@Aaron: being a regular reader of these boards, I knew this suggestion would come out within the first few posts.

I know these boards have several good Samaritans, and I do respect you guys a lot, but I am no seasoned trainer.

I'm honestly very reluctant about rescuing. Call me misinformed... but I have this prejudice that most dogs that end up there wouldn't be there in the first place if they didn't cause problems or were abandoned as strays by stupid people who did only-God-knows-what to traumatize them.

I think I'd rather shape a puppy growing with my kids than having to teach a rescue that their hands are not food. Granted that people at the shelter are supposed to know what they're doing...

I've made mistakes in the past and I learned from them, but I'm not sure I'm confident enough to push this as far as fixing OTHERS' mistakes.

You could get a young adult dog, with years and years of life left, but skip the work and time involved in a puppy. You also know exactly what you are getting with their temperament.

Cats are fantastic and much less work than dogs.

 Quote: Niomi Smith

Hunh, I guess I have to ask, but how much time do you have to dedicate to a puppy or a dog for that matter if you can't give it any time between 7:30 am and 8:00pm?

Even hounds need walking time and outdoor time, probably more than 30 minutes a day....every dog, even seniors need more than that (not including potty breaks of course)

Oh, I didn't see that part in the OP.

I would agree that you may want to consider whether or not you should even get a dog. They all need companionship and attention.

My dad;'s dog that I posted about is only home alone for about 3 hours a day. I don't think she would ever be happy without having her people around.

Quote: I'm honestly very reluctant about rescuing. Call me misinformed... but I have this prejudice that most dogs that end up there wouldn't be there in the first place if they didn't cause problems or were abandoned as strays by stupid people who did only-God-knows-what to traumatize them...

Thats not always true. These days one of the top reasons why dogs are ending up in rescues and shelters are financial struggles.

 Quote: aaron myracle

 Quote: francis daigle

I was more planning into raising a puppy. I also don't think I'd be interested into acquiring a senior dog...

Why? Why not?

I could be wrong but I associated "retired greyhound" with "senior greyhound" as in 5-6 years old+.

I guess I fear I would get a(nother) dog that would last me only 4-5 years because it gets old and sick. I also got the impression that it would be harder to make an adult dog accustomed to my children than a puppy raised with them. But I'm still a neophyte like I said, so maybe I couldn't be further from the truth...

 Quote: Niomi Smith

Hunh, I guess I have to ask, but how much time do you have to dedicate to a puppy or a dog for that matter if you can't give it any time between 7:30 am and 8:00pm?

Like I said, I'd ideally include the dog in the daily routine so I can give time to the dog and the kids at the same time.

Why do you ask? Does it sound too utopic? I mean like I said I don't think it would be smart to adopt a puppy RIGHT NOW, because two babies under 2 years old is much too demanding to dedicate enough attention to a puppy. I wouldn't be afraid to play with a dog and my 2 years old girl at the same time, but my 1year old is way too busy testing my limits right now to play with anything but the things I repeatedly tell him not to.

I'm not gonna lie, if I get a dog I'm not going to dedicate 3-4h a day giving him 100% of my attention throwing balls and frisbees. I very well understand that a dog requires a commitment, but I was under the impression than some dogs/breeds can be okay with less activity. I've seen several dogs in my entourage that just enjoy themselves hanging around with their owners. This is the low profile kind of dog that I am looking forward to get for my family, not some high drive beast that will be the next king of Schutzhund.

Another reason dogs end up in rescue is because people get dogs they do not have time for, the dog does it's own thing, the people get bored/mad, blame the dog for it's behavior. So they bring the dog to the shelter because that is the second easiest way out. (Easiest way is to just drop the dog off on the street corner, no one to ask questions as to why the dog is being surrendered)

As a person who adopts and fosters these dogs, I can tell you, there are plenty who are EXCEPTIONAL animals, but because no one took the time, they did as animals do, and adjusted to their situation. Even though their adaptation was not the one the humans would have preferred. IE Dog who just motors around the house perfectly behaved, never needing adequate exercise or any need for training.

Sorry to say this, but all dogs, no matter what the breed, need DAILY exercise. And I don't mean once around the block for a quick pee and poop. I mean physically and mentally DRAINING exercise.

So if you are looking for a pet to just be a "fixture" in the house and will not need much tending to, please pick a stuffed animal. As harsh as that sounds, sorry it is my opinion.

In addition to having a husband, a 4 year old and 4 dogs, I also have 3 cats, 2 guinea pigs, 2 fish tanks, a full time job, an apprentice position as a dog trainer, and I am a member of a dog club. NONE of my pets require only a LITTLE attention. They all need food and water daily, clean cages/tanks/yards/litter boxes. Even the fish require weekly tank maintenance and filter changes. I have one fish that is an obligate insectivore so he has to be fed meal worms with pliers (I am not touching those things, they are gross) everyday. The dogs are by far the most time consuming, I get up between 5:30 and 6 every morning just to make sure they can get a minimum hour RUN so they are tired while I am at work. When I get home, they all are let out again for another 2 hours, then another half hour before bed. Now lucky for me my husband likes dogs too. So we bike ride as a family with the dogs, walk with the dogs, camp with the dogs, relax in the backyard (3 Acres) with the dogs. But I would never assume that my dogs would behave as well as they do if they were only allowed outside for potty break walks.

My point is, to the OP, your living situation does not sound like one that would allow for the attention needed for most pets. That may change in a year or two, who knows. But before you decide on any pet make sure you know the consequences of not having the time for a pet.

My youngest dog came through rescue and I got her as a 10 m/o. She is the sweetest dog one can imagine - loves everybody, stable temperament, take anywhere dog.

The nice thing about rescue groups is that they are really good about finding a dog with the right personality to fit your needs.

Hi Francis,

I think you might want to reconsider dog ownership at this point in your life.

A lot of dogs end up in shelters as their families are too busy for them.

I've volunteered for shelters and have a shelter dog. You need to realize that most dogs that make it INTO and then OUT OF the shelter system are the cream of the crop. If they're not, they get put down.

Damn I can't keep up with the posts, I should make shorter ones heh.

Right now I can't devote enough time to a dog let alone a puppy at this moment. That, I am aware of! I'm thinking way ahead.