Rescue dog choice?

[cwis]

Hi all,

bit of a dilemma here - I'd like some opinions...

The missus and I have decided we would like a dog. I've had a couple of English Bull Terriers in the past and a King Charles in my teenage years. The missus also grew up with dogs, but I'd not class either of us as experts or advanced dog handlers.

We've pretty much decided to go with a rescue - there are far too many unwanted dogs out there, plus I really don't want to go through the hassle of puppies this time round (lovely as they are, obviously!) - I'd like to enjoy an older, calmer dog.

Also with respect to EBT's, I was considering an "easier" breed this time round...

Don't get me wrong - I love the character of bullies, and as an aspergers person I find I can easily read their expressions and love their characters generally.

I was thinking of the bigger picture however - we have friends with dogs, and bullies don't always get on with other animals, so I was thinking of breeds that are friendlier with strange dogs.

In addition quite a few of our friends have small children, and excellent as bullies are with kids, they are clumsy and clownish and can frighten little kids (or knock them flying!) without meaning to.

And finally, they are very strong willed - perhaps this time round I'd like a dog who is less stubborn, less terrier, that will back down from confrontation, won't continually be looking for some trouble to get in to, etc...

The other half, on the other hand, started off not liking EBT's. (They are a bit like marmite!) After 4 years of stories about my two, and the obvious affection I have for their memories, she's starting to think she would like one!

Finally, yesterday we went to a local dog sanctuary. We took an adult staffy cross for a walk, mostly because I liked his body language, which was placid, quiet and submissive, whilst friendly. Most of the dogs they had there were staffies...

This one saw a cat and just looked at it, and saw other dogs and just looked at them too - but he did seem very low - even depressed... Nothing (even us, to be fair) seemed to interest him particularly. Bless.

So my questions are:

Am I just being too grumpy and should I just bite the bullet and get another EBT? Has my time away from them just hardened my heart (3 years) and if I met another one face to face would they get back under my skin?

Is there anywhere where the other half and I could meet a (happy!) bully so she can see what a pain in the arse they can be?

Are all dogs at rescue centers pretty subdued when you meet them? (Never done it before). How can you assess their character properly if so?

Staffies I have met in the past seem (compared to bullies) to be, well, nice but dim. Is this unfair? I know they are immensely affectionate, great with kids, etc etc. Compared to bullies they always seem more, well, serious too. Is this fair?

I've read (but not seen) that they tone it down when confronted with little kids or old people - they understand that they are weaker etc - again, is this true?

Are they as stubborn as other bull breeds (and terriers in general, let's face it)?

This chap yesterday didn't seem to know what "sit" meant, but looked at us for direction and licked his nose etc when we spoke to him but just didn't seem to know what to do. Or are they far brighter than they let on? He happily followed directions such as "this way" etc and didn't pull (much).

We're based in High Wycombe by the way, and have a house backing on to woods with an enclosed rear garden - it would be a lovely home for a dog... I just want it to be the right dog.

[Jasandjules]

Only you can decide what dog is right for you.

Personally I'd not be looking at a specific breed given what you are looking for, but just whatever dog really makes you happy.

[cwis]

Wise words! Breed is only a guide to the character of a dog, I understand that... But if rescue dogs are subdued, how can I know when I've found the right one?

Jasandjules said:

Only you can decide what dog is right for you.

Personally I'd not be looking at a specific breed given what you are looking for, but just whatever dog really makes you happy.

[Jasandjules]

Ok, I've only rescued dogs I've met/known from other people who could not look after them for whatever reason, so I don't know about going into a rescue centre.

But I believe (as with the dogs I've rescued, we've been offered others and have decided we could not take them for whatever reason) that one dog will just "click", you will fall instantly in love and that will be that. If it is a PITA on lead, you will put up with that, if it barks it's head off at everything that moves, you will put up with that. I don't think they are all subdued etc but even if they are, one may still very much appeal.

That's just the way I feel about things, I mean, animals, houses, cars, all the same to me in that respect, you KNOW the one you want and you'll put up with all kinds of cr*p with it that you wouldn't with a different cat/dog/car...

