where did you get your dogs?

Bertie Dalmation x from the farm I had my pony at 15 years ago.
Bob GSD came from private home who really messed him up 9 years ago.
Dilly lurcher (used for breeding) from the pound just over a year and a half ago.
Roxanne Staffy from the pound again just over a year and a half ago.

My sister has two dogs also from the pound a jack russell and a staffy cross.

The pound dogs have all been great, Dilly took some time to settle down but she had been beaten and starved, she still doesnt like men and wont go near them. Bob has been the worse and he came from a private home as a young dog beaten and no socializing at all they never took him out just went in the back yard.

Any future dogs will be pound/rescue dogs.
 
Alec, sorry to say, 90% of what you have come out with on this thread is rubbish! A huge generalisation that most dogs from rescues have issues/problems. Not true at all. Most rescues, epsecially the smaller ones, do a lot of work with them and have experienced, wonderful people on hand. It is amazing the way that a dog can go through hell and still be a loving, trusting animal in the right home.

Both our dogs are from reputable breeders, KC reg, the works, bought as puppies by people who couldn't cope with them, and who gave them away. Most of the "idiots" that give dogs away nowadays want a designer dog from a breeder, it doesn't make them guaranteed to grow up into a perfect dog unless they do training and work. The first one, a lab, came straight to us as she belonged to a friend's sister. They lived in a house with no garden, and when cute puppy grew up and started knocking their new baby over, they found her a home. She came with her own toys and bed, and settled from day one with hardly a murmer. The other lab came from a rescue, he was 14 months old, and was what you would call a fruit loop. He had had four previous homes (via paper ads and Preloved) and had not lasted more than four months in any, he was in one for a year. He had had no training, and was a nutter. Within a few days of being with us, he started to change. He was neutered (condition of the rescue, they usually do it before rehoming, but were madly overbooked that week) and taken for long walks and allowed to run and run with the other dogs in the field, plus a little training.. He was a lovely affectionate dog within a few days. Three years on, he remains a high energy dog, that, if he does not get enough exercise, gets a bit bouncy and manic, but its not rocket science - you take him out and let him run it off.. If we didn't, yes he would be a nutter still, but then again we would be pretty stupid and the cause of his behaviour.. Even if we had had him as a puppy, straight from the breeder, he would have still needed the same exercise to keep him sane!

The latest dogs at the rescue I got ours from, who I keep in touch with, came in because -
1. Owner couldn't pay for the treatment it needed, dog was losing weight as a result, rescue treated it, and its doing well.
2. Old man losing his flat, going into B&B, which wouldn't take his 11yr old lab. He walked round and round RSPCAs and rescues, nobody could take his beloved dog, finally he was told to contact the lab rescue, who took his best friend and will find him a safe forever new home (very sad story, my heart broke for the old man).
3. General numpty who had no idea the andrex puppy grew into a six stone bouncing dog.
4. Dog who had been rescued from the rescue years before, and whose owners (one followed by the other) had died of cancer.

Yes, rescues may allow people to feel better about leaving their dog. Whats the better alternative then? Dump them on the moor? Thats what happened to the last two dogs we had. Personally I would rather the dog go to rescue if possible. Obviously I would rather people only got dogs if they were aware of the work and commitment it involves!
 
Great post Honey08, I agree with everything.

I love my 3 resue dogs to bits, they are angels, have never given me a moments problem and I would never be without them.
 
Adopted 3 from retired greyhound trust now, they were bred/raised by same trainer and well looked after. Had some training & socialising to do but expect that with any dog. Its suits our lifestyle to take on adult dogs but I'm quite happy to skip puppy stage.

Plenty of dogs in rescue just due to owners life changes, working hours, having to move accommodation, illness and relationship breakdowns. Could easily happen to me and I'm glad RGT contract me to return the dogs to them as feel that gives dogs better long term security than if I had to find homes myself.
 
