Adding a Special One To The Family

[Yoshi]

Hi,

me, my fiance and 9 year old are looking at getting a dog and have done for a while. Our 9 year old has even been saving her own money.

My daughter absolutely loves Frenchies but with my and my fiance working 8:30 - 4:30 Mon-Fri (30 min break at home around 12/12:30) this may not be the best breed to get (and will reduce our choices massively). When searching google they seem to say Frenchies are great for full time workers but every youtube video says the opposite. We often enjoy 1 hour evening walks as well but as we have read Frenchies have had enough after 20/30 minutes, lol. The reason I personally like them is they seem fairly low energy (but can still have fun), small enough for our car and are extremely cute.

Another thing we have noticed with Frenchies is insurance. Other breeds can be £10/£20 a month but Frenchies seem to be well over £40/month. We are aware this is likely because of there many different health issues that often occur. Insurance is definitely something we would want and have made cuts to certain things in our lifes to cover £20/£25/per pet insurance (monthly).

We would love to go down the rescue route when we do decide.

Is there any other breeds we should/could consider given situation?

Cheers

 

[JudyN]

Welcome to the forum - it's good that you're doing your research.

My first concern is the amount of time the dog will be left alone for, particularly if you're thinking of getting a puppy. Many animal organisations recomment that a dog shouldn't be left alone for more than 4 hours max (2 hours for a pup) and though you'll be able to see your dog at lunchtime, 7.5 hours is still a long time to be alone in total. Having said that, it does work out for some people/dogs - others simply find their dog can't cope and they have to give them up. And Frenchies are a very sociable breed who like to be around people. One solution is to get a dog walker/sitter in for part of the day, but this of course isn't cheap.

Second, I'm not keen on any short-nosed breeds, because they often come with health problems - their nasal passageways are very narrow, and you simply can't be fit and healthy if you can't breathe properly.

This article by the PDSA outlines both the health problems of the breed, and their need for company: French Bulldog

Have you considered retired greyhounds? Their exercise requirements are quite low but they are easily capable of walking for an hour or more, and as they are couch potatoes, many are happy to sleep most of the day when left. Rescue organisations might turn you down as you work full time, but some are more flexible and have a dog they think would be OK for you. Admittedly, they're not small and nothing like what your daughter has in mind!

 

[Yoshi]

Welcome to the forum - it's good that you're doing your research.

My first concern is the amount of time the dog will be left alone for, particularly if you're thinking of getting a puppy. Many animal organisations recomment that a dog shouldn't be left alone for more than 4 hours max (2 hours for a pup) and though you'll be able to see your dog at lunchtime, 7.5 hours is still a long time to be alone in total. Having said that, it does work out for some people/dogs - others simply find their dog can't cope and they have to give them up. And Frenchies are a very sociable breed who like to be around people. One solution is to get a dog walker/sitter in for part of the day, but this of course isn't cheap.

Second, I'm not keen on any short-nosed breeds, because they often come with health problems - their nasal passageways are very narrow, and you simply can't be fit and healthy if you can't breathe properly.

This article by the PDSA outlines both the health problems of the breed, and their need for company: French Bulldog

Have you considered retired greyhounds? Their exercise requirements are quite low but they are easily capable of walking for an hour or more, and as they are couch potatoes, many are happy to sleep most of the day when left. Rescue organisations might turn you down as you work full time, but some are more flexible and have a dog they think would be OK for you. Admittedly, they're not small and nothing like what your daughter has in mind!

Thank you.

We did see a French Bulldog come up from a rescue and we messaged them which they said coming home at lunch for 30 minutes is fine. I thought to myself surely not but obviously want to check hence why i'm here as well From that experience i'm not sure if you can trust what rescues say? :S

Really concerning how many people dive in and get dogs and they spend a lot of time in a crate. Not the life i'de want personally as a dog. If we were to leave a dog it would get the kitchen with plankets, toys etc. I'm still on the fence as to if that's even fair to be honest (for any breed).

I think it's safe to say a Frenchie is a nono

Personally I like labradors as well but they aren't good on there own either. Not sure on illnesses, insurance etc for labradors (havne't looked into them that much). Probably a bit big for our car as well.

 

[Suzette]

I ditto everything Judy said. As a vet tech I have had the extreme pleasure of meeting many retired greyhounds and they are the most amazing dogs! The rescues would never allow me to adopt (and rightly so) because I have cats. But if I could have, I definitely would have! They have the biggest hearts and gentlest souls.
Whatever you choose, I wish you well. But as Judy said, I too would stay away from brachycephalic breeds (such as pugs and frenchies that were sadly bred to have extremely short nasal passages). They struggle to breathe in hot and/or humid weather and after any exeretion and it is just so sad to hear the poor things struggle to breathe.

 

[JoanneF]

From that experience i'm not sure if you can trust what rescues say?

There are good and bad rescues, just as there are good and bad breeders. Some are more like shops. A good question to ask them is what backup they offer after you have one of their dogs.

 

[Yoshi]

I ditto everything Judy said. As a vet tech I have had the extreme pleasure of meeting many retired greyhounds and they are the most amazing dogs! The rescues would never allow me to adopt (and rightly so) because I have cats. But if I could have, I definitely would have! They have the biggest hearts and gentlest souls.
Whatever you choose, I wish you well. But as Judy said, I too would stay away from brachycephalic breeds (such as pugs and frenchies that were sadly bred to have extremely short nasal passages). They struggle to breathe in hot and/or humid weather and after any exeretion and it is just so sad to hear the poor things struggle to breathe.

Thank you for the replies.

As a vet tech what are your thoughts on leaving a dog from 8:30 - 12:30 and then 1-4:15/4:30 on there own? In a medium sized kitchen with blankets, toys water etc obviously (heard having the radio on can be good too). We did like Frenchies due to there size as well and apparently they wouldn't be able to jump on the kitchen worktops as well. Wouldn't want to crate any animal for that long.

 

[paperweight]

is there a particular reason you're drawn to that size?

 

[Yoshi]

is there a particular reason you're drawn to that size?

Fit in our car better, daughter doesn't like dogs too big (ide imagine she would get used to them though). Also they will be in a medium sized kitchen when we are out. We will also be first time dog owners. I personally like labradors and huskys but I don't feel they would be right for us now (definitely not a talkative husky, lol)

 

[JoanneF]

I personally like labradors and huskys

These dogs have very, very different drives/characteristics. We have bred dogs over thousands of years to do particular jobs - hunt, kill, pull, carry, retrieve etc. It is really, really important to think of what you want your dog's personality to be like. What would you want from that? Handler focused versus independent, biddable or one that challenges you, what degree of prey drive?