I'm probably going to regret saying this...

[Bright_Spark]

As everytime I start thinking seriously about a dog, things happen to prevent it becoming a reality

My OH and I would like to get a slightly older rescue dog, we are thinking not until October due to work comitments.

Our not so short short list (you should see the long list

)consists of:
Greyhound/ Whippet
Cocker Spaniel
Springer Spaniel
Labrador
Golden Retriver

Now we do both work full time, but my OH runs his own business and I work with him, so dog can come to work with us and will have a couple of walks/ toilet breaks during the day, as well as approx two hours per day at the yard to have a long walk/hoony round. This is why we are looking for an older dog.

So a couple of questions, if you dont mind. First, is our situation a suitable one for a dog? Opinions on the suitability of any of the above breeds in our situation are most welcome (or other breeds) and finally, would a rescue centre be likely to think we are suitable owners?

Thanks for reading and sorry for the ramble

 

[kanter]

I would go for a labrador or retriever as they are generally very laid back and I would think would cope better with your slightly irregular routine and more likely to be settled when you are at work.
I love greyhounds / whippets but they are not always good off the lead and may want to chase things at the yard?
Spaniels can be a bit hyper, and need a lot of stimulation, I believe, so may not be as good if you want them to chill out when you are at work.
My choice in your circumstance, out of your short list, would be a retriever.
If you are hankering after a spaniel though what about cavalier king charles? They are often available as ex breeding dogs / bitches that the breeders no longer want

They are more chilled out than other spaniels and a small dog might be easier?

I found my rescue dog through this site:

http://www.dogpages.org.uk/forums/

 

[Acolyte]

I would say that yes your situation is most certainly suitable for you to have a dog (or two

), it sounds like the dog will have a lovely home

And (of course) I would say a greyhound every time! They are fantastic dogs to have around, very easy to live with, and they will be quite content to sleep peacefully with you all day at work then have a blast around after work and have some fun. They are clean in the house, have lovely temperaments, and are also very quiet

Here is my girl:

I got her from http://www.grwe.com - please look at their website, there are so many greyhounds looking for lovely homes like the one you are offering.

 

[kanter]

Aw. I do love greyhounds. I didn't dare get one as all my neighbours have cats, and they seem to congregate in my garden for some reason

 

[Acolyte]

[ QUOTE ]
Aw. I do love greyhounds. I didn't dare get one as all my neighbours have cats, and they seem to congregate in my garden for some reason

[/ QUOTE ]

You can always ask for one which is cat friendly - there are plenty of them around

As mine are not cat friendly (they dont need to be) I never have a cat problem in my garden - cant understand why

I noticed your thoughts about them chasing at the yard BTW and again, if you get the right one they wont do that

Mine do, but that is because at my particular yard I wouldnt let mine loose anyway, so it wasnt something I specified when I was looking for a dog. TBH there are loads of dogs at the yard already which make a lot of mess everywhere, and I didnt want mine to adding to that

 

[Maisy]

You could just go to your local rescue centre and see what dogs are there...........you never know, you might fall in love with a heinz 57!!

 

[kanter]

One of my neighbours cats is quite elderly and sleeps in my shed for some reason. He is a lovely old thing, I didn't want him traumatised and all the greyhounds I saw were ex racers and I was advised that they probably would chase. Maybe when next doors cat shuffles over the rainbow bridge....

I shouldn't have generalised in my post though. Most unlike me

 

[Bright_Spark]

Thank you both for your replies.

Kanter, thats the one thing that worries me about a greyhound. Thank you for the mention of cavalier king charles spainel. My OH and I both like the working breeds, I like retrivers while my OH hankers more for a spainel lol. I will look in to the cavaliers too. Thanks for the link. I shall have a look now.

Acolyte, your girl is lovely. I do have a soft spot for greys, and think they would be suitable for us for the reasons you have mentioned. I do worry in case they went after a neighbours cat or got hurt chasing a rabbit/ bird at the field. I would be happy to attend training classes/ similar about this though.

I shall look at your link also.

 

[Tiffany]

My boss got a Greyhound 3 years ago. It's their first dog, he came from a rescue centre and despite being quite large dogs they don't need a lot of exercise. They are quite laid back and love cuddles and yes your lifestyle would suit a dog.

 

[Super_Kat]

Get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, they're placid, cuddly, are equally happy to run about and have a play or spend the day sleeping

 

[cellie]

Golden retriever every time very biased.They walk and play when you want and sleep when your busy.

 

[Bright_Spark]

Whoops, sorry, took so long to post I missed some replies

Thanks you Maisy. TBH I just know I'd got to a rescue home and fall for a dog who is completely different to any of the breeds on our shortlist.

We just made a list of the breeds we like so we could do some research beforehand and see what breed would be most suited to our situation. I'm open to suggestions though

 

[kanter]

You do realise that if you take everyone's advice you will end up with one of each

 

[Bright_Spark]

I'm sorry for being so slow tonight lol

Thanks again for all of your suggestions, we have another vote for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and greyhound, and retriver then.