[rovermorris999]

How about a greyhound, lurcher or whippet? Loads around, very loving, good with kids and don't need a lot of exercise. Few if any inbred health problems either.
http://scrupleswhippetrescue.co.uk/
http://www.greyhoundandlurcherrescue.co.uk/
http://www.fenbankgreyhounds.co.uk/
http://www.grwe.com/homingWelfare_dogsForHoming.as...

I have four at the moment and have had them for years so if you have any questions about the breeds feel free to ask.

Good for you for getting a rescue. Even if you want a pup, they do come up regularly.

[baptistsan]

RE. the dog you took out.

How long had he been in the sanctuary for? We've adopted a number of cats from sanctuaries and always seem to end up with the ones which have been in there for ages and look fed up and miserable. Let's face it, who wouldn't? After a few weeks in their new home they are bounding around and loving life. Really do feel it's about environment and interaction with their human.

So don't cross this dog off your list. Visit him a few times and see if a relationship starts to develop. You never know, you may just cheer him up

[cwis]

Hmm - interesting! I've never had a dog just click. For me a relationship with a dog grows from mutual respect and interest on both parts (and work, too!) into something larger than that over time.

Sounds like you're lucky in that regard.

I suppose I don't want to waste a rescue centre's time going on "dates" with dogs expecting to click when it's not happened to me before...

Jasandjules said:

Ok, I've only rescued dogs I've met/known from other people who could not look after them for whatever reason, so I don't know about going into a rescue centre.

But I believe (as with the dogs I've rescued, we've been offered others and have decided we could not take them for whatever reason) that one dog will just "click", you will fall instantly in love and that will be that. If it is a PITA on lead, you will put up with that, if it barks it's head off at everything that moves, you will put up with that. I don't think they are all subdued etc but even if they are, one may still very much appeal.

That's just the way I feel about things, I mean, animals, houses, cars, all the same to me in that respect, you KNOW the one you want and you'll put up with all kinds of cr*p with it that you wouldn't with a different cat/dog/car...

[cwis]

Good point! We didn't ask, actually - I will do.

We will be going back next weekend for this very reason, plus a few extra questions I've come up with since I met him.

Plus - a walk in the pissing rain wasn't much fun for either of us... I don't even know whether he was grumpy/moody because it was raining at this point! (Our King Charles would hide under tables when it was walk time if it was raining)...

baptistsan said:

RE. the dog you took out.

How long had he been in the sanctuary for? We've adopted a number of cats from sanctuaries and always seem to end up with the ones which have been in there for ages and look fed up and miserable. Let's face it, who wouldn't? After a few weeks in their new home they are bounding around and loving life. Really do feel it's about environment and interaction with their human.

So don't cross this dog off your list. Visit him a few times and see if a relationship starts to develop. You never know, you may just cheer him up

[cwis]

I quite like the idea - the other half isn't so keen, just because they are skinny. She wants a more substantial "cuddly" dog.

I've known a couple of whippets in the past and liked them - soppy old buggers, as long as you're not a squirrel!

rovermorris999 said:

How about a greyhound, lurcher or whippet? Loads around, very loving, good with kids and don't need a lot of exercise. Few if any inbred health problems either.
http://scrupleswhippetrescue.co.uk/
http://www.greyhoundandlurcherrescue.co.uk/
http://www.fenbankgreyhounds.co.uk/
http://www.grwe.com/homingWelfare_dogsForHoming.as...

I have four at the moment and have had them for years so if you have any questions about the breeds feel free to ask.

Good for you for getting a rescue. Even if you want a pup, they do come up regularly.

[Karyn]

As others have sad, "subdued" might not be an actual character trait in any dogs you see; more an effect of being in rescue kennels.


Good on you, though!

[cwis]

Don't start with the cute pics of bullies!

I may as well fold and contact a bully rescue place if the other half sees that!

Any ideas on how to decide on the true nature of dogs when in kennels?

Karyn said:

As others have sad, "subdued" might not be an actual character trait in any dogs you see; more an effect of being in rescue kennels.


Good on you, though!

[Mubby]

When my partner and I decide the time is right we will be going for a retired guide dog, The dogs are retired usually before they hit 8 years old and sometimes the clients keep them as pets but usually they get a new "working" dog and the previous older dog needs a forever home. They are quite often retired earlier too.

