bridie

Saw a beautiful rescue dog in the paper last night, greyhound / saluki cross

I've always wanted a greyhound.... OH said last night (after some pondering) that I could have him.... but I'm not 100% sure.

I love the idea of having a dog, i'm not bothered about being tied to the house or anything as we're not really the jetting off here, there and everywhere type, and we could take him with us on holidays. It says he is great around children and other animals so no problem there.

I dont know what's holding me back - probably fear of the unknown as I've never had a dog myself.

Any thoughts?

northernbird

Well we are new dog owners too. I have to say I don't regret it for a moment. If you are not getting a puppy then it should be a bit easier in terms of house training. The joy you get from them getting excited when you get home is wonderful.

Go for it Bridie.

bridie

he is 3 years old so hopefully house trained

northernbird

My husband has had greyhounds as a kid and he says they are wonderful dogs.

Nothing stopping you.

nickyjohnt

Go for it ! Especially with him being a rescue dog you will be doing a lovely thing by giving him a home !
Agreed NB the welcome you get is great, mine give me the same one if i have been at work all day or just popped out to the letterbox


Nicky

Sally Simpson

It is a big commitment so it is good that you are proceeding cautiously & not just rushing into it. That's why there are so many rescue dogs in the first place!
You sound as though you will be a very responsible owner so why not?

moneypenny20

My girls are desperate for a dog but I keep seeing the negatives - being out of the house for long hours leaving it alone, vets bills, kennels if and when we go away and the fact that I'm actually not that in love with them If you don't have those concerns then I say go for it. You've got the room, you're at home working - all pluses.

pumpkin blossom

You do have to be more warry with rescue dogs as they can be far more needy that dogs from a puppy, but as long as you realise this, you sound like you would be fine.

We always had rescued dogs when I was growing up (always german shepards), and they were lovely dogs. Some of the things that had been done to them were shocking! It makes you wander how some people think when they are such lovelly dogs. And my Grandparents always had rescues greyhounds (ex racing ones), personally I never liked them growing up, they were always a bit nippy.

Kim67

As long as you realise what a commitment having a dog can be, I say do it. They can be really expensive if they have medical problems - you can't just take off for a couple of days unless you take them with you (which sounds easier that it actually is) and they are another factor in every decision you make about your life.

Our two lovely old pooches kept us from going on holidays and cutting short weekend trips away many times. Sadly our 15 year old male died just before Christmas from complications of a medical condition he'd developed. My husband had just bought a brand new Kluger to drive both dogs to Perth because we didn't think they'd survive a flight to Perth, but he still drove our 17 year old female (15 year old male's mum) over. Now we're off to Dubai and it's been really hard for us to make a decision about her. Fortunately we've got some great friends who have taken her (attached are pictures of their dog and our old black girl). It was so hard to say goodbye and visiting her is really hard, but we wanted her to go and settle in before we left for her sake and so our kids could used to her being in a nice home.

Wandathecat

I always believe that rescue dogs should be given a second chance, would never buy a dog thats been bred purposely.

Greyhounds are wonderful pets, my step mum had 2 rescues and she had a 3 yr old at the time. They were so gentle with her and lovely and calm. Ok they would chase cats/rabbits so they were muzzled when out but what a joy!!!!

bridie

That's one thing I'm worried about, we still have a cat!!!!!!

Thanks for all your replies... Yes Pen, I am here all day. plus it's not as if we are the jetset type always off out and about so not toooo concerened about that aspect.


AAAAAAAh decisions, decision!!

Amazulu

Having dogs is great. The love and affection you share and the bonds that develop are awesome. It's hard when things go wrong though. 2 weeks ago, we had to euthanise our 7 month old labrador puppy, Jack. He had a degenerative Joint Disorder in his front legs that was seriously affecting his quality of life and was only going to get worse. We loved him dearly and taking him to the vet was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do - and I've seen and experienced some pretty terrible things in Africa. The vet told me that we were doing the right thing but it was still very, very hard. Luckily, we have another Labrador, Cooper, who has helped fill the void, but it's still hard.

Dogs are fantastic and I'd say go for it - just be aware of the downsides that can happen.

renth

Sorry to hear about your dog.

We have a great dane - 1 year old, we love him to bits. It does make it hard to get away for camping trips of trips abroad without using up too many favours with friends.

TiddlyPom

Greyhounds are usually ok with cats. Check out both breeds though on the internet to see what you might be getting into.

I got a rescue GSP... she was really neurotic when I got her, after she'd been roaming, but she's just lovely now. She still has a few training issues I'm working on, but I wouldn't be without her. She loves the kids and has defended them recently which has surprised me, but she loves us and we love her. Really could thing to do for my children too... they've got so much more confident handling other dogs and reading their body language... that's a good thing.

Rescue dogs spend the first two weeks being quite quiet and then once they're happy and a bit more confident, their personality and 'traits' come out... so don't be surprised if you get a few behavioural issues in the first weeks... usually a bit of insecurity is the most common, and some separation anxiety. But both those are solveable easily as long as you are consistent and reassuring.

Keep all your good leather shoes away from it, and make sure it has lots to play with.

Greyhounds are gentle giants. They're really lovely dogs.

Some info on saluki's here:

http://salukiho.tripod.com/feathers.html

I think they're a pretty old breed and have a good temperement from what I know. The dog must look fab! Post a pic.

The shelter may be able to tell you if he will get on with cats or not... and I would recommend finding a dog club where you can socialise your pup with others and give him some training. Dogs are never too old to learn.
Should walk well on a leash too ... most greyhounds I've seen do.

Let us know what you do. Would love to see a pic if you go ahead.

Cheetah7

Ive had two greyhounds and a whippet. My greyhounds were ex racers and no way could they be even trusted to walk near a cat.

My whippet would have loved to have bashed my cat but unfortunately my cat Bruno got in first and beat the crap out of her leaving her in no doubt as to who was boss.

He periodically would smack her on the face to show his authority and I am glad he did because I think she would have tried to attack him on several occasions. It was only when I realised it was a dominance thing rather than a typical sighthound trait that I was able to learn from it and make sure Bruno was fed first and treated as 'top cat' and Rema soon learned her position in the family.

When we got Gordon, she adored him from day one and would carry him around in her mouth by the scruff as though she were his Mum. She used to allow him to suckle from her (strange dog!).

But Rema was always fiercely protective of all our cats but outside she wouldnt hesitate to chase someone elses cat so I would muzzle her outside.

Salukis make nice pets and so do greyhounds but they are both sighthounds and like any sighthound, will need careful monitoring with small furries until you get to know them better.

This sounds like a very nice dog looking for the right home, I think you should go for it.