Just bought a house - can finally get a dog (greyhound), do I need to wait until after my small furry has gone?

[VBisme]

DH and I have finally bought a house. It was agreed that as soon as we stopped renting I could get a dog.

After research I reckon the only dog that we could manage would be a rescue greyhound (we both work days and greyhounds appear to be the only dogs that will be okay on their own for 8 hours at a time - please feel free to let me know if this isn't correct, I'd rather not have a dog than have a dog that was unhappy).

However we have a hamster, she is a lovely, friendly, adventurous little furry and comes out every night for time in her ball and then a run on the sofa with us.

Is it completely impossible for us to get a greyhound whilst the hamster is still with us? (I have a horrible feeling it is). She's been fine in a house with my parents dog, but we kept them seperate (different rooms when the hamster was out and about).

I love my hamster just as much as I would love a dog, she really has a lovely personality so I'm happy to wait if we need to (as in, I'm not about to get rid of the hamster just to get a dog).

Sorry for the long post, I want both, I don't think it's possible, I'm hoping against hope for great stories about greyhounds living happily with hamsters, gerbils, ferrets, rats and cats.......

[Confusedandfedup]

Afraid it would do a Freddie Starr

[superfluouscurves]

Sadly, I think sight hounds with small furries are a bit of a no no.

Hoping for your sake that others think differently though

Couldn't you keep them completely separate though? (Might have to sacrifice a bit of your hamster's liberty to do so and would take a bit of organising, but not impossible I would have thought. Might be a bit stressful for you though.)

[VBisme]

Hmmmm that's what I thought.

Okay, will love the little hamster as long as possible and go looking for something bigger once she's gone.

Thanks for the response.

[Frettchen]

I used to have a hamster in the same house as both cats and dogs. With the exception of one time when the cats knocked the hamster cage off a shelf, it was all fine (hamster survived that event - I heard the scuffle and intercepted, then remembered to keep the door closed from then on). Hamster often came out in her ball and seemed to run directly at the cats!

We never had a greyhound though. I guess they might find a free-roaming hamster rather too much of a temptation, even if in a ball. But if you could get a baby gate and keep them separated while hamster was out, it could be engineered to work.

[tabulahrasa]

Being in the ball wouldn't be a massive issue, they're a bit big to get - not that my last dog didn't try a couple of times (bad hamster owner, I wasn't supervising well enough)

But free roaming on the couch could be a bit much for any dog really.

Also something to consider is that although greyhounds tend to be fairly laidback and happy to snooze away while people are at work if sufficiently exercised at other times...rescue dogs in general are more likely to suffer from separation anxiety which could be tricky and might not be something that would show itself until after you had it. Ex-racers, which a lot of rescue greyhounds are, are quite likely not be fully housetrained and that would be hard to do if you're not actually in. Also, even if it is housetrained, 8 hours is a very long time to go without being able to go out for a pee.

[FuturePerfect]

I'm afraid even cats are not safe with my retired greyhound and my whippet. I know this from grim experience I'm afraid. (Someone else's pet too ). In addition to their natural prey drive, ex racers have had years of being trained to chase fluffy things. Mine chase deer, and have tackled a badger, so a hamster would have no chance. They ARE still the most fantastic animals, though. Of the two, the whippet may make the better pet because the greyhound has all sorts of issues from her past life.

[mistlethrush]

I have managed to get my chinchilla back into the sitting room with my rescued lurcher - she had to go in the dining room for 6 mo though - and the dining room door was made inaccessible with crates and music stands so that the dog couldn't even try to get in to start with. Its taken a while but she rarely notices her now.

[VBisme]

Thank you all for your answers, I am going to wait until the hamster has gone, I wouldn't want to risk any accidents!

tabulahrasa would you mind me asking a couple more questions?

I'd be happy (and able) to take leave & work from home for a couple of weeks after we got a dog, and have had rescue dogs previously so I'm not phased by some mess / damage to doors paintwork etc. But do you think it might take longer than 2 weeks to settle in?

Do you think that the info I've been getting from the greyhound rescue places near us (I've contacted a couple), are over-estimating the amount of time that they can be left in order to place dogs? (I have to say they seemed very responsible).

