Best option for new dog

cepheus

Is it not true that pure bred dogs are more susceptible to health problems on average than cross-breeds? Unfortunately with a rescue dog the average is the best you get, if that.

http://www.embracepetinsurance.com/breed/labrador-retriever-pet-insurance.aspx

hethmar

You could express your concerns to them and ask if the dog has had a hip score or any problems

adouglasmhor

cepheus wrote: »

Yes I can imagine there are plenty of greyhounds in need of care. Short life together though.

I have met plenty of retired greys aged 12 or more. Though many live shorter lives.

herbily

adouglasmhor wrote: »

I have met plenty of retired greys aged 12 or more. Though many live shorter lives.

Greyhounds retire at between three and four, younger if they've been injured or aren't very good at winning... They live to be 12-14, so you'll get a minimum of 8 years with them, all being well. If you get a retired greyhound, you get an adult dog that knows how to walk on a lead, is used to a fixed routine, and is over that whole puppy-like chewing everything period. If there's a branch of the RGT near you, I can recommend taking a greyhound for a walk! (Yes, I'm biassed, I have two, but they're generally an easier dog than some, and not particularly high-energy.)

cepheus

I was interested in a rescue Greyhound cross and had a look at one, but the rescue centre said no because I don't have a walled garden and those type of animals stray.

cepheus

krlyr wrote: »

Just bear in mind that a crossbreed can have hip problems too. It's poor breeding, not pure breeding, that causes inherited problems. Cross a Labrador with hip problems with any other breed and you're not going to have puppies with fantastic hips - if the other parent has particular good hips, it may give the pups a better chance but just being a crossbreed doesn't guarantee anything.

Here is an Independent report commissioned by the RSPCA on Pedigrees.

and another on lifespan here

[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]In all studies in which both purebred and mixed-breed dogs are included, mixed-breed dogs live, on average, at least a year longer than purebred dogs. [/FONT]

http://users.pullman.com/lostriver/conclusions.htm

http://users.pullman.com/lostriver/breeddata.htm

moomin5

cepheus wrote: »

I was interested in a rescue Greyhound cross and had a look at one, but the rescue centre said no because I don't have a walled garden and those type of animals stray.

All dogs have the potential to stray so would think garden would need to be secure whatever the breed if planning to let it outside off lead.

If sighthounds interest you there are plenty of greyhound/lurcher rescues about some home nationally also, let me know if you want some links. There maybe ways round making the garden secure and some rescues are happy to home to flat dwellers with no garden at all, though adopters have to be committed to walks at all hours with no easy turn out option. I got my greyhounds via the RGT and their branches can operate differently and have own homing policies.

adouglasmhor

herbily wrote: »

Greyhounds retire at between three and four, younger if they've been injured or aren't very good at winning... They live to be 12-14, so you'll get a minimum of 8 years with them, all being well. If you get a retired greyhound, you get an adult dog that knows how to walk on a lead, is used to a fixed routine, and is over that whole puppy-like chewing everything period. If there's a branch of the RGT near you, I can recommend taking a greyhound for a walk! (Yes, I'm biassed, I have two, but they're generally an easier dog than some, and not particularly high-energy.)

I have two myself.

Hendrix - rescued from a negligent breeder when he was aged 2 in a sorry state with massive festering wound round his neck. He is a nutter with some very juvenile behaviours and we love him.


Theo who retired after a full career, he's a big skinny lad. Calm except when he sees , deer, foxes, cats, rabbits, hares, spaniels and pugs.

hethmar

Beautiful photos

nilrem_2

Cepheus

Sorry only just found this thread. I just thought you might be interested in our experience with a rescue dog.
When our elderly GSD (13 1/2yrs) passed away 18 months ago my wife suggested giving a home to a rescue dog rather than getting a puppy. I was against the idea worried about the issues such a dog might have and especially as we have two grand children.

Anyway I went along with the idea and after some searching we adopted a 2 1/2yr old (approx) GSD who had been abandoned and left to starve on the streets.

It was strange taking him home and giving him free reign of the house but he settled in almost immediately and has turned into a wonderful companion who is brilliant with the grandchildren but protective of our property.

It is 10 months since we adopted him and 3 weeks ago he repaid us dramatically by saving our lives! (We think) he has never been allowed upstairs but at 4:15am he woke us up by making a noise outside our bedroom door. we awoke to a smoke filled house, rushing downstairs we found one of the rooms with the floor and wooden fire surround on fire.

Both the fire brigade and paramedics who attended said that we would almost certainly not have awoken as the smoke would have killed us in our sleep and the house would have burnt down.

We were very lucky indeed and obviously we cannot be 100% sure but it does appear the our rescue GSD saved both our lives and the house!

So on balance I would say give a rescue dog a home!