Why not an older mix breed?

 

i mean im not oposed at all of getting an older dog, why do you say a mix breed though?

 

What sort of experience do you have with dogs? What sort of commitment can you make for a new dog? What qualities do you want in a pet?

Sorry if it seems like I'm trying to pry into your life, but answering these questions honestly will help all of us here to make educated sugestions to help you find that perfect pet.

 

o no problem
well my family always had dogs. i grew up with 2 different golden retrievers, they were good dogs, liked them alot ( i dont like that kind of hair though, makes a big mess ) then the last 3 years we had 2 little jack russels which i loved alot, i just moved out last year though and im getting a new place of my own in a month or 2.

for the dog right now, the black lab i mentioned, i love him, i hang with him a bunch and he listens to me and not my roommate, but a big hyper dog like him needs a bigger place, and more attention than we can give him right now (one of my good friends is taking him soon) but he takes a good liking to me, and i command good control over him.


well as for my lifestyle soon, ofr a commitment, i mean as i said i work full time, and now and then i take a visit out on some weekends for a day. which might be a bigger thing, being gone a day, but if i had a small dog (alot of times im going home and visiting my family) i could probly just bring them em with me.

 

If you like the lab and sporting dog personalities, why not look at cockers and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?

Regardless of the breed, do consider an adult from breed rescue, especially since you work full time. Working full time makes it REALLY hard to housebreak a puppy (especially since small-breed pups are typically more difficult to housebreak and need to go more often than larger pups.)

 

im not really oposed to an older dog, in fact the first thing i planned on doing was dropping by all the shelters etc aroudn me and seeing what they have. and ya im thinking i will get an older dog because your right it probly wouldnt turn out good with a puppy and i would like to help an animal in need. i like labs and such, but im looking for something a bit more calm. and chill but still playful at heart.

 

Most dogs, including labs, are a lot calmer with sufficient exercise and, even with a big house and yard, they do not exercise themselves.

Figure on a commitment of at least a couple hours each day (some would say much more) for training, grooming and exercise whether the dog is 12 pounds or 120. That two hours does NOT include just-hangin'-out-together time. (Esther is laying at my feet right now. That doesn't count - even if I'm on a dog forum.)

 

Retired racing greyhound. Quiet, clean, minimal exercise needs. Already housebroken/crate-trained, already walk well on a leash.

And stunningly beautiful.

 

Great suggestion! Yes, yes, yes. Yep, yep. And I totally agree

Drawback of an italian greyhound: can be very hard to housetrain (a big reason many end up in rescue), which is obviously not a good thing in an apartment with carpet. They can also be fragile.

 

You should check out Petfinder too.

I would definatley get and older dog well at least 4 yrs old. They wont mind being alone as much as a young pup. I know many might disagree but since you will not be home for a good portion of the day maybe get 2?

I sure hope you don't crate them every day Maybe you can gate them off in a tiled kitchen untill you are sure they are house broken.

Maybe get a small breed less likely to jump gates. I think all terrier breeds are pretty {"jumpy")

 

whippet or grey- my boss has a whippet and he's so calm and the short hair is nice- dogs like greys and whippets do require a little diffrent care than most dogs. My b/f used to have a small greyhound female. She was an angel. You may try and look for a grey on the smaller side. They are real couch potatoes! The next dog we get 100% will be a ret.grey. (or maybe a few)

Since their coat is thin be careful about sticks cutting them- keep a wrap bandage handy on hikes. THe kind that is stretchy and sticks to itself.
They get cold easily so they used a doggy jacket outside. Thin fur.
They were careful about sun exposure because their fur is thin -risk of skin cancer (she was a white and brindle) maybe darker colors are diffrent.
Look into doggy sun screen- not sure if dogs need a special kind that doesn't clog pores( i know hairless dogs need special shampoo b/c of this) Or just use a tee shirt if it will be out for awhile.
Since they feed them so poorly at the track I know their grey had a sensitive stomach. So feed a good food which any type of dog should have.
I also wouldn't opt to use any kind of shock training or invisible fencing- just because they have been through so much.
These dogs are so amazing, adopting a grey will change you life forever.
Also, She came already knowing heel from the track- not sure if they all do but it was nice to walk her.

 

i forgot about the racing greyhounds, so older ones are pretty calm? how big do they get? are there like greyhound rescue centers?

 

They really start to mellow out at 3+ years old. Retired racers are usually anywhere from 2-5 years of age. They range in size from 50lbs for a smaller female up to 90+ lbs for a large male. Females tend to be smaller than males. Average weight: 60lbs for girls, 70lbs for boys. They come in virtually all colors. There are adoption groups all over the country - just google "greyhound adoption" and your location. There are also several all-greyhound forums that are really active and have a wealth of information for potential and current adopters.

