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What dog is best for me?


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Old 04-04-2016, 23:32
riversmum
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People think greyhounds are big dogs but they really aren't. You can get some quite small girls. It's hard to explain how they aren't big but we've had 4 in our small house and it wasn't a problem at all. They like to stretch out but equally they can curl up small!
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Old 04-04-2016, 23:39
farmer bob
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People think greyhounds are big dogs but they really aren't. You can get some quite small girls. It's hard to explain how they aren't big but we've had 4 in our small house and it wasn't a problem at all. They like to stretch out but equally they can curl up small!

Indeed, our Grey's nearly 40kg, but he 'folds up small' (when he wants to that is)
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Old 05-04-2016, 09:02
pie-eyed
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Greyhounds can be big but when they are in the house they are lying down nearly all the time, being the lazy beasts that they are, so they won't he in your way all the time. Mine sleeps all night and most of the dày too and loves nothing more than a lie down on the couch in front of the telly.
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Old 09-04-2016, 05:02
Wolfsheadish
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I'm in Scotland but have looked on the SSPCA website and there are 1 or 2 dogs which I like.

Would anyone recommend buying a normal dog rather than 1 of the rescue dogs?
Rescue dogs ARE normal dogs and I'd certainly recommend one. What the others have said is right, check out some good rescue centres and see what takes your fancy and what dog takes to you. Don't make any hasty decisions and do lots of research before you get any dog.
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Old 10-04-2016, 17:41
Reality Sucks
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My search came up with a smooth collie and that's what I have!
On the walking issue I think most dogs need time off the lead. I don't think a walk round the block on a lead is sufficient.
I totally agree. I dog walk for a living and they not only need to be off lead (as often as possible), they also need to interact with other dogs. Even the small ones.
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Old 10-04-2016, 23:29
riversmum
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I totally agree. I dog walk for a living and they not only need to be off lead (as often as possible), they also need to interact with other dogs. Even the small ones.
Not all greyhounds can be let off. Thanks to their breeding, training and treatment some just have too high a prey drive to let off unless it's a fully enclosed field. They are fine with decent lead walks and a whole lot happier than stuck in kennels for their whole life like so many are - that's if they're not killed when they are no longer required to race.

My girls do all go off every day but we're lucky with them.
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Old 11-04-2016, 00:30
barbeler
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A cat.
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Old 12-04-2016, 16:26
MR_Pitkin
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Unless you're prepared to give up your freedom and independence - none.
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Old 13-04-2016, 12:26
JJ75
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Indeed, our Grey's nearly 40kg, but he 'folds up small' (when he wants to that is)
Another vote for Greys. Best dogs ever. On a sad note we had our 11 year old girl put to sleep yesterday. We took her on at 8 and knew time was precious so we treated her like a queen for the last years of her life. She had the best nature out of all the dogs we've ever owned.

Give a greyhound a chance
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Old 13-04-2016, 22:32
JeffG1
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A lurcher can be quite a bit smaller than a greyhound and they make marvellous pets. They often end up in rescue centres.

As for getting a cat as some have suggested, from personal experience they are much more trouble than a dog When it's time to go to the vet, with a dog you just pick up their lead, it's "Oh goody, we are going out" and off you go

With a cat, you have to prepare the carrier beforehand, so the cat doesn't see it, then you have to creep up behind them, preferably when they are asleep (which is most of the time), and preferably wearing gloves then grab them before they can run and squash them kicking and screeching into the carrier. If you're lucky, you'll get the door shut before they wriggle free and race off to hide goodness knows where for the rest of the day.

(I love her really )
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Old 14-04-2016, 15:11
riversmum
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Another vote for Greys. Best dogs ever. On a sad note we had our 11 year old girl put to sleep yesterday. We took her on at 8 and knew time was precious so we treated her like a queen for the last years of her life. She had the best nature out of all the dogs we've ever owned.

Give a greyhound a chance
I'm so sorry. I know how painful loosing them is
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Old 19-04-2016, 10:55
farmer bob
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Another vote for Greys. Best dogs ever. On a sad note we had our 11 year old girl put to sleep yesterday. We took her on at 8 and knew time was precious so we treated her like a queen for the last years of her life. She had the best nature out of all the dogs we've ever owned.

Give a greyhound a chance

Sorry you lost your Grey JJ75
Sounds like you gave her a great last few years though.
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Old 29-04-2016, 10:36
io1901
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Basset Fauve de Bretagne - they are a smallish (short) they are usually good tempered - the only drawback is that as hunting dogs and being hounds they have to be well trained as tend to be stubborn. Need stripping a couple of times a year but mostly coat is water / mud resistant.
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Old 29-04-2016, 12:44
Gnomsie
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That's so true.

We have a 42kg Bouvier des Flandres and he's as daft as a brush and loafs around all day. He's had a hour and a half walk/charge about in the park today and that's all he needs really - at the moment he's lying on his back in the hall with his legs in the air!
Another in agreement with big dogs being lazy sods. I have a 4 month old Newfoundland, who currently weighs in at 25kg. She is surprisingly lazy. I take her for an hours walk in the morning, and then it's a struggle getting her out for her evening walk. She's not interested in fetch or anything during that evening walk.
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Old 30-04-2016, 12:05
mistygal
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So maybe 1-2 lead walks per day.
Definitely a tidy coat
No other pets, no children, pup or adult
The dog will rarely be on its own as I work from home
What about a whippet?
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Old 10-05-2016, 09:36
Sebastian1992
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Given your description of your needs I'd say you're better off without a dog.
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Old 05-06-2016, 03:44
Martin_Andanar
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Low maintenance, like 1-2 walks a day
Not too big
Smart
Not too lively

I think you need a Cat not some dogs.. lol
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Old 05-06-2016, 04:58
confuddled
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retired/rescue greyhound all the way, there are lots out there. lovely natures and don't need the exercise people think they do.
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Old 05-06-2016, 07:38
TWS
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Another in agreement with big dogs being lazy sods. I have a 4 month old Newfoundland, who currently weighs in at 25kg. She is surprisingly lazy. I take her for an hours walk in the morning, and then it's a struggle getting her out for her evening walk. She's not interested in fetch or anything during that evening walk.
Puppies need far less exercise than grown dogs and you really should only be doing about an 45mins a day with your dog broken up into three walks. Walking is really hard on their joints and as they aren't fully formed yet they are susceptible to damage. Extra large breeds or molossers are prone to hip or elbow dysplasia and pano.

Puppy walks are about learning to walk nicely and socialisation with dogs and people not about exercise as with running around the house and garden and with training for mental stimulation they don't need the exercise.
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Old 05-06-2016, 07:49
TWS
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It came up with 43 breeds for me, none I would consider owning though
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Old 22-07-2016, 18:31
luke21
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I'd suggest small breed only, perhaps a shihtzu or chihuahua.
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