We are looking for a rescue dog, as young as possible and not too big. Those are our only criteria. However, because we have children it is turning out to be a near-impossible task.
I am looking at rescue centres up to 2 hours away from us, but it seems all we would be considered for is staffies or very old dogs. Pre-dc we adopted an old dog to live out his last years with us, but, at this stage in our lives, we want a dog who will be a bit of a playmate for the dc, and not one they will lose after only a couple of years.
I have been open-minded about staffies but it seems they have such a bad reputation that people may judge us for having one. Someone on here said they wouldn't let their dc come to a house where one lived, and people have talked about other dog owners pulling their dogs away. We are new in this area and don't want anything standing in the way of our dc forming new friendships. Moreover, almost everyone here has a dog but I haven't seen any staffies about, so I assume they are not a popular dog in our area.
I really want a dog but it seems that we could be waiting ages. I can't really justify spending £200 + on a pedigree pup and, anyway, we have always had rescue dogs and feel it's the right thing to do. We just want a mutt really!
Btw, I know I'm being a bit silly and they have to be cautious, but I'm just missing having a dog so much and I know we can provide a great home for one. We are experienced dog owners who would be committed to the dog. Does anyone have any advice for us?
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
Starting to think we are never going to find the dog for us
lecce · 10/07/2013 07:46
My lurcher wears my kids out relentlessly chasing balls and frisbees with them. He's always happy to play, but equally happy to snooze for hours while we're busy. Best of both worlds. 
Surprisingly he is actually got both deerhound and greyhound in him, being a saluki/deerhound x greyhound/border collie. I suspect it's the border collie in him that loves retrieving so much. He has actually just sussed he can throw toys himself at the grand old age of seven and a half 
and it's lovely to watch him revelling in it.
I would definitely have a look at Evesham (ELGR) the have quite a few pups at the moment and they're not all lurchers. Ant and Dec look really cute and are terrier crosses, so most likely to be bags of fun and energy.
We're also on the lookout for a rescue pup that can be homed with a 4 year old - although we really want another lurcher - and I would be in touch with ELGR like shot, but we have a holiday planned in a couple of weeks, so need to be sensible and wait until we get back to start enquiring about specific pups and organising home-checks etc.
I'm a firm believer that the right dog will come up at the right time, so while I do get frustrated having to wait, I'm trying my best to be patient. It's not easy though. 
(By the way, I do get what you're saying about boot space. We have always gone away in our VW camper, so had bags of room - even when we had three dogs. This year it's off the road, so we have to go in our car. Lurcherboy fills the boot, so we've had to fork out to hire a roof box and bars! He's worth it though. )
Thanks everyone - will be looking through all the links/recommendations tonight .
Please consider talking to the Breed Rescues.
Many are happy to home with children, providing there is no problematic history with the dog, and you are responsible owners.
The kennel club provide a site to locate breed rescue contacts here
Or simply look for the Breed Club dealing with your preferred breed, and look at their website for welfare contact details.
Certainly worth talking to them. Pedigrees need rescuing more often than people realise. 
We waited a year to be matched with our rescue lab, he was worth the wait
DBro has two staffies and I won't allow the DC to go there, sadly this is not the fault of the dogs but his shit ownership - two beautiful dogs who have been poorly trained and socialised
We have been after a whippet for ages and on scruples waiting list for even longer . Would love one, didn't want to buy a puppy and they rarely come up in adoption centres (not that we look.... ever much)
OP lots of rescue centres do rehome nationwide if you can be home inspected. We are sort of in the same boat, so good luck
If you want a staffie get a staffie and sod what any potential daily wail frother neighbours may think!
We are going to get a staffie in a few years and bil has said his dd won't be allowed to play at ours
well, that's up to him as her parent but I'm buggered if i will be guilted into not getting the kind of dog i think will be perfect for our family.
My best friend has two lurchers - they are both smaller than whippets, EXTREMELY playful (looks sadly at gnawed handbag), and are wriggly, hairy, adorable norty bundles of joy. Don't forget the term lurcher also includes whippet crosses so size wise you are looking at something of a range from about the size of a Cav up to giant wolfhound/deerhound X (swoons, imagines baronial hall full of hairy giant beasts).
There are lots of whippet lovers here on MN - try Celia Cross Greyhound Rescue - they often have crosses in, or Scruples Whippet Rescue or Hounds First Rescue. Something like a whirrier (whippet/terrierist) x might be perfect for you, or possibly too much of a good thing!
Have a look at Fozzie on the EGLR website - he is only 11 weeks old and is a Collie/greyhound cross, and looks fabulous, and ticks the Child friendly box. The collie bit will give him a bit of stamina and brains, and the grey will provide a calming influence, tone down the brains - i'd imagine he'd be perfect for an active family who'd want to give him plenty to do.
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