Thinking about getting a dog
Discussion
I have always loved dogs and (most) dogs always seem to love me.
We've had pets in the past, Guinea Pigs, Rabbits.
Always wanted a dog but hectic family life made it difficult, both of us working full time etc.
Both our kids have grown up now, one has flown the nest, life seems to have slowed down, we both still work full time but are more financially comfortable.
We are both early 50's and thinking now is the best time.
We own our own home, a very small 3 bed semi, however we have a reasonable sized secure back garden and a large park just around the corner.
I would prefer a bigger dog, GSD or Labrador size. However, my brother once had a Labrador and whenever she was here she always seemed to be in the way. I have spoken with a neighbour (same house) who has a Labrador and he said you just get used to them being there.
Also we enjoy days out to places I wouldn't want to/can't take a dog, eg. Central London or sitting on a beach. We also enjoy escaping away for a few nights when time allows. My eldest still lives at home so she can always dogsit if we go away but she won't be there forever! Though this may change as we investigate more dog friendly excursions.
We think we would go rescue, try for a youngish dog, we have a large Dogs Trust rehoming centre very local to us.
If we were to go ahead we would want to give this dog the best life we can.
We really are in the very early stages of talking about this so I'm really just asking for advice or anything that we will need to consider regarding changing our lifestyle to accommodate a new family member?
Thank you
We've had pets in the past, Guinea Pigs, Rabbits.
Always wanted a dog but hectic family life made it difficult, both of us working full time etc.
Both our kids have grown up now, one has flown the nest, life seems to have slowed down, we both still work full time but are more financially comfortable.
We are both early 50's and thinking now is the best time.
We own our own home, a very small 3 bed semi, however we have a reasonable sized secure back garden and a large park just around the corner.
I would prefer a bigger dog, GSD or Labrador size. However, my brother once had a Labrador and whenever she was here she always seemed to be in the way. I have spoken with a neighbour (same house) who has a Labrador and he said you just get used to them being there.
Also we enjoy days out to places I wouldn't want to/can't take a dog, eg. Central London or sitting on a beach. We also enjoy escaping away for a few nights when time allows. My eldest still lives at home so she can always dogsit if we go away but she won't be there forever! Though this may change as we investigate more dog friendly excursions.
We think we would go rescue, try for a youngish dog, we have a large Dogs Trust rehoming centre very local to us.
If we were to go ahead we would want to give this dog the best life we can.
We really are in the very early stages of talking about this so I'm really just asking for advice or anything that we will need to consider regarding changing our lifestyle to accommodate a new family member?
Thank you
Wouldn’t be without one.
Mine is quite happy at the kennels if I can’t find a neighbor to have him. So it doesn’t hold us back.
Daily walks are good for you and dogs live in the moment - great companions and stress relievers.
Pay for good insurance. It’s an adjustment but for me it pays back so much.
I too am a big rescue advocate, so would recommend that route. All but one of mine have come from rescue centres (the last one was from a family who needed to rehome their dog). I've never used Dogs Trust, but I'm sure they would be good at matching your circumstances to a suitable dog, as long as you're honest with them and can demonstrate your commitment and that you've considered the various issues.
Have you considered a greyhound? They fit with the 'larger dog' requirement, but I don't think you would find they get in the way; they tend to be very lazy once they've had some exercise. Their exercise needs are not significant (this is a common misconception). Whilst they love to run, they don't necessarily need to and are very flexible. They can manage with two short-medium walks per day and longer walks when these are possible. They are also generally used to kennels, so if you did need to kennel them for a short time they should be okay with that.
There are things with them you do need to be aware of (eg prey drive, speed, not always being house-trained to start, not necessarily used to stairs) but as long as you go into it with eyes open nothing is insurmountable. They have a lot of good points. There are also, sadly always a lot in rescue - including in Dogs Trust facilities. I've owned a lot of greyhounds and sighthounds/sighthound crosses (we currently have three).
Just seen you said you both work F/T. That may be one stumbling block, although I have always worked F/T and still been able to adopt. What you would probably find is that a rescue centre would expect you to have arrangements in place for a visit or dog walker during the day. It is not really reasonable to expect a dog to cope being on its own 8+ hours a day. I used to have a dog walker and my mum to go in during the day. Less of an issue now as I mostly WFH and my husband is here otherwise. The big rescues often have 'blanket rules' which preclude F/T workers but some are more flexible (don't know about Dogs Trust). Greyhound specialist rescues are often more flexible, but will still expect you to have thought about this.
