Hi,
Apologies for what is likely to be a long first post!
We've not considered owning a dog before as we both work full-time and it never occurred to us that we might be able to change our lifestyles to suit. Also, until she recently passed away, we had a (large) houserabbit living in one of our bedrooms! We're now wondering if, with a few small changes, we might make good dog-owners.
As I stated above, we both work full-time. However, we both start work late and could easily fit a good walk and some playtime in before leaving. I can easily return home at lunchtime for a brisk walk and to offer some company and food. In addition, my sister loves dogs but cannot have one of her own as she lives in a flat. Until recently she would walk my parent's dog several times a week - their dog is now too elderly - and she'd jump at the chance to walk our dog 2-3 times a week. I know this because I've already asked, btw. It's likely my retired parents would also be more than happy to pop in for a couple of hours an afternoon every week.
Finally, on those days when a long afternoon would pass without a visit from my sister, or another dog-walker, I can get off work very early. Both of us have flexible employers and I could certainly arrange to work from home at least an afternoon a week without any trouble (my boss is a dog-lover which helps!)
We don't go on holiday as we own a boat and spend all our holiday entitlement using that. The boat is large enough to comfortably take a dog as well as us and the area in which we boat has plenty of running and safe swimming opportunities! It is VERY rare for us to go anywhere in the evenings or weekends and between the two of us a dog would get as much attention as it wanted during these times.
In around two years time I will be stopping work and setting up a business which will require me to spend at least half the working week at home. If and when the business takes off to the point where I cannot spend as much time at home, my partner will likely start working part-time and hence be at home when I am not. Obviously, if we are to get a dog I'd like to get the business of house-training, etc, completed before all this happens as I need to spend at least SOME time developing my business!
We have a large garden that with some repairs would be dog-proof. I have a good understanding of what is required to make the garden secure as I grew up with a springer who was hell-bent on escaping
So to summarise, a dog in our family would be left a maximum of 3.5 hours in the morning, usually less, and no more than 4 hours in the afternoon maybe once or twice a week at the most. He/she would get 3 walks a day in the week and good long walks (and possibly swimming) at the weekend. Given this information, do you think we can offer a cocker a good home and will we have difficulty in convincing a breeder that we'll make good owners?
Personally, I am happy that a fully-grown cocker would have a great life with us but I'm worried that leaving a puppy alone might hinder his development. I wouldn't normally consider a rescue dog as I don't believe we have the experience to deal with the likely behavioural problems that normally accompany them - I grew up with one of those too.
I've read through a great deal of info on the net and also the Collins guide to Cocker Spaniels so I'm well-aware of what I'm letting myself in for but as always, guidance from owners and more experienced people is worth far more than any other info...
Thx
Simon
