Well I don't like that idea

[Glitter's fun]

I presume those who only like a walk round would also struggle, if getting a pedigree, with the breeder advising on which pup would suit you best?

Depends what you mean by "advising".
Breeders know the litter & can be very good at telling you which pup is most dominant, which is a good pet but not sharp enough to work sheep, etc. I'd still want to look at the whole litter & the final decision be mine. Definitely wouldn't ever buy from someone who only showed me one pup because they had matched me with that one.

 

[cobgoblin]

I presume those who only like a walk round would also struggle, if getting a pedigree, with the breeder advising on which pup would suit you best?

I've never come across that with a breeder, although I've always been given a precis of each pup's personality.

 

[Red-1]

I wouldn't apply under those circumstances. I've had a few from rescue kennels and they have always chosen me, rather then me them. And no, they were not the popular ones!

Mum went to get a greyhound. The rescue had interviewed her and brought a dog out that they had selected as best match. That dog, a race winner, was handsome but looked absolutely horrified. She was so horrified, it was like a cartoon caricature. That dog was put away again.

As it was the end of the day, mum was allowed into the kennels. She met Lucy, who had been skulking at the back of her kennel. She came and said hello, the door was opened and Lucy took possession of mum. Lucy was not a winner, nothing to look at. But she owned mum.

After Lucy had a long and happy life, and sadly died, mum wanted a little dog. All the charities turned her down as too old. She was home the majority of the time, had a huge fenced garden, us next door and a horse yard (also secure) the other side of her house. They either turned her down or said she would have to travel several times over for an introduction. She found car travel painful, would have made one trip and was happy for a home visit, but no, they turned her down. She would happily have taken on a 12 year old dog or bitch, but no, they turned her down.

We got Cracker-dog on Preloved. Younger than she wanted, but she loved him. Since she died, Cracker has lived here. I don't particularly like him, but he is safe and housed, and has Hekkie for company.

If they chose Cracker for me, he may be a match on paper, but I simply don't much like him! He has been here since 2020, so I don't suppose that will change. Whereas, Heck, who I found on the street, is the apple of my eye. On paper, Crackers would be the better dog. But Heck has my heart.

 

[Glitter's fun]

Off topic (who me- never!!) but this reminds me of a well known cob breeder in France.
Like his breed
Trained to ride & drive
Bit of a holiday
Affordable & transport laid on
You don't even choose whether mare or gelding, we match you with your soul mate and something mystical happensNOOO

 

[MurphysMinder]

As a breeder I would always try and match the right puppy with prospective owner. I have observed the pups from day 1, and the difference in character in a litter can be vast. Most people are happy to have the advice, it never happened but if I told someone that a particular pup wasn't suitable but they wouldn't listen to me then I would suggest they looked elsewhere.

 

[Glitter's fun]

When you go to a breeder for a pup, you have already had your say to quite an extent in that you have chosen size, breed and age already , so not really the same as a rescue centre choosing a dog for you.

 

[marmalade76]

It's not about appearance or size or breed. I've had everything from a JRT to the big girl,who the rescue said was a mastiff X; mongrel or pedigree it makes no difference to me. But there has to be something about the dog that appeals to me and I need to feel we will get along and the dog will be happy here. So far that's worked for me.

Appearance wouldn't matter to me but size and breed definitely would. I need a weatherproof dog because it would have to hang out at the yard with me all year round. I also can't have a large dog because whilst there's plenty of room at the yard, my house is small (shame because I'd love a GSD). I also need a dog I can trust not to clear off or eat my hens and some breeds/ types more likely to be a problem in this respect than others. If you're wondering, I have a collie.

 

[maisie06]

I work so automatically discounted by rescues, but I'll voice my opinion anyway!! I can see it being a good thing in a way if you are not fussed what breed or type you want, I would go to a breed rescue if looking for a certain type anyway, I hope it works out for them and time will tell.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

When we were looking for a second collie back in 2000 we applied to the Border Collie Trust. Had to fill out a form stating what we wanted a dog for. We said sheep and agility. That got us a flat 'no'. They didn't consider the two things to be compatible and that agility would hype a dog up too much for sheep work. I am now 5 dogs down the line that have all done both and can definitely say that agility has not adversely affected the sheep work, enhanced it if anything as agility builds a very strong bond with your dog. Even my sister's collie x lurcher who has no sheep instinct can be useful with a bark and a bounce when requested but ignores them otherwise.

