Discussion
I would be inclined to rule out certain breeds rather than rule them in, I certainly wouldn't advise a GSD as a 1st dog, nor collie or anything else too high maintenance. It's easy to end up with a nervous / neurotic GSD, they do best with experienced owners, their vet bills / insurance will likely be much higher as well. Keep trying the rescue centres until you find what you're after.
1.) Greyhounds are (imho) amongst the laziest animals to be found in nature! In my work I visist a lot of folk at home and ALL the greyhounds I have met appear to be dead, they just lay there oblivious to my presence in their owner's home usually laid on their backs with their long gangly limbs in the air (the dogs not the owners). The first few time I thought the greyhound was dead!
Hence I guess they are very happy to be left alone for times.
2.) Personally I have always found gundogs to be the ideal pets. If you think about it they are bred to go hunting with you and if they're not doing that they just lay around waiting for you to take them out.
They are pretty viceless having little aggression (not being guard dogs) and no herding instincts (like collies etc).
We started out with a Flat Coat Retriever who was brought up much as you describe. Daft as a brush, totally useless off the lead BUT a superb family pet who is still deeply missed 6yrs after he died.
We now have an Irish Red Setter, he has spent pretty much all of his life with Mrs Abyss at home and both our kids have left the nest. He is VERY , intelligent and people orientated, better off the lead than our first dog mainly because we've spent more time training him (!) Will happily sleep all day but full of beans come walkies time and can flush a pheasant up a treat.
Neither of our dogs have been good guard dogs tending to sleep all day and not rouse when folk come to the door unless they are already awake.
3.) As a child/teenager my parents had a crossbreed dog roughly the size of a boxer. A super dog, very placcid and loyal, an excellent guard dog, taking on 2-burglars on one occasion to the point where they had to lay him out with a blow to head to make their getaway.
4.) I know it's a dreadful cliche but it can't be said often enough that dogs turn out the way they do far more because of their owners rather than any innate behaviour traits.
I've met dreadfully behaved gundogs and likewise Rottweillers who are a complete pushover.
Hence I guess they are very happy to be left alone for times.
2.) Personally I have always found gundogs to be the ideal pets. If you think about it they are bred to go hunting with you and if they're not doing that they just lay around waiting for you to take them out.
They are pretty viceless having little aggression (not being guard dogs) and no herding instincts (like collies etc).
We started out with a Flat Coat Retriever who was brought up much as you describe. Daft as a brush, totally useless off the lead BUT a superb family pet who is still deeply missed 6yrs after he died.
We now have an Irish Red Setter, he has spent pretty much all of his life with Mrs Abyss at home and both our kids have left the nest. He is VERY , intelligent and people orientated, better off the lead than our first dog mainly because we've spent more time training him (!) Will happily sleep all day but full of beans come walkies time and can flush a pheasant up a treat.
Neither of our dogs have been good guard dogs tending to sleep all day and not rouse when folk come to the door unless they are already awake.
3.) As a child/teenager my parents had a crossbreed dog roughly the size of a boxer. A super dog, very placcid and loyal, an excellent guard dog, taking on 2-burglars on one occasion to the point where they had to lay him out with a blow to head to make their getaway.
4.) I know it's a dreadful cliche but it can't be said often enough that dogs turn out the way they do far more because of their owners rather than any innate behaviour traits.
I've met dreadfully behaved gundogs and likewise Rottweillers who are a complete pushover.
OP I would be very very wary of getting a breed such as GSD and leaving it on its own day in day out when it is not used to your house or you as a owner. Especially if it is a rescue, as there are normally reasons why it is in a rescue centre in the first place (I have 2 x rescue dogs)
I appreciate dogs get left all day every day and mine get left for up to 8 hours at times, but they are in an established environment they know as home .
If a GSD is anything like my Collie, he can be left 1 or two days at home fine, but any more than that he gets bored and slightly destructive , which is when the fun begins.
Personally if I was in your position, I wouldn't get a dog, unless I could bring it to work, it will be too hard work and a ballache on your own.
Its not just the walks dogs want , its the companionship and interaction they want. I think you might be OK with something like a Greyhound (lovely and lazy) but anything that likes exercise or has intelligent traits you will be opening yourself up to a whole world of pain..
