Am I mad considering getting a dog?

[cottonwool125]

I’ve been thinking for a good few months that I would like to adopt a rescue dog. I’ve been researching breeds, looking at different options (e.g whether to rescue or get a puppy). I think I’ve finally settled on the idea that I would like to adopt a retired racing Greyhound. I’ve always loved Greyhounds, and after researching their temperament, behaviours and ‘lifestyle’, I think a Grey would be the perfect dog to fit in with my family.

However, I have a few concerns. I don’t want to jump into anything too quickly (even though I think my heart has been set). I have done lots of research online, however I wanted to ask some opinions from those who have perhaps owned Greys, or just dogs in general!

I have never owned a dog before. I have been around animals a lot growing up, however- my grandparents have always had dogs (albeit tiny terrier types!).

I live in a 2 bedroomed house, and I am allowed one dog or cat, as long as I let my landlord know in advance through writing, so don’t think this’ll be an issue. My house is a fairly good size- nothing fancy, but a decent size. I have a relatively large living room, kitchen and bedroom. I have a fully enclosed garden, with high fences. It’s not a big garden, admittedly. Maybe 10 metres from back of the house to the fence? (I’m awful at estimating sizes so this may be completely out! ). Grassy area as well as some patio/pavement. I live on a quiet estate, not too close to any main roads. There is a specially designated dog exercise area about a 15 minute walk away from my house.

I work 16 hours per week, normally split into 3 4-6 our shifts. The rest of the time, I am at home, or at places where the dog could accompany me. Would this be too much time to leave a dog alone?

I would be able to commit to 2 walks a day, no problem. I’ve read that Greyhounds don’t need particularly long walks- would a 20 minute walk and a 30 minute walk be enough on a day where I am at work? On my days off, I will be able to take the dog for longer walks if needs be (even though they are famously lazy )

Now, this is the part where I am unsure. I have a DS who is 15 months. He loves animals, as most toddlers do. He is very gentle with the animals we see out and about, in the park etc. Keeps his distance unless I say it’s okay to stroke the dog. I just know that he would absolutely love a dog at home. I never had a dog growing up, but was always something I yearned for. Would I be silly to get a dog alongside a toddler? It’s just me and him at home, so he would be coming with me on most of the walks, unless he is at nursery.

Sorry that this post is so long! Any advise/pointers or encouragement would be greatly appreciated. I think it’s feasible- however as I have not owned a dog before, there may be things I’m forgetting!

NB I have also considered the cost of insurance, feed etc and I would be able to afford this.

That's wonderful news, how exciting!

Hello all!

I just wanted to send a little update- we picked up our new girl today! She is settling in brilliantly and is already fast asleep on her bed after a lovely walk this evening.

Here is a picture for you all!

Thank you all so much for your advice

Awww, welcome to the wonderful world of pointy ownership! I have two lovely lurcher (and yet another foster puppy arriving tomorrow) and they’ve been a delight.

Oh I read the op and was about to say ‘finally - someone who could be a great owner’ and then cut to the update. She’s beautiful. Congratulations.

One thing I will say...

Don’t be surprised if you get buyers remorse At some point in the The future. It’s very normal to have an ‘oh shit what have I done’ feeling! Even with puppies, long term rescues, I think we’ve all had those moments. It’s like the baby blues. It passes.

Good luck!

Dibbler thank you! Has your new puppy arrived yet? Pictures please if so

Carol thank you yes, I think maybe in a few days it might hit us how much our life has changed! It was very strange going to bed last night knowing she was roaming around my living room. So far, so good though. She didn’t cry last night, and was very excited to see us this morning. We’ve also taken her on a lovely long walk, and she’s now fast asleep on the carpet.

DS is being brilliant with her, and likewise her with him. She’s been following him around the house which he loves. He’s also cottoned on very quickly to leave her alone when she’s sleeping, like she is now.

She hasn’t touched her dry food, though. I gave her a can of wet last night- I thought maybe it was first night nerves, and wet might be more appealing. But, she hasn’t touched the bowl of dry I put down for her this morning. Any suggestions? Should I just leave it down for her until she wants it, or take it away until dinner time? It’s the same food she had at the rescue kennels.

Lovely hound OP I had a black and white foster grey and he was a sweety.

Puppy will be here at some point this morning

Did she eat the wet food? TBH, my two won't eat just dry food - I guess they would have if they really had to, but ddog1 will miss out on a number of meals if he doesn't approve. But it is common for them to be less enthused about their food in the first couple of days, especially if there aren't other dogs to copy - my last girl ate with no problems from the moment she walked through the door, but had to be tempted in her new home for two days.

Greys can be notoriously fussy with food. My parent's old girl only ate mince and rice (from the very expensive butcher, natch!). If she's a retiree they may not have fed her on conventional dog food at all... I'd see what happens today then maybe give some plain boiled rice today. Or wet the dry food with a whisked up egg.

