Please would share your rescue dog stories with me....

[DeliaRose]

We want a dog. A puppy really. We have 3 young DC (6,3,1).

We don't want to spend £500 + on a dog when rescue homes are overflowing.

We're worried about risks with a rescue dog.

We need some advice, please?!

[Ephiny]

What kind of risks are you worried about?

The only problem I can think of is that some rescues might not like to home a dog to a family with such young children, especially a puppy.

[DeliaRose]

Unknown background, unknown mixed breeds... I don't know really.

[AllergicToNutters]

I'm watching this with interest x

[boringnickname]

You will be very lucky to get puppy from a rescue home, but you might be lucky. Most of the reputable rescues will not give a dog to a family with such young children and i think this is sensible. With the best will in the world, dogs often find themselves in resuces for a reason - no fault of their own but theres often an reason why someone hands over a dog they cannot cope with. It is very difficult for rescues to truly assess a dogs temprement in a kennel situation and previous owners will not always be honest about their resons for rehoming so that they don't compromise the dogs chance of being rehomed.

Have you owned a dog before? If not i wouldnt recommend you start with a rescue - most rescues will insist on you having breed experience etc.

If you go onto the battersea dogs and cats home website there is an online application form, you can fill this in and a rehomer will contact you for an interview over the phone.

I think you need to be very honest with yourselves as to why you want a dog, what its needs are etc, if you are really sure and positive i am sure you will get a great addition to your family as you are right, it is madness to get a puppy if there are dogs in rescue. Saying that, we had a rescue dog that died when DD2 was very young, i would never have taken the dog on if i knew i was going to become pregnant (this dog was not suitable for children at all) but it made me get a puppy this time as this dog came with plenty surprises!

[boringnickname]

Delia - i think your second post says it all, those are exactly my concerns re rescue dogs and unless you are an experienced dog owner i would reconsider and wait until your children are older

[CuttedUpPear]

Getting our rescue dog was the best thing we ever did. Although she was 2yo, lots of people think she is a puppy because of her short legs playful attitude. She is a collie x terrier.

She was thrown out (we think) because she was pregnant and we got her after her pups were weaned.

She is my first dog for 20 years and the rescue home really liked our household. Although she was a but grumbly when toddlers came to visit the house for the first few months, she's really mellowed out and and now either plays with them or goes and hides upstairs if she doesn't feel like it.

[CuttedUpPear]

We used this rescue agency, terrible name but we had a very good experience with them.
manytearsrescue.webs.com/

[Ephiny]

I would disagree actually, personally I think it's best for an inexperienced owner to start with an adult rescue dog rather than buying a puppy! Not just any rescue dog, obviously, but one with a known history in a family home, clean in the house, basic training already done, and a nice temperament. I know not everyone sees it that way, but to me it seems a much easier and safer way to get started in dog ownership.

Rescues certainly don't always require previous experience (this will depend on the breed in question, and on the individual dog), I do think they would have concerns about the ages of your children though. Not because rescue dogs are not safe with children, but because unfortunately a lot of dogs come into rescue (or 'bounce' back) because the owners have been unable to cope with the demands of dog and children.

You can only ask though, some rescues might be flexible if it's the right dog. If they do advise you to wait until your children are a bit older though, I'd suggest considering whether they might be right before you decide to buy a puppy instead. It's your choice in the end, of course, but the people who work in rescue usually have a lot of experience of these things, and see first-hand the things that go wrong. They're not just saying these things to be difficult, and it's not a personal judgement on you.

I'm not sure what you mean by risks from 'unknown mixed breeds', but there are plenty of pure-bred dogs in rescues, though obviously you wouldn't get the pedigree papers.

[DeliaRose]

I've been looking a the Many Tears website (have tried calling but can't get through). There are quite a few pups on there.

Getting a dog is something we have been thinking about for a long while, we feel we are at the right point now to take in a puppy.

Our lifestyle is such that there is someone in the house most of the time (by most I mean I am a SAHM, so bar school runs, the occasional baby group, gone for an hour max). Also, with three boys, our time out as a family usually centres on wearing them out (beach/forest/countryside walks). A dog would be such a lovely addition, I often feel like it's all that's missing when we are out!

Now DS2 is at nursery I have so much more time and would love to be training up a pup. In fact all I do at the moment is read up on training techniques, doggy diets etc! I've found puppy classes local to me, and MIL (retired) is always about to offer an extra pair of hands.

We love in an idyllic spot for a dog, rural with lots of lovely walks on our doorstep.

Plus - there just so cuuuute!

[GooseyLoosey]

I think that there are real risks with an adult rescue dog. We got an adult greyhound from a reputable rescue and it attacked my 6yr old dd. Clearly. most dogs will not do this and I am not intending to scare monger. I would have another rescue dog in theory but I would pick something smaller and I would prefer a pup so I knew that there was no history of abuse or trauma. If I was getting an older dog, I think I would prefer something that the rescue home knew really well and that might have been there for a while or where the background of the dog was well known.