The list :) Cairn terrier taken as 6 month old from friend of a friend who couldn't be bothered with her. Dalmatian given as wedding present :eek: 2 more Dalmatians from D. rescue. 1 whippet x from small local rescue. 1 labrador that husband bought as gun dog. 1 gsd from Birmingham Dogs Home. 1 retired black flatcoat retriever at end of his working life, 1 lurcher from rescue in Wales. 2 lurchers from Grinshill rescue. 1 jrt/basset from Little Dog Rescue. As you can tell I like rescues :D And I have to say I had most of these dogs since my daughter was born and they were all brilliant with her even when she was a baby :)
 
We got our first dog, a red setter, from a private breeder. Our labx came from rescue kennels and a few issues, although he did improve as he got older. Our schnauzer x came as a private rehome via one of my daughter's friends. She has been the easiest, best behaved and most intelligent dog we've ever had. Our jrtx came from rescue kennels. No issues as such, fantastic nature but absolutely stupid and very lively, it's like having three dogs instead of one!
 
Honey08 said:
Alec, sorry to say, 90% of what you have come out with on this thread is rubbish! A huge generalisation that most dogs from rescues have issues/problems. Not true at all. Most rescues, epsecially the smaller ones, do a lot of work with them and have experienced, wonderful people on hand. It is amazing the way that a dog can go through hell and still be a loving, trusting animal in the right home.

Both our dogs are from reputable breeders, KC reg, the works, bought as puppies by people who couldn't cope with them, and who gave them away. Most of the "idiots" that give dogs away nowadays want a designer dog from a breeder, it doesn't make them guaranteed to grow up into a perfect dog unless they do training and work. The first one, a lab, came straight to us as she belonged to a friend's sister. They lived in a house with no garden, and when cute puppy grew up and started knocking their new baby over, they found her a home. She came with her own toys and bed, and settled from day one with hardly a murmer. The other lab came from a rescue, he was 14 months old, and was what you would call a fruit loop. He had had four previous homes (via paper ads and Preloved) and had not lasted more than four months in any, he was in one for a year. He had had no training, and was a nutter. Within a few days of being with us, he started to change. He was neutered (condition of the rescue, they usually do it before rehoming, but were madly overbooked that week) and taken for long walks and allowed to run and run with the other dogs in the field, plus a little training.. He was a lovely affectionate dog within a few days. Three years on, he remains a high energy dog, that, if he does not get enough exercise, gets a bit bouncy and manic, but its not rocket science - you take him out and let him run it off.. If we didn't, yes he would be a nutter still, but then again we would be pretty stupid and the cause of his behaviour.. Even if we had had him as a puppy, straight from the breeder, he would have still needed the same exercise to keep him sane!

The latest dogs at the rescue I got ours from, who I keep in touch with, came in because -
1. Owner couldn't pay for the treatment it needed, dog was losing weight as a result, rescue treated it, and its doing well.
2. Old man losing his flat, going into B&B, which wouldn't take his 11yr old lab. He walked round and round RSPCAs and rescues, nobody could take his beloved dog, finally he was told to contact the lab rescue, who took his best friend and will find him a safe forever new home (very sad story, my heart broke for the old man).
3. General numpty who had no idea the andrex puppy grew into a six stone bouncing dog.
4. Dog who had been rescued from the rescue years before, and whose owners (one followed by the other) had died of cancer.

Yes, rescues may allow people to feel better about leaving their dog. Whats the better alternative then? Dump them on the moor? Thats what happened to the last two dogs we had. Personally I would rather the dog go to rescue if possible. Obviously I would rather people only got dogs if they were aware of the work and commitment it involves!
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Well said! The rescue centres are full of dogs dumped for any number of reasons other than having behavioural issues, if they do have then it is usually caused by their previous owners & can easily be overcome by being in a good home. Many years ago my parents adopted a german shepherd x collie who was the liveliest dog in the shelter, nobody had wanted her in over a year, she literally climbed the walls of the cage & fell over backwards she was barking & jumping around so much, she was a total lunatic. My sister & I persuaded them to let us have her, she calmed right down when we got her home & lived to the age of 17, she was a lovely dog.
 
blackcob said:
Dog #1 came from a free ad, was a private rehome, only a small amount of money changed hands. We'd been turned down by several rescues because we don't have a garden. She was an utter nightmare and I would never, ever do that again, however well she has turned out now!

