I'm afraid they are labelled as such. But there are so many in rescue centres because chav twats abandon them cos they aren't aggresive enough...
Always had dogs from being a kid, had 3 bulldogs, Labradors now got a bull mastiff a working English cocker and a beagle . They need walking every day if I or my wife are away working we have a dog walker do it. Would never be without a dog. But they are a big responsibility and expensive
Which is exactly what I love about them. A cat doesn't need an owner. If it likes you it's because it wants to. A dog will love you even if you kick it every time you see it.
It's a very big commitment and you really do need to think very careful about why you want a dog. I have had dogs since I was a child and it can be hard work and be very restrictive at times. Personally I could not be without one but it does cut across parts of my life, and you don't get days off even when you are ill or not up to going out to take them for a walk. The worst part is when they die, sometimes well before you would expect them to , for whatever reason they can have short lives and the heartbreak can be without question, and even worse is when you have to have them put down because of cancer or other terminal illness. Heartbreak does not even cover it. I had Alsatians for a while and none lived very long due to illness and quite simply the way they are as a breed. My Grandfather had one and I remember it only as a child, it was a "war dog" and he fought in the Burmese jungle with my Grandfather in WWII and it saved his life on one occasion when troops deserted my grandfather and wanted to kill him (long story) he fought them. He used to parachute into the jungle with my Grandfather going in on a static line. You could never find a more faithful dog, that's the upside.
Yeah, we have a cat as well, but the thing show's no emotion, it sits on me... but if I try and stroke it and it doesn't want to be stroked it just bites me, so what's the point... I have to say I have massive small terrier phobia, my mates one is lovely but can't be around other dogs without being muzzled, it is the loveliest thing in the world with his 2 yr old child but near another dog and it will try and rip it's throat out, my dog also got attacked by a terrier thing on a walk when we were first taking him out, it bit him on the lip and basically wouldn't let go, was trying to tear my dogs lip out. I am much less apprehensive around big dogs, you tend to be able to read them so much more. Anyway, simple fact is that 11hours is really pushing it, we are paying £30 a week at the mo for the dog to get picked up at lunch twice a day and taken to play with other dogs and walked for the afternoon, it's expensive but he is being socialised all the time and she has a 5yr old cocker who is superb at bringing him in line, it's amazing to see dogs 'condition' other younger ones.
Dogs Trust have plenty of woofers that need a new home, all sizes and breeds. Much cheaper than shelling out to a breeder. http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/default.aspx Get a bitza and it will live far longer and have less health issues.
Ive had a rescue greyhound - great dog but you can't really let of lead unless in a confined area without other stuff to chase - great house dog but will eat anything vaguely edible Doesn't need a huge amount of exercise and has a cat for company (although any neighbours cats that come in garden are fair game) He came ex Portsmouth track and the rescue place will always take them back if it doesn't work out
These dudes look a bit more chill http://www.pets4homes.co.uk/classifieds/578827-japanese-shiba-inu-male-puppies-for-sale-boston.html
I have to agree, 11 hours is too long. We have a working Springer. He gets 2 walks a day at around an hour a piece. When the wife was working with her shift patterns he was only left on his own for around 5 hours, I wouldn't want to leave him any more than that tbh.
