I work full time and I've managed to raise two puppies. I'd like to think I've made a good job of it but others may have a different opinion :wink:
But I think the schedule you are suggesting would be too much for the pup. I am very fortunate that I live around the corner from work and have a very understanding boss :wink: When I went back to work after the holiday I took when i first got them I was able to pop home every 90 mins and let them out in to the garden and have a little game with them so that they were a little sleepy(less chance of them being destructive through boredom :wink: ). I took extended lunches so that they could have one of their meals and then be let out to toilet and then play a game. I also left a radio on for them and left them with some interactive toys. I do believe that the quality of time you spend with them is just as important as the quantity. I didn't want to just pop home, let them out, and then leave again straight away. Once they hit 12 weeks and were fully vaccinated, I could take them into work and I did this for a few hours a day, then took them back home so they were used to being on their own for a while.
I know a lot of people think working full time and having puppies don't mix but I think that with a lot of thought, planning and consideration, it can work. I think if you are determined to get a pup, you would really have to get someone who would be able to spend a lot more time with the dog than half an hour to begin with. The problem you may have there, is that the people you enlist to help out may then start to feel burdened and the novelty of looking after the puppy may wear off and then where do you stand? Thats why when i got my first pup, I worked out a routine where I wouldn't have to rely on anyone to come in and see to him - if i hadn't been able to that, then I wouldn't have been able to get the puppy at that time.
I certainly considered an older dog - one breeder had a two year old that she was rehoming. That would have been perfect because at that time I was worried that juggling work and puppy wouldn't go quite as smoothly as it did on paper :wink: , and worried about the housetraining aspect etc. But as it turned out, my old boy wouldn't have accepted an older dog into the house so it was either puppy or nothing :wink:
Sorry its a bit long-winded and I hope it makes sense :roll: