We have 2 greyhounds. They are fantastic pets! We used Virginia Greyhound (VAGA) rescue. They were great at picking dogs for us with good personalities (they choose the dog for you and bring it up from FL). I would encourage you to call them or go to one of their meet and greets and meet some greys. Ours are sweet and loving. I won't lie, there is an adjustment period from the track and you have to teach them about stairs and glass doors, but it goes quickly (a couple weeks?). They are great kid dogs because they want to play for about 10 minutes and by the time the kids are bored, the dogs are ready to sleep.

The choice is essentially between a Clown and a Ballet dancer. What is more suiting to you and your family?

I've never had either, but I really want a greyhound. A former colleague got one and they actually ended up canceling the dog walker because the dog was more content to just relax and doze while they were at work and then go for her walk when they got home. They seem like very sweet, relatively easy pets. I also think bulldogs are sweet but as others have mentioned, the health problems can be intimidating.

My parents rescued a greyhound--one who raced for quite a while and was definitely the alpha dog at the track. He's a very, ah, challenging dog.

OP here- thank you all!

I love bulldogs! I think they are adorable and sweet. But I agree with the PPs. I would never have one. They have so many medical problems due to bad breeding practices. I would go with a greyhound. We have German Shepherds and I am very much bias towards larger breeds. The greyhounds I have known have been great dogs. Very laid back indoors. One con to consider...if they get loose, they run! You have to be really careful.

Greyhound, duh.

Bulldogs have the health issues of all brachycephalic breeds and some lines have been bred for aggression - and of course, you can't tell which one your dog comes from if you get him as a rescue.

Bulldogs are freakish genetic nightmares. They get: brachycephalic airway disease, atopy with tons of secondary infections, chronic otitis externa, entropion, ruptured cruciates, arthritis at a young age and are very prone to heat stroke. Oh and most of the time the folds of their skin smell and you have to wipe them out every day. And under their deformed little tail too.

They are very sweet but no one should ever breed them.

Bulldogs are freakish genetic nightmares. They get: brachycephalic airway disease, atopy with tons of secondary infections, chronic otitis externa, entropion, ruptured cruciates, arthritis at a young age and are very prone to heat stroke. Oh and most of the time the folds of their skin smell and you have to wipe them out every day. And under their deformed little tail too.

They are very sweet but no one should ever breed them.

Yes, my parents' dog had a short racing career, too. She was very sweet.

Anonymous wrote:I have a greyhound. She is very gentle, doesn't require much exercise, and is very quiet (she almost never barks, which I think is common but not guaranteed). Greyhounds are big dogs but they have a very low profile. They don't seem like a big dog. Ours curls up on her bed most of the day or lays sprawled out on one spot on the rug. In reference to PP, yes they are the perfect height to grab things off the counter, but ours has never stolen food from the table/counter. She prefers sneaking into the cat box instead

Me again. I'll add my con. Sometimes greyhounds have behavioral issues coming off the track. Ours was scared of everything, which is pretty common. It took a while to get her used to things and it was very frustrating. I've seen one in our rescue group that had MAJOR separation anxiety and dominance issues. Consider how long they've been on the track and how much of an alpha dog they were in racing. Ours had a short racing career (6 months, which is basically the shortest period) and I think that led her to being uncommonly friendly and social. They aren't always quite so friendly (not that they are UNfriendly, just more reserved).

I have a greyhound. She is very gentle, doesn't require much exercise, and is very quiet (she almost never barks, which I think is common but not guaranteed). Greyhounds are big dogs but they have a very low profile. They don't seem like a big dog. Ours curls up on her bed most of the day or lays sprawled out on one spot on the rug. In reference to PP, yes they are the perfect height to grab things off the counter, but ours has never stolen food from the table/counter. She prefers sneaking into the cat box instead

My parents' rescue greyhound was a wonderful dog. The main issue they had was making sure she didn't eat things she shouldn't - greyhounds are the perfect height to grab food off the counters!

Really though, she was a great dog.

Bulldogs have a ton of health issues.

Anyone owned either breed? Our elderly dog passed away a year ago and we really want another dog. Just DH, me and college age DD who is rarely home for extended periods of time. We both work all day but DH has a flexible schedule and is home for large periods of time most days. I've researched both breeds- both seem like a good fior for us- both breeds do well alone, don't require a ton of excerise ( although we are very active and the dog will get plenty of excerise), gentle demeanor, etc. we prefer not to get a puppy and would like to do a rescue. The greyhound seems ideal but I am hesitant as we have never had a large dog. Any advice on pros/cons of either breed?