Thinking of Finding New Home for my Foxhound

About 7 months I adopted a gorgous 2 year old foxhound from the Humane Society here in Toronto. Although I love him lots and lots, I am beginning to wonder if he needs a new home.
He's a great dog overall and I've had no major issues, except, well,that he's a "bolter" and I've had some scary experiences with him getting away. Thankfully I always get him back safe and sound but am now at a point where I am so paraniod that I feel like he'll never be able to be let off leash to run and play with the other dogs unless we are in a completely gated area (which are't that easy to find).
I'm at work all day and have hired a dog walker to come twice a week. I feel really really bad that he's home all day, and sometimes at night because I go to work-out or just out. He hasn't gotten into any major mishaps but gives me that guilt face that gets to me every time.
I'm beginning to think that he may need to be in a home where there are more people around. He LOVES to run and go on long walks as much as possible. I also take him roller-blading so he can run, but can't do that everyday. He's totally affectionate and is amazing with kids.
As much as it will break my heart to give me up, I somehow think that I should find him a home where his new family will spend more time with him and have more patience with training him to come when called.
Just wondering if anyone has thouhts on this.

Just my opinion,alot of people work all day and have a life and go out every now and then, that have pets..i believe quality time and as long as you dont get off work and only go home for an hour then leave again,there is nothing wrong with that.....Just because you have a pet doesnt mean you can not have a life also.You said you take him out and rollerblade and stuff.....Heartbreakin is not the word to describe how much it will hurt to get rid of him...

Many dogs cannot be left off leash in open areas, that's not a bad thing, it's a breed thing!!! Take huskies for instance, once they find an opening they are GONE!!! There are PLENTY of off leash parks in the Toronto area, that's a great palce for him to run like crazy!! Choose wisley though. But it does sound like he gets enough of a workout with walks and roller blading with you!!! Just keep him on the leash! Does he have training from a professional class, that can do very well if you teach him to heel!!!
You have a dog walker which is EXCELLENT, most people working 9 to 5 will leave the dog alone, you're a step above!!!! As for you going out... how long do you normally go to the gym? and when you go out at night, you come home the same night? Is this like every night of the week? By the sounds of it, so far, it seems like you're doing alot for this guy!!!

A list of leash free parks in Toronto
http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/parks/dogs.htm

A list of leash free parks around Toronto
http://www.pets.ca/dogparks/ontario.htm

Yes dee-Jay,don't give him up,you'll break his heart,having already come from Humane Society.
You say yourself he is not destroying your house,but waits patiently for you to come home.There are a lot of dogs living like yours and he is probably happy with the quality time you can provide.
Hounds have a sad face and he's giving you guilt-feelings,but if he could talk,he would ask you to keep him,I am sure :(
So,please reconsider,he has a loving home,changing again,would only hurt him.

Well, I"m going to go against popular opinion here and say that if a PERFECT home can be found, this dog would be better off there.

People need to do research about breeds, and think LONG and hard before adopting a dog.

Most hounds cannot be let off leash, because they will follow their noses and be gone. You should have found this out beforehand.

If you are willing to keep this dog until a perfect home can be found for him, then I will list him on my Petfinder site for you. You must thoroughly screen anyone who is interested, and charge an adoption fee for him.

Let me know if you want me to do this.

Lucky,you might be right,I just think it's so sad that the dog who has gotten used to a routine and an owner, once again is to be rehomed and maybe eventually be right back at a shelter :( or simply run away!

and maybe eventually be right back at a shelter or simply run away!

Right, which is why I emphasized "perfect home". Since the dog already has a home, the owner can be very picky about where he goes. It would have to be someone who understands hounds and their needs, and has adequate time for a dog like this.

Foxhounds were bred to live and run in packs and really don't like being alone all day. No dog does, but for this type it's extra hard.

I am hoping Deejay,will take care to get him a"perfect home"but chances are,once someone decides to give up their animal and is not getting many takers,the first person knocking on the door will be his next owner.
I could be wrong,maybe Deejay will really investigate before he hands him over,but it's probably not that easy...but then again,what do I know,I've never given away an animal :confused:

I realize that I could have done more research perhaps before I adopted him but I was told at the Humane Society that he was a hound/collie mix and that he was abount 4. After I got him and was around him more, other people and the vet were questioning his age and breed. I did further research and realized that he is a foxhound. There is no way he was part collie. I knew that Collie's were loyal and hounds followed their noses but was assured by the Humane Society that they just need to be kept on leash and they'll be fine.
Things changed obviously since I got him and his 'true colors' started to come out!
The whole experience at the Humane Society is another story but to make a long one short, they are basically really trying to adopt dogs and I don't think they don't do their due diligence as it is. The girl who adopted him to me was okay, but she really rushed through the process.
Anyhow, now I have him and it's great. We have become very attached, but because he's so friendly and loves people I think that if the right family came along he'd adapt well.
I'm still in the process of considering this and not 100% yet.
I do think that I can begin screening other folks. I would never ever give him up unless I know for sure that he would be going to an incredible new home with all the criteria I want for him.
Sure, he's content with me...but as Lucky Rescue stated, hounds are different in that sense. If I could find more of family situation for him, where he has someone home with him most of the time, kids, acitivities, long runs, walks etc...then that would be ideal.

Check out the cutie pie!

I agree that Humane Societies often do a lousy job of adopting out animals. I know our own SPCA will give any dog to any person who wants it, and who has the money. Needless to say, many times these dogs are dumped again.:(

How big is your dog? He looks rather small for a Foxhound..I'm thinking maybe a beagle mix.

If you do decide to rehome him, let me know and I'll send you a dog adoption contract, and list him for you on Petfinder.

He's about 50Ibs - medium dog. The picture is deceiving cause of the angle.

All in all, I'm pretty sure he's a foxhound and not a beagle mix. I've done the research but haven't had my research confirmed by an expert per say.

What is the process for adopting?

As soon as you give me your email addy, I can send you a sample adoption contract, and list this dog on my site. I need his name, too.

My dog's name is Deejay. I will start the process of looking for that perfect new home but will not jump into anything until that happens (if it does). I'm pretty torn here because I love him lots but just feel really really guilty about my lifestyle and his personality. I see the difference when there's more people around and how happy he is. But every morning when I leave for work he just gets so depressed looking. It's usually just he & I too.
Also because he's a hunting breed I don't know what to do when he gets on a scent and starts barking and going crazy.
Anyhow, if anyone has any advise who knows about what to do in this situation I'd appreiate the input.

Hounds must be kept on leash, or they do what you say - find a scent and want to follow it.

Obedience training can help with that.

The offer to list him on my site stands.

I suggest before you think of rehoming the dog to give him a chance by taking him to obedience classes.

You owe it to him to have an opportunity to show you how wonderful he can be if given the right guidance and support. :D

Best of luck.

He looks like he may be part Brittany, My dad's Brittany has quite a few of the traits that your describing. When they first got him he used to bark alot, he's settled down with the barking now, but he is still definately a runner given the chance. Lot's of training, and even more exercise is needed for this breed. They can litterally run for miles and miles all day long.

I agree with the others. I think you should try some obedience training with him before giving him away. If you dont teach him how you want him to act hes never going to learn. Giving him away to somebody else is just going to increase his depression when he realizes that you gave him up.