Would you get a dog from a dog rescue centre?

catkins

alleycat` wrote: »

Disagree.
You try walking a greyhound for 2 hours. It won't like it at all.

I imagine there are lots of smaller breeds that are the same.

If you've got a secure field and 20 to 30 minutes, twice a day then they'll sleep most of the rest of the day (greyhounds that is).

Lazy dogs but lovely with it

Not totally true. I know lots of people with greyhounds (over 30) and while most of them are pretty lazy dogs, there are the odd ones that want more exercise and play up if they don't get it. Plenty of them will walk for one and half hours or more and be perfectly happy and most of them are not that young.


Not everyone has secure field for a dog to run in though and if a dog is being lead walked it can need 1 or more long walks a day.



I don't think the small dogs need less walking it's just that often the smaller the dog the less walking the owners think they need. Laziness on the owners' part.

Lesleyzz1

Hey there!
I have a rescue Greyhound.
Now, most people are a bit wary because of the size aspect. However Greyhounds make FANTASTIC pets. They are good with kids, don't need lots of exercise, only two walks 20 mins per day. Don't really shed hair. Sleep a lot are used to being left for long periods of time. If you are interested please contact me or do an internet search for retired racing greyhound trust where there is loads of info. They are fab dogs and really deserve all the help they can get. Many of these lovelt dogs are killed when they finish racing just because they are of no use anymore.

Lesleyzz1

Hey there!
I have a rescue Greyhound.
Now, most people are a bit wary because of the size aspect. However Greyhounds make FANTASTIC pets. They are good with kids, don't need lots of exercise, only two walks 20 mins per day. Don't really shed hair. Sleep a lot are used to being left for long periods of time. If you are interested please contact me or do an internet search for retired racing greyhound trust where there is loads of info. They are fab dogs and really deserve all the help they can get. Many of these lovely dogs are killed when they finish racing just because they are of no use anymore.

adouglasmhor

Because greyhounds have only been bred for speed, not colour, coat etc. you get the odd greyhound that does shed (for some reason often faun ones) out Theo is terrible for it but he does have the softest coat of any dog I have met and we got a good deal on a special pet owners hoover to deal with his shedding.

Lesleyzz1

Our Harriet is black with little white flecks all over. She has never shed much. I always give her a bath in summer. She has been so well trained in kennels she will stand there and not move whilst having this done even without a lead on.

Other people have commented on Sight and scent hounds not be let off leads.
Every dog is different and I have had Gundogs, terriers and sight hounds, each has its own personality and ive had a labrador who was prone to running off when she saw water despite being well trained. Greyhounds are built for speed and to chase and are trained from a young age but CAN be trained not to run away BUT they have an in built natural chase instinct. this aside they are the kindest breed and so cute with their sad eyes. If you have cats small animals etc you need to make sure it has been cat and small animal tested.

Despite being large dogs they make use of small space and as long as they have a bed thats where they prefer to stay.

Puppies are lots of har work whichever breed but if you are at home all day and can afford it its a good idea.
On balance a rescue dog deserves a second chance.
My greyhound and mu cat a long haired pedigree love and respect each other and provide each other company.

Good luck and I do hope you take the plunge. I love all animals and they are part of my family and a loyal friend to me x:)

lostinrates

My greyhound sheds. Tremendously. However, a regular brush with a soft bristle brush makes sure she sheds where I want her too, (out side) keeps her coat gleaming, and she adores it. It takes max a couple of minutes a side in necessity but she and I enjoy it so on a sunny day we'll sometimes 'groom' for a longer session like the other dogs get, and she loves it a lot.

adouglasmhor

Lesleyzz1 wrote: »

Our Harriet is black with little white flecks all over. She has never shed much. I always give her a bath in summer. She has been so well trained in kennels she will stand there and not move whilst having this done even without a lead on.

Other people have commented on Sight and scent hounds not be let off leads.
Every dog is different and I have had Gundogs, terriers and sight hounds, each has its own personality and ive had a labrador who was prone to running off when she saw water despite being well trained. Greyhounds are built for speed and to chase and are trained from a young age but CAN be trained not to run away BUT they have an in built natural chase instinct. this aside they are the kindest breed and so cute with their sad eyes. If you have cats small animals etc you need to make sure it has been cat and small animal tested.

Despite being large dogs they make use of small space and as long as they have a bed thats where they prefer to stay.

Puppies are lots of har work whichever breed but if you are at home all day and can afford it its a good idea.
On balance a rescue dog deserves a second chance.
My greyhound and mu cat a long haired pedigree love and respect each other and provide each other company.

Good luck and I do hope you take the plunge. I love all animals and they are part of my family and a loyal friend to me x:)

Our other Grey Hendrix is black with white flecks, I have heard this decribed as "dark night sky" "out in the snow" but my favourite is my nieces one, "warp speed" like the old star trek screensaver. Technicaly it is a supressed brindle but that's dry and boring.

Caroline_a

mummynorth wrote: »

If you have a young child then it's harder to adopt an older dog so in this case I'd recommend a puppy because they will setter much better.


Buying a dog is just as tough though. Breeders are very clever at making puppies look like they have been home reared, when they haven't and often these pups can be bad because they have not been around people much. These are not breeders, these are puppy farms!!

If you buy - do it via recommendation and if at all possible, try and find a family that have bred their dog and that will allow you access to the mum and the dad in a real home environment. Not necessarily. I know several excellent breeders, including the 2 who bred my two current dogs (different breeds, hence 2 breeders). They both owned the females, but had researched the sire they wanted to use, and neither owned the dogs. I would be very wary of people who owned both male and female dogs and had bred them in a home environment - this sounds as if it's a bit of the 'lets get one of each and make some money'

Don't ever buy from a breeder unless you have checked everything! Everything should include that they have done the correct tests, such as hips, elbows, etc. Also ask to speak to other owners who have bought from them. Speak to a vet - you will need to register your new dog anyway - and ask for suggestions for breed, etc.

Finally I would say that when you finally find 'the one', don't be afraid to ask for help. Just like having babies, when it's your first it's all new, and isnt all picnics and roses! However, the rewards are endless!

Misty_Blue

GwylimT wrote: »

we will only get a puppy after several visits and after seeing both parents from a good breeder.

Of course you should always see puppies with the mother, but a good breeder will rarely have the sire as well. They're prepared to travel a long way to put the b*tch to the best possible stud dog to complement her in terms of temperament and quality, rather than just breed two dogs they own themselves.

Pechow

It's all been said already, but a rescue centre would always be my first place to look when getting a dog. My first dog was a seven year old Border Collie (not really a beginner dog, but I was young and parents didn't know better) but she turned out to be perfect. I still don't think I've ever come across another dog as good as she was.

Aside from that bias, and assuming we're referring to a good hypothetical rescue, there's also a few other plus points for me:
-Choice of puppies and adults to choose from
-Range of options often enable you to discover a breed or specific dog you wouldn't have considered otherwise, that works out even better
-Staff/foster parents should be able to give you a good idea of the dog's personality, and how it gets on with people or animals
-There are breed specific rescues, so even if you wanted X breed, it's possible to get one that way
-Able to get support and resources from the rescue, for any current issues, or future

And so on.