I don't mean to be be rude but you don't sound like you know a lot about dogs / puppy's which isn't a problem as most people don't if they haven't got a dog before  but I would seriously think about it first
It's a 6 - 10 year commitment if your a wrk dog owner and not a dog if the moment owner

If it's a puppy you might find that as soon as you leave the room it will howl for you 
And even older unsocialised dogs will/ can do  do this especially if they haven't been socialised properly

I've worked from my flat in the past with one of my dogs and clients  never mentioned it
But in my flat he is only allowed in the living room and not upstairs / bedroom but he his very well behaved and trained

I have a 10 week old French mastiff due to losing two of my dogs this year and while he is adorable he is  bloody hard work

I took two weeks of work when I got him because it really is like having a baby 24/ 7
Feeding 4 times a day 6.30,  11 am, 4 pm , and 9pm  , at present he is in a large cage in the house until he has his last injection then he will be out with my other dogs  but if he is not tired then he will howl until let out and can sit with someone

The most critical time for socialising a puppy is between 8 and 16 weeks this means plenty of different dog meetings , puppy classes . And even if you can't put him on the ground due to not fully vaccinated taking puppy out / carrying him / her around and letting him get used to people / noises if you don't you could end up with a dog with several problems like aggression and anxiety

Pretty much the dog you will have at 3 years old is socialised between this critical period what you do now is essential for a well behaved dog

If it's a puppy they don't need walking for an hour. Rule of the thumb is 5 mins or so for every month
Walking them to much/ over exercising them  will / can damage there legs / hips

If it's your first puppy please get a book ( any book) on looking after puppies/ dogs it's not as simple as getting a dog walker and a crate to keep them in

If it's from an add in the paper/ internet please do some research try to see mum and dad don't take it if it's under 8 weeks old a good breeder will ask you questions

There are a huge amount of back yard /breeders puppy farmers who breed for money ( breeding inbred dogs with lots of inherited problems for money ) google puppy farms 

Some puppy's like Akitas ,French mastiffs, French  bulldogs and bulldogs sell for ?1000 - ?3000 a pup and have litters of 8 plus so there is a huge incentive for breeders to breed and breed

Google the number of where your getting it from see if it's a multiple breeder

I had to travel to Leeds to get my puppy a seven hour round trip. I saw both mum and dad and grandma dogs checked him over thoroughly and spent almost an hour with the breeder asking questions about him/ parents
But even I managed to miss the fact that  he only has one ball dropped ( lol)

Factor in pet insurance which can be cheap ?15 a month or expensive )?60- ?100 a month depending on the breed and known traits  injections , decent pet food can cuts you ?20 ?40 a week if your buying stuff like royal canine I get through 3 bags a week at ?60
Although raw /wet feeding is a lot lot cheaper

But If your insistent on getting a dog / puppy then get one that fits your lifestyle not just the dog you want
Ie if your a lazy person don't get a springer spaniel , lab or a working dog as they need both plenty of physical and mental stimulation and if you don't have the time to do this do then you end up with chewed skirting boards , and shoes and a pissed off landlord if your renting

I agree with everything Paris has said.

I don't have dogs myself but my dad and stepmum are dog people and have quite a few so I am always around dogs.

Seeing pups with mum in the home is a definite must.

Also make sure it is a proper pedigree and not a designer x-breed as the majority of these should not be bred together and you will have endless health problems.

Cloe, I work from home and have a dog, but I always work on the basis that visitors hate or are allergic to dogs. So they don't meet him (this is also a WG/client boundaries issue as pooch is part of private me) and he never goes into the boudoir. I'm also very fussy about doggy smells, hairs, and always let clients know I have a dog.

It works well for me because he's a very laid back creature (a middle aged rescue dog) who spends most of the day snoozing and rarely barks. I would be very wary of taking on a pup whilst working to be honest as it's a lot of work and they will whine (which would be offputting for even dog-loving clients as well as for you). Have you considered taking on an older rescue dog? A good centre will have assessed them so you can stipulate that you need a dog that is happy being left on its own for an hour or two.

If this is your first dog I'd strong recommend you do as much research as possible before you become an owner. Go to training classes and learn to train the dog so you're prepared when he arrives. If you'd prefer to learn at home I'd recommend anything by Dr Ian Dunbar (http://www. dogstardaily.com). Make sure you don't accidentally buy from a "back yard" breeder or puppy farm. Research what you'll be feeding him; mine eats a natural raw meat and veg diet, yet all you will hear about is the processed stuff from major pet food manufacturers! The more research and work you do now the less likely you'll have horrendous problems later. Good luck 





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