I would not leave a dog unattended for the day if I had a choice, but if you get a big enough pet crate and put paper down a dog CAN be left unattended for up to fifteen hours. Do not ask me how I know that; suffice it to say it was not my call or I would have made a different one. If you have a roommate or two who will be home at some point and can take the dog out, that obviously changes things greatly. Good luck and God bless with it.

Remember: Adopt from a shelter and preferably get a mix-breed, because most people want purebreds and mutts consequently tend to be put down more. Failing that, at least go to a breed "rescue" group.