Dogs Dogs Dogs

That-Crazy-Rat-Lady

That-Crazy-Rat-Lady

Well-Known Forumite
So me an the other half are thinking about getting a dog!

We've both had family dogs all our lives but would like an addition to our own little family!

We've weight up the puppy/ rescue dog and we are swayed towards getting a rescue as we would both prefer to help a dog in need and get a scruffy mongrel!

We are visiting a rescue center tomorrow just to look (hmmm...)

I would really appreciate any advise - how do you know which to choose?

How can you tell if a dog has any non obvious behavioral problems?

How long does the process take?

I've wanted my own dog since I could say the word and I've been sooo patient for so long and just don't want to rush into it and make the wrong decision so any advise would be greatly appreciated!

TCRL xxx
 
Gramaisc

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
I suggest a gun-dog.

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Lucy

Lucy

Well-Known Forumite
Going through the same thoughts myself at the moment. Welce been to the Border Collie Trust at Colton a couple of times...
 
That-Crazy-Rat-Lady

That-Crazy-Rat-Lady

Well-Known Forumite
I only worry about a rescue as my auntie has had many over the years - all great dogs -

But her most recent rescue (when I say recent its been 4 years now) has serious commitment issues - at home hes the perfect dog, well behaved, happy, enjoys fuss and love, but the second you let him off the lead on a walk he just makes a run for it - shes nearly lost him on two occasions and just cant enjoy family outings.

This type of behavior just isn't something you can see or predict and I can see the pain and upset that it causes her that he just makes a run for every time - and I really want to have a happy little dog!
 
M

markpa12003

Well-Known Forumite
I used to have a Springer Spaniel. Fantastic dog and sadly missed.

My dog used to prefer to live outside and required a lot of exercise. I'm not an expert (far from it) but I think that's fairly typical for this breed of dog, so you might want to bare this in mind. I suspect a Bordie Collies would be very similar. Good luck.
 
Jade-clothing

Jade-clothing

Well-Known Forumite
markpa12003 said:
I used to have a Springer Spaniel. Fantastic dog and sadly missed.

My dog used to prefer to live outside and required a lot of exercise. I'm not an expert (far from it) but I think that's fairly typical for this breed of dog, so you might want to bare this in mind. I suspect a Bordie Collies would be very similar. Good luck.
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I used to have a border collie- they are very well behaved, have excellent temperaments, easy to train BUT they require LOTS of exercise.
We have a beagle now - love him to bits but he is stubborn, sheds hair constantly, naughty, cannot train him at all, has to be caged when we are out or in bed otherwise he wees and poos everywhere and he eats anything he can get hold of - food or otherwise. all pretty much typical of the breed apparantly.
 
Gramaisc

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
Jade-clothing said:
have a beagle now - love him to bits but he is stubborn, sheds hair constantly, naughty, cannot train him at all, has to be caged when we are out or in bed otherwise he wees and poos everywhere and he eats anything he can get hold of - food or otherwise. all pretty much typical of the breed apparantly.
Click to expand...

They can have a tendency to take on their owners habits..
 
Bob

Bob

Well-Known Forumite
We have a collie, we had him from a farm as a pup and he has a lovely nature, a friend has a collie, rescued at around 5 months old and he's one of the nastiest dogs I've ever encountered. He's always been fine with his owners but has never tolerated visitors well. A new addition was welcomed into the family a couple of years ago and since then the dog has been moved to a spacious purpose built run in the garden as he would have been almost impossible to rehome. Apparently the pup was found locked in a freezer and who knows what cruelty had been shown to animal.
The only problem with a rescue dog is that you don't know what has happened to it before it gets to you.
Also when you find one consider the age of the animal and the age it may live to and consider whether you will be planning any human additions to the family in its lifetime, even if babies are a few years off in your mind. As a general rule there are some breeds that are more suited to living with tiny people.
 
John Marwood

John Marwood

I ♥ cryptic crosswords
Deaths by Sharks worldwide per year 4-5

Deaths by dogs worldwide per year 800 plus


Source: Sharkio tinned shark food manufacturer
 
staffordjas

staffordjas

Well-Known Forumite
I'd say give a rescue dog a loving home.

We rescued our dog from Sunnyside in Coven. It's part of Birmingham Dogs Home now, but at the time it was just a pound and they had a PTS policy if they were unclaimed/rehomed within 7 days. Was so difficult walking down the lines of cages and choosing just one. We chose our Piskie but also liked another one , so decided that if the other one was still there when we went back to pick her up then he would be coming home with us as well. Luckily he had reserved on his kennel. (My boss had already said to get the 2nd dog and if they didn't get on,he would have it...........when he found out it was already re-homed he went to Sunnyside the day after and chose a springer spaniel.He blamed me each time it got up to it's naughty antics! )

We had 17 years with our Piskie and she was such a good dog from the very start.
 
wmrcomputers

wmrcomputers

Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
Definitely think carefully if there is the slightest chance you might start a family in the next few years. Only this week some poor girl has died at the jaws of a rescue dog. I've heard rumours that rescue dogs might soon only be allowed to go to families without young kids.

This is always one of those tough topics. Do they need and deserve loving homes? Of course they do. However I maintain my argument as always that many (and I'm not saying all) have issue's and are seriously a risk factor.
As for choosing breeds, what to look for etc. - it doesn't always make a difference. When my youngest lad was only 3 we decided to get a rescue dog. There was only one dog that the shelter would allow us to have with having a small child. It was a mongrel, and was typically dopey and friendly and we could see why they were happy for us to home him...... then after just a few days our son had his face bitten. Totally unexpected. No reason. The dog just turned and snapped.

I dont want to put you off re-homing a dog, but please choose carefully and don't go into automatic "I trust this dog" mode like we did. It takes a long time to learn any dogs traits and personality.
 
Glam

Glam

Mad Cat Woman
We used have a Cairn Terrier, never again. He took a chunk out of my leg when I was 5 months preggers with my daughter. We had him put to sleep as soon as possible. The very nice vet at The Shires in Stone told my hubby to get a Labrador, we had 10 wonderful trouble free years with her. When she passed on, we got a Golden Retriever, missed a brain cell or 2 that 1. They are expensive, but at least you know what sort of temper the dog should have. And, if you get them from pups, you can 'mould' the animal yourself.
 
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