Things to think about when getting my first dog?

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kppony

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Hi Everyone,

This is the first time I've posted in here but I do often lurk and look at the piccies of your beautiful dogs!

My OH and I are currently looking at flats to buy in the Surrey area. The area we are looking has lots of open spaces for dog walking and we both want to get a dog within the next 12 months. We are looking for a flat with a garden but the one we like doesn't have an enclosed garden. If we got this flat we would always supervise the dog and there are other places we can take it to have a good run around.

Would a dog be happy to live in a 2 bed ground floor flat with 2 good walks a day with around 30mins off lead per day?

Also, what would we need to budget generally for day to day care of the dog? (Vets fees separately as would save regularly/have insurance).

My OH had dogs growing up but this is the first time we would be responsible for a pet of our own!

And would it be better to go for an older dog as a first time? We both work full time but know plenty of people in the area happy to take a dog for a lunchtime walk or we would look into hiring a dogwalker for lunchtime. We would be out of the house from 8am-6.30pm Mon-Fri but then we could do a quick walk in the morning and a long one in the evening. Is this ok?

Sorry for all the questions! I really want a dog but I want to make sure that we can provide a suitable home for one :)
 
If you want something that only wants 30 mins walking twice a day, a greyhound is your best bet. They sleep all day. Or maybe a whippet if you have a small flat.
 
I agree a rescue greyhound sounds perfect for you situation.

As for day to day care it varies.

You will of course need food and if you have read here enough you will know not to get any crappy foods they sell at the supermarket. Fish4dogs is probably your best bet and you can get it online.

Raw bones for teeth cleaning cost next to nothing.

You will become addicted to buying many different collars and leashes especially for a greyhound :D
 
Thanks for your help :-) I have read about how bad bakers is etc! Dog food seems a bit of a minefield!

We would be able to to do 30min walk in the morning. Dog walker for lunchtime and then 1hr-1hr30 in the evening. Is that enough exercise?
 
kppony said:
Thanks for your help :-) I have read about how bad bakers is etc! Dog food seems a bit of a minefield!

We would be able to to do 30min walk in the morning. Dog walker for lunchtime and then 1hr-1hr30 in the evening. Is that enough exercise?
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Thats a great amount of exercise but remember that exercising a dog is not just about the physical.
Mental exercise is just as important if not more so. Lots of little 5 minute training sessions through the time you are home.
 
It's so exciting and scary at the same time! We're buying our first house and I really want it to be suitable for a dog. What things are yes's/no's in a house with a dog?

And is it better to go for an older rescue dog to start or a puppy?

Greyhounds are lovely but inthink my oh wants a king Charles spaniel as he grew up with spaniels. He had a springer and a cocker but those may be a little too high energy for us!
 
Personally I would not advise a cocker or springer spaniel for your situation, as they are high-energy dogs that thrive on human company. I'm not sure about how well a King Charles would do but as they were bred as lap dogs, I would imagine they need company too.

I think an older rescue would be your best bet, as that is a long time to leave a pup even with a walker - and I'm not sure how house training would work either.

I'm another one who's voting for a greyhound:)
 
There are other "oddities" to consider as well. A larger rescue may not consider you if you have no garden/work full time (this is not a critisism, just something to be aware of). I have always had a very large soft spot for grayhounds as they are such beautiful dogs but they are not a good mix for staffies (which is what I have) - being as grayhounds like short bursts of exercise and staffies being terriers need more. Why don't you and your OH volunteer at either a local rescue to walk their dogs and even foster to start to give you an idea of what you really like in a dog? or go directly to something like Grayhound rescue to walk theirs? that way, you get an opportunity to mix with the dogs and if you do go down the grayhound route, will get a good idea of what the breed is like.

In Surrey, a good dog walker costs me £10 per day per dog just to give you an indication of cost as well.
 
I reckon older dog as puppies require a lot of input and time. We timed ours (the first lot, not the current lot) for summer holidays, 6 weeks off so I could be with them. Your work schedule is quite lengthy so not the best for a very young dog.

I echo the suggestion to look at various dogs in a local rescue to see which breed/type suits.
 
Ok so an older greyhound it is! When I work out how to do it I'll upload pictures of my OH's parents dogs which are like my adopted dogs!

Thanks for the replies- I'm sure I'll have loads more questions when the time comes! Probably won't be for another 12months or so but I want to be prepared!
 
I adopted my 2 greyhounds when i was in similar situation as first-time owner & working full-time. I've a house with garden but they get most of their exercise on walks especially in winter when the garden gets boggy and many greys around the world live in apartments. Its not difficult to tire out the average grey with just a lead walk, we do around hour a day weekdays & longer at weekends and they're content either way. My dogs spend most of the day asleep/lazing with brief periods of activity so makes them very easy to live with and size less of an issue given there flat out most of the time.
Racing greys vary in size (20-45kg), though TBH you don't notice size yourself after a while & only get reminders from others that there "big dogs", it has its advantages with no need to bend! The good thing about getting an adult dog is its easier to pick one with the characteristics/ personality that appeals to you.

Groups often do meet & greets to raise interest and if they've kennels you can often visit & walk some even if your not looking to adopt yet. At this time of year there are often shows held for adopters so its a good opportunity to meet plenty of dogs & chat with owners.
Retired Greyhound Trust have branches all over but will vary with homing policies & how they operate (some have own kennels some don't) and there's also many independent greyhound/lurcher rescues too.

Some buildings that are divided up into flats have a no pets type covenant so best to check that won't be an issue. Can't think of any other possible issues with a ground floor flat, except to make sure you've done all the work you want to it before rushing to get the dog as you'll find you'd rather be out with the dog than doing DIY at weekends after lol.
 
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I was in pretty much the same boat as you, i live in a 2 bed ground floor flat with a communal garden and i got a rescued greyhound :)
Hes a fantastic boy, and although hes young (just turned 2) hes quite happy with two short walks a day and plenty of toys .. would definatly reccomend a greyhound :D
 
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