I think I may have finally persuaded DH to get a dog 
It won't be for a number of months yet due to events coming up in the next few months and needing to secure our garden etc etc, plus we want to have time to do lots of research. Plus as DH isn't 100% convinced, I want to make sure we're doing the right thing.
Anyway, a few of our friends have recently bought puppies, and by this I mean they have seen them advertised, gone there and come home with a puppy, all within about 24 hours. From the research I have done over the last few weeks, mainly on MN, I am seeing this isn't a good thing! In all honesty I thought that unscrupulous breeders and puppy farms all went out in the early 1990s and I am naively shocked.
So, we are now thinking rescue. I have had dogs before, he hasn't. I am more open to lots of breeds where as DH is a bit nervous of larger dogs really so I think that we would be looking for a small to medium sized dog, which is a shame as it means we can't rehome a greyhound. Although I don't want to approach this with a 'shopping list' of requirements, I want to make sure we have some idea of what breeds would be suitable for us so that we can be realistic as I know full well if left to my own devices I would leave the rescue centre with any dog that looked at me with sad eyes. I don't want to go along with a specific dog in mind as I know we would be matched by the needs of the dog, but want to have some idea what we are looking at.
So, where do we start? I've seen lots of advice saying to research breeds, but where is a good place to find out the necessary info? What else do we need to consider? Ive found lots of websites for rescue centres and read through all the info on there but wonder if there is anything else we should be doing?
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
Getting a dog and would like some advice please
blinkedandmissedit · 30/10/2012 22:05
I am working on him with the greyhounds (and lurchers!). He's not scared of them I don't think but thinks they're too big for our house - we have a 3 bed semi so not tiny. I've always been drawn to not perfect looking, not sure what they are kind of dogs, rather than cutesy pedigree or designer cross types.
Wonder if I can work on the grehounds 
Your local greyhound rescue will probably be happy for you and DH to take dogs for a walk and get to know them.
Full disclosure: we have two, a sedate 10-year-old duchess and a livelier boy of 4.
They are wonderful with kids (including our toddler and her friends) take up no room in the house as they're so chilled and curl up small, and are the easiest, sweetest and most rewarding dogs for busy families.
When we dogsit for my friend's - well behaved - JRT, it's the equivalent of having 5 greys in the house!
There are obv loads of other wonderful dogs who will I'm sure be a great addition to your family but please take your DH to meet some greyhounds and see what he thinks.
Whatever you decide congratulations! The only thing better than a dog is two dogs
Congratulations! Not only for getting a dog 
but for being a responsible dog owner and thinking carefully about responsible and ethical sourcing.
Firstly, greys do vary quite a bit in size - bitches are usually a little bit smaller than the boys. For instance, to give you a feel, we are currently a four greyhound household - they vary in weight between about 24kg and up to about 38kg. The biggest male has a 30" coat, the smallest female has a 26" coat and can even wear a whippet bandana. It's also worth bearing in mind that even the large greyhounds make very easy houseguests since all they require is a comfy sofa where they can snooze upside down with all four legs in the air and their tongue hanging out at a comedy angle. Something like a JRT might be tiny, but it would be "on the go" all day long and would need masses more stimulation/entertainment/mischief and mayhem. You would be very much more aware of its presence.
Lurchers vary even more as it depends a lot on the non greyhound parent - what might suit very well is a whippet/grey cross, or you could go all out for a whippet - adorable dogs, very similar to a greyhound in temperament but just smaller. Scruples Whippet Rescue is the best known and very reputable national rescue for them. For lurchers, many greyhound charities will have them or you could go to Lurcher Link - again very reputable, and with some really knowledgeable people.
If you'd like to mention where in the UK you are roughly we can point you at some lovely sighthound charities. Also, you'd be very welcome if you take a stroll over to the thread on Greyhounds, whippets and other pointies - lots of us sighthound folk over there who are very happy to answer any questions/brainwash you into Grab-a-grund.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.