 

[lme]

We go to a breed rescue as it ensures we adopt dogs of the type that fit in with our lifestyle. Over the past 40 years, we have had 4 from the same rescue. It’s a breed that often end up in rescue and we’ve never been asked to meet one prior to adoption. They don’t go into kennels. Volunteers either foster them until an adopter can be found or transport them directly from old home to the adopter.

 

[Barton Bounty]

For me personally @meleeka , I know you weren’t meaning anyone in particular but I am a 100%staffy or staffy x , lover, I would have no trouble putting my face down to a staffy in the street over a different dog any day.
I have also had a golden labrador who was a complete and utter w@nk of a dog. Loving and obedient but he chewed like mad , he destroyed my living room in two hours. Then destroyed a plastic patio table and 4 chairs in an afternoon when left in the garden while i went to nursery with the boys. It was so bad I could literally bag the whole lot. He then chewed all the next door neighbours trellis fence which was of course handmade!

Then I had a border terrier along with my two staffies just there, we lost her 5 years ago at age 13. She was a cracking wee dog but I dont want another.

I also wouldnt mind taking a 3 legged staffy, a blind staffy , another deaf staffy, its not aesthetic for me its just the type of dog I prefer.

 

[AmyMay]

I do sort of get where the ‘rescues’ are coming from. But if I were to put my requirements to a rescue I’d be matched with a breed of dog I wouldn’t want - because they’d match me with a larger dog, and probably a Border Collie which I absolutely wouldn’t want.

 

[meleeka]

For me personally @meleeka , I know you weren’t meaning anyone in particular but I am a 100%staffy or staffy x , lover, I would have no trouble putting my face down to a staffy in the street over a different dog any day.
I have also had a golden labrador who was a complete and utter w@nk of a dog. Loving and obedient but he chewed like mad , he destroyed my living room in two hours. Then destroyed a plastic patio table and 4 chairs in an afternoon when left in the garden while i went to nursery with the boys. It was so bad I could literally bag the whole lot. He then chewed all the next door neighbours trellis fence which was of course handmade!

Then I had a border terrier along with my two staffies just there, we lost her 5 years ago at age 13. She was a cracking wee dog but I dont want another.

I also wouldnt mind taking a 3 legged staffy, a blind staffy , another deaf staffy, its not aesthetic for me its just the type of dog I prefer.

I wouldn’t own a Border Collie again if you paid me, thanks to a previous pet, so I do get it!

Presumably, when someone is deciding which dogs you are a match to, I’d assume they’d have taken into consideration your preference on type. A large dog just wouldn’t work in a small house, or an active dog for an inactive person.

What I meant from my comment is the people who want to have that “oh he’s very cute/lovely/handsome” moment, as if that’s more important than “which of these dogs would be happiest in my family?”. Presumably if there were 6 staffies for homing, you’d want to know which one would fit in best, rather than look at them all and pick the one you most liked?

 

[Barton Bounty]

I wouldn’t own a Border Collie again if you paid me, thanks to a previous pet, so I do get it!

Presumably, when someone is deciding which dogs you are a match to, I’d assume they’d have taken into consideration your preference on type. A large dog just wouldn’t work in a small house, or an active dog for an inactive person.

What I meant from my comment is the people who want to have that “oh he’s very cute/lovely/handsome” moment, as if that’s more important than “which of these dogs would be happiest in my family?”. Presumably if there were 6 staffies for homing, you’d want to know which one would fit in best, rather than look at them all and pick the one you most liked?

Your absolutely right but see if you had to offer me the 3 legged staffy over a perfect one , id probably take the 3 legged one because thats the type of person i am. When Harry that we just lost got taken from his owners, he was the only staffy in the pound and hadnt been assessed as to whether he was safe with children or not. He had no hair on him, he was skin and bone he had air rifle bullet holes, cigarette burns etc all over him. Before he even picked us my heart was breaking for him.
The centre brought him out and had him on a lead and he pulled her off her feet trying to get to see us, Harry broke away from her and he peed up my husbands leg and ran to my son and sat there and would not move from him and they were the best of friends till he passed.

Id definitely give every one of the dogs a chance to see if they pick us or not because I do believe that when you do meet them, they know if your their human or not

 

[paddy555]

Your absolutely right but see if you had to offer me the 3 legged staffy over a perfect one , id probably take the 3 legged one because thats the type of person i am.

that is sort of my thinking as well.

just not a staffy though.

when we looked at rescues about 5 years ago you basically had the choice of 2 breeds. Staffys or JRT. Numbers one and two on my "no go" list.