I have puppy walked for Guide Dogs UK, It's a great way of having a dog and giving something back, but its only for a year to 14 months and then there is the heartache of handing it back, its not for everyone! but I have also used this as a great training tool for myself in the future as regards to dogs I will have as pets.

There may be waiting list for the retired or dogs that didn't make it, they can "fail" for the simplest of things, indeed more dont make it than do, but they are dogs of very good pedigree and breeding lines, and of course will have undergone a level of training depending on how far along it got before being rejected. Mostly Retrievers or Labs but sometimes German shepherds and such like.

worth thinking about maybe! perhaps not "rescue" as such but these dogs need homes too!

Edited by Mubby on Tuesday 10th April 14:18

[cwis]

Some good thinking there - I suppose this would be the "easiest" option of all - a trained dog (to a degree) of a pliable breed...

I don't know what to do really - I'm just aware of the importance of getting this right.

The more suggestions and opinions the better!

Mubby said:

When my partner and I decide the time is right we will be going for a retired guide dog, The dogs are retired usually before they hit 8 years old and sometimes the clients keep them as pets but usually they get a new "working" dog and the previous older dog needs a forever home. They are quite often retired earlier too.

I have puppy walked for Guide Dogs UK, It's a great way of having a dog and giving something back, but its only for a year to 14 months and then there is the heartache of handing it back, its not for everyone! but I have also used this as a great training tool for myself in the future as regards to dogs I will have as pets.

There may be waiting list for the retired or dogs that didn't make it, they can "fail" for the simplest of things, indeed more dont make it than do, but they are dogs of very good pedigree and breeding lines, and of course will have undergone a level of training depending on how far along it got before being rejected. Mostly Retrievers or Labs but sometimes German shepherds and such like.

worth thinking about maybe! perhaps not "rescue" as such but these dogs need homes too!

Edited by Mubby on Tuesday 10th April 14:18

[Mubby]

cwis said:

Some good thinking there - I suppose this would be the "easiest" option of all - a trained dog (to a degree) of a pliable breed...

I don't know what to do really - I'm just aware of the importance of getting this right.

The more suggestions and opinions the better!

It is very difficult, I know we will have a dog or two one day, but when the time is right, and for now the time is not for us!

Perhaps work out what breed you want first and then take it from there!

[Who me ?]

As most folks on here know,I'm a Cairn Terrier fan. They come in all sizes,and are on the whole good natured. If you like them you could contact CTRF for more info . Alternatively ,you could try fostering ,and that's perhaps an ideal way to help pick your dog, be it any breed. Because basically ,no one can tell you what breed( or even mongrel) is the ideal dog for you .As said, greyhounds are great pets. Lovely temperament and docile .And owners I meet tell me that they don't need the exercise that you'd think they might.

[cwis]

I'd kind of discounted terriers because of their independent nature... Having said that, I know a few lovely dogs who also happen to be terriers. One seems to think I am a mobile dog bed and flops on me whenever I go round (after asking politely).

I think we are after a larger breed in this instance however. Having said that, they are cute! Do they shed?

[quote=Who me ?]As most folks on here know,I'm a Cairn Terrier fan. They come in all sizes,and are on the whole good natured. If you like them you could contact CTRF for more info . Alternatively ,you could try fostering ,and that's perhaps an ideal way to help pick your dog, be it any breed. Because basically ,no one can tell you what breed( or even mongrel) is the ideal dog for you .As said, greyhounds are great pets. Lovely temperament and docile .And owners I meet tell me that they don't need the exercise that you'd think they might.
[/quote]

[Jasandjules]

As I said, I would have thought the best bet is to go around the rescue places and see what dogs really tickle your fancy, THEN come back and do some research on each breed. You may find that there is a breed you didn't want for various reasons BUT you suddenly start coming up with reasons why it's all ok etc, that means that is the dog for you.

[SGirl]

rovermorris999 said:

How about a greyhound, lurcher or whippet? Loads around, very loving, good with kids and don't need a lot of exercise. Few if any inbred health problems either.
http://scrupleswhippetrescue.co.uk/
http://www.greyhoundandlurcherrescue.co.uk/
http://www.fenbankgreyhounds.co.uk/
http://www.grwe.com/homingWelfare_dogsForHoming.as...

I have four at the moment and have had them for years so if you have any questions about the breeds feel free to ask.

