Mrs Spaniel needs a friend!

Karran

Karran

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Ok, she doesn't. She's quite happy being a spoiled brat of an only child, but I always said when she was around 5 I'd look for a friend for her.
I cannot have a pup as much as I'd love one because I work fulltime and its just not fair.
But this is the reason that rehoming centres won't consider me and its so frustrating! They are all over me when I tell them about flyball, our dabbling in agility, and adventures up at the yard etc, but the minute I mention fulltime work, the shutters come down!

I'm putting the feelers out now, but I'm not seriously looking for something until after the flyball champs Mid August when weekends stop being so hectic and i'd be able to spend them working with the newbie and getting it settled in.

So if anyone knows of anything that might be coming up that might be suitable, this is what i'm looking for.

Definitely
Working lines (not necessarily from an active working home though)
Cannot be too dominant/pushy. Mrs Spaniel is a introverted, submissive soul and her nose is out of joint when other dogs come to stay so I don't want something to really upset the diva!
Needs the basics. I can work on recall etc, but does need to have something in place to start from
Must be good with other dogs/kids/livestock. Mrs Spaniel is a happy member of the gang up at the yard and hacks out with me, so need something happy to trundle about after the horse and not chase etc.
Must like a ball!!

Desirable/ being super picky
- full tail
- bitch
- around a year old, so I can spend the winter flyball training and aim them for a comp in Spring next year.
- I'm in S E London/N W Kent borders, I don't want to travel too far - an hour, two max to view/collect.
 
thats quite an extensive list. lots of dogs in rescues dont have half of what you are looking for and the odd ones that do would be snapped up quickly. i was looking for a smallish dog or bitch that could live with another dog...i applied with 4 rescues , thought i would be suitable as i am retired and live rurally,, and looked for 3 months and couldnt find anything, so good luck with your search..
 
I know of a lovely Westie, but unfortunately she doesn’t suit your criteria - except for having a tail.
 
unfortunately many rescues won't come ready made to be allowed off loose and hacking, perfect with other dogs etc etc. there's a rather nice rescue page on FB who I think specialise in retriever crosses in Ireland but who have a variety of lovely dogs they foster and rehome- black retriever x rescue on FB.
 
Could you approach breed specific charities?
My neighbour works full time and recently adopted a large breed dog from Battersea- you're not a million miles from them so have you tried them?
 
The very best MOC, it’s where my latest girl came from. They like to rehome to people who already have a dog or dogs, as long as they are friendly. My girl had a rotten start but was relatively unscathed by the experience. She is super friendly and intelligent.
I think the OP is being rather ambitious with her wish list though for a rescue !
 
Oh i didnt think it that ambitious!

The main things really is that it has the basics in place, likes a ball and is ok with other people and animals! I'm not expecting it to be a ready made dog, and can work on everything else, getting it used to hacking out etc. I just dont want to start from scratch!

I was in a mad rush when I typed it so didnt proof read it to check it made sense!
I've tried a few breed specific places (spaniel aid, spaniel assist etc)and they dont rehome to anyone out of the house for more than 4 hours.

In fact the lady at Spaniel Aid told me I was perfect, but to come back when I had retired and if I was still doing all the activities then!

At 35 that's a long wait!!!
 
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Chiffy said:
The very best MOC, it’s where my latest girl came from. They like to rehome to people who already have a dog or dogs, as long as they are friendly. My girl had a rotten start but was relatively unscathed by the experience. She is super friendly and intelligent.
I think the OP is being rather ambitious with her wish list though for a rescue !
Click to expand...

if those setter lab crosses they have atm were boys then I would be on the charm offensive with my OH for one of them! they have some lovely dogs come through. glad your girl is working out so well :)
 
Karran, it is a tall order to leave a young dog more than four hours even with the company of another dog. My girl would be climbing the walls, she has so much energy. But if you have a carer in place that would be different.
BRX are a rescue that leave no stone unturned to suss out prospective homes and listen to people, not just dismissing them on certain criteria. Not sure they have many spaniels though. My girl was meant to be a retriever cross or even a cross of two different retrievers but she definitely has collie in there somewhere, brilliant to train though, so quick to learn. Would suit agility but that’s not my thing.
 
Which is why I know a pup isnt the right choice.
Basically I leave at 8, get home at 5. My brother does shifts and either does a wee break at 10 or 3 and only has 1 weekend off a month so mostly 4 days out of 7 someones at home.

I've picked up several private rehomes through word of mouth including Mrs Spaniel who was 10 months when I got her and once they settled I've never had an issue so it's never occurred to me to expect it to be an issue with something not of puppy age?

The only reason I dont have a midday walker for Mrs Spaniel is that she wont leave the house with anyone that isnt family, but its its obviously something I'd get if a newbie needed it.

I just thought I'm ready financially now to have another and theres so many out there that need homes that it wouldn't be the huge minefield it seems to be!
 
I have a 9 year old spaniel who likes to sod off into undergrowth, swim to the other side of the river but good with horses. Shame he’s so crap with other dogs!

I’m told the smaller rescues are less stringent with dogs being left, but I think you’ll still struggle. I’ll probably be shot down in flames, but have you had a look at somewhere like Pets4homes? There are often private re-homes on there when people who’ve bought a springer realise they can’t cope with the drive.

For example: https://www.pets4homes.co.uk/classifieds/2354669-affectionate-little-springer-for-sale-bala.html

My first two were from the Hereford/Wales border. Always worth the drive, IMO, for a cracking dog.
 
I haven't! But I'll bear it in mind! I was wondering if I'd have to go down the preloved route!

