Ok people, I need help making a decision. This is not a "Just tell me to get the puppy because puppy thread" this is a "Please give me realistic opinions"
I've been in contact with a greyhound breeder I really like for awhile now. Hobby breeder, contract I like, against early altering (and ok with not altering/alternative altering), has AKC registerable dogs but also does stuff with her dogs, puppies have gone on (or dogs have come from) OB/Rally titled dogs, great temperaments and pretty much what I was looking for in a greyhound.
She's also breeding her last litter soon (as in as soon as her female comes into heat and is already a little late).
So here it is, I need to decide if I want to add a greyhound puppy now or wait and find another breeder I like with dogs I like and a contract I can stomach.
Pros
Cons
Uncertainties
Honestly, I think my biggest problem is wondering if I jump in but regret it later.
So, thoughts anyone? Help?
I've been in contact with a greyhound breeder I really like for awhile now. Hobby breeder, contract I like, against early altering (and ok with not altering/alternative altering), has AKC registerable dogs but also does stuff with her dogs, puppies have gone on (or dogs have come from) OB/Rally titled dogs, great temperaments and pretty much what I was looking for in a greyhound.
She's also breeding her last litter soon (as in as soon as her female comes into heat and is already a little late).
So here it is, I need to decide if I want to add a greyhound puppy now or wait and find another breeder I like with dogs I like and a contract I can stomach.
Pros
- My initial want of a greyhound stems from really liking having a large, lower key, cuddle dog that can take or leave exercise but still be up for it when I want to go do something. This was to fill Kaylee's shoes but be a better fit for me than Kaylee is. Kaylee is getting close to the end here and I really really miss having her to cuddle with (She is more comfortable on her memory foam bed than in my bed anymore), like, I miss it a real lot.
- It'll be fun training a greyhound puppy, make me a better trainer and see what we can do together without the pressure of NEEDING to title and prove the dog like I will with a Koolie.
- It'll be a nice space out from now until I import my next Koolie in about three years.
- My family is on board. My sister would love to have a dog to do some stuff with that isn't as intense as the Koolie's or as focused on me. She would love an easier going dog to take for a walk that isn't either staring creepily at her or trying to make everything GO FASTER.
- A puppy is perfect because it would allow me to really train him and TRY to do some disc (greyhound doing disc! Could be so fun!) and help me grow as a trainer.
- If I get this job (FINGERS CROSSED) at the training place I can bring a dog with me and that's great experience.
- I'm used to three dogs and like it.
- It's a greyhound so even though it'll be a puppy the intensity and amount of dog will be less than Didgie or Traveler. More easy going.
- It would be nice to have a dog to bring with each Koolie. I don't bring Traveler and Didgie together because they do nothing by halves (AKA, I suck at manners) but when a grey is grown it will hopefully be a tad more polite and easier to pair with a Koolie when I go places.
- It's a puppy. I love puppies.
Cons
- Winter Puppy
- Three younger dogs. Didgie will be a couple months shy of 2 years old, Traveler will be a few months shy of 4. That puts a two year spacing between each dog.
- Another dog to train and work with. Both a pro and a con. More time to dedicate, stretched more thin.
- They're large, not really a huge con but something to consider.
- While I've had three dogs for awhile, Kaylee has been sick for awhile and hasn't been going out places and being what an active younger dog would be while having two other active younger dogs.
- It's a puppy. No matter what he'll be like as an adult he won't be one, he'll be a puppy that needs to be house broken and played with.
Uncertainties
- I don't know how it will be with three younger dogs. I just don't. Part of me feels I can do it, I love training and working with the dogs. It's never felt like a chore. I am excited by the idea of being able to work with a dog that is going to be more of a challenge, make me work differently.
- But again, it's three dogs. But I don't want to wait until I would be importing another Koolie and I seriously seriously feel empty when Kaylee can't cuddle with me. It's going to be such a hole when she's gone and I'm dreading it.
Honestly, I think my biggest problem is wondering if I jump in but regret it later.
So, thoughts anyone? Help?