Good for you for getting a rescue. Even if you want a pup, they do come up regularly.

If you're thinking of a rescue lurcher, try Southern Lurcher rescue as well. They've always got dogs in rescue, and they don't have kennels so all their dogs are in foster homes. Handy if you want to be sure of a dog's character before you take him or her on.

That said, don't believe lurchers don't need a lot of exercise! Some don't, that's for sure. But from what I can tell most of them love running around off-lead and will go for miles if you let them.

We got our lurcher pup from the Dogs Trust this time last year, and she's great - loves everyone, excellent with food, no aggression at all (even if you remove her yummy bone from under her nose!), will guard the house and bark at people she doesn't know but welcome people we've invited in. The only thing is, to be really happy she needs a fair bit of off-lead exercise - this isn't a problem for us, but you do need somewhere fairly enclosed because she likes to explore and chase squirrels! She gets two walks a day, around an hour each time, and she's perfectly happy with that. But equally, she can go on walks lasting several hours and still be happy! If she doesn't get her walks for whatever reason, that's fine too - she'll just spend the day snoozing and coming in occasionally to blag biscuits off my desk. She's remarkably adaptable to whatever exercise you want to give her, which is a very handy trait. And she's pretty intelligent - not border collie level, but a very quick learner. I gather this is common in lurchers.

BTW, lurchers don't have to be skinny longdog types - ours has mastiff in her breeding, which has made her a bit more muscular and chunky than the traditional longdog. Say if you want a pic. You can also get wiry-haired lurchers who are *seriously* cuddly!

The Southern Lurcher Rescue has a forum run by a lady who calls herself "mimsmum". It's worth joining there even if you don't plan on getting one of their dogs, because they have lots of good advice to hand out.

http://www.southernlurcherrescue.org.uk/
http://mimsmum.proboards.com/index.cgi?

Good luck - hope you find the perfect dog.

Edited by SGirl on Wednesday 11th April 14:10

[cwis]

How can you say all that and not put a pic up?

Ta for the info!

I think the difficulty I'm experiencing here is this is the first time I've ever had a choice of dog - in the past they have just, well, turned up...

SGirl said:

If you're thinking of a rescue lurcher, try Southern Lurcher rescue as well. They've always got dogs in rescue, and they don't have kennels so all their dogs are in foster homes. Handy if you want to be sure of a dog's character before you take him or her on.

That said, don't believe lurchers don't need a lot of exercise! Some don't, that's for sure. But from what I can tell most of them love running around off-lead and will go for miles if you let them.

We got our lurcher pup from the Dogs Trust this time last year, and she's great - loves everyone, excellent with food, no aggression at all (even if you remove her yummy bone from under her nose!), will guard the house and bark at people she doesn't know but welcome people we've invited in. The only thing is, to be really happy she needs a fair bit of off-lead exercise - this isn't a problem for us, but you do need somewhere fairly enclosed because she likes to explore and chase squirrels! She gets two walks a day, around an hour each time, and she's perfectly happy with that. But equally, she can go on walks lasting several hours and still be happy! If she doesn't get her walks for whatever reason, that's fine too - she'll just spend the day snoozing and coming in occasionally to blag biscuits off my desk. She's remarkably adaptable to whatever exercise you want to give her, which is a very handy trait. And she's pretty intelligent - not border collie level, but a very quick learner. I gather this is common in lurchers.

BTW, lurchers don't have to be skinny longdog types - ours has mastiff in her breeding, which has made her a bit more muscular and chunky than the traditional longdog. Say if you want a pic. You can also get wiry-haired lurchers who are *seriously* cuddly!

The Southern Lurcher Rescue has a forum run by a lady who calls herself "mimsmum". It's worth joining there even if you don't plan on getting one of their dogs, because they have lots of good advice to hand out.

http://www.southernlurcherrescue.org.uk/
http://mimsmum.proboards.com/index.cgi?

Good luck - hope you find the perfect dog.

Edited by SGirl on Wednesday 11th April 14:10

[SGirl]

Well, if you insist...

Anticipating a walk:



After a walk!



Sore paw after treading on something sharp:



In her usual place in the office, "helping" with the shredding:



Highly recommended hounds.

Edited by SGirl on Wednesday 11th April 14:42