Dogs - Where to get?

Author
Discussion

Wings

5,814 posts

215 months

Monday 2nd May 2016
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I have been searching for a dog for the past 9 months, visiting rescue centres and replying to private advertisements. From the former I got some very bad vibes, almost as if they were operating a never ending commercial production line from Northern Ireland. Completed many dog application forms for dogs, that possibly at that time, were then no longer available for adoption, so a case of collecting potential supporters details.

In the past 40 years I have rescued 3 dogs, 1 Lab and 2 GSDs, finding it a lot more difficult now, than I did back then to find a suitable dog to rescue.

moorx

3,513 posts

114 months

Monday 2nd May 2016
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Wings said:
I have been searching for a dog for the past 9 months, visiting rescue centres and replying to private advertisements. From the former I got some very bad vibes, almost as if they were operating a never ending commercial production line from Northern Ireland. Completed many dog application forms for dogs, that possibly at that time, were then no longer available for adoption, so a case of collecting potential supporters details.

In the past 40 years I have rescued 3 dogs, 1 Lab and 2 GSDs, finding it a lot more difficult now, than I did back then to find a suitable dog to rescue.
Are you looking for a particular breed of dog? If so, have you tried breed rescue? Have you tried smaller, independent rescue centres? Whereabouts are you in the SW?

Wings

5,814 posts

215 months

Tuesday 3rd May 2016
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Looking for a 12 months + up to 6 years bh Golden Retriever or Golden or Chocolate Labrador. I have seen several advertised online at rescued centres, and both completed adoption forms and visited rescue centre.

Nearest I came to adopting a dog, was after completing an adoption form, and then when visiting the centre, I was informed that the dog had a possible long term skin complaint, blood test being required to confirm the same.

My suspicions are that many dogs advertised for rescue online, either never existed or are no longer available for rescue, but left advertised in order to collect data etc.


moorx

3,513 posts

114 months

Tuesday 3rd May 2016
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Wings said:
Looking for a 12 months + up to 6 years bh Golden Retriever or Golden or Chocolate Labrador. I have seen several advertised online at rescued centres, and both completed adoption forms and visited rescue centre.

Nearest I came to adopting a dog, was after completing an adoption form, and then when visiting the centre, I was informed that the dog had a possible long term skin complaint, blood test being required to confirm the same.

My suspicions are that many dogs advertised for rescue online, either never existed or are no longer available for rescue, but left advertised in order to collect data etc.
Okay, those are popular breeds which are not (overly) common in rescue.

There are contacts for breed rescue listed here (although I don't know how up to date this list is):

http://www.dogpages.org.uk/breedr.htm

(This covers both Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers).

It might also be worth trying Irish Retriever Rescue:

http://www.irishretrieverrescue.com/

This rescue has a lot of pedigree dogs, including some labs, but many are ex-puppy farm dogs, which they prefer to rehome with an existing dog. It might be worth asking, though.

http://www.manytearsrescue.org/dogslookingforhomes...

AM7

268 posts

129 months

Tuesday 3rd May 2016
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The others seem to have highlighted possible concerns with your breeds of choice so I won't say any more on that, but try to focus on how to go about getting the right dog..

It may be worth rehoming a young dog privately - we got our Olde English Buldogge at 6 months old as the previous owners didn't want (couldn't be arsed with) him any more. I expect at 28kg with zero obedience the whole cute puppy stage had passed and reality hit that they couldn't offer him what he needed. Worked really well and kind of best of both worlds, still technically a bit of a rescue as he had no life over there and would probably get into the wrong hands otherwise as he was a big powerful bull breed, yet we got him young enough to build trust, confidence and train him to a pretty extensive standard. Just had to take things slowly because of course he was a bit older and more stubborn (also due to his breed) but with consistency we got there. Fantastic family dog!

As said above make sure you know the breeder is genuine i.e. not a puppy farm or some yob trying to make some money doing a quick breeding with his mates dog. Ask to see both parents and evaluate the surroundings, a pup raised in a warm homely environment with family around will always be a top start. Do you research and know the breeds, ask to see the papers and make sure health checks have been carried out for the relevant breed traits/genetics. Ask questions! Ask as much as you can, the more they can tell you about the breed the better, they should know most about the breed given they're breeding them. For me, a KC registered pup isn't the most important factor, as long as I can see the breeder is genuine, both parents are in top condition physically/aesthetically and the personality is correct for breed standards (again, do your breed research) then I'll be happy enough to have the pup.

parakitaMol.

11,876 posts

251 months

Thursday 5th May 2016
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Please please don't get a pup from Scumtree!


bexVN

14,682 posts

211 months

Thursday 5th May 2016
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parakitaMol. said:
Please please don't get a pup from Scumtree!
That is a great name for it especially where animals are concerned!!

Roscco

276 posts

222 months

Sunday 8th May 2016
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Sorry to rain on your parade OP, but your clearly not ready to get a dog.

If you'd properly done your homework you'd already know where to get your chosen breed from, be it a KC breeder, rescue, shelter.....

What you wouldn't be doing is asking ransom folks on the internet where your friend for the next decade or so will come from.

bexVN

14,682 posts

211 months

Sunday 8th May 2016
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Roscco said:
Sorry to rain on your parade OP, but your clearly not ready to get a dog.

If you'd properly done your homework you'd already know where to get your chosen breed from, be it a KC breeder, rescue, shelter.....

