i want a dog!

[ratty_ratkins]

hi guys. i am considering getting a dog. i had my heart set on a whippet or an itilan greyhound. but, i have rats (as we all know) and i herd that both of those dogs would be a horrible idea with pet rats. that made me really sad! but i would never give up my rats. do you think that if i got a greyhound or whippet that it would try to eat my rats. i thought that it all depends on how the dog was brought up. if a whippet or greyhound will not work for me i was thinking of getting a Xoloitzcuintli (mexican hairless) i cannot find anything on the web about them, muchless breeders. i would love if someone can help me out. i dont understand why a greyhound or whippet would try to eat my rats if they were around them since they were young. help please?

[Sasami]

Not all italian greyhounds and whippets are going to attack smaller animals, but they tend to more then other breeds. I would just keep the rats in a seperate room. Rocky, our mini-dachshund, is aggressive towards the rabbits so he's not allowed to be in my room (where they are).

Here are some sites I found on Mexican Hairless dogs:
http://www.hund.ch/rasse/xolouk.htm
http://www.netpets.org/dogs/referenc...c/mexhair.html
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/xoloitzcuintle.htm
http://www.thebreedsofdogs.com/XOLOITZCUINTLIS.htm

[Jamys_mom_1990]

if you get him/her as a pup, you should be able to train him/her to stay away from them. Louis was 6 months when i got Jamy and he was fine with her... i guess it also depends on the breed.

[ratty_ratkins]

i am still uncertin. i am so attracted to sighthounds! but after doing reasurch, i think a pharaoh hound is right for me. now just to find a breeder! does anyone here have any pharah hounds, or any sighthounds?

[Sasami]

Quote: Originally Posted by ratty_ratkins i am still uncertin. i am so attracted to sighthounds! but after doing reasurch, i think a pharaoh hound is right for me. now just to find a breeder! does anyone here have any pharah hounds, or any sighthounds?

I LOVE pharaoh hounds but no, I don't have one. We don't have enough room .

[Linda Lee]

I have rodents and birds too, my dogs know not to bother them now. 2 were very interested as youngsters but you have to really keep a close eye and get it into their heads they can't touch them just look. I know I've heard of greyhounds that were fine with all animals and not interested at all in chasing or killing pets, but each dog has his own personality. I play safe by raising puppies instead of getting a full grown dog, although I would love to help out an adult dog in need some day, and I will.

[Millimi]

I don't mean to sound mean at all when I ask this, but do you think you won't get bored with the dog? I remember you saying that you get bored with your pets and stuff like that. Also, since you can't drive, how will you be able to take it to the vet and stuff in case of an emergency?

[ratty_ratkins]

i never said i got bored with my pets. i said i get bored and i tend to get new pets becuase of that. i have been wanting this dog for a long time, i decided to act upon it. my fiance drives. he doesnt mind at all. he loves dogs. we have talked this out