So what dog should we get?

[alessandrae83]

Still haven't decided what breed we should go for. From my thread further down I think I've gathered that I should carefully consider breed first and then visit rescue dogs of that breed. But what breed? I've done lots of research and come up with 3 possibilities but can't be sure. Here are our circumstances and what we can and can't offer a dog.

1. We live in a terraced house in the city. We need a dog who could fit reasonably into our house and who won't be overly yappy due to us being terraced and having a poorly neighbour who is also disabled.

1. We only have a small yard so not good for zoomies, however we do live by some large woods and parks and a dog would travel across town walking with me to my parents a few times a week.

1. We have two children age 9 and 5. Very gentle and respectful with dogs, although never left alone with a dog anyway. We need a family friendly breed. My kids are not a fan of boisterous dogs.

1. I'm at home all day and husband works so dog would rarely be alone. At most for 3 hours once a month at weekend when we go for a meal.

1. Grooming isn't an issue for me as such. Would prefer less of a shedder but doesn't bother me if it's the right dog and I'm happy to brush and pay for groomer and or groom myself if need be.

1. I can walk a min of hour a day and max 2...roughly. some days maybe more if need be. Some days less if need be.

1. We previously had a terrier x and have decided against them for various reasons. It wasn't a great experience as much as we loved him and me and hubby have had previous bad experiences with terriers.

1. We plan on getting a rescue not a puppy so aware we can go to a rescue and see what they have that suits us but did that before and ended up with a terrier than in the end didn't suit us as they claimed he would. So would prefer to know what breed I'm going for.

Thank you

Greyhound-type or a Staffy, they both tick all of your boxes (depending what sort of terrier you mean in point 7).

I have a bichon and there are loads in rescue sadly due to the trend towards mixed breeds e.g. poochon cavachon.. Lovely dogs very friendly and non shedding. However need a lot of grooming.

No to cavalier (too many health issues)
No to beagle (very stubborn and not at all biddable)

I think there might be a sight hound just waiting for you op

For those with greyhounds and a small garden, how do you give your dogs sprinting exercise? Also, does anyone run with their greyhound - I understand they don’t like long runs, they prefer sprints?

We've not really sprinted him - only a couple of times in an enclosed space.
He likes about 45-60 mins late morning and about 30 mins late afternoon. He's maybe do more, but needs building up to it.
Our rescue charity said they don't need the sprinting, good sniffy walks are great for them.

Get a mongrel. Less likely to have problems due to inbreeding. Also less sought after, so you'll be offering a second chance to a dog that really needs it and is more likely to be left on the shelf without you. Pedigrees get picked up faster.

My lurchers recall, so they get their runs in the woods etc, but many people hire a secure field once a week (on their own or with other sighthounds) if they can't be off lead. TBH with the way greyhounds corner you'd need a really big garden for them to do any significant sprinting.

I run with mine, and unless you are an ultra runner I don't think that a greyhound would be worried. My all out running is a gentle jog for them, and my normal run is more of a trot. My max with them is about 13km because I get bored of wee stops when we go any further, but they are happy to run up and down the sides of the Malvern hills for a few hours while we walk along the top, or go mountain biking with us.

We have a whippet who gets walked for 1-2 hours every day and then sleeps on the sofa for the rest of the day. Our garden isn’t huge but we have great local parks so it’s not a problem. We didn’t go down the rescue route this time, but I would love to rescue a greyhound....keep trying to persuade DH! Fabulous, loyal, friendly, loving dogs.

Definitely greyhound, I have a 3 bed terrace they are quiet and gentle, very little trouble at all in fact.
(We now have 6, that's how easy they are)

Mines a whippet cross. She's a rescued rescue ( I have a thread about her) snuggles into a ball, sleeps most of the day, has a 40 min run in an enclosed park during the day playing with other dogs, 30 min walk round the estate at night. Very loving and trusting. Loves me and very protective. Hardly barks unless over excited. I do have a garden she runs about in between walks. Love my whippet

My husband tried to run with our greyhound... greyhound was very unimpressed!

They are LAZY.