Decisions Decisions - Input please!

I apologise in advance for the upcoming long post, I will recap at the end for those who want to skip right to the skinny:

Here's the deal: After 5 VERY LONG years I am now finally in a position again where (I feel) I can responsibly look after a dog. A quick sketch of my personal circumstances for background and then on to my dilemma:

Single female (middle aged - semi-active to sedentary lifestyle) full-time job, but working from home half days.
Evenings / weekends free to fully dedicate to my new buddy.

So first dilemma: Adopt or get a puppy. The numerous dogs I've had during my life-time have mainly been rescues, so I'm very enamoured by the idea of getting a puppy this time round, especially since I am looking to do obedience/tracking and - if available in my area - therapy dog training.

Pro/Cons Adoption v Puppy:
As opposed to previous time when I've had dogs, I currently have no car, nor is it looking likely that I will be able to afford one any time soon which plays a factor in this process:

Pro Adoption: The cost involved is less than a puppy, assuming I get a pure-bred, because I would want a reputable breeder. Single-income household, money is definitely a factor .
Pro Adoption: no housebreaking (ideally) , you can see how the dog had developed character and size-wise, no surprises there.
Pro Adoption: generally doing a good thing.
Pro Adoption: no long waiting time
Pro puppy: being able to shape / train the pup from the start, not having to "untrain" any unwanted behaviour
Pro puppy: being able to pick any breed, instead of limited selection in shelter.
Pro-puppy: being in complete control of early socialisation re: dogs and humans.

Cons:
Adoption: House check and hassle involved with being "approved" for adoption
Not having a car means I can't easily get around to visiting different shelters to see what they have available. Looks are very secondary to me in a dog, I pick based on the dog's temperament and willingness to bond with humans. Most of the shelters I've looked at require "multiple visits" to get to know the dog to see if there's a connection from both sides, which I totally get and support, but it's just hard getting there and it limits my options for having to look at very local shelters only.
Careful selection needed as I have some requirements in regards to the dog getting along with other dogs (all my friends have dogs and it's a thing where we look after each other's dogs when the other person goes on holiday etc. )

Puppy: Having to settle on just one breed. Having all the choices in the world is not always a good thing and I have found it very hard to decide what would be the best breed in my circumstances as they are right now.
I'm very much a Shepherd girl at heart and without considering any other circumstances, I would immediately go for the Swiss white shepherd. HOWEVER, previously when owning dogs, I had a car, I had a partner and a support circle where owning a large dog was not an issue. Now I have to consider things like being able to get the dog to vet and/ or being able to leave it with friends if I do ever go away on holiday etc. This is what has made me question if it would not be more practical to go with a medium sized dog.
Currently I would consider, based on my experience re: temperament and trainability and preference for looks: (G)SD/Border Collie/ Australian Shepherd/Brittany

Despite the fact that I will be doing lots of training and there will be daily walks/ play, I'm not entirely convinced it would be enough to keep an Aussie/BC sufficiently engaged.. I would really appreciate some feedback from anyone with experience in that respect. I have owned a BC , but he was a rescue and I'm not sure he was breed-typcial as he was seriously laid back and one of the best behaved dogs I've ever owned. I need to add I'm an experienced dog owner, I love to train and play and with no other responsibilities, this dog will get a serious amount of attention, just not necessarily hours of walking in one go.

Thanks in advance if anyone actually managed to read all that, I would love to hear what other dog lovers think as I'm driving myself crazy with my indecision, lol

TL;DR: rescue or puppy, if puppy, what breed.

I have absolutely no idea how to advise you. In fact I am the last person to even attempt to give you any advice. My Little One was a spur of the moment puppy adoption/rescue but she was an easy little girl, so when she was not getting any younger I decided I wanted another puppy. Thinking I could cope.

Well, I did, but only just, and twice I nearly gave up on her, wanting the Shelter to take her back - although I doubt I would have actually let them take her. My beloved Pereg. And I know that she is the last dog who will ever share my life, and in spite of her problems I treasure every second with her.

But I do not regret rescuing/adopting either of them. And I am glad that I gave a home to unwanted mutts. Because they needed a home.

I read every word You sure are giving this a lot of thought and rightly so,good for you Its your commitment,your money,your time so absolutely your choice.I'd say check out the rescue centers online,have a look see if there's a dog on there for you and also puppies for sale as well.I think you'll know when you find your next best friend.Doing the pro's and con's is a great idea,narrows it down a bit for you.Can't wait to hear what you've decided,good luck xx

Thanks guys, I realise there's not really a right or wrong answer here, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to me. Sometimes it's just nice to "sound off" to like-minded people

Most people I deal with irl just give me this slightly bemused or patronising look when I'm going on about dogs again.