There didn't seem to be any shortage of staffys, in fact they were over whelmed with them.

 

[Clodagh]

I do get where you are all coming from, but people saying you would definitely be given a dog you wouldn’t choose… you really can’t confirm that.
Anyway my only requirement when I got Red was that she would pick up a thrown dummy. It’s a huge plus she has got known breeding and health tests.

 

[Barton Bounty]

that is sort of my thinking as well.

just not a staffy though.

when we looked at rescues about 5 years ago you basically had the choice of 2 breeds. Staffys or JRT. Numbers one and two on my "no go" list.

There didn't seem to be any shortage of staffys, in fact they were over whelmed with them.

See, i wouldnt have a jrt either, yappy wee buggers.

I dont do big dogs, hairy dogs, ones that salivate a lot or little yappy buggers.
My mum used to have two shit tzus and barky wee shits and one bit my lip.

 

[ArklePig]

I think i like this idea, speaking as someone who went looking for a labrador and came home with a bonkers cross breed. I was really worried when choosing my dog that we'd get it wrong, luckily we are all very happy but I think I would have appreciated a suggestion or two.

Hopefully it has the desired outcome for dogs trust and they don't have to wade through a plethora of unsuitable applications for each dog.

 

[sarah.oxford]

My first dog was a private remote, and my second came from a pound pulling group on fb. I had her as a foster with a view to adopt and hadn't met her previously but chose her from a photo.
When we lost my original dog I didn't start looking for another year. I then contacted lots of rescues, was prepared to travel and heard nothing back from any of them.
I was looking for a male Stafford, under 4 years old that could live with a sociable bitch. Didn't even get anything to look at.
In the end I went on a puppy waiting list and got my perfect boy, from a breeder I had known for a while as a friend had a couple of dogs from him.
As far as the new policy where the rescue matches you, I can see it working for new owners who are unclear what they want, but I think for most people it's not ideal as we just know what will work for us.
Interested to see what happens though.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

The main point for me is that they're saying that they're doing this change because some of their dog's online photos + descriptions attracts so little attention, and by doing this change "more dog lovers will be able to welcome a Dogs Trust dog into their home".

However, since there are other dog rescues who already uses different versions of this method, are there any statistic showing that this leads to that many more persons actually chooses a I would never have chosen this dog if I'd first seen his/hers photo + description online type of dog, and successfully rehome him/her?
Or is it more that they think that this will be a more effective way for them to do their work, but the dogs that was most likely to be successfully rehomed yesterday, will still be the dogs most likely to be successfully rehomed tomorrow?

I'm sceptical to that it factually will lead to more dog lovers living happily ever after with a dog from the Dogs Trust. Though I'm not completely against the idea. Hypothetically let's say that they're going to contact people, and ask them to come in when they think that they have one or a few dogs which might be suitable, I'm sure that will work out well sometimes.
On the other hand, if they instead e.g. choose to let the staff just try to offer the dogs they think are the closest matches among whichever dogs they happen to have available at that moment...

 

[cobgoblin]

Perhaps rescues could learn from horse sellers and put a video of the dogs if they feel the photos aren't doing them justice. It could include some interaction with other dogs and people.
I find their descriptions rather basic.

 

[ArklePig]

Perhaps rescues could learn from horse sellers and put a video of the dogs if they feel the photos aren't doing them justice. It could include some interaction with other dogs and people.
I find their descriptions rather basic.

I agree with this. The amount of posts I saw that essentially showed a lab saying 'this is rover he's very friendly and loves his grub' he's a labrador of course he does! Tell me does it get on with dogs, is it scared of children, can it walk on a lead is it easily spooked etc. I'm sure potential adopters ask many questions then that also eat into the staff time.

I'm guessing this way will be maybe more likely to suit first time dog owners or people who aren't really set on a particular breed. I was a first time dog seeker and I wanted a lab but I wasn't actually overly pushed as long as it was some class of gundog and I would have liked it.

There's a council pound near me that basically uses the same description for every dog that comes in. They literally all say 'this is spot, loves his walks, experienced with children'. Sometimes just says loves his walks Drives me absolutely potty like they can't be bothered to look at or describe the dog as an individual.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Dogs Trust have a place in North Devon which is the closest one to us. We are near Exeter.

