Should I even be considering a dog ? Dog rescue peeps , advice needed .

[frumpet]

Long story short , we had to have our old dog pts early this year . I am going to be working full-time in the near future , but DH works mainly from home so someone around and days when he was away could pay for dog walker or get a relative to walk mid day . But on the days when DH was away the dog might be alone from 8 until 4 , other than a mid day dog walk.
I would only consider a rescue , but am worried that it might be too stressful for them to be left . Would be looking at getting a slightly older dog anyway and not houseproud so they can spend the day lolling on the sofa .
Just concerned that this all outweighs my own desire for a dog , I want it to be happy .

Sounds fine to me , do you have room on the sofa for a couple of greyhounds ?

As a person who does homechecks for a rescue we'd certainly consider you. Each dog is different and I can think of a couple we've got in foster right now who would be perfectly happy with the odd day of peace and quiet.

Putting on my other hat as a professional dog walker, we offer day care as well as walkies for dogs who are not happy to be left for long periods. This does cost a bit more than just an hour's walk, but not ridiculously more.

You sound perfect. I work from home, and my lurchers are very happy hanging out snoring round the house while I work, and being left for a day with a wee break doesn't worry them on the odd occasion.

Flora don't put ideas into my head , two would keep each other company wouldn't they

Alpaca will have a look round for doggy day care

CMOT Thank you for that

How much exercise on a daily basis does the average lurcher /greyhound need ?

Go and talk to the rescue centres! One dog at a time! Get one settled in and remember that the next one will be different even if it's the same breed. I do home checks too. I think possibly you could provide a happy home for a dog or 2.Check out local training classes, local vet- you have that already. They say a greyhound enjoys 2x20mins walk a day. I know nothing about keeping a greyhound but I love watching them stretch their legs! There are enclosed spaces where you can safely let a greyhound run and run and play.

Oh, oh, greys lie and fart sleep most of the day, interrupted by random zoomies in the house garden

Go and meet some retired racers - they really do make good pets and are very silky.

You set up sounds ok. As you are aware what your set-up is likely to be AND you are not hung up on a breed or puppy, just keep looking until the perfect, laid back hound finds you.

Def look at greyhounds, total couch potatoes with 2 short walks - bred for speed not stamina / endurance and sure there are 2 bonded looking for a home together in a rescue somewhere ......

My lurchers are happy with two 15 minutes off lead runs, if raining they won't go out and certainly don't go off the rails if they don't have any walk due to that. Equally, they are happy to run in the woods or the hills for hours, and run on lead with me.

They really are very low maintenance, but very loving and social. Right now they are asleep upside down in the sun next to one of the cats.

Do you have small children or furries? Then we can show you some lovely dogs meeting your criteria

I went back to work full time about a year after we got our rescue. I worked from home beforehand. I work some weekends and DH only weekdays so that helps but our dog manages fine with being left some days. I'm able to come home and take her out at lunchtime and we make up walks on the days we are around. She's fine but she is an adult and a calm dog. Poor lamb was badly treated before she came to us so she seems grateful to be safe and loved. She would get on perfectly well in the set up you describe.