Happy to answer any other questions you might have.
Good luck.
Have you considered a greyhound? They fit with the 'larger dog' requirement, but I don't think you would find they get in the way; they tend to be very lazy once they've had some exercise. Their exercise needs are not significant (this is a common misconception). Whilst they love to run, they don't necessarily need to and are very flexible. They can manage with two short-medium walks per day and longer walks when these are possible. They are also generally used to kennels, so if you did need to kennel them for a short time they should be okay with that.
There are things with them you do need to be aware of (eg prey drive, speed, not always being house-trained to start, not necessarily used to stairs) but as long as you go into it with eyes open nothing is insurmountable. They have a lot of good points. There are also, sadly always a lot in rescue - including in Dogs Trust facilities. I've owned a lot of greyhounds and sighthounds/sighthound crosses (we currently have three).
Just seen you said you both work F/T. That may be one stumbling block, although I have always worked F/T and still been able to adopt. What you would probably find is that a rescue centre would expect you to have arrangements in place for a visit or dog walker during the day. It is not really reasonable to expect a dog to cope being on its own 8+ hours a day. I used to have a dog walker and my mum to go in during the day. Less of an issue now as I mostly WFH and my husband is here otherwise. The big rescues often have 'blanket rules' which preclude F/T workers but some are more flexible (don't know about Dogs Trust). Greyhound specialist rescues are often more flexible, but will still expect you to have thought about this.
Happy to answer any other questions you might have.
Good luck.
Edited by moorx on Thursday 24th September 19:34
Another vote for Greyhounds, I grew up with them and up until a few years ago still had one, wonderful pets and very good company, they are inherently lazy dogs that love to lay around the house most of the day, I used to walk mine 3 times a day for around half an hour each time and she was more than happy.
The only thing about them is you have to be very cautious about letting them off a lead if at all and only when you know them well, they are very sight focussed and if something gets their attention they will be off like a rocket and they can easily get lost once they set off. I pretty much always kept mine on a lead in open areas but they were more than content with that.
The only thing about them is you have to be very cautious about letting them off a lead if at all and only when you know them well, they are very sight focussed and if something gets their attention they will be off like a rocket and they can easily get lost once they set off. I pretty much always kept mine on a lead in open areas but they were more than content with that.
I can t add much, I have a friend with a rescue dog and he finds it challenging, but it was feral in Slovakia so there s quite a back story.
I love my dog more than I ever thought I could, a typical family situation where dad gets out voted and then ends up doing most of the caring but loving it! I m afraid I can t bring myself to leave him in kennels so it does restrict our ability to do things spontaneously, but he s worth it. We ve agreed that we won t have another, but I am dreading the day. They are a wonderful addition to your life and good for your wellbeing.
I love my dog more than I ever thought I could, a typical family situation where dad gets out voted and then ends up doing most of the caring but loving it! I m afraid I can t bring myself to leave him in kennels so it does restrict our ability to do things spontaneously, but he s worth it. We ve agreed that we won t have another, but I am dreading the day. They are a wonderful addition to your life and good for your wellbeing.
We have a dog . Our second one . Lost the first last year . I love the dog very much and I am retired so I walk her every day rain or shine. Most often rain .
It's a commitment, cost , heart ache . A massive restriction on what you do , where you go and when. Holidays , days out , evenings out . Dog always needs thinking of.
I wish we had never got dogs and got addicted to them . We won't have another.
It's a commitment, cost , heart ache . A massive restriction on what you do , where you go and when. Holidays , days out , evenings out . Dog always needs thinking of.
I wish we had never got dogs and got addicted to them . We won't have another.
Think carefully about getting a dog if you're going to leave it alone for long periods, we left having dogs again until my wife was made redundant and i encouraged her to not bother looking for a job again many years back.
Can the dog get into the garden to do its business, is the garden dog secure, are the neighbours tolerant if its a noisy blighter, it'll still want to go out whether its a nice day or blowing a gale in freezing rain, the mess they create is something else dust hair and shaking of wet fur, is your car suitable you have no idea how filthy it will get after a walk and following a beach visit is something else.
