single, working, live alone, but want dog...possible? good idea?

Hey, you sound just like me! Single, living alone, sometimes work long hours, a night time exerciser and I live 5 mins from work. I own 2 very high energy dogs too (a Husky and an Australian Shepherd). I've raised them both since puppyhood (course, the aussie is still a puppy). 
 
It is very do-able. If you get a puppy, just make sure you go home at lunch to let it out. I walk my 2 dogs at lunch (or just toss the football around) so it's a good break for all of us during the day. After work, I take both dogs to the park for a hike and a swim.  When we get home, I spend time going through training commands with them. Training exercises the mind so that helps tire them out too.
 
During the day while I'm at work, they get kongs filled with treats to keep them busy.
 
The only problem you will find though is that it will put a damper on your social life. Your dog will have to come first when you make plans with friends and family. No more spur of the moment trips. No more late nights at friends houses after working all day (unless you can take your dog with you). And no more long day trips (I bike ride and often do centuries which keeps me away from home for a long day). I'm lucky that I have a good kennel and friends who are willing to let my dogs out if I have to go out of town for work and such but not everyone has that. And I do still feel guilty.
 
So that's something to think about.
 
I would suggest a low energy dog but since you said you're a night time exerciser go with something a bit more high strung. I really enjoy being outdoors hiking and such with my dogs. They give *me* energy to keep going.

I agree with you. You definately need an adult dog. I live in a one bedroom apartment, am a full time student, and I own a very active Golden Retriever. It can be done, but you have to be willing to make large sacrifices for the dog. If I'm not in classes or at a meeting, I'm usually at home with my dog. He goes for multiple walks daily and I try to take him to the park a couple of times a week. Some weekends we go to my parents' house, and he has over 500 acres that we go for runs and trips on. Max is also pretty inactive indoors. He likes to sleep. That helps a lot.

Starting in the middle of August I will be starting a full time job working from 7:30-4:30. But I have already made arrangements for someone to come by and take him out for a walk once or twice during that time. I will also have all the time after 4:30 and the weekends to spend with him. I will not be tied down to things after work.

Just be prepared to sacrifice a lot of your otherwise free time to devote to the dog. I'm a pretty active person as well. I like to be outside, so Max always comes with me. He rides with me in my truck wherever I can take him. He is my child, so I treat him as such.

As for typical condo dogs, a rescue Greyhound always comes to mind. Others can give you more info about them then I can. I know a good bit about the retriever breeds. If you are interested in them, I can let you know some things to expect.http://www.k9country.com/perl/dogBreed.pl
If you answer all the questions in that selector honestly, it will give you a pretty good idea of what breeds fit you. I found it to be one of the better ones on the net.

Hope this helps you, and good luck!

ORIGINAL: pbarbato

do you guys have advice for breeds that are typically "condo-dogs"? 

 
Not sure what you mean by "condo-dogs" but greyhounds are nice and lazy.  Given a walk 2 or 3 times a day you can almost guarantee they will spend the intervening time snoozing.  Considerations:  can never be trusted 100% off lead and MUST be allowed to share your sofa.
 
A 10hr day is a little on the long side, but seems you can offest that by getting home in the middle of the day.  I would still rope in family or a friend or neighbour to be on standby to go round and check on the dog and let him out on days when you are unable to and do consider day-care for maybe one day or two a week.

Thanks everyone for all the information.  I clearly came to the right place.  I am definitely learning some things (no jogging with doggy on concrete before 2yo, check, Greyhounds = lazy--shattering my perception of greyhounds; aren't they the race dogs after all?--check.)  I will for sure take the decision making process slow and do some heavy reading and talking to shelters.  Thanks very much everyone.
 
Oh, and as to the bring-your-dog-to-work sentiment...if only.  Just not the kind of place that would allow it (law firm.)

