Hello. I did not mean to be critical as I know you were asking for advice, but I stand by what I say and that is the dog does not grow to any age and can be left alone, as a dog is a pack animal. In response to the person who said something about people having dogs on the dole, well I take my dog to work with me every day and have only ever had jobs where I could do this.
In fact I now have a criminal record as the dog warden came past my work one day and decided to ticket me for the local bylaw of "dog off a lead" offence while she sat in the garden waiting for me to load my car. There is no winning sometimes with animals.
You become an easy target for scorn when you own a dog. Like a checkout girl or British Rail if yo know what I mean. You have to get to know your dog. I'm sure you will come to realise if you love your dog enough what is right or wrong for them. xx