Dog #2 came from Siberian Husky Welfare and it couldn't have been an easier process, we were matched to him and vice versa. He's a whingy, leaky, cowardly custard of a dog but somehow he was exactly what we needed.




Because the humans that bred them, raised them, bought them and trained (or didn't train) them are complete bumholes? It is the failure of the human, not of the dog. They all started as blank canvas puppies. Some numpty along the way made them what they are.
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^^^ What BC said, Alec how on earth can it be a dogs fault that the owner was a complete and UTTER WASTE OF THE SPACE that should never have been allowed to mess a dog up in such a way (nor should they be allowed to conceive kids):rolleyes:...it's simple enough to train a dog, imagine how their kids are dragged up!!! and quite frankly the lovely majority I have met should never have been conceived themselves and even when they where im sure that could have been reversed (god knows I would have carried the procedure out myself);). These dogs where once bought from a breeder (be it a responsible one or a back street one)! the majority of dogs we get in for the record have none/the what I would deem minor issues (all human created) the minority of them indeed have some serious issues, easily turned around by an experienced hand and able to be passed on to an equally capable person.
My dogs are cracking dogs, people would give their right arm for one of my dogs:p some had big issues (some not at all), all the problems created by owners who as I mentioned about should never have travelled down the birth canal:rolleyes:

There is a person whinging on about her 8 month old dog ripping the house apart when left 8 hours (I suppose that the dogs fault and its now to disturbed and troubled to rehome):rolleyes:.... because of her idiocy!!!!. She should have gotten an older rescue dog if she wanted a dog;) instead of being a dick and buying a fresh new puppy!! and thus is how the process begins.
 
CAYLA said:
^^^ What BC said, Alec how on earth can it be a dogs fault that the owner was a complete and UTTER WASTE OF THE SPACE that should never have been allowed to mess a dog up in such a way (nor should they be allowed to conceive kids):rolleyes:........

.........
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My Dear, it is very rarely the fault of the dog. I'm not blaming the animal. The dog is the last that I would blame, BUT if we have the option of a clean sheet of a puppy, or the result of a year of so of neglect handed down by "The Idiot", and if we have a scarred and damaged dog, one with a mind set which is going to take a deal of experience to deal with, an experience which very few very well meaning people have, which one would you take on? Me? The puppy would win every time. Why would I want to come on here and proudly tell the world that my rescue dog, at the age of NINE, is finally starting to calm down. What about the last EIGHT bloody years?

There are those who quote the successful adoptions, by way of percentages. I'm sorry, but I'm sceptical as to their accuracy, and below is my argument;

Not all, I understand, but many dogs are handed in to rescue centres, because their owners should never have bought them as puppies, and they are, in the main, between one and two years of age. Am I right?

These young and adolescent dogs have, though not always, all so often been the subjects of neglect. The neglect has been such that with some specific, and known to be, difficult breeds, these dogs have rebelled. Am I right?

I understand that the odd elderly person has to go in to care, and their beloved companion has to be re-homed, but these cases are in the minority. Am I right.

When these young dogs have established that their owner is a fool , and they achieve the upper hand, then what's the next step? Hand the dog over to a well meaning charity, or PTS. Am I right?

I am NOT and never will, knock those who work in a charitable and well meaning world. My argument and my advice to all those who are looking to offer a life-time home to a dog, has and will always be, that they make their own mistakes with a puppy, correct those mistakes, and they will hopefully have a companion for life.

