Wesman Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 Hey up, This subject has probably been asked a thousand times, but I've done a search and can't find anything I#m after. Just after a bit of advice is possible. My kiddies are asking for a dog and although I love dogs, I've resisted so far because of the responsibility that goes with them. What I want to know is people's thoughts on how long you can leave a dog at home. I work funny shifts, 2 days, 2 nights and 4 days off. My Mrs works part time and so in theory, someone will always be at home and when I'm off the dog can be out for hours on end as I live on the edge of the countryside. Sometimes however, the dog may have to be left alone for up to 8 hours.........do you think this is too much? When I say sometimes, I mean like twice a month tops, but I don't want to be cruel on the dog. Also.........weird question. My Mrs is very VERY houseproud and doesn't really want a dog because it will make the house smell of dog. Now I've always owned dogs and the smell of dog doesn't bother me at all, but do you think I'd be better off looking at spaniels as opposed to labs? I've heard Labs smell a bit and I've owned spaniels before and know they don't smell that bad. So....what's the least smelly dog breed and the breed which moults the least. Finally, do you think a dog can be a pet and a worker? It would be 90% pet and I wouldn't expect a field trial standard dog, just a dog that is useful when out and about. Cheers, Wes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Harry Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 I work shifts and sometimes my dogs are left for up to 7 hours depending what the wIfe is working. I have 2 so they have company and they have a kennel and run outside. I would say you would be fine having a dog. I have never known a dog moult as much as a Labrador. Father in law used to brush the dog, Hoover the dog then rake the hair off the grass. Not sure about springers. There are dog that moult less. I had schnauzers and they were great pets, don't moult but no good for shooting. Harry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 a Friend has a miniture labradoodle can be working dogs but as with any cross you could get a 99% lab or 99% poodle she doesn't work hers but i would think could make a usable dog in the field, energetic, intelligent, looks scruffy as (which suits her!) http://www.annetteslabradoodles.co.uk/ All the advice i have a read is never leave any dog for more than 2 hours max (realistically most dogs are i think) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arwen3513 Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 a puppy will require more attention than an adult dog, to help it socialise, but most dogs given a good run and feed, before they are left will soon learn the quiet times, and happily go to sleep whilst you are out. but i suggest you read more about the breeds you are interested in, to help decide which would suit your lifestyle and needs. a shorter haired dog will carry less dirt into the house, but doesn't necessarily mean it will moult any less. you might come across a breed you hadnt thought of jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 What I want to know is people's thoughts on how long you can leave a dog at home. I work funny shifts, 2 days, 2 nights and 4 days off. My Mrs works part time and so in theory, someone will always be at home and when I'm off the dog can be out for hours on end as I live on the edge of the countryside. Sometimes however, the dog may have to be left alone for up to 8 hours.........do you think this is too much? When I say sometimes, I mean like twice a month tops, but I don't want to be cruel on the dog. I'm in a similar position in that I work a standard day but the missus works shifts. Generally she's home by 1 pm after leaving just before 9, but, there is one day a week when she's out until 4.30. I have 2 dogs that may well keep each other company but both seem to just snooze when we're out regardless of timescale. So long as they are well exercised in the morning it shouldn't be an issue if it's that occasional. However, I wouldn't recommend that you get a puppy, they need much more attention, one of ours is a rescue and the RSPCA told us that they wouldn't let us have anything under 6 months old, at the time the firebreather was only doing a 4 hour morning shift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 (edited) Double post Edited October 21, 2011 by -Mongrel- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labstaff Posted October 21, 2011 Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 I work the same 2 day, 2 night shift, 4 off pattern. I keep my dogs in kennels so they have company and my parents and Mrs are about for company so they are never left for too long. When I had a lab living in the house it really did moult at times, we was constantly hoovering!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eccles Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 Hi Wes Get a dog mate shooting with out one is not as much fun.Make a small run outside with a kennel for it when your in work.Had labs,ESS,and cockers.I only use cockers now as iv'e given up wildfowling and picking up.Cockers are great shooting dogs and are great with kids.Only advice i can give you is dont let the kids throw thing to retrieve unless your with them.Kids and women i find are usually quick to learn how to handle cockers as they want to please the handlers.As to the smell a think they all stink :lol: :lol: Only buy a pup that's got Field trail breeding and no show in it. Good luck let me know if you get something.Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wesman Posted October 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 So it is do-able then. We'll always have family around if I'm away for any extended period, but I've read silly things like a dog shouldn't be left alone for longer than 2 hours. When they're a pup I can understand that, but my old spaniel would sleep for 8 hours after being worked. He would pass out. Eccles, I'm thinking cockers mate. I've always had spaniels and even though I do fancy a brittany or a Viszla, my heart says Cocker. What do you do for a living Labstaff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eccles Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 Hi again mate.You'd love the little cocker's they are real character's.Love to please you,quite easy to train also.And these day the breeding is top class lots of good dogs about not like 30 years ago,total waste of time then.Its all down to the top handlers who have breed these super little dogs.The likes of Kieth Erlandson,Peter Jones Cyril Gwynn,Ian and wendy Openshaw,Simon Tyres,thats only naming a few of the top few breeders.So good luck. Email me and i'll send you photo of my cocker by FTCH Chyknall goldstar x Mallowdale Tara x FTCH Mallowdale Rackater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 (edited) Hey up, This subject has probably been asked a thousand times, but I've done a search and can't find anything I#m after. Just after a bit of advice is possible. My kiddies are asking for a dog and although I love dogs, I've resisted so far because of the responsibility that goes with them. What I want to know is people's thoughts on how long you can leave a dog at home. I work funny shifts, 2 days, 2 nights and 4 days off. My Mrs works part time and so in theory, someone will always be at home and when I'm off the dog can be out for hours on end as I live on the edge of the countryside. Sometimes however, the dog may have to be left alone for up to 8 hours.........do you think this is too much? When I say sometimes, I mean like twice a month tops, but I don't want to be cruel on the dog. Also.........weird question. My Mrs is very VERY houseproud and doesn't really want a dog because it will make the house smell of dog. Now I've always owned dogs and the smell of dog doesn't bother me at all, but do you think I'd be better off looking at spaniels as opposed to labs? I've heard Labs smell a bit and I've owned spaniels before and know they don't smell that bad. So....what's the least smelly dog breed and the breed which moults the least. Finally, do you think a dog can be a pet and a worker? It would be 90% pet and I wouldn't expect a field trial standard dog, just a dog that is useful when out and about. Cheers, Wes My exact problem down to wifey . A few months ago I was an inch away from saying yes to a Norfolk terrier puppy but just couldn't solve our Friday probs. I can have anything I want if it's kennelled outside but I want something I can kiss and spoil inside the house so we have to wait a bit longer now. Can JR or Norfolks be kept indoors on their own for 7 hours once in a while without having to re-purchase all furniture? Edited October 22, 2011 by Hamster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm1979 Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 I have a lab and a cocker spaniel, They are both kenelled outside in a big yard, Unfortunately sometimes they can be left 8 hours at a time a couple of days a week and then some weeks they are never left for more than a couple of hours. It never seems to bother them though as they know as soon as someone comes home its time to go out for a good walk on the positive side they are always mega pleased to see arrive home as the run is at the front of the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 Animals have no concept of time so 1 hour and 8 hours is much the same to them so provided they're toilet trained they wont mess in your home.Puppies however dont have much control over their bladder and bowels so would be wise to have someone around initially.Have you thought about a rescue dog? Atleast then you wont have to go through the toilet training stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J@mes Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 (edited) My lab is left for 9 hours a day, and doesn't cause any trouble at all now. She's 2, and although in the first 6 months we had mess in the kitchen we never had regular damage. she wrecked the kitchen one day, and then spent 6 months locked in her crate while we were at work. I wanted a rescue dog, but no rescue home would entertain me as both me n the missus work full time. Pretty sure most dogs would rather be locked in my kitchen for 9 hours, but have the rest of the day roaming around my garden, house and being walked 2 hours a day than locked up in a concrete cell most of the day, but oh well! It's no wonder so many remain in their care! I sometimes get out of work in the day, and every time I come home - be it 10am, 1pm, 4pm, whenever - she is asleep. Quite often on her back with her legs in the air. Neighbours are in all the time, they've never heard her bark. But chuffing hell does she shead her fur! Black mutt + cream carpets = hoover every day Edited October 22, 2011 by J@mes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boromir Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 Animals have no concept of time so 1 hour and 8 hours is much the same to them so provided they're toilet trained they wont mess in your home.Puppies however dont have much control over their bladder and bowels so would be wise to have someone around initially.Have you thought about a rescue dog? Atleast then you wont have to go through the toilet training stage. I agree, you'll need to be there alot more with a puppy than an adult as they have to learn alot more in such a short time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampire Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 Buy a, Lab,it will not mind being left insurance,i would be bankrupt with out it a carpet washer,ours has earnt its money Which ever dog you get it will smell and make a mess of the home with fur and muddy paws,so i think you ought to make sure the wife accepts it what with her being house proud you may have a battle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 make sure the wife accepts it what with her being house proud you may have a battle. Thats the important bit because if you own a dog you will never have a tidy house so do think carefully before getting one.My pair (Bullmastiff & Boxer) are short haired,but still manage to deposit hair everywhere-hell i've even found it inside a rifle barrel! If you all can tolerate a little bit of untidyness and are prepared to do the housework a bit more often you'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straightbarrel Posted October 22, 2011 Report Share Posted October 22, 2011 I sometimes get out of work in the day, and every time I come home - be it 10am, 1pm, 4pm, whenever - she is asleep. Quite often on her back with her legs in the air. Neighbours are in all the time. Get yourself a wife like this and buy a dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labstaff Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Congrats on the decision to get a dog! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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