[Northendzone]

So my family consists of myself and my wife (we both work full time during the day), my 10 yr old son and 7 yr old daughter and lately the kids are pushing us to get a dog. Our preferred breed is a labradoodle or golden doddle because they don't shed much.

I keep wondering if we are ready for a dog? right now we leave the hosue at 7.15 am and we usually don't get home until 5.15 at the earliest during the week. I'd imagine that next year, my son will be coming home from school by homself at around 3.

for those of you that have dogs and are gone from the house all day what do you do with your dog? lock him up in a room, something outside? put him in his kennel all day?

My concerns with respect to getting a dog are:
* cleaning up after it - I am worried this job will become mine
* giving it excercise int he morning - i like to sleep as late as possible, so does my daughter - son and wife are early risers. although I doubt the wife will want to take dog for walk
* unexpected vet bills - i dread them like an unexpected mechanics bill

I also wonder if there is a certain time of year where it is good to get a dog - part of me wants to wiat until after our summer vacation because then we don't have to kennel the dog.

Other thoughts about dog ownership.

P.S. I hate the sound of dogs barking, so I'd like to think I'll be a responsible pet owner.