rescue dog - am I looking for the impossible

[CazD]

I got my rescue bitch nearly two years ago - and she is absolutely amazing, apart from the fact she has no recall and no matter what I do, she simply wont come back. the dog she was companion to died just over a year ago and I am now searching for a replacement as my girl would love someone to play with. I've been looking for nearly 6 months and cannot find a suitable dog and am now wondering if my requirements are too much: must be a small dog/bitch ( preferably a dog), house trained (preferably), short haired, ok with dogs & people, Ok to be left for 4-5 hours a couple of times a week, not car sick, reasonable recall, young enough to play with my terrier but not a puppy.
My bitch was all those things and more (apart from the recall LOL) but I simply cannot find another.

 

[Honey08]

That doesn't sound unreasonable at all and shouldn't be that difficult to find. Roughly what area are you in (even Northwest/Southeast etc). Perhaps someone would know of something..

 

[Molasses]

i've got what your looking for, but not house trained
a 6 month old rescue who ticked all the boxes and is now house trained

maybe prioritise the things on your list, theres probably one or two need-to-haves on there and one or two like-to-haves

 

[CazD]

That doesn't sound unreasonable at all and shouldn't be that difficult to find. Roughly what area are you in (even Northwest/Southeast etc). Perhaps someone would know of something..

I'm in Herefordshire - but willing to travel 50ish miles.

the criteria I've put are the ones I cant really compromise on. In an ideal world I'd also like cat and livestock friendly, OK on the lead and superbly obedient!!!! LOL

 

[Clannad48]

I found our rescue dog by accident, after over six months search and finding nothing that fitted our criteria. When we first got him home we had lots of problems, now mostly sorted after much help from the wonderful Cayla. He is now almost our perfect dog, and we wouldn't have him any other way.

 

[Dobiegirl]

My rescue criteria was a dog and a bitch and had to be Dobermanns and young. I think you are being way too fussy, all the training that you do will ultimately bond that dog to you.

 

[2Greys]

Would probably be best to look for rescues that use Foster homes as better chance of them being able to tell what the dog is like at those things. Have you had a look at dogpages rescue forum,can put up and home offered post & is also dogsblog.There is little dog rescue which is think homes all over. Any breeds that appeal so can get idea of what you consider small? I expect that any small, young dogs that fit the bill are also what a lot of others are seeking so are homed quickly.

 

[CAYLA]

It is bit to ask for to be honest but is not impossible, I have rehomed a heck of alot of dogs from my home in the last year and most alot would have fit the criteria (give or take the age/sex/size you want), simply because I would have worked with recall, sociaisation, I have cats, I crate train or deal with any SA issues (in reality I have to say I wish a new owner would put some of this work in, but I do it so the dog has less chance of (bounce back) as people are more and more wanting perfection all singing all dancin hound from a rescue dog, in reqality I could help and rehome a lot more if I did not have to work with it to this level, anyways, I think you could get what you are looking for but as suggested from a foster based rescue who has worked more with the dogs and knows them inside out.

 

[webble]

Have you tried joiniung a few rescue dog forums such as dogs blog and dog pages? Maybe start a post on them explaining your situation, what you are looking for, what you will and wont be flexible on and the distance you are happy to travel. Good luck I'm sure you will find something suitable

 

[Luci07]

I've been looking for nearly 6 months and cannot find a suitable dog and am now wondering if my requirements are too much: must be a small dog/bitch ( preferably a dog), house trained (preferably), short haired, ok with dogs & people, Ok to be left for 4-5 hours a couple of times a week, not car sick, reasonable recall, young enough to play with my terrier but not a puppy.
My bitch was all those things and more (apart from the recall LOL) but I simply cannot find another.

I don't think your list sounds exhaustive but thats because my staffords would fit these critieria. Small = tick - proper staffords are small dogs, a large one is a cross. Dog should be no more than 16" at the shoulder, bitch 14", house trained, all 3 of mine were before I got them, short-haired, = tick, OK with people = resounding tick, ok with dogs = mine have to be as there are so many dogs at the yard. I wouldn't unleash all 3 in a park load of strange dogs but I can introduce them one on one to new dogs and they are fine. Youngest one hacks out so has had to learn LEAVE!, car sick - tick, mine all travel everywhere with me,never had a stafford that had a problem travelling. reasonable recall = I taught that and still carry treats when out hacking to ensure recall is absolute, but actually get away with a lot as staffords tend to stick nearish to you anyway. young enough to play - staffords age slowly. My 6 year old still looks and behaves like a puppy. My 12 year old adores the yard Dalmatian and they play endlessly. Leaving on their own. Mine are all left regularly but I must stress I did not have any that had any sort of separation anxiety. They fell into a routine when I am working and with the aid of a good dog walker to break up their day are entirely happy.

Might not be the breed you wanted but they would pretty much tick your list. Go to a good rescue or Stafford Welfare (branches all over the UK) to ensure you get a dog that meets your needs. PM me if you get stuck!

 

[CazD]

Might not be the breed you wanted but they would pretty much tick your list. Go to a good rescue or Stafford Welfare (branches all over the UK) to ensure you get a dog that meets your needs. PM me if you get stuck!

didnt realise stafford welfare even existed! will try googling them. My local rescue only seems to have big crosses. I dont have a problem with a staffie so long as its smallish - my bitch is only 10" high and likes to play so something not too large to play with her would be best.

 

[eatmyshorts]

Staffies are a fantastic breed, loyal, fun loving and generally good with other dogs. When I was looking for a rescue my criteria was medium sized, short coated, and a dog I could take anywhere but also feel safe with (I lived alone at the time). The staffie x I found fitted the bill perfectly and I'm sure you'll be able to find one to fit your criteria. Good luck!

 

[Luci07]

didnt realise stafford welfare even existed! will try googling them. My local rescue only seems to have big crosses. I dont have a problem with a staffie so long as its smallish - my bitch is only 10" high and likes to play so something not too large to play with her would be best.

Oh yes we most certainly do! branches all over the country. PM if you have any problems finding contacts or I can have a word and see what is coming up and not on the website. My biggest bitch (who is a x or an example of crap people breeding for a quick profit) is 16" but first stafford bitch is smaller. Also welfare will really help you with the socialising and trials. They do stick to staffords and not crosses as well. Might not always be the best example but they had to make a choice not to be involved with X staffies as were simply overrun. Last bitch sort of arrived after meeting the owner when I was on a stall to raise funds. I was not looking for a 3rd dog! Caz where are you located? if you down south then pm me directly.