Want a pet (a dog and a cat) what breed would be best?
Discussion
So my Fiance and I have decided to get a pet (she wants a cat and I want a dog)
The cat breed was pretty easy to decide on (abyssinian)
Deciding what dog breed to get on the other hand is rather tougher than i thought.
I initially thought that getting two whippets would be ideal.
I want a dog that does not shed a lot and has nice short hair.
The reason I thought two would be ideal is we both work 10-11 hours per day, albeit slightly different start times so the dogs would be left alone for about 8 hours per day. So they could keep each other company.
However, I have since thought that a Labrador retriever would be preferred, the only two drawbacks are: they are rather large and very sociable. so Perhaps 8 hours with just a cat for company might be too much for them to bear and getting two would be out of the question due to size.
The pets would be kept in a 3 bedroom semi detached with a good sized garden and I would walk them in the morning for toilet purposes and a proper walk on my return for excercise purposes.
What breed would be more suitable?
-Short hair
-not too large
-must be good with children and not too suspicious of strangers (however a bark to wake us up at night if something suspicious is going on downstairs would be a bonus)
-affectionate
-intelligent.
A female lab fits the above requirements almost perfectly, I am just unsure if they can handle being alone for so long.
The cat breed was pretty easy to decide on (abyssinian)
Deciding what dog breed to get on the other hand is rather tougher than i thought.
I initially thought that getting two whippets would be ideal.
I want a dog that does not shed a lot and has nice short hair.
The reason I thought two would be ideal is we both work 10-11 hours per day, albeit slightly different start times so the dogs would be left alone for about 8 hours per day. So they could keep each other company.
However, I have since thought that a Labrador retriever would be preferred, the only two drawbacks are: they are rather large and very sociable. so Perhaps 8 hours with just a cat for company might be too much for them to bear and getting two would be out of the question due to size.
The pets would be kept in a 3 bedroom semi detached with a good sized garden and I would walk them in the morning for toilet purposes and a proper walk on my return for excercise purposes.
What breed would be more suitable?
-Short hair
-not too large
-must be good with children and not too suspicious of strangers (however a bark to wake us up at night if something suspicious is going on downstairs would be a bonus)
-affectionate
-intelligent.
A female lab fits the above requirements almost perfectly, I am just unsure if they can handle being alone for so long.
I read the title "Want a cat and a dog to breed, what to do best?" Peter101 said:
A Labradoodle, they dont shed that much, hardly at all, apart from the length of their hair they meet most of your criteria. Extremely nice natured, softer than a pure Lab. Ours is good with cats.
If my neighbours is anything to go by, they fail epically on the intelligence front Edited by Peter101 on Monday 22 November 11:17
If they’re going to be alone for 8 hours a day, I would either not get a dog (or dogs) or look at the cost of getting the local dog walker in at least once a day, ensuring you walk it for at least 30mins before you leave in the morning.
I really wouldn’t consider getting 2 as a good way to get around the fact they will be alone for a large part of the day. I know someone who did this with their Doberman, it was wrecking the house when they were out (for about 5hours) so under the advice from a "mate" they bought a 2nd, who promptly helped with the house wrecking.
As for the breed, it will depend on how big your home and garden is, as well as how much you want to spend and what you want from the dog (guard, companionship, long country walks ect ect)
I really wouldn’t consider getting 2 as a good way to get around the fact they will be alone for a large part of the day. I know someone who did this with their Doberman, it was wrecking the house when they were out (for about 5hours) so under the advice from a "mate" they bought a 2nd, who promptly helped with the house wrecking.
As for the breed, it will depend on how big your home and garden is, as well as how much you want to spend and what you want from the dog (guard, companionship, long country walks ect ect)
ZesPak said:
Jasandjules said:
No offence but I don't think it's really fair to have dogs if they are left alone all day.
This, I had a dog but I found an adoptive family as soon as I couldn't be with it all day. A dog needs company, getting a 2nd dog to go around that isn't the best solution...If I get a cat now, do you think introducing a puppy a year or so later will be problematic at all?
isee said:
ZesPak said:
Jasandjules said:
No offence but I don't think it's really fair to have dogs if they are left alone all day.
This, I had a dog but I found an adoptive family as soon as I couldn't be with it all day. A dog needs company, getting a 2nd dog to go around that isn't the best solution...If I get a cat now, do you think introducing a puppy a year or so later will be problematic at all?
isee said:
ZesPak said:
Jasandjules said:
No offence but I don't think it's really fair to have dogs if they are left alone all day.
This, I had a dog but I found an adoptive family as soon as I couldn't be with it all day. A dog needs company, getting a 2nd dog to go around that isn't the best solution...If I get a cat now, do you think introducing a puppy a year or so later will be problematic at all?