I only had dogs previously beacuse my ex worked shifts so the dogs were never left for more than 4 hours at a time. I looked long and hard at breeds this time because I know our situation isn't ideal for most breeds, as far as I'm aware greyhounds are the only dogs we can consider.

If being out of the house for 8 hours at a time is a no-no for any dog owning I'd rather not have a dog. I'd hate to think that an animal was in distress, I want a dog because I love animals and dogs in particular, if it's not appropriate, (given our work commitments) I'd rather not put a dog in that situation.

If anyone could clarify the point I'd be grateful. (Again, sorry for the long post - I'm just appreciative that everyone on the doghouse forum will have had to learn patience )

[Frettchen]

Do you have a secure garden and would you be willing to put in a dogflap so the dog could have access to the garden whilst you're at work?

[VBisme]

Big back garden with yew hedges (2m) both sides and a wall at the bottom - I have never heard of a dog flap, the property is grade 2 listed so I think we'd need to check, but as far as I'm concerned we's be glad to do it.

[LadyTurmoil]

you could also think about a trusted neighbour/friend who could let the dog out during the day and/or take it for a walk. Another alternative is to pay a dog walker to do it

[tabulahrasa]

A dog flap big enough to fit a greyhound is pretty blooming big, lol - I mean, I'm pretty sure I could fit through one.

I think... 2 weeks isn't really that long, I mean, they'll be able to assess dogs, they may well have had them in foster care and have a really good idea of the personality of the dog as well, but sometimes issues start to appear a month or so down the line.

From what I know ex-racers actually do tend to be fine to be left - but it was just to let you know that it can be an issue.

The 8 hours though, I personally think it's way too long without a toilet break - but if you can work round that somehow, either with access to outside or a dog walker or even just someone popping in to let it out, it's not a deal breaker, I don't think.

[LadyTurmoil]

you could also think about a trusted neighbour/friend who could let the dog out during the day and/or take it for a walk. Another alternative is to pay a dog walker to do it

[celestialsquirrels]

No dog should be left for 8 hours during the day at all I don't think. Certainly not on a daily basis. I think either you accept that you are going to have to find a friend to take it out every lunch time, or pay a dog walker, or not get a dog.

Greyhounds are sociable creatures. I also think it would be lonely being left all day.

Just my 2p worth.

[VBisme]

We have moved into a very small community, where most people have dogs and / or horses.

I'm sure that once we get to know them one of the neighbours will be happy to pop in and let the dog out. Otherwise my parents are 15 minutes away and love dogs, I just don't want to rely on them - finding a walker is a great idea.

If not I think we will be able to "borrow" the neighbours dogs for an early morning walk or a stroll after supper.

[ILikeToClean]

I work 2 days a week and have a lovely dog walker who comes in and takes dog for a walk, plays with him etc for an hour, £10 per day. He is only left for 2.5 hours a time though but is a puppy. Older dog could be left for longer. Obviously a kindly neighbour would be great, but good to have a back up plan. I think also it would be fine with the hamster as long as you keep them separate, i.e when hammy comes out for his "play" then dog must be kept elsewhere just for that short time, then hammy goes securely back in his cage (maybe rehome him upstairs or a room which is completely out of bounds for dog). Depends on the logistics and layout of your house, but I think it's doable. Good luck, greyhounds are so sweet!

[mrslaughan]

My friend who works, her 2 staffies go to her parents during the day - she walks them before and after work, and they chill with her parents during they day..... Is that a possibility?

[mistlethrush]

I think that if you got someone to come round, even to let it into the garden for 20 mins, your position would not be unreasonable, provided you could offer a good walk first thing and a trip out later. You might want to consider two rather than one though as they'll keep each other company a bit during the day.

[Scuttlebutter]

I homecheck for a couple of greyhound charities. Put bluntly, we would NOT home a dog with you if you wanted to leave it for eight hours and no reputable charity would. A home check would want to look at the precise timing arrangements - many people in full time work are out for considerably longer by the time travelling is taken into consideration.

