Is it going to be impossible for us to find a rescue to adopt?

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indiat

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After being without a dog for two years I have finally given into my dog envy and we have decided to get another one. Myself and the OH really want to give a rescue dog a home BUT we have a huge checklist, one I am beginning to think is too big for a rescue animal. We have two ponies, two children, 10 and seven, and two ferrets. The dog needs to be able to get on with all of them. I can't take the dog hacking with me as there is nowhere safe to do so around our area and we live in a city centre so really the dog needs to be one that can cope with city living. We have a large house and a big back garden and a park at the end of our road so walking it is not a problem, it just can't be a breed that needs to get out into the countryside and really run. It needs to be small enough for our daughters to handle and macho enough for my husband to walk! (That last one is a joke, its not really a requirement) Our ideal breed would be a staffie or a black and tan. Now, I know there are lots of staffies in rescue centres but every dog we have seen so far has an issue with either small animals, kids or big animals. And I get the feeling the rescue centre local to us is not keen on the fact we have so many animals, preferring us to devote ourselves to the dog. But I know we can give a dog as much love and attention as it needs even with the ponies and the ferrets. Although it will be a family pet, the dog is really for myself and my OH as the kids have the ferrets. I want something that will keep us company when we are working (we both work from home) and to encourage us to take breaks and get out in the fresh air. But we have been looking for two months now and so far, nothing. Are we asking too much from a rescue dog? So many of them have issues from the way they have been treated. :(
 
Try the breed rescues and breed clubs. A SBT should be possible or how about a whippet?

What do you mean by a black & tan? Manchester? Welsh Terrier or Lakie? Not easy to find adults that are good with ferrets.
 
I mean a manchester terrier and yes, they won't be good with the ferrets as an adult. i have contacted a breeder and asked how well they would get on if socialised from a young age. Just to be clear, I would not expect a dog to socialise with the ferrets I just want to be able to be sure it won't automatically pounce shoudl the ferrets get out of their room and meet the dog in the hallway. The ferrets have an outdoor hutch outside a garden room. They sleep indoors when it is hot or very cold and the kids play with them in that room, they do not have the run of the house. Ideally, they would never meet but I don't want a blood bath if a ferret slips around on open door when a child isn't watching.
 
I think the ferrets is more of an important issue, horses less so as dogs can generally get used to them ime (through avoidance is necessary!). We had guinea pigs and dogs for years, and none of the GPs got eaten. We always had mongrel types from rescues, the lab x I think was the best around them as she was calmest (and I used to lie the GPs along her stomach like puppies :eek: ). My parents current dogs a terrier x and a GSD x are both fairly obsessed by GPs and would spend all day lying down alongside their run staring at them, or running manically round the outside - GPs never gave a monkeys!

So as long as the dog is not a 'I want to rip them apart' mentality, most dogs are going to be very interested in small furries (esp ferrets as they smell!) but it depends how manageable it is. Most rescues would bring the dog round for a visit to see their reactiveness I think :)
 
Don't get me wrong, I do expect them to be interested! I have always had terriers and from time to time a smaller animal in the house (the kids had hamsters when they were younger and guinea pigs) but I would NEVER put them in a room together. A terrier is a terrier and you can't blame them for their nature. I just want a dog to have enough restraint that it will stay on command even if faced with a delicious looking fuzzie and give us or the kids enough time to grab the dog/ferret. Did you take pics of your dog and her 'puppies'?! :D Our westie was very good like that, even if you could see the effort on his face trying not to chomp down on a hamster but we had him from a pup and he was obediant and used to the smaller animals being around.

ETA - the ferrets have an outdoor hutch but it is fenced off so a dog cannot get near it.
 
