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The doghouse

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Original poster

Would I be laughed out of a rescue?

20 replies

KateBeckett · 10/06/2012 13:12

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 :)

OP posts:

EdgarAllenPimms · 10/06/2012 13:16

i would try a greyhound rescue (although i always say that!)

they usually have so many dogs that they will not apply blanket rules. also if you are limited for space, a dog that likes sleep that much is ideal...

be brave - they can only say no.

TheMonster · 10/06/2012 13:17

We got a dog when we had a communal garden. The rescue was pleased with large amount of space available.

tharsheblows · 10/06/2012 13:21

EdgarAllenPimms - we're thinking of a greyhound rescue. Do you know much about them? I was going to pm you but thought it would be a bit stalkery...

tharsheblows · 10/06/2012 13:22

(Kate, sorry for the hijack! Good luck with the dog search. :) )

Original poster

KateBeckett · 10/06/2012 13:23

Edgar My ideal dog would be a greyhound! However, from what I've read, don't they need gardens with 5ft high fences?? And a lot of room? Our house isn't huge, so although I would love a grey, I was resigning myself to something smaller!

Body it's not communal as such - there are no fences or anything, but each house definitely has their own 'patch' iyswim?

OP posts:

EdgarAllenPimms · 10/06/2012 13:28

to be honest, what i know is: they really need to home those dogs. rescue greyhounds make usually very undemanding pets which slot in easily - they are often used to long periods in kennels if ex-racers. they don't need much exercise. they like sleep. they have beautiful soulful eyes....

it's not 'my' breed but as most people don't think of them (but go straight for lab/GSD/ etc whether or not their household is actually suitable) it is always worth putting the idea there.

I am going to have to refer you to google i'm afraid for better info!

Ormiriathomimus · 10/06/2012 13:32

I suspect that checking with your neighbours is more important to start with. Would they be OK with a dog potentially running around in 'their' gardens. Is the entire area fenced and secure?

Original poster

KateBeckett · 10/06/2012 13:37

Hmmm well they all seem accepting of the dog that we do have on the row, a few of them feed her titbits and help out if needed etc... obviously I would have to talk to them about it but from what I've seen I don't think they would mind!

OP posts:

Original poster

KateBeckett · 10/06/2012 13:38

I suppose our other option would be to fence off the first 'portion' of our garden before the path to the garages... though it's not a large area...

OP posts:

Incaminka · 10/06/2012 13:38

Have a chat w the neighbours with a dog and ask them how they manage, as they seem to have made a success of it.

CalamityKate · 10/06/2012 13:43

WRT size, I've lived in a small flat with a large Lurcher and you wouldn't have known he was there half the time. Total couch potato and very easy to live with.

Whereas a small, yet busy dog can seem to "fill" a house far more.

Scuttlebutter · 10/06/2012 14:34

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.

Original poster

KateBeckett · 10/06/2012 15:22

Wow, thanks scuttle! We are near Leeds. I will definitely check out that thread :)

OP posts:

TheCunnyFunt · 10/06/2012 16:17

Kate! I wondered where you'd gotten to!

Definitetly come see us on the pointy cushion for a chat :)

Original poster

KateBeckett · 10/06/2012 16:56

:D hello! I got waylaid by a house move and new job and stuff! Still not sure we've got room for a pointy, but but but!

OP posts:

doggiemumma · 10/06/2012 17:00

just a thought - if you do go for a dog, and i do hope you do :) make sure you tell the rescue that there is a second dog in the communal garden as some dogs have issues with other dogs and would not be suitable.

TheCunnyFunt · 10/06/2012 17:28

Kate don't forget, you could go for a whippet or small lurcher, GRWE have grunds, whippys and Lurchers, they rehome all over the country! Whippys are equally beautiful to grunds and lurchers come in all shapes and sizes.

TheMonster · 10/06/2012 19:11

Katebeckett, we are near Leeds too. I can tell you some kennels to avoid.

OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 10/06/2012 19:17

We got our terrier from battersea and we lived in a third floor flat. They are a bit of a nightmare to home from IME (won't home with kids) but the lack of garden wasn't an issue.
Greyhounds are lovely.

bochead · 10/06/2012 19:45

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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