Since their coat is thin be careful about sticks cutting them- keep a wrap bandage handy on hikes. THe kind that is stretchy and sticks to itself.

They do have thin skin, but they aren't that fragile.

They get cold easily so they used a doggy jacket outside. Thin fur.
They were careful about sun exposure because their fur is thin -risk of skin cancer (she was a white and brindle) maybe darker colors are diffrent.
Look into doggy sun screen- not sure if dogs need a special kind that doesn't clog pores( i know hairless dogs need special shampoo b/c of this) Or just use a tee shirt if it will be out for awhile.

Uh....not really. Well, if you live in a REALLY cold climate, a coat is probably necessary. Our dogs rarely-to-never wear coats or pjs or anything else like that. You do want to avoid prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures as their low body fat can make it difficult for them to regulate in extreme heat or cold for long periods of time...unless they are acclimated to it over time (as they are growing up where they live in huge runs with shelters but no climate control). Retired racers, though, are used to the racing kennel environment where it is climate controlled.

I can not think of anyone who puts sun screen on their greyhound. They do have fur. We currently have 12 greys of all colors and have never ever ever had a need to put sunscreen on them. A t-shirt on a greyhound that's going to be out in the sun for a while is a BAD BAD idea. That will trap heat to their body and could lead to heat stroke. Do NOT do this with a greyhound! (or any furred dog!)

Since they feed them so poorly at the track I know their grey had a sensitive stomach. So feed a good food which any type of dog should have.

They can have a sensitive stomach, but it has nothing to do with what they eat at the track (which is usually a mix of meat, veggies and commercial kibble). Each racing kennel will have their own "special mix" that they feed. Sensitive tummies can be common with greyhounds. Most of ours, though, can eat anything and are just fine.

I also wouldn't opt to use any kind of shock training or invisible fencing- just because they have been through so much.

Invisible fencing is a BAD idea only because greyhounds can run so fast, they'll burst through it without realizing they are doing so. Shock training...well, I don't think that's appropriate for 99.9% of dogs. Greyhounds or otherwise. Greyhounds, list most sighthounds, respond best with positive reinforcement in terms of training. The use of strong corrections will backfire pretty quickly with a sighthound.

As for the "been through so much"...Not sure what that means exactly. Long story short, greyhounds don't need pity adoptions. They need people to adopt them who have researched the breed and decided the characteristics that are unique to the retired racing greyhound will fit their lifestyle.

If you want a dog that is quiet, laid back most of the time, has low-to-moderate activity levels, minimal grooming, is very loyal, can be aloof with strangers, easy to handle, sensitive, smart, is beautiful and athletic with eyes that can pierce into your soul and convince you to do wild and crazy things like buy premium everything, dozens and dozens of fancy collars, grey-friendly cars and houses and force you to calculate just how many greyhounds you can fit per square foot of your living space because they are just so d*mned wonderful. Then, by all means, adopt your first. It most likely won't be your last

 

I have a Bishon/Beagle mix, about 30 pounds and since I walk him two miles a day total, morning and evening, he is doing fine.
You need to know that an apartment dog has to be kept moving, it's not just out to pee, etc. and home again. It's a major committment, winter and summer to see s/he stays healthy.

 

I mention mix breed because they are cool, but besides that, they usually have less problems that a pure bred dog has- unless you get the pure bred from a reputable breeder.

I dunno, mix breeds, to me just have the coolness factor in them that no other dog will look just like him/her.

 

Cool dog.

I mention mix breed because they are cool, but besides that, they usually have less problems that a pure bred dog has- unless you get the pure bred from a reputable breeder.

I dunno, mix breeds, to me just have the coolness factor in them that no other dog will look just like him/her.

Yep, mix bishon/beagle. Cool.

 

Greys come in all different sizes, some of them can be big - but all the ones I have met are docile and very sweet. If you travel to a rescue group you can meet many and see if you have a connection- the staff can tell you a little about each dogs personality to make sure you get a good match. look on pet finder for greyhounds- then call different rescue groups listed. Even though they have been through a lot they have so much love to give it's amazing. I know if you went and met a few you would fall in love instantly

 

greyhounds make great apartment dogs, as others have listed above


Also, depending on what you like, I love my boston in my apartment she is high energy (which I like) and has a great disposition and is just funny. I guess you have to know the breed to like them

 

Re: Cool dog.

How about a shih tzu? You could adopt a older one from a shih tzu rescue. Just good shih tzu rescue and you should find one by you. Shih tzu's shed very little but they won't shed on you or anything else as long as you brush and comb them twice daily. They aren't that hyper either. If you take them for a good walk in the morning and play with them and walk them when you get home they will entertain themselves as long as you leave some toys out.

