Puppy or shelter dog?

Outside of racing circles, Greyhounds are not common as a breed. So finding a puppy, will be hard, not a popular breed as far as AKC registrations. Not impossible to find - but in hard economic times, more difficult than pre-2009. You'd have to check with the national club's website for referral to reputable breeders.

You do NOT adopt a Greyhound from a local dog shelter. You get the retired racers from specific greyhound rescue groups around the country (that save them for otherwise automatic euthanasia from FL race tracks, once their racing careers end). Fostered & rescue group dogs are usually far better as pets, than the average shelter dog. Far more work & vet care has been put into them, as well as evaluation.

Greyhounds are laid-back indoors & are usually very quiet so they can make good apartment dogs. They are active dogs outdoors (can make good running companions) & will chase anything that moves - including blowing trash, so you need a correct greyhound collar they cannot pull or back out of and should not be turned loose (off lead) other than in a fenced area. They have an easy care coat, & are a mind mannered dog. A similar but smaller breed, are whippets.

I have never met a Greyhound that wasn't a wonderful dog! We see quite a few at the animal hospital where I work in Georgia, since we are right next to Florida.

Greyhounds are docile, walk well on lead, and you can do just about anything with them during a vet exam. They are real couch potatoes and don't require lots of exercise, which seems crazy.

Working with a puppy will require a lot more of your time.

In the end, the two of you need to agree, or you don't do anything. And don't get all mad or upset if he doesn't want the same thing you do. At the same time, don't agree to anything you really don't want, either. Be honest.

Be sure to check into the expense of owning a puppy. You'll need an exam every 3 weeks with boosters, plus deworming, heartworm and flea meds. Then there will be the spay or neuter. Make sure you can handle all that so the dog you end up with can have the best of care.

Like you mentioned the retired racers, try them. Convince your boyfriend to join you on a visit to the shelter. Help him have a good experience with the ol' retirees.

You sure you want a greyhound if you want a low exercise dog? They need a good bit of exercise, especially the retired racers, they love to run.

Most the large dogs that don't require a lot of walking, need a hell of a lot of mental stimulation or a job. IE herding, pulling.

If you've never had a puppy, you may want to buy some books about puppies. Its a whole different story than that of an adult dog.

Also, I don't think many apartments allow for dogs over 20 pounds without an additional cost for rent. Make sure your landlord is cool with large dogs.

I would suggest a shelter dog, most of my dog's have been shelter dog's.Although in did raise 1 puppy, My Grand father told me when I got the puppy, that it take about 4 yrs to train a puppy, which I found to be true. On the other hand , shelter dogs usually have some minor issues you may have to deal with I usually only had to train a shelter dog for maybe a year.Some people think shelter dog's are defective, they are not and puppy are cute and adopt out easily. but a shelter dog is harder. in my opinion a shelter dog would be better for an a apartment than a puppy plus you would be giving a loving dog a 2nd chance. Go with the shelter dog! P.S. greyhounds still require a lot of exercise to keep them heathy!

I think in your case a shelter dog would be best because its personality is already formed. Then also some shelters have puppies also. At least they may be young dogs. My husband who loves dogs also wanted a puppy because he said dogs don't live many years and he wanted to spend as much time with a dog he loved. I do understand what he means. Greyhounds are very nice dogs and I think its a good choice.

For apartment living, it's tricky to try and raise a puppy.

First, with young puppies, you aren't supposed to take them out into public areas until they have completed their series of shots. And with apartments, you seldom get your own lawn.

So you either greatly hinder your housebreaking process by not letting the pup out and using those ridiculous "pee pads", or you risk a fatal infection by taking the pup outside.

Then there's the barking and whining issue that comes with nearly all pups. While they're learning to be quiet, your neighbours will begin to resent you.

I too have heard excellent things about retired racing greyhounds. They typically go through rescues opposed to shelters. And what this tends to mean is that these dogs are placed in homes with a family or other dogs. During this time the dog is given very basic training on proper "house life" as well as evaluated for their temperament and behaviour. These foster homes can then give you a better picture as to "who" the dog is.

Wait, you want to get a dog, but you dont want to walk it...

Just dont bother, a greyhound needs miles everyday, it would go crazy in a apartment all day, it would be like being back at the shelter, a quick 10 minute walk is not enough.

If you do get one and dont walk it enough then shame on you!

Do you have $2500 to spend on a puppy? $1000 for the initial purchase plus items for the dog. $500 for early vet care plus spay/neuter. Then it's always a good idea to have at least $1000 saved up for emergency care. If you have the finances by all means go for it. Keep in mind one or both of you in some combination will need to be home 24/7 the first week or so.

go to http://animal.discovery.com/breed-selector/dog-bre... its a quiz that will match a dog type for you and then you can learn more about the dog breed on this site

Off the track greyhounds that are retired, yes they have already gone to a foster home and are trained, they might be like a puppy sometimes, since they were track dogs, they never heard sounds like a toilet. Too find a good one go to http://www.petfinder.com/

it will help you a lot!

puppy's are sometimes difficult and adopting is less expensive to obtain the dog.

hope this helps!

it would be better to get a shelter dog. like Borderline Collie said, you need to train the puppy, which would take a while. you will need to get shots and that stuff, willl will cost more money. by getting a shelter dog, you are saving a dogs life, and sometimes the dog already has their shots and is sometimes trained.