Hi, I've never posted here before and fully acknowledge that my knowledge is very limited, so please be gentle if I'm being unrealistic!
About me:
- Some experience of training and looking after a puppy;
- Early 20s, married, in a lovely rural location, landlords are lovely and absolutely fine with dogs (and we plan to stay where we are for as long as they'll let us), DH indifferent to dogs (likes them but doesn't want to clean up sick), no DC planned;
- Currently home most of the day, but hoping to start teacher training in Sept 2015 so time at home will reduce then;
- Whatever happens, will be getting up very early to run before work and certain that I can commit to an evening walk as well;
- Can afford insurance, food, etc;
- Currently own a parrot but want one more pet, which will either be a greyhound or another parrot;
- Time with parrots and dog would not need to conflict, as parrots can't have free roam for hours at a time or they get anxious and bitey (nothing to do with how I've trained them - it's a recognised characteristic of the species I own).
From what I've read, it seems like an older retired greyhound would be an excellent fit.
I've read that many rescues don't object to owners working full-time provided that they can meet the dog's needs while at home, and the lifestyle that racing hounds are used to seems to support that view.
My reasons for preferring an older dog (8 or 9 ish) are firstly that I know they are less popular and I'd like to provide a good home for an animal who might otherwise be left in the rescue, and secondly (I know this sounds awful but) I'm well aware that my life could change a lot over the coming decade and I feel more confident about a 5 year commitment than a 10-12 year commitment at present.
If any of the above rings alarm bells, please say! Are there important factors that I haven't considered (e.g. the health implications of taking on an elderly dog which has put some serious wear on its joints during its years on the track, and has spent a very long time on a very specialised diet which may be geared more towards maximising short-term performance rather than long-term health)?
Also, I've read that retired greyhounds can display territorial aggression to people who "invade" their crates, beds, preferred places etc - is this often the case, and can it be overcome?