Considering getting a dog......never had one before!

[BaconAndAvocado]

Thinking about getting a rescue dog, about 1 year old.

Not sure about breed, but like the look of lurchers, greyhounds and beagles (LOVE beagles but guessing not many rescue dogs are beagles)

I work every morning at the moment but am going to decrease my hours in September.

Any pearls of wisdom for a first time dog owner?

As a first time owner I think you'd be better going with the temperament of a particular dog rather than getting too hang up on breed. Of course there are breed characteristics, and yes beagles are usually hard work, but then there are also individual exceptions so you never know. A good rescue will consider your circumstances and experience before matching you with the right dog.

Some dog training clubs run classes for non dog owners who are either afraid of dogs or want to learn more about dog behavior. This might be something to look into for your DD?

I grew up with a beagle cross. She was the loveliest, gentlest dog. Safe with tiny bunnies and small children. Recall was not great though, which is typical of beagles. I am a terrier person, not a sight-hound person, ( I like a brainy dog ). Sight hounds are generally laid back and pretty slothful at home, but can be terrible with cats and small furry creatures. They are also built for speed and not stamina, so not the dog for people who walk for hours on end (you need a terrier/gundog/ collie for that). Lurchers really vary depending on what the mix is. Friend has a lurcher who I love. He is part terrier, and absolutely trustworthy with cats/chickens/other dogs. He is a darling. Another friend's lurcher was a baby rabbit killer and would have taken out a cat give the chance though, so if you go for a lurcher get advise from the rescue.

My last two dogs have been from a rescue centre, and I would 100% recommend that you go to your local rescue centre and have a chat with them.. Just like people, no two dogs are the same, even of the same breed. Most greyhounds are lazy lumps, but some are nuts. There are definite trends though. Beagles are often escape artists and have a lot of energy. I volunteered as a dog walker and got a feel for the sort of dog I'd want. Also, by going every day to volunteer, whatever the weather, will give you a true feel of the commitment involved in dog ownership. x

I'd go to a reputable rescue with an open mind. The people there can guide you towards the 'easier for beginners' dogs - am not sure some of the dogs mentioned here, would suit a first timer. But people who work in rescue will know which dogs are laid back/more trained, etc.

Got our dog from Dogs Trust. She cost only £80 and that included her vaccinations (which in themselves cost around that). And also included her spaying (which would cost a LOT more than that). Loads of advice, guidance, info and you had to sit and listen to a really useful talk by one of their behaviourists, the morning we picked the pups up. They also give FREE, lifelong support via trained behaviourists they employ and subsidised training lessons. Our dog's lessons were £10 a time and just very, very good indeed. Also loads of hard info (DVD and book) about training.

If I was a first time dog owner I'd head straight for the Dogs Trust. They will give you loads of sound advice. I'd keep an open mind about breed - just go looking for a dog with the personality you want, that is broadly the right size, let them know how much exercise you can offer, etc and see what they recommend.

Thanks everyone for all your super advice

Now we have to decide if we are going to take the plunge.....

Reading with interest, as I'm also thinking of getting a dog, now I'm working from home. I'm concerned because I don't have a secure garden, and I also have a cat - would both of those make it much harder to get a rescue dog???

We rescued 2 lurchers nearly a year ago and I wouldn't go past them as a breed. Ours will walk as long as you like but are just as happy snoozing on the couch. I work 2 mornings and 2 full days (though DH is home at lunch time) and they are perfectly happy at home. They sleep on the couch all day even if I'm in. Our dd who is 10 was scared of dogs and was wary to begin with but is now fine with them. A lab jumped up at her in pets at home recently and she just laughed. There was a time when she would have been traumatised for days!
Having dogs is a bit of a tie at times but they have added massively to our lives.

whydid that's wonderful that getting your dog helped alleviate your DD's fear. I'm hoping the same will happen to us.

Having dogs is a bit of a tie at times ......this is another reason why we've procrastinated.

I too would keep an open mind on breed. You have chosen 3 breeds there with high prey drives and that as a general rule cannot be trusted off lead and Beagles are off their fucking nuts. You just... I can't even describe them. Think Springer Spaniel but more stubborn. Not a breed for a first time owner imo unless you find an exceptionally calm one. That said, every dog is different.

Chat with a rescue about what you want in a dog. I have two Labradors and they are fantastic dogs but complete polar opposites. Ddog1 is very intelligent, eager to please, friendly with children and other animals, thinks my hamster is a puppy and tries to groom him (and he LETS her!) loves learning new things and trying to decipher my demented gesturing when teaching her a new word, hasn't actually been on her lead all week as she is pretty biddable where it counts, doesn't touch anything she is told to leave alone and is a complete velcro dog. I'm serious, have you ever had to use a public toilet cubicle with a dog sitting between your knees?

Ddog2 is a complete idiot (cries at the open door to be let in), can't be trusted off lead as he doesn't like other male dogs, cannot under any circumstances be left unsupervised with food, pulls on the lead, has no spacial awareness whatsoever and has previously attacked the fan to protect me only to run away and howl in the corner when it fell on him. To his credit he does have immaculate house manners aside from the food thing and never pesters you for anything.

All they have in common is a sweet disposition, love of children and gorgeous ears. It really does depend on the individual dog.

Maudes we had an elderly cat so the Dogs Trust would only let us rehome a puppy, not a fully grown dog. I think this was wise. We went in there fully intending to 'rescue' a grown dog and came out on the Puppy List. It was the best for us. They usually get litters in all the time but keep the puppies separate so only people on the Puppy List get to go and look at them. We waited 8 weeks for a litter to come in and we were told that is the longest they had ever gone without pups at that branch. Usually, they come in all the time.

Much easier to raise a puppy with a cat, than introduce an adult dog.