I want a dog, but.....

[gbbird]

I live by myself and work all day. Would it be cruel to get one (a spaniel) and leave him alone all day? I have a big garden, with some outbuildings which could potentially become a kennel for him/her, so they could come and go as they please until i got home.

[dick dastardly]

Get a cat.

They're MUCH cooler than stinky dogs.


Let the fight commence...

[scorp]

I would imagine your dog would lounge around all day sleeping. If it has free run of the garden and access to the house then i can't see anything cruel in leaving it for a several hours.

[scorp]

dick dastardly said:

Get a cat. They're MUCH cooler than stinky dogs. Let the fight commence...

[jacobyte]

scorp said:

dick dastardly said: Get a cat. They're MUCH cooler than stinky dogs. Let the fight commence...

[staceyb]

As long as they have shelter for all conditions you leave water and toys I would say it should be ok. My dogs are in the garden all day and have kennels and each other to play with. Getting 2 to keep each other company might be a good idea.

[kerfuffle]

dick dastardly said:

Get a cat. They're MUCH cooler than stinky dogs. Let the fight commence...

A cat? What, to read Mills & Boon novels and eat Milk Tray with? Dogs rock, ladyboy.

Edited to mention that any dog presenting even the slightest resemblance to a rat is not a dog. I don't know what they are really, except ridiculous.

>> Edited by kerfuffle on Wednesday 18th January 14:55

[diddyman]

I have JUST the animal for you...

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=235868&f=141&h=0&p=3

[chilli]

Def not a good idea to leave a dog on its own, all day out in the garden..even with shelter. Dogs love conpanionship and attention......so if you HAVE to do it, get 2.
In your situation, I'd get a cat

[jacobyte]

Robert De Niro in Meet The Parents said:

The dog is an emotionally shallow animal... ...if you yell at a dog, his ears will go down and his tail will cover his genitals even if he's done nothing wrong. It's very easy to break a dog. But cats make you work for their affection. Cats don't sell out like dogs do.

[timmy30]

You might want to consider the breed carefully, generally, and there are exceptions, dogs like spaniels and collies are very lively they get bored and need alot of excercise, other breeds for exmaple Labradors are a bit more chilled and certainly once they're a few years old seem to get quite lazy and don't mind a day snoozing by the radiator at all.

[kerfuffle]

chuck norris said:

I roundhouse kick cat owners with no remorse.

[mybrainhurts]

gbbird said:

I WANT A DOG

You could try the pubs round here on a Satutday night......

[diddyman]

kerfuffle said:

Edited to mention that any dog presenting even the slightest resemblance to a rat is not a dog. I don't know what they are really, except ridiculous.

What, you mean like one of these:



GRENADE!

[dick dastardly]

I will admit the 3 week old sheepdog puppies on my girlfriends farm are bloody adorable. Fat little things which look like guinnea pigs and walk like they're drunk.

Not as adorable as my two gorgeous little cats though

[chris watton]

We have 2 dogs, 2 cats and, erm, 2 hamsters, and we both work full time - the pets are fine!

[kerfuffle]

diddyman said:

kerfuffle said: Edited to mention that any dog presenting even the slightest resemblance to a rat is not a dog. I don't know what they are really, except ridiculous. What, you mean like one of these: GRENADE!

Precisely. I mean WTF is it? Why would anyone want a rat that has learned to yap? If you're going to get a dog, get one you can rest a pint on.

[diddyman]

kerfuffle said:

diddyman said: kerfuffle said: Edited to mention that any dog presenting even the slightest resemblance to a rat is not a dog. I don't know what they are really, except ridiculous. What, you mean like one of these: GRENADE! Precisely. I mean WTF is it? Why would anyone want a rat that has learned to yap? If you're going to get a dog, get one you can rest a pint on.

These dogs are useful. Rub them briskly against a piece of nylon material, shove a broom handle up their arse and use them to collect dust from hidden corners like under beds, behind wardrobes etc. They are also quite good for children to practice their football with, as you can avoid broken windows etc

>> Edited by diddyman on Wednesday 18th January 15:05

[kerfuffle]

You could always buy Les Dawson's dog

[CatherineJ]

Can you get home at a lunchtime, so that the day is broken up for him/her? Up until 18 months ago our dogs were always on their own but I would pop home at lunchtime to check they were OK.

There are certain breeds that really can't be left. Also we have 2 so they have companionship (although they do try to make out they don't like each other)