Do you think this is the right dog for us?

[CommunistLegoBloc]

I would love to get a dog. We own our own home, have a 30ft garden and are near a big park. We are also within driving distance of lots of lovely rural walks, although we do live in the city. I work from home, but there is a possibility of (flexible) work that would take me out of the house in the future. DP works a lot, but shifts. If we were both to be out of the house I would arrange a walker, but it's unlikely at the moment. I can't foresee being out of the house all day, for example, although there will always be the odd day when things crop up. What do people do then?

I've been looking at rescue greyhounds or lurchers. I definitely want a rescue dog, and also don't want a puppy. I like greyhounds because they're beautiful and they are advertised as cuddly and lazy! I've been told they are quite low-maintenance as dogs go - is this true? I also keep being told they like to sleep on sofas and in your bed - I'm sure I'll love my dog but that might be a bridge too far...

Basically I want a dog that is soppy and loyal but who likes a good bound about the park. Does a greyhound sound right, or is there another breed I should be looking at? Am I missing any important points? I'm sure I am. I want to research breeds and make a sensible decision but there's a lot of information and it's all a bit overwhelming. I had a dog as a child but this would be my first in adulthood.

Thanks so much for getting through this :)

Here's my grey in bed with her toys (bad angle, she's quite slinky really )

All your dogs are beautiful! Went to see two today - I really connected with one but the rescue said she needed to be rehomed to people with experience. Fair enough but she was lovely. Second one was just very...introverted I suppose. Stood still off the lead, stood still when toys were thrown, no response when stroked. I just couldn't bond with him at all :( Do you think I should still be considering him? I feel really mean.

You'll know when you find 'your' dog. I walked a few dogs at the greyhound rehoming place I went to, and I don't really know why I ended up with mine, it just felt right.

Their personality comes through more the longer you have them. Mine is a lot cheekier than I first thought, and she enjoys playing now (she just didn't know how to do it at first). She was always friendly and affectionate with people from the start though.

Don't beat yourself up if you didn't feel a connection with the dogs you've met so far. You're embarking on a (hopefully) long relationship so you might need to meet a good few dogs - or have a few meetings with the same dog - before you find the one that fits you, and that you fit.

I agree, you'll know when its right. With ddog1 we weren't going to have a puppy, and we certainly weren't going to have one just before christmas. So we went to see 6 month old ddog in mid December... and when ds got down and called him and he bounded over that was it! We knew he was right.
Ddog2 we def, def, def weren't getting a puppy. 10 weeks I looked at him on fb before dh just rang up and arranged for us and ddog1 to meet him. Again, we knew as soon as we met him.

Theres a lot of dogs out there, so theres no rush

We went to see the introverted dog yesterday as he was playing on my mind and DP liked the sound of him. He bounded over and wagged his tail! He's shy and gentle but I think there's a lot of potential there. DP was smitten. The dog is everything I secretly didn't think I wanted physically, but he's actually very beautiful and just so quietly adoring once you start to have a little bond. I think we might be falling in love with him - how strange that my first reaction was negative. I couldn't stop thinking about him though, and I didn't really know why.

I'll let you know if we get him! I'll need so much help :) Also name suggestions - the rescue gave him one and he doesn't know it and it's rubbish! Thank you all, again.

OP your update brought a tear to my eye! So happy to hear he's worming his way into your heart

I think he did affect you more than you realise the first time - he was the one you kept thinking about. He sounds lovely - I'm looking forward to your next update.

Here is our ELGR beauty, i am totally in love with the galumphing goofball!

Your update is lovely and I hope that beautiful boy is right for you. Our girl was really timid when we got her, she had been rehomed once and, we think, badly shouted at, it didn't take her long to realise we were soft not going to shout! She is amazing and very lazy!

Oh, he sounds lovely OP! Sounds like there's a lot of personality just waiting for the right people to bring it out of him. So if it turns out not to be you, don't fret, he'll find his family as he sounds fab (I hope it turns out to be you though )

My dog had a DREADFUL name - it nearly put me off her (I know, I know...). The kids and I had a lovely time choosing a new name for her and she learned it within 30 minutes (I think she hated her old name too).

I like lurchers as I think they have a lot of character. Here's my scruffy ELGR rescue lurcher, she is amazing, cuddly, friendly, good in the car, good at night, never chews anything, okay to be left (although only for up to 2 hours so far...my work is getting suddenly busy so I'm trying doggy day care this week for the first time). Only prob with getting a puppy is you don't know how big they will turn out..mine is growing rather scarily big, 12.9kg at 18 weeks...

beautiful doggies

About names, I think names with an "EE" sound in them are good, like

Barney, Ruby, Billy, casey, whatever

My dog is a "Ruby" (but of an overused name for dogs these days" but it is a good clear name to call out, if that makes sense. Dog probably just hears "OOO-EEE"

Yes mines an Ivy so another oooeee here too!

Whatever name you choose, imagine yourself bellowing it across a park full of people and see how you'd feel. I vetoed DD's suggestion (Twinkle) for that reason .

some dogs are hesitant at first 'meet' especially if they are in a rescue and had been meeting and greeting potential owners
I think greys and lurchers are among the most sensative and loyal of dogs - once they latch onto you they really open up
my lurch - who is a cross with a border collie which matches well with a greyhound
this was him at 4-5 years old - he is now 12 and slowed down a lot but as others have said they are gorgeous dogs, he rarely barks, not demanding and sleeps on his 'own' bed.

aaah - should not have looked on the EGLR site - that lovely lurcher Maxwell - who could resist him and he was so mis-treated when he went to rescue

We've reserved him! Name suggestions definitely needed! So excited. I like human names but not ones that are too 'doggy' like Rex etc.

I'm so pleased I went back for a second look :)

Aww, great news. I know quite a few dogs called quite manly names at the moment like Stanley, Fred, Harry etc. Best of luck, he sounds lovely x

Fantastic!

Congratulations!

Archie?

my favourite male dog names especially for hounds:
Bertie
Ollie
Freddie
and Archie
hope you enjoy your new hound (grey or lurcher they are fabulous dogs) and do post a picture for us when you have him home.

Great news. We need a photo in order to suggest a name. Fact.

Today i met a lady with her 9 week old whippet puppy, it was the most beautiful little creature i have ever seen apart from goofdog and he climbed in my handbag!
I have been swooning all afternoon!

(Sorry for derailment but i knew you lot would appreciate my excitement!)

Gorgeous dogs and great news OP. I'm not shamelessly lurking for more pictures. No. I'm not!