It's fine, I have fully resigned myself to the fact of becoming "that crazy dog lady" in my old age

I am/have been looking at the rescue sites, but A I try not to choose a dog purely based on looks, although I realise it's often the only criteria we have for the initial selection and B) It's just so disappointing when I see a dog I really like and realise its 200 miles away

At least I know myself well enough to admit I am not enough to ever be able to handle a Terrier with their larger than life personalities, as much as I enjoy and admire them from a distance, so that narrows it down a little... I guess

Wendy - from your profile picture you are nowhere near being a "crazy dog lady".

Go by your heart. Whether he/she is a pup, an older dog, a specific breed, a mutt, a small/big/long coat/short coat - he or she will be there waiting for you when you are ready to give him or her a home.

WW - Read your very sensible and well thought out post. Of course, the final decision/selection is yours alone. However as a lurcher fanatic for over 50 years, I would add a little more to your quandry's mixture by suggesting that you have a good look at some of the Collie based lurchers that need homes. Both rescue and for sale are always available and price wise if you decided on a puppy it would be a fraction of the cost of a pure-bred of the breeds you favour. The collie gene in lurchers of this breeding makes them entirely suitable for your choice of doggy pastimes of tracking/obedience and they are fantastic agility dogs. While the Greyhound side makes them a more laid back and less intense/demanding companion. They are wonderfully easy to train and gentle and very good humoured animals. Hybrid vigour - if you should choose a 50/50 cross is outstanding and providing they come from a reputable home and good working stock, should you choose one of these you will have a companion that not only brings you joy but barring unfortunate circumstances or accidents will last for many years of hardy and trouble free motoring(so to speak). Do hope that this is some help, bye fer now.

Aw, bless you guys! This is really helpful, I knew I'd come to the right place!

Malka , thank you for your kind words! I owe you a drink if you're ever up in my neck of the woods!

Gordon: I have to admit I have always had a soft spot for Greyhounds. One of my first rescues was a Greyhound. I was very young at the time, volunteering at my local shelter and I fell in love with her. She kept being returned to the shelter for severe separation anxiety issues. I took her home thinking I could cope. Unfortunately after long ordeal I had to admit defeat. She would pee everywhere as soon as you set foot outside the room, never mind leave the house. Having to give her up was heartbreaking, she was the most affectionate dog I've come across. I know you can't judge a breed by 1 dog, but I guess I've always been afraid of repeating the experience!

Malka's advice is sound: I need to trust my heart and my instincts and try not to over-think it too much!

*hugs for those that want*

WW - Adult greyhounds i.e.Rescue and ex-racers are not likely to fill your requirements, albeit lovely creatures. The collie X greyhound is quite honestly a very different creature. One can never vouch for a rescue of which one knows nothing and I wouldn't dream of trying. If, however you would like to see some of the various types of collie lurcher then I suggest you have a look "David Hancock Lurchers" on the computer. I have never owned one of his dogs, as I tend to keep the huge deerhound types, which in truth are abit of an aquired taste, but a visit to his site will give you a good idea of the sort of animal, who's case I was trying to put forward for your consideration. Bye fer now.

I don't know the rescue/shelter system in the UK. But for you an adult might be a good choice. Puppies are sweet and adorable...but equal to human kids with behavior, housebreaking and all the rest.

A nice stable mutt. Happy to sleep when you're at work and overjoyed when you come home. I adopted both of mine as adults. You know what you're getting and they are so grateful!

A puppy is sorta brainless. An older dog knows what it's like not to have a warm place to sleep or perhaps enough food. Adopting such a dog means they will be devoted to you the rest of their lives.

A very well thought out thought plan, I hope you know what I mean

I have had a few different breeds, both rescue and puppies. I am GSD girl at heart and also love the wolf look a like types too. I have also had lurchers and can echo what Lord Gordon has said. They can be the most laid back and loving dogs ever. So eager to please and will take as much or little exercise you want to do. There are smaller and bigger ones. If you go down the lurcher route, get a puppy from a reputable breeder, I am sure Gordon would be able to help there.

We have just lost our beloved GSD, and to be really honest, I cant see us being without one for long, but it will be a case of the holy grail to find one which I believe has been bred by a reputable breeder with all the health problems sorted. Which brings me to my other point, if you do go down the pedigree route, again make sure all the health tests for that breed have been done.

Have you any friends that will take you to see some of the rescues dogs? If you lived nearer I would be more than happy to take you.

Whatever you decide, I am sure it will have a super home.