My argument has always been, why take on the engrained and well established problems of another? Why not start with a clean sheet?

Alec.
 
Does anyone else see the irony in the argument here? :p Dont get a rescue, it will be spoiled goods and if you get a puppy you start with a nice clean sheet.....so then you are free to **** up the care and training of said puppy and dump it on a rescue! Genius!

Irresponsible breeding of the kind AS has often previously advocated is exactly the reason there are so many dogs in rescue :(
 
. Why would I want to come on here and proudly tell the world that my rescue dog, at the age of NINE, is finally starting to calm down. What about the last EIGHT bloody years? Who was that then? This argument is flawed, even people come with baggage unless you can find a virgin with no history:D You would find yourself a very lonely person with that criteria:D As I said in my previous post on this thread how many dogs have you rehomed to be able to base your argument on these grounds.
 
Dobiegirl said:
. Why would I want to come on here and proudly tell the world that my rescue dog, at the age of NINE, is finally starting to calm down. What about the last EIGHT bloody years? Who was that then? This argument is flawed, even people come with baggage unless you can find a virgin with no history:D You would find yourself a very lonely person with that criteria:D As I said in my previous post on this thread how many dogs have you rehomed to be able to base your argument on these grounds.
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^^^ good point.
I got my dogs spot on within less time it takes to train a puppy not the ****** on the floor:D

Alec people find it a hardship to toilet train a pup, some are amazed when they are still pishing at 9 weeks:rolleyes: and expect them to open the door themselves at that age or learn to use a butt plug.
Are you pups/dogs not outside in a kennel? maybe you would feel puppy frustration if you had them indoors? (thats a guess) not sure if they are in or out, sure you mentioned kenneling.

I would take 10 grown dogs with an issue over 1 pup:p thankyou:)
If we get a raving huge adult dog with aggression issues and a cute spangle pup (I will always) grab the adult at the speed of light, let someone else take the pup:p

To answer the rest I may have to learn to multi quote, (now may be the time)

Multi quote anyone??:o

And indeed Picklenash you made a very good point, these rescues where those freshly bought all shiney all new blank canvases (now in rescue);)
 
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My GSD, now 10 years old, came to us from the SSPCA kennels at 7 or 8 months. She had been very badly treated, having been starved and locked in a small room by someone with mental problems. She was very easy to train, however, and has never been any bother. What happened to her, through no fault of her own, had nothing to do with her behavior, and although she needed started out like a puppy, she has behaved perfectly ever since. No problems off lead, with other animals, and excellent with children.

We subsequently took on another mature GSD rescue, again through no fault of his own - he was being re-homed due to a marital breakup causing his owners to move into unsuitable accommodation. Again, he was very well behaved, including with children and other animals.

I would not hesitate to get another rescue dog in the future - probably another GSD.
 
Hmmmm....ignoring what is obvious.....wonder who could be doing that then :rolleyes:

I totally agree with Cayla's last post (but am too lazy to quote it all), puppies are nothing but hassle and rescues are downright easy as far as I'm concerned :D
 
Cayla, press the button with the + in it, bottom right, it turns orange, do iron multiple posts, then click reply. All the ones you checked will display in your answer. God, hope you were serious and not taking the pish!

After having the current two as pups and a visit to a local rescue, I'm extremely tempted for an older rescue next time! The trauma Zak put me through as a baby was horrible!
 
Alec Swan said:
Why is it on this forum, that most seem to only select those points which they don't agree with, whilst ignoring what is the obvious?

Alec.
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Please tell me this is irony!

And as for all the "am I right?" questions, I can't be bothered highlighting it all, but no, no, no, no, no...... you are so not right!! Have you not read all the numerous examples on here that we have all posted of wonderful rescue dogs that we have had without damage/issues? Have you been involved with a rescue and the stories behind the dogs? No again - they're not all nutty dogs, in fact those are in the minority.

cinnamontoast, a lovely springer arrived at the lab rescue last week, a pedigree from non-hunting parents that someone bought to hunt with, when it was taken hunting it was terrified of the guns, and the bloke was about to shoot the dog! Tempted? Meant to be a lovely little thing, just not a hunter!
 
