To not know what to do - dog related

[Dogconfused]

my partner and I want to get a dog but cannot decide between trying to get a rescue or a puppy. Pls can people offer advice/opinions?
we have thought long and hard about the pros and cons of each…
Rescue pros

• helping a dog in need
• helping a charity
• Dog may be less needy than a puppy
• can get clearer idea of dogs character
• cheaper

Rescue cons

• don’t know genetic/health/physical history of dog
• Potentially harder to train than a puppy
• Would be from abroad so (low) risk of parasitic disease (would be tested for these)

Puppy pros

• more choice over what we get and when we get it
• more knowledge of puppies past and parents health etc
• potentially easier to train as stating from young

Puppy cons

• not helping a rescue
• cost is higher
• potentially more needy at beginning

we have given it a lot of thought, but cannot decide what option is best for us (and the potential dog). We are definitely in favour of rescues but want to make sure we get the right dog for us.

for context, we are first time dog owners who have no children or other pets. We have a large garden and live in a town. We enjoy longer walks, paddle boarding, beer gardens etc. We would want a dog to come out and do things with us. We would want a small dog as our car is small.

if we got a rescue it would be from Romania but from a charity with a UK presence and support system. If we got a puppy it would be from a licensed breeder with lots of research into them etc.

Sorry that’s long but didn’t want to drip feed.
all opinions gladly received!!

'Something like 10,000 track dogs are either discarded or "retire" from racing every year in UK and Ireland. Racers retire by age 5 or 6; the greyhound lifespan is 10 to 14. . More get put down in their prime, than rehomed.'

This is just awful sorry to derail the thread but how can this be allowed, why aren't there protests like we had for fox hunting to end racing which leads to so many homeless or euthanised dogs?

Our vet (to be) also suggested a greyhound however it would be too big for our circumstances - we really need a dog that we can pick up

I have to admit that pickupability is the one downside of a greyhound. No way could I pick up our retired racer or lift him in or out of the car . He weighed 37.5 kilos, just under six stone of sleek muscle and legs . That was his old racing weight, and we always maintained it for the sake if his health and joints.

Rescue all the way.
Look at Dogsblog they have dogs from puppy age to older dog.
As first time dog owners I would avoid spaniels,gorgeous dogs but very very high energy and a dog coming into the home will change your lives completely,a high energy spaniel will be learning at warp speed😂.
there is so much to consider,you can look for a pedigree or opt for a cross breed,think about what you want a dog who enjoys a walk and games but is calm in the evenings,a guard dog?a lap dog or a more aloof one?some rescue dogs have issues,not all,sometimes they are there due to divorce or rental ban of pets.
some breeds love to dig holes in the garden,some will jump in water at every opportunity😀.
perhaps a dog aged between two to three years might be a good place to start?
if you find a cross breed they are generally healthier than pedigrees.
they will repay you with endless love and devotion for giving them a home.🐕

We rescued an ex-breeding dog 6 months ago and although she’s beginning to settle now it’s been a hard journey.
However, we had good support from the rescue centre (Wales) and don’t regret it. When you see the hundreds of beautiful dogs and puppies that end up in UK rescues why would you be determined to look abroad for a dog?

Yeah you’re prob right. But untrained and uncontrolled is not what I was talking about.. I mentioned reactive, nervous and separation anxiety. I have neither a doodle or a rescue and would have neither…

Smaller greyhounds do exist - I had a small female who was an ex racer and she was pickup-able.