Help me doghouse sages - do i rehome my friends dog?

[TheoriginalLEM]

I already have two JRTs

My friend has found herself in a situation where she has asked me to consider taking her dog. He is a 5 month old staffy cross. Her issue is that she bought him as a staffy and he turned out to be a cross (fine) but the cross is clearly with a mastiff size dog. She isn't coping with him.

I had always half joked that i wanted first refusal on him if she rehomed him.

Now she has contacted me tonight and asked if i would consider it.

He is lovely, well socialised, loves dogs and good with kids (i have a 10yo DD).

I am used to big dogs, we have rescued rotties with issues in the past. This dog has no issues other than being a big staffy cross so slightly bonkers i think and pulls on the lead. Or at least that is what i have been lead to believe.

im miffed with my friend, she shouldnt have taken this dog on and i don't want to compound the problem by taking him if i myself can't cope with him..

DP is keen, he misses having a big dog and so do i.

I currently work part time and am home most days all day but i will be shifting to full time soon, it is feasible that i can take this dog to work with me, or come home at lunch time to walk the dogs. This dog is crate trained which reassures me that he will be ok of a night with my dogs (they sleep with us).

I am really torn, i said i'd have him but he is going to be enormous (which in a way is better because if he is a mastiff cross then he would hopefully inherit some of their quieter nature) and my boys are the babies of the family. I worry about them with such a monster big brother.

Friend has said to have him on trail but i honestly don't know what to do.

[TheoriginalLEM]

Our work situation means that if i don't take him, my friend still stands a good chance of finding him a decent home. So if im honest, this is about me and my family having another dog rather than rescuing one in need.

[rescueremedy1104]

I'd go for trial. Then at least everyone knows. There won't be any 'what ifs'. But I'm a sucker (see recent post about longing for dog 2!)

[BernardsarenotalwaysSaints]

You know how amazing big dogs are

Honestly though I agree rescue I'd take him on the trial (I'd suggest 3-4 weeks minimum) so you can see how he fits in to the household & your daily life, how he integrates with your existing dogs etc etc.

[LyndaNotLinda]

I'd go for a trial period too. I know a Bernese mountain dog and dachshund who are very happy housemates.

[TheoriginalLEM]

Went for a lovely walk with him this morning, yep - there are some issues but he has no malice in him whatsoever and he was fine with my dogs. I am smitten - but my friend clearly isn't ready to give up on him, so whilst i am selfishly sad about that, i am pleased tht she is going to give him another go. I gave her some pointers regarding training and chaning him from the food rocket fuel he is on just now to something with a smaller protein content. I have also suggested she goes to some training classes with him - she has never had a big dog and i think is a bit out of her depth. I have offered to go on more walks with her - all the time thinking, oh but i really want him :( For the best though, maybe i'll be back in a few weeks with pics but i think she loves him too much.

[BernardsarenotalwaysSaints]

Offer to look after him when she goes on holiday . Yes, a lot of people on my Saint forum have second thoughts/need some hand holding around adolescence as to what the hell they've taken on. I can see why you're sad but good on your friend for persevering!

[Whitney168]

If your JRTs and this dog are all male, please don't underestimate the Stafford's propensity for same sex aggression ... 5 months is too young to tell how this boy will behave as he matures. It could be fine, but no-one with any sense leaves a male Stafford alone with another male.

[TheoriginalLEM]

Whitney, it is a worry, not really because of his breed but because of his size. One of my JRTs is unpredictable with other dogs, but once he has met and "got on" i know he will be ok, There are dogs we meet on our walks who he took an instant dislike to and is definately not ok. I would most definately be taking big dog to work with me though and not leaving them alone.

All a bit academic really though as friend is much more positive today, :) for her :( for me.

[mrslaughan]

I have a giant breed and one of his best friends is a miniature poodle - they do look mad together , but get along really well, and no issues with little poodle being squashed of pushed around.

[Lokibuddyboo]

My little chihuahua cross jrt gets on great with my father's Japanese Akita they play lovely and the Akita is really gentle with him. So big and small dogs can get along great.
Keep taking your dogs on walks with your friend and her dog that way if she can't cope after trying again and you end up keeping him they already know each other better.

[TheoriginalLEM]

Loki, i had a chihuahua cross too when i lived with my parents (many moons ago) and would walk him with my 60kg rottie when i left home :)