So, DP and I want to get a dog. Definitely not a puppy.
We live in a rented house, so would have to get out landlords permission, which is fine. We are planning on staying here for a good few years, and our landlord is great so I don't envisage a problem there.
However... the house we live in has a sort of 'communal' garden set up. We live on a row of 6 houses, which each has their own long thin garden; each garden is split into section by a path which runs along the back of the houses leading to the garages. So, in essence we don't have a 'secure' garden in that sense. One of our neighbours does have a dog, which leads me to believe that it is entirely possible to have a dog with this kind of garden set up...
But I also know that rescues like you to have your own secure, fenced garden. Is there any chance a rescue would home to us? If not, are there any alternatives to rescues for getting an adult dog? As I said, we don't want a puppy, but nor do I want to get a dog from somewhere dodgy!!
Thanks :)
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
Would I be laughed out of a rescue?
KateBeckett · 10/06/2012 13:12
Kate, if you would like to know more about the joys of living with a greyhound, come over to the thread called "A New Cushion For Pointies" - you'll find us all on there, who can share the joys of living with a sighthound.
Many (not all) greyhound rescues would be rightly cautious about rehoming where there is no secure garden. This is for very good reasons. Ex racers are incredibly quick, can jump easily over a 5ft fence and some will still have a high prey drive meaning they will want to chase any neighbourhood cat. Being very fast, they will be able to catch it. Obviously, it is not in the interest of the cat, you or the charity for this to happen, which is why the requirement for secure fencing, along with the dog's safety. The fact that there are many hounds in rescue does not mean that rescues will shove them anywhere that asks.
However, this is not a purely black and white issue. If you were prepared to make sure greyhound only went out on lead, even for late night toilet breaks, this might work. It might also work with a greyhound who had a very low prey drive or was cat friendly - these sorts of hounds are around. There is no blanket rule for rescues - each tends to make its own guidelines. Take a look at your local ones, or give them a call and have a chat. They certainly will not laugh at you - they will in fact respect the fact that you are doing your homework and trying to be a responsible dog owner who considers the welfare of your dog and the convenience of your neighbours - an excellent start! 
I'd also endorse the point about them fitting well into a smaller house - as long as there's a comfy spot for them to lie in, they make very peaceful housemates. Also don't forget there's a surprising variety of size. Our two males are enormous, yet our darling bridge girl was petite and dainty and not much bigger than a whippet. She weighed 24 kg whereas the two boys are 32kg and 36kg.
Whereabouts in the UK are you? Happy to suggest some good rescues if you need a hand.
Before approaching any greyhound type rescues you'd prob help your own case no end if you could clearly identify any local tennis courts, parks, secure fields etc where the dog could have a safe daily run.
Luckily there is such a space in the small park just behind my block of flats so even if I have flu or summat so can't make it all the way to the main parks the dog still gets enough of a run to be happy iyswim. The space is visible out of my living room window but if it hadn't been I'd have marked it on google maps to show a home checker.
I was asked about where the dog would get a free run each day (we have no garden at all). Pointies do need 2 x 20 mins opportunities to just RUN each day in a safe place, (though they may choose to have a meandering sniff around & then a sunbathe they still appreciate the offer 
). On lead street walks, while nice, just aren't the same.
Also bear in mind that if you don't have a secure garden you WILL have to be prepared to do the midnight & 6 am toilet trip 365 days a year. I would avoid a puppy.
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