Beastie came from a breeder. At this stage, mini schnauzers were not a popular breed and it took ages to source one! That was 12 years ago...you find them everywhere.

Jess, my lab x rottie x something came from a rescue. She was handed in as her owner had lost his job here and was moving back to England to live with family. He was devastated leaving her as he had rescued her from an abusive home.

She is one of the most delightful dogs I know and everyone loves her. Apart from Beastie...she wishes she'd ****** off and leave her mummy alone ;)
 
Preloved and from per meant gypsies..... Sweetest loviest dog , they seriously knew what they were doing, dogs really nicely kept, was very impressed! 2 nd cocker out of paper and Goldie via family as she was handed into vets to be pts and vet refused!
 
Alec Swan said:
My argument has always been, why take on the engrained and well established problems of another? Why not start with a clean sheet?

Alec.
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Because problems, normally created by numpties, can be overcome. Don't the dogs who have been messed up, as we've established, through no fault of their own, deserve a second chance? What would happen them all if everyone thought, & advised, the same way as you Alex? This thread is testiment to the fact that taking on a rescue dog can & does work, & can be a really fulfilling experience for all involved. This is where people like Cayla (i think it is?) do such a wonderful job at rehoming these dogs in homes they are sure can cope with them.

My lurcher was a 8month old unsocialised, pityfully thin lad with a very bad skin condition (he has allergies) when i first met him - he'd been left behind by the gypsies when they moved on. He'd been hanging around for days when someone managed grab him while he was dodging traffic on a busy main road. I doubt he'd ever worn a collar (when we eventually managed to get it on, he just froze in fear) or a leash (flipped like a fish on a line & screamed when it hit the slightest of pressure). He didn't even seem to know how to walk on grass!! He was extremely food & dog aggressive & we had to build up his weight before having him neutered because initially he just wasn't strong enough. Yes, he had issues & he's been challenging at times, but there have been loads of good times - he's an old man now, & has thoroughly deserved his second chance.

My staffie X boxer is also a rescue, she came from a rehoming centre called, funnily enough, Second Chance. She was about 2years old at the time & i got a bit of a bargain with her - she was pregnant - bit of a "Buy One Get 8 Free"! We had her speyed while having the cesearian to deliver a mish mash of all sorts of pups - looked like everything from doberman to collie in there - i suspect she'd been a of a hussy stray! She's an old girl too now, 12, deaf as a post, has an inoperable thyroid & canine dementia, but she's well & happy in herself.

My two GSP's are kinda rescues too - in that we never set out to get them. We'd been thinking about getting a parrot!! The first puppy had only lasted 16weeks before her owner (who'd never had a dog) decided she couldn't cope & we got the chance of her (i said to hubby "Ok, it's a puppy or a parrot, we can't have both"!!). Her sister came to join us about 6months later, again because she needed a new home, & well, we kinda had a good track record by that time!
 
I have 5 rescues who range between the ages of 6 weeks & 15 years when I first brought them home. Plus 1 puppy from a breeder who's now 10 yrs. I work in rescue centre & I could honestly take a new one home everyday (threat of divorce stops this !) The one that has been the most troublesome is the lad from the breeder, no ones fault just luck of the draw. Having rehomed nearly 1000 dogs in the last ten years I don't feel there is any difference between rescue dogs or pups from private breeders. The best bit for me is when they come back months later & you see such love and pride from the new owners. :-)
 
Puppies can be a bit cute, I suppose. But I just love the old doggies, with their gray faces and all that character and personality they've built up over the years.
 
I grew up with Cockers and GSD's, my Mum bred Cockers. When I had my own home I took on a Border from a friend who could not manage him, he was a wonderful dog and used to go to work with me every day.

