Has anyone adopted a dog?

Ooh! There's lots of love for greyhounds on here! You'll get lots of advice.

There are lots of Facebook pages that will give you advice. Greyhounds are wonderful dogs as long as you have a sofa large enough for all three of you! One thing to watch out for though is that they are prone to having corns on their feet (there’s a Facebook page called greyhounds with corns!) and vets aren’t always very knowledgeable about corns. I think a greyhound would be perfect for you but I am biased when it comes to sighthounds.

If you’ve never had a dog before it isn’t a problem because sighthounds aren’t really dogs: more of a cross between a dog a cat and a hot water bottle.

Sight hounds are usually big, gentle dogs. I have never rescued one of that breed but I have rescued or fostered ten dogs.
Most sight hounds live peacefully with people. They can have a high prey urge. A friend who is an experienced dog owner adopted a 2nd rescue greyhound as her first was such a lovely boy. Dog two is no longer allowed off lead and is muzzled outdoors. She caught and killed two cats and her determination to hunt off lead has had to be accepted. Greyhound rescue were very supportive, offered good advice but the behaviour is so well established, they’ve had to adapt.

I’ve never been without a dog or two all my life and have adopted a few.
My advise would be, have you thought who would look after your dog if you go on holiday or even for a day if you go to a wedding.
Is your garden dog proofed, or yard or wherever your dog will have access to?
If not, you will need to do this.
Are you willing to take your dog out for a walk at least once a day, no matter the weather?
If so, I would go ahead and you will be rewarded ten fold by the love and devotion of your dear dog.

Buffybee has said it all really. We have had two rescue dogs and they have been wonderful companions for many years. Greyhounds do have a high prey drive for small furry things but make lovely pets I am told. Good luck Greeneyedgirl

Please make sure that it’s housetrained, someone I know got up in the morning and there was mess everywhere (worse because they assumed it should have the run of the house)
We have several rescue Greyhound’s in our village and they are all very friendly, they are all muzzled when out for walks and don’t need to run around and if you have neighbouring cats, beware, because if one comes into your garden the dog will kill it.

Every dog we have had was adopted we always have two but my little Jack Russell died before Christmas aged 14. We now have just one called Ella Staffie X breed we adopted four years ago. She is so affectionate and has never been any trouble.
As it's been mentioned house trained definitely important and spayed or neutered. Our rescue centre provides a voucher for the operation and chips the pet too. Enjoy your four legged friend if you get one they never stop rewarding you with loyalty.

We’ve had two rescues, but not Greyhounds. Our current one is a Bassett Fauve de Bretagne (Griffon cross) from Spain. He is a lovely boy, but has a few issues which we’re still working on, and he is responding well. I volunteered at a local animal rescue centre a couple of years ago, walking the dogs. The majority were either Staffies or Greyhounds. The Greyhounds were always muzzled. A dog is a most loyal companion, but you need to consider exactly what adopting one entails, as mentioned by Buffybee. I would recommend that you foster before committing to adoption, and get the full support and advice from the rescue centre.

I've recently acquired my 10th dog - a rescue. I've only ever bought one pedigree puppy and that was because I wanted a Cairn terrier and there was a breeder who lived nearby. I've been lucky I suppose because I've only had problems with one dog.

Have you seen Andrew Cotter's little videos? He has two labs - Olive and Mabel - not rescues but delightful. I think it's possible to take on a retired guide dog for the blind but I suspect that there will be a waiting list.

We adopted a little 9 month JRT, who had been kept in a cage for most of her short life. We already had a lab. The JRT was manic for a while, but very sweet tempered. 2 years on she is a comedian who makes me laugh on the darkest days, and love bombs everyone.

A veteran of 10 rescue greyhounds over my lifetime, I adore them. Calm ( unless you are a squirrel!) gentle, don’t bark, don’t shed much hair and can sleep for England! Go for it , you won’t regret it.

I could not recommend a greyhound more. Absolutely fantastic dogs. So calm and gentle and just adorable.

They like nothing more than lying by the fire watching TV.

They really are delightful dogs.

Go for it!

This is my beautiful Larry in his 15th year

Thank you for the encouraging replies. I have looked at the cons, ie having to walk in all weathers, and dog care for when (if...) we ever go away. Plus disruption to our routine whilst we settle a new dog in. Also expense of insurance etc and the fact that a greyhound may have a strong prey drive and may need to be muzzled and not left to run off the lead. Hopefully cats will be put off from straying into our garden, which is enclosed.

My main concern is my lack of experience in dog training if we do have any behavioural problems, but I have downloaded some leaflets. We intend to register with the local greyhound rescue, but may have to wait for a while, as dogs are in such demand just now. They are all assessed, vetted, chipped and neutered, prior to rehoming.

I’ve only just seen this thread so hope you see my comment.
I waited until I was 54 to own my first dog. He was a puppy farm survivor. 3 years old and the love of my life. He was with us for just over 8 years and died a few weeks ago.
How I wish I hadn’t waited so long to be have a dog in my life.
It was wonderful. The walks. The cuddles. The love. The licks.
Circumstances at present ( a young grandchild to care for if the pandemic allows and a rescue dog wouldn’t be wise/suitable around such a young child)mean I can’t look at rescues for a dog but I still do. Every day. I hope you get your dog. I hope you get to experience the absolute joy that we had.

I got my rescue Greyhound last August. At first it was always a muzzle when out and she used to go a bit loopy if she saw a cat especially if it ran.
After a few months she calmed down outside and now we can walk past cats with just a passing stare, no muzzle. I suppose she had to learn what retirement meant just like us.
Always been an angel indoors and so soft and gentle. Love her to bits.

I have a rescue, a wire haired fox terrier. I adopted this poor, thin and matted little dog who had been found in the streets. My heart went out to her, couldn't even interact with me at the beginning. Now she is a changed dog, loves life and I adore her. She just looks at you with those trusting eyes, it's hard to believe how some people treat animals the way they do. Go for it, adopt a dog, the joy and company they give you is amazing.

A rescue greyhound will be fine it will be perfectly suited to your age bracket/activity and the rescue will support you
I'm a long life (from childhood) rescue dog owner and they are always so grateful it is such a shame really

Just seen your post , I have previously had a rescue greyhound and on the whole they are very easy dogs to own and a ex racer are usually good walking on the lead , they do have a prey drive so no small furries , I now have a bull lurcher which is another sight hound . I hire a large field a couple of times a week so he can have a off lead run but if you have a decent garden you should be ok for zoomies there . They are really big couch potatoes and don’t need lots of exercise so I think they are a good choice for a first dog . And if you have made the decision to adopt one I wish you lots of good times together