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No, was too long ago sadly - I did once fall asleep in the garden with a loose GP and loose dog though, both fell asleep with me! :D

I think most dogs that would be suitable for family life would be fine, labs, collies, staffys - just go in and see which one you fall in love with ;)
 
I just spoke to the secretary of the Manchester Terrier Club and she was very positive about as us as potential owners, ferrets and all! She often gets rescue animals through at this time of year and like you said Stencilface, she said it all depends on the mentality of the dog - some are not so eager to kill as others and will have that split second where you can make them 'leave'. She has taken our details and has asked me to check back with her weekly, so that is another option. I am determined to re-home as cute little puppies have a long line of people wanting to buy. Older dogs, not so much. I think I will also get in touch with good dog trainer about classes so we have decent back up. Thanks for the help!
 
Don't give up on the staffies, or a staffy cross, either. There are positively hundreds of them out there desperate for their forever homes, and I am positive there will be one that meets with your requirements. Sounds like you can offer a deserving dog a wonderful home - so please don't give up the search!
 
I think a Staffy sounds perfect - they're just as happy snoozing all day as they are going for walks!

We've had them since I was born and they have all lived with various guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters etc roaming around in the garden with them. At one point we had a rabbit that would lie down with the dogs!

As long as you train them from day one that Fluffball does not = food, they are fine!
 
I have not given up on staffies, don't worry! To be honest, it does not really matter what the dog is like or what it looks like, as long as it is small and has the temprement we need. I really want a small dog as the kids are eager to help with walking so I would like a dog that would not pull them over if it got excited. We were offered a beautiful black lab bitch over the weekend by my yard owners daughter but I had to turn her down. The dog is proving useless as a shooting dog and she said we could have her. But although she is great with the kids she is a country dog and I do not think she would adjust very well to living in the city centre with us.
 
Hmm. I've been looking to get a rescue for some time now, but every dog I have applied for has been too heavy (I live on my own and am elderly, so not very strong but could pick up and carry under 10kg if worst came to worst).

I have been looking on Preloved. I have a problem with the 'free' or cheaper (under £100) dogs on there and have a concern where they will end up. I know it would be a risk temprement and health wise but I would wip them off to vet for a chip scan (could be stolen) and a health check. I have worried where a 3 year old yorkie for £60 and a year old JR for £80 ended up.

There were a couple of free Staffs on Preloved in my area this last week.
 
TBH, Smitty, I wouldn't touch Preloved with a bargepole. Too many backyard breeders (sorry if this offends but I think they are a scourge) too many people trying to dump dogs. Some might be honest about their reasons to do so but I prefer to go to a rescue who are putting the dogs best interests first. But it does break my heart wandering around the kennels, looking at all those expectant faces. :( I met one gorgeous staffie x who really tugged on my heart strings, a pretty lady with huge brown eyes, but she was not suitable as she was terrified of loud noises so they would not home her with young children. I just find that nearly every dog I have liked they cannot be homed with kids under the age of 12 or small animals or they need to be leading a very outdoor life. So many of them have issues. There were three lovely little dogs brought in last week, rescued from a flat where they have been abandoned and they are terrified of their own shadows. :( So again, they will not be re-homed with children. We have such a long check list, that is why I am wondering if I am being unreasonable. I think the thing to do is go directly to a breed society because they seem to be a lot more positive about us as a potential home, the local staffie branch were more than happy to take our details this afternoon and said they had no problems re-homing staffies with ferrets. Again, it all depends on the dog. I will give it until spring but if we don't find a rescue I will buy a pup. I think my friends are sick of prizing dogs out of my arms! :D
 
Smitty, if you are anywhere near the Bath Cats and Dogs home, there is a lovely little yorkie x in there at the moment called Bella. She has just finished her assesment and I think they have decided she cannot go to a home with kids so I don't think there is a reserve on her. It might be worth a call? She is very small and sweet but very nervous.
 
Smitty, have you tried just going direct to the pound. These dogs often have only seven days to be rehomed or reclaimed, I just looked at the poundies here and there is a Pekinese, there are always JRTs in, and a few terrier crosses.


Agree, Preloved and the free ad sites can be a real minefield.
 