Don't want to sound harsh, but dogs are bloody hardwork for the first few months (OK, not all , sometimes you are lucky!), the only way we do OK is by having them in a busy family when there is usually someone at home.
I appreciate dogs get left all day every day and mine get left for up to 8 hours at times, but they are in an established environment they know as home .
If a GSD is anything like my Collie, he can be left 1 or two days at home fine, but any more than that he gets bored and slightly destructive , which is when the fun begins.
Personally if I was in your position, I wouldn't get a dog, unless I could bring it to work, it will be too hard work and a ballache on your own.
Its not just the walks dogs want , its the companionship and interaction they want. I think you might be OK with something like a Greyhound (lovely and lazy) but anything that likes exercise or has intelligent traits you will be opening yourself up to a whole world of pain..
Don't want to sound harsh, but dogs are bloody hardwork for the first few months (OK, not all , sometimes you are lucky!), the only way we do OK is by having them in a busy family when there is usually someone at home.
Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Monday 13th April 12:28
Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Monday 13th April 12:29
abyss007 said:
1.) Greyhounds are (imho) amongst the laziest animals to be found in nature! In my work I visist a lot of folk at home and ALL the greyhounds I have met appear to be dead, they just lay there oblivious to my presence in their owner's home usually laid on their backs with their long gangly limbs in the air (the dogs not the owners). The first few time I thought the greyhound was dead!
Hence I guess they are very happy to be left alone for times.
It depends. Ours will always get up to greet someone new with a waggy tail, lean and a purr. However, if its either me or wife getting home, then sometimes the lazy sod won't even get up off the sofa! Meal times is obviously different! Hence I guess they are very happy to be left alone for times.
However, I'd imagine they slow down a bit more when they get older. Ours is only 4.
As for the gangly legs in the air, yes they are not graceful! Worth noting that most of the males are perfectly capable of taking up an entire three seater sofa. They are pretty big hounds. Obviously the females are smaller, but usually highly strung and apparently the preferred sex for racing due to them being lighter.
As above, really.
I love german shepherds / collies but they are known for getting bored (and destructive) if left too long.
Unfortunately you'll probably also struggle to rehome a dog if you work full time.
My suggestion would be a lurcher or greyhound. They are fantastic dogs and love sleeping. Just make sure you've got a big sofa!
I love german shepherds / collies but they are known for getting bored (and destructive) if left too long.
Unfortunately you'll probably also struggle to rehome a dog if you work full time.
My suggestion would be a lurcher or greyhound. They are fantastic dogs and love sleeping. Just make sure you've got a big sofa!
abyss007 said:
I've met dreadfully behaved gundogs and likewise Rottweillers who are a complete pushover.
The majority of rottweilers I've met with decent owners have been some of the softest dogs ever.I've got a 4 year old collie that will happily sleep all day when we aren't there but does crave attention when we are home they need as much stimulation as they need exercise.
Hi, Yesterday I went to my local Greyhound rehoming centre and walked 3 different dogs, one of which I took home for the weekend.
She's a lovely dog apart from the constant farting, she knows to go to the toilet outside but other than that appears to have none of the normal training a pet would hopefully have had.
If I get up she gets up and she follows me everywhere so I'm not sure she would be much easier to leave while at work than another breed?
She's going back tomorrow but I can have her again next weekend and then rehome her if I want after a home check.
She's a lovely dog apart from the constant farting, she knows to go to the toilet outside but other than that appears to have none of the normal training a pet would hopefully have had.
If I get up she gets up and she follows me everywhere so I'm not sure she would be much easier to leave while at work than another breed?
She's going back tomorrow but I can have her again next weekend and then rehome her if I want after a home check.
I'm glad to hear you are considering a greyhound 
She is unlikely to have had any 'normal pet dog training' as she won't have been in that type of environment (assuming she is a retired racer?) It is good that she is toilet trained, though, as some are not to start with. She may have never experienced any of the day-to-day noises of a house (TV, washing machine, hoover, etc) so these may worry her to start with. She probably will be easy to walk on a lead, as most greyhounds are exercised extensively on the lead - depending on her level of prey drive, you may have to watch her, though, around cats/squirrels/wild rabbits etc.
