Still looking into the idea of adopting a dog rather than getting a puppy...

What are people looking for when they come on these essential home visits ?

Reason i ask is that i live in a 2 bed apartment with a small garden. I work alot but have started to employ a dog walker so that Daisy is not left for 8hrs a day all week every week.

With these conditions, can i assume that everyone is going to turn thier nose up at me and walk away ?

Hi they get a feel for you and family members, find out your experience etc, meet if any existing pets, make sure garden is secure, etc i imagine there is a bit more to it, Lot's of questions.
Good on you though, hope everything works out

Best wishes

To be honest they probably will turn their noses up at you because of how long you are away from the home. Stupid really as they put so many dogs down that could have been homed with people who are out for what they consider to be too long.

The home visits are to check the home is safe and suitable for a dog to live in, when you tell them you are out all day they probably wont even get as far as doing a home visit.

What breeds are you considering?

Well really id like some kinda mongrel, thats what i first set out to get but then in research i found out that mongrels, with SO many different breeds in them sometimes have very strange habits/temprements. So then i thought the next step would be a cross. Not many breeders about for crosses in my area that i could find.

At the moment, realistically i am considering a lab, whippet, staff..thats about it for purebreeds tbh. Im open to many suggestions but id like a dog that wont get much past 2ft off the ground , 2.5ft at a push (from spine to floor) easy to train ok with being left alone once adjusted.

I mean ultimately, my goal is to own a GSD and a Collie. I dont think i am anywhere near that stage yet though so i dont know really, i open to suggestions.

This, away at work stuff is only lasting for a year, then im back at uni for a year and then i am putting more effort into my work-from-home website development company so this is the only year i cannot really manage it. I know in my mind that i should just wait a year and then start looking....but i cant wait that long !!! >.<

God no don't get a Border Collie if you are out 8 hours a day, you'll have no house left! D

So you like real dogs then! I really don't think it's a good idea getting a Lab to be left 8 hours a day, how does Daisy cope? I would expect your apartment to be wrecked!

Retired greyhound would tick all of your boxes.

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Build your own Blingee

Greyhounds are hugggggeeee!

Why are you considering a labrador, but arnt ready for a collie or gsd?

Sorry but as a labrador owner that kind of thing really winds me up.
Just because there are so many labs about it doesnt mean they are in the right enviroment or get nearly enough care or attention.
A fully grown labrador needs just as much exersise as a gsd, they are not a breed you just get because they are plane old family dogs... they are intelligant and need alot of mental stimulation. Do you have the time to take him to obediance classes once a week? Will you put in the effort to give him and morning and afternoon romp running free?
you cant just get one and expect them to be easy to train.. yes they are intelligant.. but they also get bored... well every labrador ive ever owned would get bored being at home alone during the day

They are but dont need much space - just a big enough sofa. They are lazy - would sleep all day and quite happy for 20 min walks. Ideal for someone who works plus they have superb temperaments/

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Build your own Blingee

I agree with the retired grayhound thing. My friend owns one and he is happy sleeping on the sofa... he will just let him out the back (he has fields all around him) and he will run like crazy for 10 minutes and then come in and fall back on the sofa again