For some people the idea of not having a puppy is a complete no go but if you are concidering a rescue think carefully about what you can or cannot handle. I am on my third rescue as I prefer a non puppy household, I also like cross breeds which these days is all the rage but was concidered a bit suspect 30 years ago, when I got my first rescue dog. My very first ever dog was a collie puppy which was a present from my parents but since then all rescues. You will not get a model dog and there will be a certain amount of settling in and problems to work on the other thing to think about is what sort of dog you are looking for. I know roughly the breed I want but the dog has to click with me there has to be that something which I cannot explain but we all have met dogs which although nice dogs do nothing for you and that is not what I want. So don't go for the first dog you come across because it has big eyes you do have to be honest with yourself, it is no good getting a dog and not getting on and sending it back and then going for a puppy. You really do need to 'fall' for a dog and you will find it in yourself to work through any issues you have more positively. My first rescue dog I was looking for a collie cross spade bitch and after my first trip to the rescue fell absolutely hook line and sinker for a collie retriever unneutered Dog aged 10 months. He had been in and out of the home 3 times as he was a chewer but as he came to work with me easily sorted and using plenty of stop chew and removing anything easily chewable within reach..... You get the picture. Had him for 14 years. Next was a rescue which some friends of friends had taken on but due to illness could not cope with him and he was a 4 yr old lab stray, who pulled like a train and ran off at the first chance. Some of our first walks consisted of no more than 20 yards with lots of standing still until no more pulling, within two weeks he could be walked by the grandkids - a good feeling. The running off got me very fit he would take off and I would turn and run in the opposite direction by the time he looked back there could have been. 3 fields between us, again this was sorted quite quickly. I was lucky I knew the farmer and he was ok with this. When he was 9 yrs old we started beating on a small shoot but he had no idea what a pheasant was but learnt from his 'friend' who was a gun dog bred and trained lab. We did this for 5 years and he loved it quite steady but would never retrieve feather game. Our latest rescue is a springer lab cross and he was 9 months old we were looking for between 1-4 yrs but again the click happened and that was it. He is highly gun dog bred and a handful and almost. 2 years later he is becoming the dog I want but still lots more training required. Lovely temperament but highly strung and the most difficult dog I have ever had to walk without pulling on the lead, but finally getting close. We knew he would not be an easy dog when we got him and if my partner had his way he would have given up but not now he is as positive as I am. Probably helps that he has quietened a lot in the house, no longer crated which makes life easier. Would I have gone with the same type of dog again if I knew the problems we have had, of course, I love the challenge of a rescue, the good feeling when it goes well and what a great life I give an 'unwanted' dog. So if you are still reading and I have not put you off I would never hesitate to say to someone get a rescue dog, there are way to many puppies out there. But I cannot say enough get a dog you like even if it takes time to find the right one, you will know when you meet, enjoy your find and I hope you have all the enjoyment (and frustration ) I have had. Good luck
I had a rescue, he was a darling dog, such a gentleman. Sadly he had epilepsy and died as a result of that at just 8 years old. He was very nervous to begin with, but I got him over that eventually.
Absolutely except in his case a packet of cheese, even managed to get the block out of the packet and leave the packet on the kitchen side.....so sign of any cheese
When we went to collect Henry my daughter asked the breeder if she had any older dogs for sale. The breeder said she did not sell them but instead asked for a donation to Lab rescue. One week after we collected Henry my daughter and son in law went back for Emmy, who is 6 and has had two litters of pups but did not look like she was coming into season again. Em had been bought in by the breeder when she was 3 years old so this is her third home and she had never lived inside. She has adapted to 'civilian' life brilliantly and everyone adores her. She was a bit strict with H and G to start with but now comes to me to play at the seaside every Monday and they all get on like a house on fire.
I had a very experience with a rescue dog it broke my heart and its put me off for a while. I may try it again in the future but at the moment its just not for me. Too risky emotionally
Millie is one of a few rescue dogs we have rehomed . There are risks of course , many , like her and my last one , came with underlying health problems which were either caused by their abusive background or the reason that they were abandoned to the streets by owners who could not/would not see themselves clear to treat . On the whole , we find it a very worthwhile thing to do , it can be hard when they land with no history, but to see them blossom is wonderful .
Much as I would love a puppy, we have never really been in a position to have one - so much time and work required when they are small. We have had 3 adult rescues so far - and we've been lucky with them all. We lost Scooby after only 10 months, and that was tough, I think of him every day. We dismissed getting another elderly dog when he passed, couldn't face the loss again so soon, but I wouldn't rule it out in the future - they all need a loving home.
My first dog, as an adult, was a rescue - an adult Springer spaniel. This was back in 1980, before home checks - we just turned up at the dogs home, picked out Penny and took her home! We were her fourth (and final) home and I could never understand why she had been rehomed as she was gorgeous, fabulous temperament and so brilliant when my son was born a couple of years later. Her only fault was stealing food, which we couldn't cure so just had to make sure nothing edible was left within reach. In England it is now much more difficult to rehome a dog. (I've had puppies since Penny.) I do agree some checks should be made, but I also think sometimes they are too fussy. One site I looked at wanted 6 foot fencing for Labs. A friend with a was turned down from adopting a GS, even though she didn't go out to work, because of her very small garden. Of course she bought a GS puppy, who had a great life with plenty of exercise, including competing in obedience.
Hi there and welcome to the Forum,thankyou for taking the time to write and share your experiences,I can tell you have given your dogs a wonderful home and a life of love . Seeing an animal in need can provoke such a strong emotional response it can push the practical considerations aside but these are vital to consider.... I live in Dubai and welfare for lost and unwanted dogs is really dire,Rescue is performed by committed individuals who rely on the kindness and discount of vets practices,boarding establishments and their network of foster homes.
It really does seem daft that people who are willing and able to give dogs a new lease of life are turned down. We have no garden space here, just a terrace, but my dogs don't go wanting for exercise and stimulation. We walk out the door and there's hundreds of kilometres of walks at our feet. Just because I don't own it, shouldn't make me unsuitable as an owner!
I have had six pet dogs and the previous five were rescues. Skipper - *Irish Water Spaniel* NOT lol. Crazy, lovely boy. Jamie - Jack Russell, a bit of a food guarder and hated the cold but a grand dog. My lovely, perfect dog Boogie (heinz 57, probably a lot of Manchester Terrier) was from Battersea Dogs Home and lived to a happy, healthy 19 years. I had both my babies in that time and he was amazing with them. Gavin and Callum - Cavaliers, came to me at six months old as they had heart trouble and the breeder rejected them as breeding stock. They both lived to a fit and well 15. With Tatze I wanted to have a pup so decided to go for health checks etc. But I wouldn't hesitate to rescue again.
Welcome. Thank you for a lovely Read. We rescued Tilly our First dog , she was the most amazing dog ever. Onyx is her son and takes after her. Poppy we rescued a few months ago, she is work in progress, and keeps me on my toes. She steals anything that isn't nailed down from whole blocks of butter to tea towels but everyday I love her a little bit more. I do Agree with Joy "England it is now much more difficult to rehome a dog" . We do in this county make it so hard to rescue. I have a friend who has always had dogs and they want for nothing, But she has been turn down by 3 homes because she works. she has always worked but puts things in place so that the dogs are cared for.
We initially planned to rescue but we were turned down as we both work. That meant we ended up with best boy Riley as a puppy almost five years ago and recently added Obi spaniel to the mix I don't doubt we'll rescue at some stage but not at the moment.