What we would consider is that you had made proper arrangements for the care of the dog while you are at work - this could include a paid dog walker, doggy day care, regular visits by family or neighbour etc. But these arrangements would need to be demonstrably thought through and costed if you were using professionals.

A dog flap for a greyhound is not a good idea - firstly, it would be so big your house would be open to burglars, secondly your dog is vulnerable to theft if left unattended in your garden. Sadly, greyhounds are often attractive to certain categories of thieves.

Bear in mind that greyhounds while working spend their entire lives with other hounds - so can often find the transition to being a solo dog difficult. It's much easier when there is someone around at home all day to provide company and stimulation. I am very much in favour of multi hound households for this reason, particularly if your hound was being left for such big chunks of time. Even greyhounds who are chilled out and relaxed are sociable creatures who enjoy company during the day and thrive on plenty of attention/dog training/exercise etc.

If you don't have the time or the lifestyle to commit to a dog full time, there are lots of ways you can get involved though. Most greyhound charities will be glad of volunteers for dog walking etc or there's the Cinnamon Trust etc.

[VBisme]

Thanks Scuttlebutter for being so frank, and I appreciate that your advice comes as an "expert" in rehoming greyhounds.

I had initially thought that we wouldn't be able to have a dog, but the 2 greyhound rescue centres I spoke to in the area (North of England) didn't think it would be a problem. I have been told a number of times that older greyhounds will sleep 16 hours a day, but maybe they're over keen to rehome. (Which is understandable, but not great from the dogs point of view).

We could definitely get my parents to pop in occasionally and as I said possibly neighbours, but I wouldn't want to hold anyone to a daily schedule.

So it looks like no dog unless I can get a dog walker to come out to the back of beyond and afford £250 a month to cover it. I'll see if I can find someone local, but financially it's a big stretch given the new house situation.

Thanks very much for all the advice, it's been very helpful.

[Scuttlebutter]

I'm sorry, VB that I couldn't be more positive, as I am quite loopy about greyhounds (and other sighthounds in general), and think in general that no home is complete without a sofa full of them. Yes, they are very laid back, and they do spend a lot of time sleeping - ours are champion snoozers but they are still dogs - sociable, social creatures who are in need of company and thrive on a routine which includes exercise and stimulation.

I've had a really busy day today work wise (I work from home) and all four have had their daily walk but I've not done nearly so much of the other stuff - grooming, clicker training and just general attention/having fun. I'm now getting the hairy eyeball from several of them (we have four, so in theory they entertain each other) and one is now parked about 3 ft away from me staring at me intently with the "Where's my clicker?" expression.

[VBisme]

I'm sorry, VB that I couldn't be more positive, don't worry, I'd rather have the truth. I appreciate you taking the time to post.

I haven't given up completely, DH and I are busy searching the dogs walkers and doggy day care in the area, there are a suprisingly large number around!

I take your point about the social requirements of dogs, so we need to think long and hard whether we could commit to 2 dogs.

Have fun with your hounds!

[mistlethrush]

A laid back lurcher might be a slightly smaller option than a second grey

If you had two, I don't know what Scuttle thinks, but you might get away with someone coming to let them out for a break in the garden for 30 mins rather than a full walk (although a walk would be better).

They do like sleeping a lot - and mistlehound has got quite used to slouching on the sofa most of the day and evening - but she was out first thing, taken out by a walker at lunchtime (I've heard she ran around most of the over an hour she was out) and spent an hour outside with DS and me when we got home - and done some playing this evening with various toys.

DH is at home (working - which explains the walker) which has made things so much easier adopting her - it probably took at least 2 - 3 months before she was fairly safe in terms of housetraining as she'd never been in a house before we got her and thought that you did things inside, not out.... So, 2 weeks wouldn't have sorted that out with her.

[cinnamongreyhound]

Interesting scuttlebutter, when I got Nelly I told then rescue place that I was working and out 10hrs a day and they let me have her. She had my three cats as company and I took a fortnight off when I got her and built up time left.

I disagree about ex-racers not being housetrained, I have only had two but both have been perfect in the house.

[Scuttlebutter]

10 hours

That's a long time.