Since then I have eight more Borders or Border crosses, all very special in their own way and all lovely dogs who responded to being treated in the right way.

Out of the eight, only one was a puppy that I actually paid money for, and she turned out to be deaf, so then I had to get a hearing dog from the local rescue for her to follow and learn from.

All my other dogs have come from rescues, and when I was working I paid to have them walked at lunch time, now I am at home all the time it is lovely to spend time with ponies and dog.

Of all the rescue's I have used over the years, BCT were very good, they did a good assessment of the dog and were very honest about his needs in re homing.

I don't think I would want a puppy again now, I prefer an older dog, and if you look there are dogs whose owners have died, moved and not been able to take the dog etc.
 
Breed rescue as an older dog. No problems whatsoever, no issues to re-train or overcome. He was surrendered to rescue because his owner's circumstances had changed and she had had to move to a location where she couldn't take pets while taking a job requiring longer irregular hours. He has fitted into our household more easily than we could ever have dreamed.
 
Its lovely to see all the endorsements for rescues, not everyone wants a puppy or rescue come to that but one is not necessarily better than the other.

After that dreadful programme with Jemima whoever her name was did so much damage to pedigree dogs, and turned buyers into the arms of puppy farmers and BYB with healthier designer dogs:rolleyes::eek::mad:the last thing we want is people turned against rescues in the mistaken belief of one person thinking they all come with problems. I think all the lovely stories on here will dispel that myth.
 
Alec has a point. Both my dogs are from reputable breeders who I knew well before putting myself on the list for a puppy. As a first-time dog owner (but long-time cat breeder) I knew that I'd get help and support all through their puppy days, and if anything did go wrong they'd be able to go back to the breeder for rehoming.

Only now, when I have some experience with dogs, would I think of taking on a rescue (and most good rescues will not rehome to first time owners anyway). Taking on a rescue can be very rewarding - it's lovely to give a dog a second chance - but it does require some experience - just as taking on a rescue horse does.
 
We got ours from Preloved almost a year ago and I make no apology for that. We wanted a puppy and travelled about 200 miles to see him at two weeks old, then returned when he was seven weeks, to collect him. We saw his parents, he was health checked, de-fleaed and had his first vaccination. He's a pedigree lab and an absolute gem of a dog. Handsome, intelligent, well trained and well adjusted and he has my company 24 hours a day. My last lab was a rescue and she was a fantastic dog, although she looked like a whippet when I collected her. She was six months old, not house trained or ever walked on a lead. She was with me for 13 years and I never once regretted having her. Our next dog will be a rescued lab.
 
inamac said:
Alec has a point. Both my dogs are from reputable breeders who I knew well before putting myself on the list for a puppy. As a first-time dog owner (but long-time cat breeder) I knew that I'd get help and support all through their puppy days, and if anything did go wrong they'd be able to go back to the breeder for rehoming.

Only now, when I have some experience with dogs, would I think of taking on a rescue (and most good rescues will not rehome to first time owners anyway). Taking on a rescue can be very rewarding - it's lovely to give a dog a second chance - but it does require some experience - just as taking on a rescue horse does.
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TBH, I can't think of a single difference between the first dog we ever got, where we saw the parents, or the ones thrown out on the road as puppies, or the ones from a rescue. They were all dogs. And the resuces do usually provide a huge backup service and will take dogs back on the rare occassion that they match the wrong person and dog. The lab rescue that I deal with has a forum, so there is always a lot of back up and advice (plus lovely stories from happy owners), they also have a pro dog trainer who can be contacted with any questions..

I've nothing against those who think that a puppy is the easy option (don't agree with them), its just the comments that nearly all rescue dogs were there because they have problems that annoyed me - because its not true and also because it may potentially stop people that were thinking of rehoming a dog from a rescue, and that is a dreadful shame.:(
 
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