 

Yipper

How about a shih tzu?

Friends of mine have two. They are little yippers but its unlikely the neighbors would complain about noise. They weigh about 5 poinds I think and their stomack is about 3" off the ground. A walk around the block twice a day would do it for exercise. (you need more than that tho).
I don't know how they are being left alone as my friends rarely do that.

 

Re: Yipper

I have left Snoopy alone all day before and have come back with him sleeping. He doesn't bark unless I tell him to or he wants something. I know some shih tzu's bark alot but not all do, espically if you train them.

 

Re: Yipper

I agree with everyone suggesting a retired racing greyhound

 

Exercise?

I agree with everyone suggesting a retired racing greyhound

How do you exercise a retired dog that has ran for 3 years for a living? A big one at that.

Doesen't sound like a dog for a young person who will be spending a lot of time working, schooling and socializing while living in a small apartment.

 

Re: Exercise?

Greyhounds are sprinters. They run for a few minutes, then spend the rest of the day being lazy. They're known as being a 45 mph couch potato. That's why they're fantastic for apartments... they take their retirement very seriously and very literally.

 

Re: Exercise?

Greyhounds are sprinters. They run for a few minutes, then spend the rest of the day being lazy. They're known as being a 45 mph couch potato. That's why they're fantastic for apartments... they take their retirement very seriously and very literally.

What she said!

Even when they are racing, they only race <roughly> every 5 days and a race is only 30 seconds <on average>. In their "off days" at the track, they are either resting, taken for walks or short sprints if they have more than 5-6 days between races.

They take to retirement quite well. Ideally, greyhound owners can find access to a fenced field every week or two weeks to let them do a lap or two. Most areas with greyhound adoption groups have greyhound play dates where everyone brings their hounds so they can socialize and run a bit...it's a lot of laying around and schmoozing for ear scritches though.

I like first time adopters to pick a hound that's 4+ years old. That gives them a couple years experience at the track and time to mature and settle in. A 2, and even 3 year old, greyhound can have a lot of puppy in them! Of course, our 4 year old Echo has to sprint a couple times a day or she pings off the wall. Sometimes I think she forgot to read the greyhound manual. LOL

I had two greyhounds in an apartment, my husband had 4 before we met. The make excellent apartment dogs!

eta: They are a good choice for someone who wants a larger breed dog in a small space (our house is 1400 sq feet and we've had 15 greyhounds living here at any one time *disclaimer* we have a fenced acre back yard and easy access to a lot more fenced acerage as well). If someone wants a toy breed, obviously a greyhound won't be a breed that interests them.

 

Well, I don't have a lot of experience with different breeds, but I do live in an apartment with my boston terrier and new miniature pinscher foster. My boston is definitely energetic, but with a couple good walks a day and plenty of toys he's very easy to please. He isn't a barker, but I discouraged it from the beginning so that may be why. I also like the fact that he's very portable because I'm a college student and I try to go back to my hometown on holidays, so I bring him with me. He's very good with new visitors and is a pretty entertaining little guy. If you have any specific questions about bostons I'd sure try to anwer them for you. Good luck on your search!

 

Heck, I've got a COLLIE in an apartment- and have since he was a puppy, and I'm not terribly active. We do long walks, we do a LOT of training and exercising his brain, and I purposefully picked a MODERATELY active large breed dog that matures relatively quickly (compared to say, labs) and has a nice moderate energy level.

I think a lot depends just on what you like and what sacrifices you're willing to make to live with your breed of choice. For me, some dog hair in the food and lots of trips to the park (with mosquitos, and annoying people with their loud music and screaming children) are worth it for Mal. And I've changed my routine to execise him as much as he needs to be calm and focused when we're working.

If you like large dogs- definately consider a greyhound, because honestly, if you like low impact dogs that are easy to live with- greyhounds can be absolutely perfect. But don't necessarily rule out a lab if that's truly the breed you love- find an adult- 3-5 years, or even older- from a breed rescue group. Labs can be very calm dogs as adults! I think you should reall do some hard thinking about what you want, and then make a decision.

I agree with Taz and GF that small dogs are NOT all couch potatoes. My corgi was, as a puppy, actually MUCH more of a pain to keep exercised and entertained than my collie is, despite being half his size. And I've got friends with bostons that would drive me up the wall with their constant bouncing and energy. You just have to research and figure out what the right breed for you is.

 

thanks people i think i might just make a trip to a nearby greyhound shelter and take a look around , definietly a very good consideration im thinking.