Well, i got my rescue from Dogs Trust and they did have to ensure we were 'capable' to cope with her issues (reactivity with other dogs when on lead) and the old check that said dog wouldn't be left alone for more than 'x' hours a day blah blah blah. Anyway, the final 'check' was they brought her round to my hosue to check she wouldn't be obsessed with the guinea pigs I own. So, they brought her round, she sniffed them but couldn't have given a hoot! She is a REAL rabbiter, squirrel chaser too but it's like she know they're MY pets and part of her household and she just doesn't bother about them at all.

She also gets very excited about cats but our stable cat quickly put her in her place and she keeps her distance.

It's all about management and training at the end of the day. I think any dog can get used to small furries (and large furries!) but some require more work than others. Staffies are supposed to be lovely family dogs aren't they and there's certainly plenty of them to choose from! Other than that just go for some small to medium sized cross breed. In my mindyou're best to steer yourself away from being breed-specific when looking at rescues.
 
CaveCanem said:
Smitty, have you tried just going direct to the pound. These dogs often have only seven days to be rehomed or reclaimed, I just looked at the poundies here and there is a Pekinese, there are always JRTs in, and a few terrier crosses.


Agree, Preloved and the free ad sites can be a real minefield.
Click to expand...

Especially at this time of year... would be one less for the needle. They sometimes get pups in to so you never know what you might find.
 
indiat...thought of you as was just reading a dog mag and there is a staffie rescue desperate for foster homes as they are turning dogs away...dont know how close it would be to you....southcoaststaffierescue.org.uk or call 07921 227323...im not a staffie person myself but know some very nice staffies who are really great family dogs and its such a shame they have been given such a bad name because of the rough people who own them...good luck and if you get something we will need piccies please...
 
I am a Staffie person.. Contact Stafford welfare and have a chat with Norma. All mine are used to horses, love children but have not met small furriers, other than just through the wire. If you want more info or names pm me and I will dig this out for you. I lived in London with Stafford no 1 so relied on parks and streets in the week and hacking out with her at the weekend. It worked well for me...and still does!!!
 
Staffies rock! I have an ex pound staffie and he is the most loving dog ever. Yes he is big and strong but around children he is very gentle and calm. He loves the 3 other dogs we already had!

It saddens me that such a loving and loyal dog has had it's reputation destroyed by a handful of irresponsible idiots!!
 
My BIL keeps Manchester Terriers, their first came through the breed society and was a 'rescue in need of new home' his first owner died.

They also now have a lovely young bitch who is full of character and great with my young grandchildren, - they used to keep ferrets as well!

I have always had rescue border collies (eight to date) and they make wonderful pets, they do not need as much excercise as people think, and they are easy to train to be good with other animals.
 
I'd also say get in with one - or more - of the breed rescues. We have lurchers but had quite specific criteria and the rescue really worked with us to find the right dog. Tbf, the second dog was more about getting the right home for her as she was quite special needs, but even in that case I told them I was looking and they contacted me when they had something suitable. They're also very supportive of their adopters after the dog goes home, which might not be something you need but it's nice to know it's there.
 
Indiat,
I don't think you would be at all difficult to take on a rescue. You just need the type of dog that fits into your situation. Clearly you are knowledgeable about dogs and animals generally. My OH & I assess prospective adopters for the English Springer Spaniel Welfare Soc - in London!! - and more often than not we find acceptable homes. Generally what we look for is a secure garden (doesn't need to be large, but has to be securely fenced with a high enough fence) and a committment to exercising an ESS to the level required, which for anyone who knows them means a daily full-charge rampage around open space. The dogs we place get exercised on places like Hampstead Heath, Wimbledon Common, Battersea Park, and do just fine.
Any welfare organisation will ensure that the dog you get is compatible to your circumstances - tolerates small children, compatible with other livestock, pets, etc. I would urge you to go to a welfare society ( preferably a breed-related one) as they will have a good understanding of the breed and will want to ensure that a dog placed with you works for you, and doesn't come back to them. Good luck!
 
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