What you wouldn't be doing is asking ransom folks on the internet where your friend for the next decade or so will come from.
Slightly harsh. This is a well informed site. Not everyone knows about the Kennel Club. They haven't really researched the breed choices much, I would suspect and that is an error but I still feel happier knowing they have tried to seek advice from what is actually a knowledgeable bunch here.

Wings

5,814 posts

215 months

Monday 16th May 2016
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Wings said:
I have been searching for a dog for the past 9 months, visiting rescue centres and replying to private advertisements. From the former I got some very bad vibes, almost as if they were operating a never ending commercial production line from Northern Ireland. Completed many dog application forms for dogs, that possibly at that time, were then no longer available for adoption, so a case of collecting potential supporters details.

In the past 40 years I have rescued 3 dogs, 1 Lab and 2 GSDs, finding it a lot more difficult now, than I did back then to find a suitable dog to rescue.
Those seeking to either rescue a dog or buy privately, should both watch Panorama on BBC iplayer and read the Daily Mail article on dogs being imported from Northern Ireland.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3593431/Si...

bexVN

14,682 posts

211 months

Monday 16th May 2016
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^^ This is nothing new but it is becoming more prolific (as is illegally imported puppies from foreign countries, have had to deal with a handful now)

I am a bit confused why you say those looking to rescue a dog should read/watch this, as usually rescues are older and less likely to be caught up with puppies diresctly from these farms (though obviously gets harder to track if farmed pups then end up in the rehoming system) but it is an absolute must for those after young pups to learn about them, so many are ignorant to any of this it is frightening frown. I feel for the pups a horrible start and many in not so good health but it's the bhes they breed from over and over again I feel most sorry for, at leat the pups have a chance of a good life, the bhes rarely do. Irelands monitoring of puppy farms is abysmal.

Edited by bexVN on Monday 16th May 22:31

castex

4,936 posts

273 months

Monday 16th May 2016
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No idea what Bex just said.
Try pets4homes.co.uk then look into provenance (mum and dad) and go and see the puppies / owners.
I chose the one that wanted to bite my boot. She's a darling.

CAPP0

19,583 posts

203 months

Monday 16th May 2016
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Wings said:
Looking for a 12 months + up to 6 years bh Golden Retriever or Golden or Chocolate Labrador. I have seen several advertised online at rescued centres, and both completed adoption forms and visited rescue centre.

Nearest I came to adopting a dog, was after completing an adoption form, and then when visiting the centre, I was informed that the dog had a possible long term skin complaint, blood test being required to confirm the same.

My suspicions are that many dogs advertised for rescue online, either never existed or are no longer available for rescue, but left advertised in order to collect data etc.
Recognise your breed requirement there but if you would be interested in rescuing another GSD, please drop me a line, I volunteer with a GSD rescue. There are currently some young ones available.

SPR2

3,182 posts

196 months

Monday 16th May 2016
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Another 2 part ' programme on last night and tonight BBC 2 was' Choosing the right puppy for you ' would be worth watching.

Darko92

Original Poster:

283 posts

111 months

Tuesday 17th May 2016
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Hi guys,

Thanks for your inputs. When I posted the thread topic it was literally just a wandering thought. So to the chap who said I am clearly not ready for a dog because I had to ask a question, I would like to tip my hat to you and say sod off.

Anyway,

I've been researching dogs for a week or two now, nowhere near as knowledgeable as I need to be but one thing is certain, I am not looking into Pugs/Corgi's as they are not the dog for me. Yes, I work and my sibling is 16 but my 2 parents/grandparents are home mostly all day. I've since registered with Battersea, Dogs trust and Blue Cross and I am on their alert list for any specific pups that come in.

Most likely going to go for a Rescue Chihuaha/Jack Russel/Shih Tzu.

Cheers for the input - Will not be buying anymore, will definitely be a rescue.

moorx

3,513 posts

114 months

Tuesday 17th May 2016
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thumbup

Great to hear that you are going the rescue route. Good luck with the search and keep us updated.

ali_kat

31,990 posts

221 months

Tuesday 17th May 2016
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Good luck, pleased you are putting more thought into it

So, to answer my previous questions

ali_kat said:
Do you and your sister live together? - Yes, with Parents/Grandparents

How old are you both? 24 & 16
Are your Parents/Grandparents happy to look after a dog during the day? It will need walking not just company.

Dogs live for @ 15+ years so you will be in your 40s and your sister in her 30s, so I repeat my initial question

ali_kat said:
Who will get the dog when the other finds love and moves out?
Or is it to be a 'family' pet that will stay with your parents when you both move out?


Darko92

Original Poster:

283 posts

111 months

Tuesday 17th May 2016
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Yep, they are happy to look after it. They've had a dog of their own for the best part of 10/15 years and are excited at the prospect. This is why a smaller breed will be ideal for us, as much as I want a Husky too it's just not fair on the dog.

The dog will be a family pet - My sister is staying home for Uni so she won't be going anywhere soon. Plus, our families generally stick together - E.G. Joint family so the dog will have lots of company and attention.

Having said that, I would personally like a pre-trained dog to some extent. So I am looking at 1yr - 4yr old dogs that require rehoming.


ali_kat

31,990 posts

221 months

Tuesday 17th May 2016
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deadslow

8,000 posts

223 months

Tuesday 17th May 2016
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I always go to some dog shows and meet the breeders. Its a good day out and you get a lot of info, plus see lots of examples of best of breed.