The getting up and following you is quite common in rescue dogs. Many of mine have done it to start with (and you wonder whether they will ever stop) but they do, once they know you are going to come back, or that what you're doing isn't that exciting
I hope it works out for you
She is unlikely to have had any 'normal pet dog training' as she won't have been in that type of environment (assuming she is a retired racer?) It is good that she is toilet trained, though, as some are not to start with. She may have never experienced any of the day-to-day noises of a house (TV, washing machine, hoover, etc) so these may worry her to start with. She probably will be easy to walk on a lead, as most greyhounds are exercised extensively on the lead - depending on her level of prey drive, you may have to watch her, though, around cats/squirrels/wild rabbits etc.
The getting up and following you is quite common in rescue dogs. Many of mine have done it to start with (and you wonder whether they will ever stop) but they do, once they know you are going to come back, or that what you're doing isn't that exciting
I hope it works out for you
I returned her today and have arranged to have her again next weekend.
I'm a bit worried now as I just put her racing name into google and her history shows she started her career In 2009, I was told she was five which was about my limit age wise as I want a dog that will be able to do long walks with me for a good few years to come.
What age do they start racing? she must be 8 at least?.
I did have a quick look at her tattoos but they weren't easy to read and I didn't know what they meant but I do now and will have another look using a torch when I see her again.
I'm a bit worried now as I just put her racing name into google and her history shows she started her career In 2009, I was told she was five which was about my limit age wise as I want a dog that will be able to do long walks with me for a good few years to come.
What age do they start racing? she must be 8 at least?.
I did have a quick look at her tattoos but they weren't easy to read and I didn't know what they meant but I do now and will have another look using a torch when I see her again.
carmadham said:
I returned her today and have arranged to have her again next weekend.
I'm a bit worried now as I just put her racing name into google and her history shows she started her career In 2009, I was told she was five which was about my limit age wise as I want a dog that will be able to do long walks with me for a good few years to come.
What age do they start racing? she must be 8 at least?.
I did have a quick look at her tattoos but they weren't easy to read and I didn't know what they meant but I do now and will have another look using a torch when I see her again.
I would seriously consider walking away from this one. I'm a bit worried now as I just put her racing name into google and her history shows she started her career In 2009, I was told she was five which was about my limit age wise as I want a dog that will be able to do long walks with me for a good few years to come.
What age do they start racing? she must be 8 at least?.
I did have a quick look at her tattoos but they weren't easy to read and I didn't know what they meant but I do now and will have another look using a torch when I see her again.
If they're quite clearly lying about the age then you can't believe anything else they'd told you. It might be difficult to do... but you'll find another one that you fall in love with so there is no sense in taking what might be a bad one.
As far as I know, their racing careers generally start at around 18 months old.
Obviously, only you can make a decision about what age of dog you want, but in the rescue's defence, ear tattoos can be notoriously difficult to read. We had to have a couple of attempts at getting Dylan's right. As you say, there's really not much point lying about age when it can be disproved.
I don't think the number 7 would relate to 2007 - as far as I remember, it's the letters that determine the year of birth. Is she English or Irish bred? (English bred greyhounds are only tattooed in one ear; Irish bred in both ears).
Obviously, only you can make a decision about what age of dog you want, but in the rescue's defence, ear tattoos can be notoriously difficult to read. We had to have a couple of attempts at getting Dylan's right. As you say, there's really not much point lying about age when it can be disproved.
I don't think the number 7 would relate to 2007 - as far as I remember, it's the letters that determine the year of birth. Is she English or Irish bred? (English bred greyhounds are only tattooed in one ear; Irish bred in both ears).
Please don't count on getting a greyhound to go on long walks. If the kennel told you this, then its not accurate.
Greyhounds are sprinters, not endurance dogs. Ours is good for an hour and half a day and not much more and if you get a black one, then they have to do less in the summer as they get too hot. As a breed they are very sensitive to temperature.
Its incredibly difficult to judge a dog in such a short time period. Be aware that she may be toilet traihed, she could still mark the house when she is scared.
If you are successful, then the group greyhound walks are excellent. We have been on several and they are a great opportunity to talk to other owners.
I don't know where the OP is based, but I recommend whittingham kennels run by Johanna and Louise. They are based in Waltham abbey, which is off j24 of the M25. Johanna has been in the greyhound industry for over 40 years. We visited four kennels and they were one of thesmallest, but the best by far.
