Puppy Advice (merged)

pink_piggy17

I think rather than buying a puppy you should consider a rescue, also. I'd definitely recommend a greyhound if you'd like to rescue but are worried about having a dog with "issues" around kids (in my experience most rescue dogs don't have issues and are perfectly normal dogs that have just had the misfortune of being dumped but still!)

greyhounds are generally retired relatively young and they also live quite long usually as they are one of the few breeds that are generally extremely healthy as they have never really been bred as pets so only the healthiest dogs have been bred for racing so usually have healthy bloodlines and aren't prone to anything genetic. (such as how German shepherds are prone to bad hips etc)

they are usually 100% sociable and friendly as they have been raised to mix with all sorts of different people and dogs (from going to race meets and growing up in large kennels usually)

they also don't require as much exersize as you'd think, only the same as a "normal" breed. (a lot less than a very energetic breed like a Labrador though)

the only thing you need is a secure garden as they are very good jumpers when they want to be! about a 5' to 6' fence ideally.

also, as for the cheapest food, you should be thinking quality before price. the cheapest food is usually full of crap, additives, salt etc. You should choose a good quality dry food such as royal canin, burns, hills etc. they may not be the cheapest but do last. most work out at about £2 a day feeding costs which is very cheap.

you can find a list of general rescues and also breed specific rescues on https://www.animalrescuers.co.uk

Good luck!

MissKate1986

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

looks a bit spammy to me!!

how is that spammy?

MissKate1986

You know some people on these boards make it very hard for new people to post you always see someone pulling anothers post apart. Rant over

MissKate1986

pink_piggy17 wrote: »

I think rather than buying a puppy you should consider a rescue, also. I'd definitely recommend a greyhound if you'd like to rescue but are worried about having a dog with "issues" around kids (in my experience most rescue dogs don't have issues and are perfectly normal dogs that have just had the misfortune of being dumped but still!)

greyhounds are generally retired relatively young and they also live quite long usually as they are one of the few breeds that are generally extremely healthy as they have never really been bred as pets so only the healthiest dogs have been bred for racing so usually have healthy bloodlines and aren't prone to anything genetic. (such as how German shepherds are prone to bad hips etc)

they are usually 100% sociable and friendly as they have been raised to mix with all sorts of different people and dogs (from going to race meets and growing up in large kennels usually)

they also don't require as much exersize as you'd think, only the same as a "normal" breed. (a lot less than a very energetic breed like a Labrador though)

the only thing you need is a secure garden as they are very good jumpers when they want to be! about a 5' to 6' fence ideally.

also, as for the cheapest food, you should be thinking quality before price. the cheapest food is usually full of crap, additives, salt etc. You should choose a good quality dry food such as royal canin, burns, hills etc. they may not be the cheapest but do last. most work out at about £2 a day feeding costs which is very cheap.

you can find a list of general rescues and also breed specific rescues on www.animalrescuers.co.uk

Good luck!

I agree about not using the cheapest food but please check that the protein level is not too high in the more expensive foods. Dogs Trust are also good, do you have one near you?

Grey hounds are lovely, the ones I have come across are very soft ideal with children

pink_piggy17

yes they are very gentle dogs! have "soft mouths" a bit like spaniels

MissKate1986

pink_piggy17 wrote: »

yes they are very gentle dogs! have "soft mouths" a bit like spaniels

Some spaniels are soft, my first spaniel was a grumpy old man.

user55

If you do go for a rescue greyhound, it's worth bearing in mind that depending on where you go you may be getting an adult dog who has never lived in a house. The rescue mine came from has the dogs in foster homes before putting them up for adoption so that they can give a very accurate picture of how the dogs are in the home, being left, with other animals, kids etc. But I know one place we looked at they couldn't answer any of those questions because the dogs were straight off the racetrack, into the rescue kennels and put up for rehoming from there. Still gorgeous animals deserving of a home but it suited us personally much better to choose a dog that we knew a little bit more about.

foreign_correspondent

MissKate1986 wrote: »

You know some people on these boards make it very hard for new people to post you always see someone pulling anothers post apart. Rant over

I did wonder, cos very often when people post on here for the frst time with a link to another website, they are just actualy posting to promote a commercial website in which they have an interest.

If this does not apply here them my apologies!

Frugalista

I agree with MissKate1986 - the vast majority of dog breeders do as much as is possible to make sure the puppies they breed are healthy and happy. No-one deliberately sets out to breed sick animals.

The programme you mentioned was indeed sickening, but was deliberately contraversial. For instance, they showed a Boxer having an epileptic fit - there is NO genetic test for epilepsy - and yet it was implied that this dog was deliberately bred to be like that!!

By the way, I too am new - so wait to be shot down in flames.....

toshkininny

I can understand where you are both coming from tbh. I am always dubious first of all when it is a new poster, and I can also see how frustrating it can be for an honest newbie too!

I have decided now to wait a few more years until we get a new dog - just to let you know. I want the children to be a little older and learn how to be a responsible dog owner.

At the moment, we have dogs stay with us every now and then, so I am happy to say I don't think my children will ever be afraid of a dog - I will certainly tell them the rules, e.g. the dog is on a lead for a reason,etc!

The reason why we have decided to leave it a while is that we are looking after someone's 6 month old puppy/dog while they are on holiday and she is being a typical puppy - something that I have forgotten about. She is biting, chewing, grabbing everything. She has chewed he laptop adapter, and eaten (without going into too much detail) a used nappy, (don't ask!), amongst other things! An adorable, beautiful dog, but I am constantly having to pick up the toys so that they are not ruined!

Thank you for all your help, though, and I will certainly look into those websites suggested.