Can anyone advise on suitable breed of dog?

[Molesworth]

I was going to put more detail in the title, but this newfangled mumsnet cuts the end off, so here goes.

I live in a flat in central London with no garden and I'd like to get a dog. I've been investigating the idea of a greyhound, and someone is coming to do a home check tomorrow, but I am fairly sure I'll be refused because the two storeys of my flat are connected by a steel spiral staircase, which I know a grey would struggle with. There is a way round this (using the main shared staircase) but it would probably be a bit awkward.

So my question is, which type of dog could I get if not a grey?

I'm after a companion dog for me because I'm at home on my own a lot of the time (studying and working part-time for my partner's business), so the dog wouldn't be left alone much (although it would be nice to be able to pop out to the shops or to the occasional appointment for up to 2 hours without needing a dog sitter). We don't have young children (two teenagers) or other pets. I enjoy walking and we live near parks and have access to a large communal garden in the nearby square (less than a minute's walk from my front door).

I'd rather have an adult rescue dog than buy a puppy from a breeder.

Given the choice I prefer dogs from the hound group.

Although I enjoy walking, I would prefer a dog with a low-medium exercise requirement.

I'm quite keen on the idea of training classes (as much for me as the dog) and don't mind grooming, although generally would prefer not to have to contend with tumbleweeds of fur on a daily basis.

I have a friend with a Staffie who happily lives in a flat and bowls up and down my spiral stairs when he visits, and Battersea Dogs Home is full of Staffies, but am resistant to the idea of a terrier, although I could be persuaded.

Any thoughts?

Piffle, when you say lots of outdoor time, do you mean more than 2 hours of walks per day? Or are you including playing in the garden etc?

I do worry that I am being unrealistic and/or selfish, but I'm relying on the rescue centre people to judge whether a dog would be happy and healthy here.

Don't discount all terriers. We have a Maltese Terrier x Cavalier King Charles and she would be great in a small flat.

She was house trained fairly quickly, needs one longish walk a day, does not shed and is very affectionate.

Advantage with a small dog is that you can pretty much take them anywhere. We live in Switzerland and we can even take her into cafes and shops here. You might be more limited in UK.

Obviously I don't know how hard she will be to train, but she can already sit and lie down, she walks well on the lead, even staying to heel sometimes.

She sounds lovely MmeL!

Must admit my first thought was a toy sized dog (seemed the logical choice for city/flat life). I can see that a very small dog would be easier in terms of portability (Paris Hilton stylee ).

I adore sighthounds but honestly, I'm just after a doggy who would be happy and healthy here, hence this thread

Irish Terriers are Fab!They love being with humans and travelling,and will curl up or sit and stare at you whilst you work.They can need some patience to train.They are friendly,loyal and prob do hold a grudgeThe females are more relaxed around other dogs.They love sleeping on the bed.We have one..she is fab with children too.

Does she need 5 bazillion hours of exercise per day dooby?

No.That is another fab thing.The females are pretty easy going.Every now and then they like to have a good rampage[mad run around]but they are fine if they are not walked far every single day.

Thanks dooby (and everyone else!) for your replies - you have given me lots of food for thought. Obviously I'll see what the home check woman says tomorrow re a greyhound, but if she doesn't think we're suitable I will definitely look at getting a smaller dog.

I live just off a garden square and I can see a smaller dog loving running around and playing in the garden there, whereas a grey might not be safe to let off the leash at all.

[thoughtful emoticon]

We had a rescue greyhound years ago.It ran very,very fast in a straight line when we let it off....and then some days later ran awayWe found him though.

Arrrgh! How on earth did you find him? If that happened here it would mean almost certain death

Well,fortunately people in the town took him in and phoned us..he was wondering round their garden.I think he missed his kennel mate[another greyhound]he was from a greyhound rescue place and was used to being with others.

How about a whippet? Similar in temprement to a greyhound but shorter legs may cope with stairs better?

I have a grey and they're lovely dogs. Could you just have the dog downstairs? My dog isn't allowed upstairs.

The home check lady has just left (along with her gorgeous greyhound and Jack Russell) and she gave a big thumbs down to the spiral stairs, as expected. Tbh Frank (her grey) struggled a bit with the main staircase, let alone the spiral one! In her opinion a whippet would also have problems with the spiral stairs and she advised me to go to Battersea and get a smaller, stockier dog.

Her dog is absolutely GORGEOUS and made himself at home on the rug next to my desk

Oh, so sorry. Maybe best to visit Battersea as she says and see if you fall in love with an individual dog rather than a breed, but voiding terriers. How about a chihuhua?

avoiding. sorry my a sticks.

Thanks stripey, I'm going to get in touch with Battersea D H this coming week and take it from there. Not too disappointed because I knew it was a long shot really.

I will definitely get a couple of greyhounds when I move out of London though!

Battersea is a fabulous place and the staff really know their stuff so I am sure they will get you kitted out with a perfect companion in no time!

All the best

Thanks Bella, will report back with any news. I'm so excited

I'm excited for you, Molesworth! We got our old girl from Battersea and you could not wish for a better dog. A lot of people say they couldn't go there (to Battersea) because they'd want to take them all, but our girl chose us and she's fab.

It's funny you should use the word 'broody' Bella, because that's exactly what it's like - I think there might be an element of 'empty nest syndrome' in my rationale for getting a dog tbh (my kids are 15 and 17 now). Not sure if that's a good or bad reason for wanting a pet really

lol Molesworth - when my dc leave home I shall be filling my home with as many dogs as will fit!

Update: I've invited by dog-owning friend round so I can pick his brains, ordered a couple of books to read about all things canine, and looking at the weather every morning and asking myself "would I really want to go out in that?". It's so tempting to rush down to Battersea but I'm frightened of making too hasty a decision.

I'm so sorry you weren't approved for a grey - I've had one they are the best. I am also a hound lover (bred and showed Afghans with my parents), such an elegant shape and generally affable.

Good luck in your hunt for a suitable match at BDH.

G'day Marmaduke - how you doing?

Any word on your pup yet?

Oh, and what I originally meant to say was;

Sensible to think about it long & hard, Molesworth, as you are doing. Gawd knows I would have 50 of the furry things if I could, but you need to be 100% sure you are ready.

Very best of luck anyway

Thanks marmaduke and bella

I'm wondering if there's any such thing as a small dog with a fairly docile temperament. I really don't want a snappy, yappy little thing that's going to bark at everything, which seems to rule out most small breeds!