What a gorgeous girl! We recently adopted a Spanish water dog a couple of months ago, but I am already pondering when we can reasonably get her a friend. I think a greyhound is definitely on the list! Congratulations. :)

Yes, she did eat the wet food. I put it on top of the dry in the hope it would encourage her to eat the rest and give the remaining some flavour, but she managed to eat around the pellets! Took the remaining away overnight, put a fresh bowl of biscuits down this morning but she has ignored it completely. She’s drinking fine, and definitely knows the bowl is there, as she walks past it every time she goes into the garden. I’ll persevere, but the tips about the boiled rice and the egg I’ll give a try later or tomorrow if we don’t have any success!

OwnedbySWD congratulations on your new addition too! Yes, I have to say so far our experience with a greyhound has been nothing but positive (even though it is very early days). She’s very calm but still has a lovely energy and spirit

YAY!! (And yes, I echo whoever said about buyer's remorse - I had a complete meltdown after about 4 days and was ready to send her back - I was talked down from the precipice from the lovely people on here who said "ohhhh yes, totally normal"! - We are now all totally totally besotted with our hound).

Re. the food, our rescue said she may not eat for the first few days and not to worry, she wouldn't starve herself. (Turns out ours is totally food obsessed - not only did she eat everything we put out for her but also everything we accidently left out too -including two Victoria sponges made ready for the church fete). Also worth noting, we were told that they are not fed dry food whilst racing but slop which they can eat through muzzles - not sure whether this is true for all hounds or not but that may explain the reticence to eat dry food.

I wish you many happy years of pointy ownership. I cannot imagine our life without one and I'm SO glad you've taken the plunge. She is beautiful!

Keeping in mind your schedule, the first few months to just keep an eye on the little puppy would be a good idea. But other than that you will be fine. And it is great for children to grow up with a dog. They learn responsibility, kindness, and discipline. It is an absolutely wonderful decision to adopt a pup now.

Flippetydip I think I need to prepare myself for the buyers remorse that will come over the next few days/weeks. She’s a sweetheart, and she’s settled in so beautifully (and is now eating her dry food too ), but nothing can quite prepare you for how different everything is. I’m confident that once we are in a routine, it’ll become second nature. But as an example, today I cooked a roast chicken for tea. Keeping the pooch and the child seperate while they ate, but also keeping the dog away from the chicken carcass cooling on the side was a challenge! Especially as I’ve discovered (very quickly) that she can indeed get her paws up on to the Work surface . They’ve matched her personality to ours perfectly though. She’s so good with DS. Doesn’t bat an eyelid at anything he does.

I’m really glad I decided to adopt at this time of DS’s life- hopefully all of his young memories will be filled with experiences we’ve had with DDog

Dibbler she’s gorgeous! Congratulations. Glad she is settling in well. How old is she? How are your other dogs finding her being around?

We wanted a rescue dog...but everywhere we tried said ,no because I have a 7 yr old...so we ended up buying a puppy,who is lush. Obviously as all puppies are.. and it wasn't even our first dog either,we are experienced dog owners,but was still a no each time we showed interest in any dog..spent about 6 months looking..we nearly got a chihuahua from Rspca branch ,we were first in line when he became available,and for 3 weeks we thought we were getting him...then right before we were going to visit ,we got a phone call to say they had decided he to go to a family with no children,,we were so disappointed...

Just seen the photo she's lovely....

Oh my. She's lovely. So please.
And CMOTD? Lovely too.
Enjoy!

I would seriously think about crate training her - it's not for all mature/rescue dogs but ex-racers are used to being in kennels and many of them crave their own space. Actually, thinking about it, all the rescue greys I know either have a crate or a room or a porch they can call their own... then you can put her in there when you're eating/cooking. You don't want her getting too food obsessed around the toddler.

If you can't use a stairgate to keep her out of the kitchen, I would recommend a crate too - it's hard to keep a dog separate all the time from food, people, things where the front door is being opened all the time, and great when children have friends round as you can make it very clear that no one touches the dogs crate at all.

Foster girl is 6 months old - given in as her previous owners 'couldn't cope'. My other dogs are behaving as normal - ddog2 is hoolying around with her (right now they are play fighting), and ddog1 is all indignant at the lack of manners. Yesterday he stood on top of the garden table shouting at them in the manner of a Victorian maiden aunt clutching her pearls and skirts. Only problem so far is separation anxiety, so I spent last night inching out of the room where she was crated sleeping on a yoga mat

Oh CMOTD sounds like my girl. We did eventually work through the separation anxiety but if you have to leave them at all it is hard. I certainly had days when I felt like I couldn't cope with mine but I love her, when we take on a pet it is for life and thankfully I had lots of excellent advice and support!
Haha. We often get the maiden aunt response when Wolfie tigger bounced to try and provoke play!

My wee rescue boy just doesn't understand puppies and often gives them a Victorian father's 'has no-one told you you should be seen and not heard' glare, before he firmly turns his back on them.