I’ve been thinking about adopting a dog for a while now, and while I’m not looking for a tiny puppy, I would like to adopt a young dog. Recently, I came across an 11-month-old Cattle Dog mix that caught my attention. I’m wondering if it would be feasible to adopt her given my schedule. I’m out of the house from 6:15 to 5 PM about four days a week, but I’m home on weekends. My mom usually leaves around 6 or 7 AM and comes back around 2 PM, but she can take the dog out for a potty break before she leaves. I’m also thinking about hiring a dog walker to help when no one is home. This setup would be temporary until I’m on summer break from May to August. Do you think this would be manageable for the dog? This isn’t set in stone, and I might not go through with it, but I want to get people’s opinions. I feel like I’d be a great fit; I already have a cattle dog mix and I’m looking into dog sports like dock diving and bike joring.
That’s a working breed that needs to be kept busy or it will drive you both neurotic. Honestly, greyhounds are super lazy with brief bursts of energy and might fit your lifestyle better.
Reagan said:
That’s a working breed that needs to be kept busy or it will drive you both neurotic. Honestly, greyhounds are super lazy with brief bursts of energy and might fit your lifestyle better.
Thanks for the input! I’ve heard working breeds can be a handful. I really like the personality of Cattle Dogs though.
@Avery
Cattle Dogs definitely need exercise and mental stimulation. Just be ready for some activity.
Also, think about at least a 2-hour walk per day. Maybe 1 hour with the walker and 1 hour when you get home. Plus, they might need to run or hike weekly. If you don’t have those habits already, don’t assume you will once you get the dog. A lot of people do but then don’t follow through. Oh, and definitely consider pet insurance; it’s vital because vet bills can get super high.
@Arie
Good point! I hadn’t thought about the walk schedule being so demanding. I’ll need to really think it through.
Avery said:
@Arie
Good point! I hadn’t thought about the walk schedule being so demanding. I’ll need to really think it through.
It’s really important to consider the time commitment before bringing a dog home. They rely on us for that.
Honestly, if you can make time and keep her active, it could work. Just set some routines. It might be a challenge, but sounds like you’d enjoy it.
Skyler said:
Honestly, if you can make time and keep her active, it could work. Just set some routines. It might be a challenge, but sounds like you’d enjoy it.
Thanks! I definitely want to make sure I’m doing right by the dog and not just jumping in without thinking.
@Avery
Better to be cautious than to rush into things. Just make a plan, and you’ll be fine.
Just remember that some pets may have adjustment periods. It could take time for her to get used to the routine.
Nico said:
Just remember that some pets may have adjustment periods. It could take time for her to get used to the routine.
That’s true. I guess I need to be patient with the transition. Thanks for the reminder!
Make sure you have a backup plan too in case things come up unexpectedly. It’s always good to be prepared.
Mckinley said:
Make sure you have a backup plan too in case things come up unexpectedly. It’s always good to be prepared.
Definitely! I’ll have to think through all possibilities before committing.