[boringnickname]

I know exactly what you mean Delia, i cannot be without a dog so i understand. I would definately consider battersea, I approached them about a pup that had a mange problem and they were not put off by my having a young DD and another dog. I decided against this dog because the type of mange he had was likely to recurr and i couldnt really afford the upkeep of a mangy dog - shame, he was lovely.

It does sound like you have the ideal set up but i just would be very wary about rescues and make sure it is a well established rescue, i do know of rescues who just want to rehome at any cost and its not a good policy as what is the point of tht if the dog turns out not to be suitable and you have to make the heart breaking decision to send him back.

You do not have to spend £500 on a puppy though, you can get labradors, jack russels for less than that. Have you considered what breed? I think that mongrels make the best dogs but again this is a background issue, you don't want a dog that is half cocker spaniel half pit bull terrier (i know, extreme and not going to happen but just saying you dont knwo its parentage)

[CuttedUpPear]

Deliarose it sounds as if you would be a great candidate for a rescue pup. We are sometimes out for 6 hours but try not to do it too often, however our dog is fine left alone with toys and the neighbours' cats to bark at-.
You are obviously putting a lot of thought into this. Probably it is best to consider the kind of breed you want rather then focusing on the fact that the dog will be a rescue.

I just went back and looked at Many Tears website again and wished we could get another dog! (Although we a v happy with the one we have). Those terrier x collie pups in the basket look gorgeous - I'm wondering if they came from the same place as ours.
I don't remember ever calling them - I think we did it all online except for the house check.

[LtEveDallas]

My gorgeous mutt was a rescue, from Many Tears.

She was found, with her siblings, zipped up in a sports bag that was left in a car park . They estimated she was about 6 weeks when dumped, she was about 10 weeks when we got her. Later on my vet said she thought Mutt was more likely 2 weeks younger. There were 6 of them, and I think one didn't survive

We applied to rescue her by completing the online form. We had a 5 yr old DD at the time. The form asks an awful lot of questions, we answered them all truthfully and in detail, including the fact that Mutt would also spend a lot of time with a 2 year old boy, and a very young baby.

About a week after we applied a homechecker came out, bringing her dog with her. She had a good look around the house and garden, asked lots of questions (things like as we were in rented did we have the authority of the landlord, and the proof. How would we deal with housetraining, where would dog sleep etc).

She also watched keenly as DD played with her dog, and asked DD a few questions.

A couple of days after the visit we were told we were accepted and could collect Mutt from a foster home, we all had to travel to get her and we had to take any other pets with us. We were warned that if the foster mum wasn't happy we'd have to go home empty handed.

Foster mum had 2 of the pups, it was a mad house! DD was beside herself and wanted us to have both. Happily we came home will Mutt and she has grown into a wonderful amazing dog, DD's best friend.

We didn't know for sure what breed she was. MTAR suggested Springer/Collie, but we think there may be some whippy and pointer in her. She's a Mutt basically!

I wouldn't get too hung up on what breed to have. If it is a pup you are getting then you can mould it into whatever you want. The only thing I would say is that you should be honest with yourself - Mutt has 3 walks a day - and needs at least 2. No matter what the weather, no matter how busy you are, you have to be committed. If you can see yourself looking out the window and thinking "I don't want to go out", then a pup is not for you. Similiarly we used to wake up some Saturdays and say "lets go into London" or "Lets go to the Safari Park". We can't do that any more - activities have to be planned. Mutt can be left (shes 2 yrs old now) but I think it is unfair for more than a few hours. Luckily we have a friend who is always happy to have her. Oh and holidays - if you are going to use kennels (I wont) then plan that cost too.

If you want a pet with less committment to walking etc then an older dog who may only need a quick nip around the block would be better.

(Ex racing Greyhounds are fab for this so I've heard )

Hope that helps

[DeliaRose]

LtEveDallas - I've just found a pup that they think is sponger/collie, possibly some pointer in him too! How long do you walk yours for? I could probably, honestly, commit an hour a day walks, but we have a huge garden as well.

[thebestisyettocome]

I would probably wait a year or two until you get a pup. They have teeth like needles which could be a problem for your youngest in particular. The best you can expect is tiny teeth marks in all your babies clothes.
Wait until they are a little older and can help with the training etc. I'm not saying don't get one. My dog has grwon up with my children and it's been really great for them, just wait

[Elibean]

My mega tip: find a dog or pup that is in foster care.

No matter how cute or soft, if they are in kennel surroundings its so hard for the rescue to know as much about them as a foster carer can - a fostered dog is living with children/animals/people as he/she will be with you! The fosterer can give you far more detailed and accurate feedback than anyone else.

We got our semi-pup (he was 5.5 months by the time we got him) from Many Tears, but not from their centre in Wales - from a foster carer in Kent. So she could tell me what he was used to, what he was like with kids, chickens, dogs and cats, what scared him, what didn't.

I would definitely get an adultor young rescue dog with children (as I have) but I would always get it from a foster background

Enjoy finding your pup!