I know my list seems ambitious, but I want to be realistic about what would suit my lifestyle and get on best with the current fluffy beast!

The energy and comedy levels of a spaniel suits me which is why I wanted to stick to them!
 
tbh Karran I gave up on getting a rescue last time I was looking-lost the will to keep justifying myself and getting my hopes up just to have someone I'd never met putting a stop to it.

another route is to contact breeders of the breed you want and see if/when get dogs coming back to them, ex breeding bitches they don't have room for anymore or even animals they run on and change their mind about.
 
Its frustrating! I do get why they have to be careful and I do get all the words of advice I've got on this thread, but it's hard to explain how it all works unless people see it on action!
I do want something a bit younger as I'd like to carry on with flyball and agility, so that was the thought process there!

I just wonder if I'll have the same problems if I go direct to breeders!

I'm in no rush for a dog and am happy to wait for the right one!
 
Following with interest...

We are pretty much in the same situation. We do work from home or take our current dog on site when we can, but some days she'll be by herself all day. Not very often, but it does happen. We can't have a puppy for that reason, and I don't think rescue centres will consider us for that reason too. We've just moved to a farm though, and it's absolutely dog heaven!! I think we'll start making serious enquiries when we're back from summer hols and building works have calmed down...

Good luck with your search, and let us know how you get on x
 
No you won’t have the same problems if you go to breeders who produce puppies for the agility market - they will understand what you need and will have a product to suit that need. Unfortunately rescue centres are trying to re-home the dogs that are dumped on them, and the chances that they meet your pretty exacting requirements unfortunately are slim

I’m absolutely not saying you are wrong in knowing what you want, I’m just trying to explain that rescue organisations are not being deliberately blocking and unreasonable if they say that the dog they have in for re-homing is not suitable for your needs

I’m a very experienced sighthound owner and I showed interest in a ‘long term’ kennel resident when I first approached the most recent rescue I’ve used - I was rejected as not being suitable for that dog. I’ve had two other dogs from them since then, I adore my dogs and they adore me and I have a great relationship with the rescue charity but whatever my personal views I have to respect their view that I’m not suitable for that dog

I’m really not intending to criticise you so I genuinely apologise if if this is clumsily worded, I love reading your posts about Mrs Spaniel and it is clear she has an excellent home. I’m just trying to explain why the rescue charities act in the way they do... sorry....
 
No, thank you! I do get what you mean. My first post was written in a haste when I had just got off the phone from another charity and halfway through typing I got called into a meeting (on Friday?! Really??)
This one was perfect although male and entire, but I was happy to cover cost of castration for them.
It's just the flat no's that get me. If they were happy to listen and visit and then say, no we dont think you're right, then I'd understand. But I also understand that they dont have the time to do that with everyone and every dog and they must get a lot of time wasters!

The spaniel aid lady was the one that really annoyed me when I was chatting to her at a show. She was all over me and practically shoving a pen in my hand until I explained the home arrangements and then took the paper away and told me to come back if I had the same lifestyle when retired! It's just frustrating!

I've got some contacts who know flyball/agility breeders so we'll start putting word out and see what happens!
 
It may be worth trying Perthshire gundog rescue, they’re on fb and are pretty sensible. Never had a problem leaving ours for work, all working gundogs or lurchers, some kennelled, some in house. .........
 
Most sensible rescues won't allow a dog to be left for more than 4 hours (rightly so) The good ones allow this to be achieved using a dog walker if you work. Have a look a Spaniel Aid UK, possibly worth giving them a call or email to explain your circumstances
 
Thistle said:
Most sensible rescues won't allow a dog to be left for more than 4 hours (rightly so) The good ones allow this to be achieved using a dog walker if you work. Have a look a Spaniel Aid UK, possibly worth giving them a call or email to explain your circumstances
Click to expand...

Mine aren’t, due to the OH’s shifts, except for a max of three days a month, when Aunty Next Door Neighbour comes and watches TV with them or pops in and out to let them out. However, we have the occasional day out (rarely!) where they may be left for more than 4 hours. I reckon any rescue would tell us no, tho. Bit bonkers, we both work full time, but my OH has been in all day, boys have had company all day, he’s just gone to work and I’ll be in bed by 11. 🤷‍♀️
 
The last 2 dogs I got I have got through word of mouth, both via their breeder after they had finished their working/breeding jobs. Most recently a lovely working cocker bitch at 5 years old.

I’d imagine, unless you get one returned to a breeder due to changing circumstances, most younger rehomes circa 1 year will come with ‘issues’/been messed up.

Anyone sensible rehoming a dog will need to satisfy themselves that a full time worker has adequate provision in place - I work full time, but utilise day boarding / walking and the people who gave me dogs had good references to support this.

I’d go the breeder or breed rescue route personally but be very prepared to demonstrate how you will adequately deal with working full time
 
Have you looked at the dogs for rehoming on agilitynet, might be something suitable there. Maybe if you say you are prepared to get a walker some of the rescues may be more amenable. I don't know about having more time when retired, I am nearing retirement age (would have been retired by now if the goalposts hadnt been moved :( ), and work longer hours now than I did in my 30s. I really would like another pup , but no way is it feasible with the hours I work.
 
You could try Raystead in Sussex if you haven't already. They rehomed to my parents when they both worked full time, given that there would be a dog walker arrangement. That was about 17 years ago so they might have changed but everyone says that they are still very easy to deal with.

Other than that if you are prepared to travel to areas like where I am, there are usually a few private rehomes of young spaniels knocking around on preloved.
 
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