). As other people have said, a greyhound could be a good choice.

You need something fairly independant so they aren't too bothered about being left alone (though an independant breed does generally mean they can't be let off lead). Spitz breeds (Akitas, Keeshonds, Shiba Inus, etc) are independant, but they do tend to be arrogant, aloof and difficult to train (saying that, I have a Chow Chow and wouldn't swap her for the world). It all depends on what appeals to you. Try an online breed selector for some more specific ideas (e.g. http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogselector.do )
 
I am watching this thread with interest as we are in the same situation as the original poster of this thread, ie we both work full time, I have looked all over the web for bred suggestions and time and time again "Greyhound" keeps on coming up

Robin
 
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