Brought it home to me yesterday just how many dogs don't have a full time parent, because our oldest Golden Retriever is in-season and the youngest 14 weeks can't be let run free out in a park yet, as we sometimes do rented an hour at the local dog paddocks.
10am mark, there were several vans parked at the ajoining fields with pro dog walkers exercising anything up to 10 dogs of mixed types, all the dogs seemed happy and we heard no scraps and to be fair these pro walkers are doing sterling service, some dog walks don't use enclosed spaces and can only let the most trusted of their charges go loose, this routine goes on for several hours a day every day so in these 6 paddocks there are a huge number of dogs being exercised by paid walkers.
The one thing i would suggest is do not get a puppy unless someone who really wants it can be there full time, of course you can nip out and get the shopping go to the gym do errands when the pup goes to sleep but they can't be left for hours on end.
Not trying to be a downer, i love dogs far prefer them to the vast majority of people and wouldn't want to be without them.
Can the dog get into the garden to do its business, is the garden dog secure, are the neighbours tolerant if its a noisy blighter, it'll still want to go out whether its a nice day or blowing a gale in freezing rain, the mess they create is something else dust hair and shaking of wet fur, is your car suitable you have no idea how filthy it will get after a walk and following a beach visit is something else.
Brought it home to me yesterday just how many dogs don't have a full time parent, because our oldest Golden Retriever is in-season and the youngest 14 weeks can't be let run free out in a park yet, as we sometimes do rented an hour at the local dog paddocks.
10am mark, there were several vans parked at the ajoining fields with pro dog walkers exercising anything up to 10 dogs of mixed types, all the dogs seemed happy and we heard no scraps and to be fair these pro walkers are doing sterling service, some dog walks don't use enclosed spaces and can only let the most trusted of their charges go loose, this routine goes on for several hours a day every day so in these 6 paddocks there are a huge number of dogs being exercised by paid walkers.
The one thing i would suggest is do not get a puppy unless someone who really wants it can be there full time, of course you can nip out and get the shopping go to the gym do errands when the pup goes to sleep but they can't be left for hours on end.
Not trying to be a downer, i love dogs far prefer them to the vast majority of people and wouldn't want to be without them.
dhutch said:
Greyhound for the win, and or lurcher cross.
Plenty of black lurchers in rescue centres too!
Crates can work, but our Romanian hates them.
Ahh a man after my own heart, we have had (and fostered) several greyhounds. Currently we have 3x Romanians and a Groo.Plenty of black lurchers in rescue centres too!
Crates can work, but our Romanian hates them.
Retired/rescued Greyhounds make amazing pets for older people (no offence OP), they are lazy buggers, generally pretty chilled out and don't need a lot of exercise. Hugely characterful companions and very affectionate.
People know about Greyhounds and there is a huge market for them - not quite the case with other rescues - like streetdogs from Romania. Bit more variety in size/combination of breeds (one of ours is 7% wolf) and they are wonderful, but not without their issues. One of ours (the wolfy one) is amazingly chilled and very food oriented (like a lab crossed with a GSD and dire wofl), one is a high-strung, frantic, nervous but very affectionate wiry little ginger thing and one, the youngest but pack leader, is like a cross between an Ovcharka and a corgi - a strong willed herding dog. She is my shadow and we have a very strong bond.
They take a bit more effort but it is incredibly rewarding to see them come out of their shells and grow in confidence and lose their fears. They all love their crates - apart from the greyhound who, along with a lot of other things, doesn't get it.
Yeah, echo a lot of the other comments.
You can have a dog while both working, but you uave to think about how its going to work. We have a dog walker who is absolutely amazing (not all of them are) and really understands each dogs needs, and more recently also have a dog flap, but as said all of that could work well or not work at all depending on the dog.
See also, if you are rescuing, especially from overseas, make sure you have a 'rescue backup' in place should it all go wrong. Sonthe dog has someone it can go to in a foster arrangement till a new home is found.
Definitely make sure you have a week or two off to settle a new dog, longer if its a puppy, something we have not done yet.
The hair everywhere, and mud in winter is certainly a thing. Including occasional in the bed if they come back from.a walk realty excited. The greyhound was adownstairs only dog butnthe romi couldn't do it, so they both moved into the bedroom for the night.