I'm never going to decide lol

 

[Bright_Spark]

[ QUOTE ]
You do realise that if you take everyone's advice you will end up with one of each

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm beginning to think that too

 

[Acolyte]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You do realise that if you take everyone's advice you will end up with one of each

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm beginning to think that too

[/ QUOTE ]

My mum breeds cavaliers - dont go there, they are nasty yappy things

 

[Bess]

I've got a labrador and a cocker spaniel who come to the yard with me in the morning, I ride, they stay in the car. Then I walk them and then go home. They are both fine with this routine, they stay calmly in the car, the cocker is a 6 month old pup so he is in a crate in the car.

They know the routine and are happy with it and are well behaved at home, quite calm and relaxed. Nice types to have around so I would go for one of those breeds.

 

[Leah3horses]

Personally the only 'pedigree' breed I'd go for is an ex racing greyhound. For health,in body and mind,a rescue dog cross breed is as good a bet as any expensive pure bred for what you'd like. Tell the rescue you are looking for a first dog, be prepared for a few tears when you visit the dogs in rescue, and let your new dog choose you

You won't regret it. My 20 plus years in vet nurse work, and my own heartbreaking experiences with my own has made sure I will never have another purebred dog again.And this from somebody who was into show dogs, and won very well at Crufts! I have lurchers now,any dog can be good off the lead if you put the work in training them.My lurchers are hardly ever on a lead,they are much more well behaved than next doors' spaniels, sorry to say. Good luck.

 

[GinaB]

Get a labrador

Not that I'm biased but they are the bestd ogs (I own two) and go for a nice working bred one. They make cracking pets. Or can I interest you in a midget yellow lab? 15 months old, lovely breeding but she just chewed my patio set apart so I'm not too impressed

 

[birchave0]

nothing wrong with cockers, people tend to wind them up and make them quirky.....
Our nine month old cocker is working strain and no bother at all, in fact my OH takes her to work with him somtimes, she quite likes sitting on his tractor, it's great fun!!!

 

[Bright_Spark]

Thank you again for your replies.

Bess, thank you, we would have a set routine, so hopefully that will help our dog to settle down.

Leah3horses, I'm sure I'll cry and want to take them all home when I first go to the rescue centre

. We do not mind if we get a cross breed TBH, but was looking at the mentioned pedigrees to see if any would be more suitable for us.

GinaB, sure, pop her in the post lol.

toomanyhorses, your cocker sounds fab.

I'm still no nearer to deciding, I'm sure we'll just go to a rescue centre and find a dog completely different to any of the above lol.

 

[CAYLA]

To be honest if you are going for an older dog all the breeds would suit you...esp if you re taking them to work with you, not all whipets and greyhounds chase....we take in X racers for rehoming and have not had one yet that we have not succesfully introduced to cats or proceeds to chase...esp the more mature laid back ones.

 

[Bright_Spark]

Thanks CALA

Sorry, I generalised whippets/ greys too much

I'm begining to think we will need to just let the rescue centres and dogs themselves help us decide

I worked so hard on narrowing down our list too- we also had Ridgeback, Husky Border Collie, Rottie and GSD on there too

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

The only extra thing I can add, is that if your dog will be in the car with you a lot, think of size and dirt! Our Spaniel curls up no problem, but is a mud/sh1t magnet, and takes about 10 hours to dry after swimming! She also tends to smell fairly 'doggy', which seems to be a bit of a spaniel trait and isn't everyones cup of tea! The (oversize) whippet finds it hard to make himself small enough to curl up, but being short coated is very clean.

 

[GinaB]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks CALA

Sorry, I generalised whippets/ greys too much

I'm begining to think we will need to just let the rescue centres and dogs themselves help us decide

I worked so hard on narrowing down our list too- we also had Ridgeback, Husky Border Collie, Rottie and GSD on there too

[/ QUOTE ]

That's what I always reckon, the dog chooses you

I tried to wedge the midget labrador throught the post but I couldn't get her to fit.

Oh well, guess I'm stuck with her a while longer

 

[CalliChristmasTree]

[ QUOTE ]
Get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, they're placid, cuddly, are equally happy to run about and have a play or spend the day sleeping

[/ QUOTE ]
Can't ditto that enough! Brilliant little dogs...

 

[Meadon]

I have a working cocker spaniel and she's as calm as anything when she realises she has to settle down. She knows when she can have her loony times e.g. when out walking and in the garden at home. She's very intelligent, my constant shadow and really tries her best to please you.

She was hyper as a puppy but then alot of breeds are. She's nearly 2 and has turned into a lovely gentle girl!

 

[Bright_Spark]

Thank you again for all of your replies.

Meadon, your Cocker sounds just like what I'm after. One who can be settled when I'm busy, but still has loony moments.

Ok another quick question (I may have asked this before- sorry if I have, my memory is useless). Would a rescue centre/ organisation do a home check before seeing their dogs?