Jasandjules said:
No offence but I don't think it's really fair to have dogs if they are left alone all day.
This is the reason we don't have a dog. We have two house rabbits who just huddle together all day, mostly asleep; and we've just been adopted by our third cat, two of whom sleep inside all day, the other goes outside, unless it's raining or blowing a gale. I think it's cruel to keep a dog inside all day on its own.
Sounds like whippet is the ideal choice for you over a labrador. BUT and it's a big BUT 8hrs a day is too long especially if you are looking to get puppies to be left alone every day, think very carefully.
There will be those on here who will say they do leave their dogs this long every day and it can be ok if planned carefully and generally better suited to your older dog.
If you can get home for lunch, get a dog walker etc then can be worked around.
We have a whippet and he is absolutley spot on for everything you have listed, he is fine about being left for 6-7 hours when it is required but this occurs very infrequently. They like their exercise but they like their sleep almost more He is no guard dog but he will bark to strange sounds and it is a decent bark.
Oh and he also has lived with upto 4 cats (now 3) and has never caused any concern with them and is fine with my Mum and Dads cat aswell, brought up together or get pups with adult cat in house they will learn very quickly not to mess with a cat!
There will be those on here who will say they do leave their dogs this long every day and it can be ok if planned carefully and generally better suited to your older dog.
If you can get home for lunch, get a dog walker etc then can be worked around.
We have a whippet and he is absolutley spot on for everything you have listed, he is fine about being left for 6-7 hours when it is required but this occurs very infrequently. They like their exercise but they like their sleep almost more
He is no guard dog but he will bark to strange sounds and it is a decent bark.Oh and he also has lived with upto 4 cats (now 3) and has never caused any concern with them and is fine with my Mum and Dads cat aswell, brought up together or get pups with adult cat in house they will learn very quickly not to mess with a cat!
Edited by bexVN on Monday 22 November 16:49
Edited by bexVN on Monday 22 November 16:50
garyhun said:
Peter101 said:
A Labradoodle, they dont shed that much, hardly at all, apart from the length of their hair they meet most of your criteria. Extremely nice natured, softer than a pure Lab. Ours is good with cats.
If my neighbours is anything to go by, they fail epically on the intelligence front Edited by Peter101 on Monday 22 November 11:17
Working f/t and having a dog can be done, but is hard work.
Dogs need both physical exercise and mental stimulation, no matter what sort of a day you've had or what the weather is like. A puppy would never get house trained. Your house would be destroyed.
If you are able to get someone in during the day, then I would be looking at an older, low maintenance dog. Not something like a springer or a collie certainly.
Working full-time is one of the main reasons for dogs coming into rescue. They are not given enough attention and understandably become bored, frustrated and make their own entertainment!
Dogs need both physical exercise and mental stimulation, no matter what sort of a day you've had or what the weather is like. A puppy would never get house trained. Your house would be destroyed.
If you are able to get someone in during the day, then I would be looking at an older, low maintenance dog. Not something like a springer or a collie certainly.
Working full-time is one of the main reasons for dogs coming into rescue. They are not given enough attention and understandably become bored, frustrated and make their own entertainment!
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
garyhun said:
Peter101 said:
A Labradoodle, they dont shed that much, hardly at all, apart from the length of their hair they meet most of your criteria. Extremely nice natured, softer than a pure Lab. Ours is good with cats.
If my neighbours is anything to go by, they fail epically on the intelligence front Edited by Peter101 on Monday 22 November 11:17
Labradoodle I know is only normally after 3 Valiums. Bloody big ol thing too. !
You, need a Ford Focus TDi :
isee said:
Seems like this is the way forward unfortunately...
If I get a cat now, do you think introducing a puppy a year or so later will be problematic at all?
No cats will usually (IME and IMHO) accept a puppy fairly quickly - and the dog will learn to respect the cats too....... This will be even easier I think in a kitten (as they will still be a year or two old!??!).If I get a cat now, do you think introducing a puppy a year or so later will be problematic at all?
ETA - and by the way all credit to you for your response and attitude which is in the interests of the animals.
Edited by Jasandjules on Monday 22 November 19:43
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
garyhun said:
Peter101 said:
A Labradoodle, they dont shed that much, hardly at all, apart from the length of their hair they meet most of your criteria. Extremely nice natured, softer than a pure Lab. Ours is good with cats.
If my neighbours is anything to go by, they fail epically on the intelligence front Edited by Peter101 on Monday 22 November 11:17
Labradoodle I know is only normally after 3 Valiums. Bloody big ol thing too. !
You, need a Ford Focus TDi :
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