[Elibean]

With MT, I would fill out the online form. We did, and they got back to us within a day or two.

[LtEveDallas]

Hi Delia,

MuttDog get 30 mins in the morning, at about 0600. Mostly on lead. She then walks with a 'Pack' (so lots of playing) for an hour at lunchtime, all off lead through woods/fields etc. Then at about 1800 she has 45 mins to 1 hour, mostly off lead across a field.

Sometimes we drop the early morning walk, but never the lunch or evening or she's awake all night!

At the weekends she has a good couple of hours mid morning and a shorter walk at night.

She also plays 'fetch' and 'chase me' with DD most days.

You may think this is a lot, but honestly it's what she needs, and what she is happy with (at her age - it will get less with time). I think it's the Springer in her - she needs the stimulation of running and following scents. The only time we have ever cut this down is when she was injured - and she was a bloody nightmare until we could tire her out again!

I have a friend with 3 Springers, 2 Cockers and a Lab - they all have at least 3 hours a day and do so until they are about 6 years old, then he cuts it down a bit.

[DeliaRose]

Yes... this is why we discounted spaniels...!

3hrs sounds alot for a lab though? I thought you had to be careful not to over exercise them.

See this is my worry about not knowing exactly the breed. If you go to a breeder, you see Mum, sometimes Dad and you can ask the breeder how much they get exercised/how long training took/etc.

We were going to get a lab, from a KC breeder, ages ago. I remember her telling me no more than 45mins per day. She also had full sister to the pups so we could really see what we'd be getting ourselves into.

[AllergicToNutters]

you are in the same quandry as me OP. I am on wiating lists for a lab retriever later in hte year. But now considering a rescue but my doubts and concerns are the same as yours. WAtching this thread closely.

[LtEveDallas]

Delia you need to be careful not to over-exercise all puppies, you do not want to hurt their joints early on in life. MuttDog worked up to that amount of walking by the time she was about a year old.

Remember Labradors are retrieving dogs, gun dogs. They are working dogs first and foremost, even though they are now the pet of choice (thanks to a certain toilet paper manufacturer ). My friend works all his dogs and they are all very fit and healthy.

Labs are notorious for boredom chewing, and being gannets - lots of walking helps to temper that side of them.

[LadyMontdore]

I only know one person with a rescue dog and it is awful - chewed through their kitchen door, runs off, jumps up on the children and scratches them. By the time the realised how awful it was they couldn't take it back so now they just have this awful dog .

Personally I think a puppy and a baby is a bad mix. We already had dogs when dcs were born and the layout of the house means dogs can go in the kitchen utility room and we have a baby gate into the sitting room which is shut all day untill dcs are in bed and toys are put away. But I would have found them difficult if that hadn't been the case.

Again, personally, I'd want to see a puppies parents before buying. You may have the dog for 10 - 15 even more years, that's a long time! I would do lots of research. Kennel club has a good list of breeds and which are good / not good with children.

We have labs and they are very gentle but big! They don't leave much room int he boot of the car on days out. Also a very good height for babies in hight chairs to feed! They do quite often accidently knock the children over with their waggy tails in their faces too.

[LtEveDallas]

Genuine question - why would you need to see a puppies parents? Is it a nature / nurture thing? and what dogs are considered 'bad' with children? Why?

[LadyMontdore]

Um, I can't quite see why I need to explain this but seeing the parents would give me an idea of what the offspring MIGHT be like. Do they have any hereditary diseases, are the relaxed or bouncy, aggresive or friendly?

Can't remember the contents of the entire kennel club list of breeds but clearly different breeds do have different traits in temprement (sp?) aswell as appearance. Different breeds have been breed over the years for differnent purposes as lap dogs, retrievers, fighters, carriage dogs, sheep dogs, hounds etc.... and that will be reflected to some extent in their character. That's not to say all dogs of the same breed are the same but it's a pretty good clue!

[toboldlygo]

I second the suggestion to approach a rescue that uses foster carers rather than a kennel system. A good foster carer will be able to tell you exactly what the dog is like in the home, with other dogs, children, cats, any little quirks, what they still need some work on, their habits, how best to integrate them into your new home etc.

Our last dog came from a breed specific rescue that exclusively uses foster carers and it couldn't have been easier, we were matched to the dog based on the profile provided by his foster mum, before meeting him we spoke to her by phone and email on many occasions, took our other dog to meet him and took him home knowing she was on the other end of the phone for any concerns. We knew his full history.

I wouldn't consider any dog 'bad with children', only that some breeds have needs incompatible with family life (for example, the exercise requirements of my own breed would be very, very hard to meet with young children in tow).

It's not so much just seeing the parents as seeing the health tests and working test result that have gone into those parents - a good breeder will want to foster a relationship with you, be eager to prove that these kind of tests have been done, wax lyrical about all the competitions and shows and activities their dogs do and how their dogs are brilliant examples of the breed and examine how compatible/incompatible these puppies will be in your situation. There is lots and lots to consider when buying a puppy.