Reached out to them before we had Little Man. They expected us to travel from Exeter to their base nr Barnstaple (a fair journey) because we "had to fill out a form" which was apparently the first stage of the adoption process.

Can we fill the form in on-line we said? It is a fair distance. Nope came the reply. Can you send it in the post then we asked? Nope came the reply, we expect all of our potential adopters to come up and fill the form in. Will we be allowed to meet and greet any dogs if we DO come all that way we asked? You'll be lucky was the response. We were supposed to go up and just fill in the blessed form and then drive all the way home again.

In the end we saw a sweet little Daxie pup from someone we know in the Hunt, and had him. It just felt right. We've had rescues before, in fact Ginger dog is a rescue, but didn't feel that Dogs Trust were making it easy for people to adopt. Very rigid attitude, and deffo not user friendly.

We have adopted from "Saving Souls" (nope NOT an evangelical concern! it is a dog rescue based in Cyprus) before now and had excellent support right through the adoption process. Really impressive.

Time Dogs Trust stopped wasting people's time and started being a little more helpful I would say. In fact we've found over the years that most UK-based rescue's have the label "unhelpful" and indeed "hostile" attached to them. And it is the poor dogs looking for a home that are suffering.

 

[Clodagh]

Dogs Trust have a place in North Devon which is the closest one to us. We are near Exeter.

Reached out to them before we had Little Man. They expected us to travel from Exeter to their base nr Barnstaple (a fair journey) because we "had to fill out a form" which was apparently the first stage of the adoption process.

Can we fill the form in on-line we said? It is a fair distance. Nope came the reply. Can you send it in the post then we asked? Nope came the reply, we expect all of our potential adopters to come up and fill the form in. Will we be allowed to meet and greet any dogs if we DO come all that way we asked? You'll be lucky was the response. We were supposed to go up and just fill in the blessed form and then drive all the way home again.

In the end we saw a sweet little Daxie pup from someone we know in the Hunt, and had him. It just felt right. We've had rescues before, in fact Ginger dog is a rescue, but didn't feel that Dogs Trust were making it easy for people to adopt. Very rigid attitude, and deffo not user friendly.

We have adopted from "Saving Souls" (nope NOT an evangelical concern! it is a dog rescue based in Cyprus) before now and had excellent support right through the adoption process. Really impressive.

Time Dogs Trust stopped wasting people's time and started being a little more helpful I would say. In fact we've found over the years that most UK-based rescue's have the label "unhelpful" and indeed "hostile" attached to them. And it is the poor dogs looking for a home that are suffering.

That’s completely ludicrous!

 

[TheresaW]

I only know the rescue I volunteer for. They post dogs online, Clodagh has seen a couple I’ve sent her. She will tell you they are quite honest in descriptions. Some of the dogs are in kennels, some in foster homes. They are temperament checked as much as is possible. Obviously some are different in kennels v a home.

If people apply for a dog, home checks are done first and foremost. If you pass the homecheck, you can then ask about the dog you like the look of. If not deemed suitable, usually because of little children (which to be fair is in the description, but people seem to overlook that), you are free to wait for another that you like the look of, or recommendations are put forward. You can meet the dog, take any current dogs you own to meet them etc.

 

[Teaselmeg]

The Dogs Trust don't put all their dogs immediately on the website, so this also might be a way of getting in first with the type of dog you are after ?

My local Dogs Trust was brilliant, I went to fill out a form when looking for a companion for my reactive dog. The manager asked what type of dog I was after, as I was filling out the form, she then said 'I might have the dog for you' and brought in Lyra. She wasn't on the website yet as she had just been spayed and they also didn't want loads of people to apply for her because of her looks. She has been the most perfect dog and if I could clone her I would

 

[paddy555]

Dogs Trust have a place in North Devon which is the closest one to us. We are near Exeter.

Reached out to them before we had Little Man. They expected us to travel from Exeter to their base nr Barnstaple (a fair journey) because we "had to fill out a form" which was apparently the first stage of the adoption process.

Can we fill the form in on-line we said? It is a fair distance. Nope came the reply. Can you send it in the post then we asked? Nope came the reply, we expect all of our potential adopters to come up and fill the form in. Will we be allowed to meet and greet any dogs if we DO come all that way we asked? You'll be lucky was the response. We were supposed to go up and just fill in the blessed form and then drive all the way home again.

