Should I?

[steve singh]

My young son wants a German Shepherd puppy in Spring 2014.

I've never had a dog but have read up extensively on the breed and what it takes to look after them - my assumption is that it will end up being my responsibility to look after it (worse case scenario).

However I still have a tiny nagging feeling that what if I end up not liking the dog, i'll be stuck with it for 10 years or so...having never had a dog i haven't got a clue what kind of bond i'd end up having.

So, not sure whether i will love it or just tolerate it? Only way i could find out is to own one.

Is there a steer anybody can give me on this - i know no one who i visit who has a dog, so just don't know what the experience of having a dog is???

The nail in the coffin would be if they smell, however from what I've read if they are well kept (food, grooming) and trained, they don't smell and are quiet manageable???

I also worry when i see 2 year old dogs for sale, which makes me think if the bond between man and dog is so strong how come so many are up for sale???

[steve singh]

Thanks guys for the points made and time taken for the responses.

I'm in a pressurised job, so whilst my garden is very big and the dog would have a big play area, I don't think I'd be able to take on the headache if the dog is like a newborn baby which I will need to spend large chunks of dedicated time with it during the working day - though obviously i'd carve the time out whilst it was a puppy, i'm thinking more so over the next decade!!!

I'm fine taking it out twice a day but i'm not at home at all during working hours, so I couldn't dedicate every waking hour to it so to speak.

I was hoping it would be a case of feed/walk/play in the morning before work, leave it outside during the day and bring it back in for feed/walk/play after say 5pm when someone else is then back at home...

Think it won't be right for me or the dog to take this on if it needs working hours attention - i'd rather a disappointed son as opposed to an unwanted dog.

[steve singh]

Mobile Chicane said:

steve singh said:

Think it won't be right for me or the dog to take this on if it needs working hours attention - i'd rather a disappointed son as opposed to an unwanted dog.

Any dog will need working hours attention.

I personally think you've made the right decision in not having one. A bored and frustrated dog is a horrible thing to be around.

I think I'll wait until I retire now!

Out of interest what duration of time is it ok to leave a dog unattended for?