Greyhounds are *sprinters*! If you have a securely fenced off-leash park near you that they can get a good sprint in at a couple times a week, they will be pretty lazy the rest of the time. They are built to conserve energy for long periods of time and then get rid of it all in one quick burst. A lot of people have that misperception about greyhounds, but when you think about it, it makes sense. A lot of the hounds (not all, but a lot) have a tendancy towards being low-key in the house. They seem to be able to "turn it off" when not working in a way that some of the other working breeds can't (bird dogs, herders, etc...).

Ditto houndlove re greyhounds.... they just need a short sprint! 
 
While racing I think they spend a lot of their time in a crate resting.  So if you do get one, a crate might be a good idea - will keep your house and dog safe while he adjusts to your routine and lifestyle and the familiarity of it should be a help to him/her.  Having said that I think that a crate can be beneficial to most dogs, even adults who were not crate trained as puppies, provided they are introduced and used sensitively.

Another good thing is that most retired greyhounds will go to a foster home before they come to you so they get used to normal household things that they haven't experienced before.  The fosterer will be able to get to know them a bit and pass on any relevant info which is very handy.

There are SO many grey hounds that die when their racing career is over and its such a shame because they make wonderful pets. 

I'm going to try to put a bit of a spin on the excellent words you've already been given.
 
I work and I'm out of the house almost exactly your hours.  But my dogs are MATURE.  Luna is my 'baby' and she's nearly 3.  She's younger than I really wanted to get but she's laid back energy wise but when I get home I let her run run run in our fenced yard.
 
But most 5+ year old dogs would be completely happy with a 10 hour day as long as (and I LOVE how Houndlove put this) "they are your first priority when you get home".  That means you don't take 2-3 nights a week to go out to a dinner and movie with only a pee break at noon.  So you go home, give them exercise and food and ATTENTION and then you might go back out if you need/want to.  Your life doesn't come to an end -- it just includes the dog!
 
A breed like a bichon, for example, tends to mature late.  They're still virtually puppies at 5 and are pretty long lived.  Not quite medium sized -- super friendly and kind of the consummate companion dog.  but if you are into marathons it's not the dog for you, but if you want a companion on a short run they'd be up for it. 
 
But that brings up another point -- look deeper into this than just age and personality. 
 
How much of a neat freak are you?  Is dog hair going to make you nuts?  Concerns about a friend/significant-but-maybe-not live in other who is allergic? 
 
Dogs that don't shed much tend to need to be groomed -- if the hair doesn't fall out it needs to be cut.  AND combed/fussed with.  Some folks go with a monthly grooming ... mine wait 6 weeks usually.
 
I've got a basset/beagle mix (Luna) and she would NOT be a good apartment dog because she's too vocal (most hounds could be -- that would be a risk).  My English Cocker would attempt to be Mr. Perfect just because that's his personality.   
 
Think long long LONG range tho -- what are the risks that your condo association may decide to go with only a 20 pound maximum?   What's the risk that you may decide to take a job elsewhere?  A larger dog can be tough to find a condo/home with.  A 30 pound dog may be more practical from that standpoint.
 
Do you travel?  Is size going to be an issue? 
 
the smaller the dog the longer lived they tend to be -- is that a concern?

ORIGINAL: pbarbato


Oh, and as to the bring-your-dog-to-work sentiment...if only.  Just not the kind of place that would allow it (law firm.)

Animal rights!!!!  Oh well opisite(sp?) of mine!  Here its Mentally Ill people that are homeless.  I swear I can't spell after 5Am.  (Sorry mini vent)

I wanted to ask this same question as I work full time & am out of the house 9-10 hours 5 days a week.  I'm considering buying a puppy soon & I already started searching for dog walkers from [linkhttp://www.petsit.com/zipresults.asp]http://www.petsit.com/zipresults.asp[/link]  Prices aren't too bad.  I got quoted $270/month for one daily visit (5dys/wk).
 
I also enocuntered many doggie day care places that seem like another alternative, but the prices are significantly higher $400-500 month range.  Here's a good site with both walkers & day care: [linkhttp://www.dogpages.net/vendors/walking.htm]http://www.dogpages.net/vendors/walking.htm[/link]