Obviously, if you keep the one have tried, then I hope it works out for you. Greyhounds are excellent dogs. Of course I am biased
Greyhounds are sprinters, not endurance dogs. Ours is good for an hour and half a day and not much more and if you get a black one, then they have to do less in the summer as they get too hot. As a breed they are very sensitive to temperature.
Its incredibly difficult to judge a dog in such a short time period. Be aware that she may be toilet traihed, she could still mark the house when she is scared.
If you are successful, then the group greyhound walks are excellent. We have been on several and they are a great opportunity to talk to other owners.
I don't know where the OP is based, but I recommend whittingham kennels run by Johanna and Louise. They are based in Waltham abbey, which is off j24 of the M25. Johanna has been in the greyhound industry for over 40 years. We visited four kennels and they were one of thesmallest, but the best by far.
Obviously, if you keep the one have tried, then I hope it works out for you. Greyhounds are excellent dogs. Of course I am biased
she has tattoos on both ears, from what I read earlier one ear will be her birthday and the and a letter which represents which no. of the litter she was to get tattooed so for example 115E would mean November 2005 is her birthday and E means she was the fifth of her litter to get tattooed. I can't remember what the other ear was but will recheck
http://www.greyhoundhomer.co.uk/greyhoundearmarks....
Both my greyhounds (Irish bred) have letters only in their ears (three in the left, two in the right). My English bred greyhound had letters and a number IIRC.
Whilst it is true that greyhounds are 'designed' for sprinting, they are pretty adaptable in terms of exercise. They can manage with two short walks per day, but (if you build them up to it) they can also cope with longer walks. My greyhounds and lurchers have managed walks of up to 8 miles.
Both my greyhounds (Irish bred) have letters only in their ears (three in the left, two in the right). My English bred greyhound had letters and a number IIRC.
Whilst it is true that greyhounds are 'designed' for sprinting, they are pretty adaptable in terms of exercise. They can manage with two short walks per day, but (if you build them up to it) they can also cope with longer walks. My greyhounds and lurchers have managed walks of up to 8 miles.
moorx said:
http://www.greyhoundhomer.co.uk/greyhoundearmarks....
Both my greyhounds (Irish bred) have letters only in their ears (three in the left, two in the right). My English bred greyhound had letters and a number IIRC.
Whilst it is true that greyhounds are 'designed' for sprinting, they are pretty adaptable in terms of exercise. They can manage with two short walks per day, but (if you build them up to it) they can also cope with longer walks. My greyhounds and lurchers have managed walks of up to 8 miles.
We visited both of those kennels on that web site. Both were quite good. The one in Bishops Stortford is very small, but the lady who runs them (Elaine) was really nice.Both my greyhounds (Irish bred) have letters only in their ears (three in the left, two in the right). My English bred greyhound had letters and a number IIRC.
Whilst it is true that greyhounds are 'designed' for sprinting, they are pretty adaptable in terms of exercise. They can manage with two short walks per day, but (if you build them up to it) they can also cope with longer walks. My greyhounds and lurchers have managed walks of up to 8 miles.
The RGT do like to sell the 'two 20 minutes a day' line a lot. Most of the people that I have spoke to do all do more than that. On average we do about an hour a day. One in the morning and one in the evening.
I'm lucky enough to work from home, so our GSD has never been destructive. I used to have him in the office with me all day, but he was getting a bit too clingy for his own good, so now he stays downstairs and just sees me when I go down to get a cuppa. He's two now, and he basically spends all day lounging around. An adult rescue dog might be chilled out (or might not!)
The confusion over the dogs age was because the rescue place has 2 websites and old one and a new one, I was looking at the wrong dog with the same name on the old website!
This is the 3rd weekend I have looked after the dog, last weekend I left her for 2 short periods and she peed on the carpet both times.
Today she has had 3 huge wees outside in only a few hours and then another one indoors despite me being there and taking her outside to go regularly.
It might sound silly but at the moment from what I can make out she's never going to be able to be left for any length of time because she wees so much so often?
This is the 3rd weekend I have looked after the dog, last weekend I left her for 2 short periods and she peed on the carpet both times.
Today she has had 3 huge wees outside in only a few hours and then another one indoors despite me being there and taking her outside to go regularly.
It might sound silly but at the moment from what I can make out she's never going to be able to be left for any length of time because she wees so much so often?
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