In the end we saw a sweet little Daxie pup from someone we know in the Hunt, and had him. It just felt right. We've had rescues before, in fact Ginger dog is a rescue, but didn't feel that Dogs Trust were making it easy for people to adopt. Very rigid attitude, and deffo not user friendly.

We have adopted from "Saving Souls" (nope NOT an evangelical concern! it is a dog rescue based in Cyprus) before now and had excellent support right through the adoption process. Really impressive.

Time Dogs Trust stopped wasting people's time and started being a little more helpful I would say. In fact we've found over the years that most UK-based rescue's have the label "unhelpful" and indeed "hostile" attached to them. And it is the poor dogs looking for a home that are suffering.

found a similar attitude at the animal shelter we visited in S Devon.

as we were walking through we asked about a cat. (any cat) That was when we finally found a person who would actually speak to us. We were told no cats could do to homes with dogs. They had lots of cats but not a single one would be able to get on with a dog. No question as to how amenable the dog was. Dogs and cats didn't get on.

Strange we had managed 40 odd years with both species together.

I have rarely visited a more unfriendly and unhelpful place but it seems, from your comments, that other shelters may be like this.
Their only interest was in extracting a donation from us. They were quite happy to give us some of their time for that. Sorry but no way.

 

[SilverLinings]

Thinking about appearance and a charity wanting to match owners with animals rather than potential owners picking from a picture/visit reminded me of a news article a few years ago (about a year pre-covid). One of the big rescues (I think it was Cats Protection or Battersea IIRC) said that they were finding it nearly impossible to rehome black cats as almost no one wanted them. They started asking people why, and it turned out it was because they don't photograph as well for SM as other colours

So, I suppose if a large proportion of the general public are shallow enough to prioritise social media likes when choosing a pet maybe the charities do need to intervene in the selection/matching process.

This forum is probably a reflection of a minority of potential re-homers, I expect many of them are either first time owners or owners who love their pet and meet their needs but aren't as enthusiastic about the species as a whole as we are, or as keen on educating themselves in detail about behaviour, veterinary issues, genetics etc. They see the animal as a family pet whereas we maybe see the animal as more of a unique individual with many facets, who will play a major part in our lives. I'm not saying either is wrong, just that the change in rehoming policy being discussed on this thread may be caused by the charity trying to cope with large numbers of the former type of potential re-homer, who are more likely to be swayedby looks, and less likely to be able to identify a good personality/needs match.

 

[splashgirl45]

The Dogs Trust don't put all their dogs immediately on the website, so this also might be a way of getting in first with the type of dog you are after ?

My local Dogs Trust was brilliant, I went to fill out a form when looking for a companion for my reactive dog. The manager asked what type of dog I was after, as I was filling out the form, she then said 'I might have the dog for you' and brought in Lyra. She wasn't on the website yet as she had just been spayed and they also didn't want loads of people to apply for her because of her looks. She has been the most perfect dog and if I could clone her I would

If I was looking I would have applied for a dog that looks like her , but know it would depend on whether she would fit in. I don’t see what’s wrong with going for a certain type/look, if I’m going to have a dog in my life I want something I like the look and personality of.. and would be happy to look at the details of a selection of dogs that dogs trust thought matched me but I would want to choose not have one selected for me.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

When we wanted a rescue the RSPCA said we were suited to a large collie X despite us saying we wanted a smaller terrier type. I will never forget them bringing this dog out and saying they didn't know if it was cat proof. They then picked up a cat that was sat in the waiting room and literally threw it at this dog. The dog went for it and they then said OK not cat proof! They were pushing us to have it because we were in the country with own land. It was absolutely not what we wanted so we walked away as they wouldn't listen.

We then tried the Blue Cross. They said they had a terrier and we went and looked. When we arrived they told us everything that was wrong with his nature and he had had numerous homes. We still went and looked at him. When they let him out and you looked at his face and his eyes, you could tell he was not a bad dog more that he had been a square peg in a round hole. Needless to say we had him having passed the home check. The people checking were more interested in our horses but I suppose they must have thought we looked after our animals well. When we went to pick him up their words were "oh you've come to pick up Sherman The Shit" I will admit we were economical with the truth when it came to saying about our working patterns, having realised from talking to the RSPCA that any mention of the dog being on its own meant you were unsuitable despite all the plus points we could offer. He was just the best dog ever and stayed with us til the end of his days.

Edited to add that since then we have purchased puppies. A much easier process.