Advice please

[Hamletsmoney]

Really want to get a dog This will be my first dog. We had a few dogs when I was a kid but I haven't felt my lifestyle (long hours out of the house, holidays) would suit a dog until recently.
I'd like a puppy if possible. Have a 6yo child. I've looked at Dogs Trust and Battersea and haven't seen any smaller dogs that they said would be suitable for younger children. I also don't feel confident that I could deal with complex behavioural needs.
I looked at some online ads for puppies, which just looked insanely cute and very dodgy.
Not really sure where you start.
I do not want to support puppy farming, but rehoming looks unlikely with a young child in the family.
Any ideas or advice??

[Wolfiefan]

Rehoming could absolutely work with a six year old!
Re puppy farms. We are going through the breed club and buying from someone we know. Avoid online adverts. Anything that has a mobile number. KC reg is proof of nothing.
You may have to wait. Hoping to meet my pup next week. Been on lists of responsible breeders for over a year.

[TrionicLettuce]

It's definitely worth investigating rescues further. Small, independent rescues tend to be more flexible with regards to rehoming criteria. If there are particular breeds you're interested in most breed clubs run their own rescue efforts and again these tend to be more flexible than the larger organisations.

This is a good guide to buying a puppy should you decide to go down that route.

[Hamletsmoney]

Thank you.
Not hugely fussy re breeds. In fact I keep seeing scary ads about dogs being stolen so thought a crossbreed might be safer.
Thanks for the link!

[Hidingtonothing]

Yes, definitely smaller local rescues who tend to be foster based rather than keeping dogs in kennels. Many will use foster homes with children and other animals so dogs can be properly tested and will therefore be able to say which dogs are suitable to be rehomed with children. We've had 2 dogs from the same rescue, DD was 4 when we adopted our first. Most wouldn't want to rehome to someone who was regularly out of the house for more than about 4 hours at a stretch though, especially with a puppy so it would depend on whether your lifestyle has changed enough to accommodate that.

[BlueKarou]

Go visit Dogs Trust. They usually only put the harder to regime dogs on the website. Go in and talk to them about your situation and what you would like and they'll be able to tell you whether or not they have anything in for rehoming that might match your wishes.

Many dogs in rescue are there simply because their owner got bored or ran out of money or became too infirm etc so won't necessarily have any additional behavioural needs, and all dogs will have a period of stress and need to settle in when coming to a new home, so if you do get a rescue please give it time rather than thinking any teething issues are rescue-specific.

FWIW, having had a puppy, don't do it! Go for something at least 6 months. Puppies are awful; all biting and pooing and chewing and needy. Something a little older won't be half as difficult.

[Wolfiefan]

Think about how much exercise, grooming, training etc you can commit to. Do you want an active spaniel or a couch potato Greyhound? How much space do you have in home and garden?
If going for a cross then consider breed traits.
A good rescue (like black retriever x shameless plug!) would suggest a good fit and offer ongoing support. Worth also going through a rescue like BRX where dogs are fostered not kennelled (so you get a realistic impression of how they would be in a house.)

[Ilovehedgehogs]

I second the independent rescues. Helen McGarry rehoming from Cyprus and black retriever cross are both ones that I have had experience with and re home with children. Full back up and support given afterwards.

[stinkyfeet2016]

Another one to support rescues. Honestly!

[Ilovehedgehogs]

Anywhere near Essex OP?!

[Ilovehedgehogs]

Speedy

[Hamletsmoney]

Wow you guys are full of useful info. Thanks!!
Not too far from Essex.
OMG, that poor little puppy!!

[Ilovehedgehogs]

He is in foster in Essex-he has been there from 8weeks, having a ball by all accounts!

[Hamletsmoney]

What amazing work those small shelters/ rehomers are doing. Had no idea they existed.
Thanks so much.

[Hidingtonothing]

Oh god I shouldn't have looked at Speedy, I really can't have anymore dogs but he's just so gorgeous

[BagelGoesWalking]

Silver Fox Dog Rescue
Balkan Underdogs
Pro Dogs Direct
Cavalier Rescue
Poodles in Need
Next Chapter Animal Rescue
Heathlands Animal Rescue

[SleightOfMind]

Oh lovely thread Hamlet. Another vote for rehousing here!

DD1 was 5 when we got our first ever dog - from a small local rescue.
She slipped into our family like a piece we didn't know we were missing.
As a first time owner, going to a good rescue means you'll be matched with a dog that fits you like a glove and get really good support.

many tears has lots of little dogs looking for homes iirc. They're based in Wales but foster and home all over the southeast. Many are puppy farm casualties.

Very excited for you. Will obv need lots of pix when your new dog comes home!

[GinIsIn]

It's worth getting in touch with Battersea - most dogs find a home before making it onto the website so it may look like they haven't got what you are looking for when actually they can help.