Likewise wharlt you would do if you want or need to go away after your daughter leaves home. Plenty are fine i kennels but just as many are not. Some kennels are beter than others, we dont have any good ones near us after moving area but are lucky my wifes mam is only a hour away and dog mad.
You can have a dog while both working, but you uave to think about how its going to work. We have a dog walker who is absolutely amazing (not all of them are) and really understands each dogs needs, and more recently also have a dog flap, but as said all of that could work well or not work at all depending on the dog.
See also, if you are rescuing, especially from overseas, make sure you have a 'rescue backup' in place should it all go wrong. Sonthe dog has someone it can go to in a foster arrangement till a new home is found.
Definitely make sure you have a week or two off to settle a new dog, longer if its a puppy, something we have not done yet.
The hair everywhere, and mud in winter is certainly a thing. Including occasional in the bed if they come back from.a walk realty excited. The greyhound was adownstairs only dog butnthe romi couldn't do it, so they both moved into the bedroom for the night.
Likewise wharlt you would do if you want or need to go away after your daughter leaves home. Plenty are fine i kennels but just as many are not. Some kennels are beter than others, we dont have any good ones near us after moving area but are lucky my wifes mam is only a hour away and dog mad.
I don t think dogs restrict your life - I think you adapt to enable life with a dog. Eg we drove to the Czech Republic the other year for Christmas with the SIL. Sure it was a lot more expensive than a Ryanair flight but I have fond memories of that trip (and called in at the Porsche Leipzig factory on the way back). I wouldn t have done that crammed into a £30 flight.
However! - we lost Bert last August to cancer and it s the most heartbreaking time of my life. The highest of highs of years walking in nature with a best mate to the lowest of lows of him passing away in my arms and the emptiness afterwards.
Since then I ve been volunteering at a local animal rescue centre and walking their dogs. The staff all know me well now and what life I could give a dog - this has leeway in not meeting their usual criteria.
Have a look at my YouTube channel for an example of how good a rescue can be, I have a real soft spot for Tucker, he s a great doggo. He has separation anxiety so isn t for you but is an idea of the quality of dogs available.
Rescue centres staff always have a great insight to the character and temperament of their dogs and offer continued support if needed. Sometimes it doesn t work out and the dog is returned - it s fine and all part of finding their furvever home.
https://youtube.com/@tuckerstails?si=SiVn3krX8NDHT...
However! - we lost Bert last August to cancer and it s the most heartbreaking time of my life. The highest of highs of years walking in nature with a best mate to the lowest of lows of him passing away in my arms and the emptiness afterwards.
Since then I ve been volunteering at a local animal rescue centre and walking their dogs. The staff all know me well now and what life I could give a dog - this has leeway in not meeting their usual criteria.
Have a look at my YouTube channel for an example of how good a rescue can be, I have a real soft spot for Tucker, he s a great doggo. He has separation anxiety so isn t for you but is an idea of the quality of dogs available.
Rescue centres staff always have a great insight to the character and temperament of their dogs and offer continued support if needed. Sometimes it doesn t work out and the dog is returned - it s fine and all part of finding their furvever home.
https://youtube.com/@tuckerstails?si=SiVn3krX8NDHT...
Edited by RustyNissanPrairie on Friday 25th September 08:23
Also to add! Dogs often end up in rehoming due to their owners falling ill or passing away. Case in point - there are a pair of Belgian Shepards / Malinous in Bleakholt. They are absolutely immaculate in their appearance and also their character, temperament and training, a true testament to their owner. They have had a good life with just a minor bump in the road for them currently.
A previous similar dog was Elfie the Elkhound. Came in at 7months old due to her owner suddenly being diagnosed. Absolutely beautiful, fun natured dog. She has now found her furever home and is settling in nicely!
A previous similar dog was Elfie the Elkhound. Came in at 7months old due to her owner suddenly being diagnosed. Absolutely beautiful, fun natured dog. She has now found her furever home and is settling in nicely!
Edited by RustyNissanPrairie on Friday 25th September 08:51
dhutch said:
Greyhound for the win, and or lurcher cross.
Plenty of black lurchers in rescue centres too!
Crates can work, but our Romanian hates them.
Agree re greyhounds - but even Nigel Farage would blink at keeping ones Romanian in a crate, its not ethical these days, they have rights you know...Plenty of black lurchers in rescue centres too!
Crates can work, but our Romanian hates them.
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