Opinions on a possible adpotee

[MotherForkinShirtBalls]

Dc and I are trying to convince dh that a dog would make us complete . Dc are 6&8. 6yo is a bit wary but spent three days with his cousin's dog recently and they ended up good friends. 8 yo loved the cousin's dog. I work from home most of the time and my dad will dog sit if needed.

My preference would be to adopt so I'm constantly scouring local sites. I think I've fallen in love, so wanted so expert opinions on this guy's description before I go further. I'm happy to do 2 walks(approx 30 mins) per day mid week, could do longer at weekend. Will have to investigate training locally but I know it's available. We can make space for the dog with his own crate in the very little used playroom, so he'd have space to escape the dc if needed.

From the rescue site's description...
Toby (6-12 months old, crossbreed) is looking for a young & active family who will take him for long walks, play with him and offer him a lot of brain games. His future forever family will need to continue his training with car travel, loose leash walking, and self-control around other dogs. Toby is a super fast learner and is just full of love and affection.

[LEMtheoriginal]

So his future forever family need to be aware that he doesn't travel well, pulls on the lead and is reactive with other dogs. He sounds like he is high energy and needs alot of stimulation and attention.

Is he a big dog? He might be too boisterous for your 6yo.

He doesn't sound like a dog for inexperienced owners tbh. He is the equivalent of a doggie teenager.

If you are confident and have owned dogs then he could be a maybe. He will need lots of fun but also firm boundaries

[Nesssie]

His future forever family will need to continue his training with car travel, loose leash walking, and self-control around other dogs.

Most dogs under a year need lead training and a bit of control around other dogs. Doesn’t sound too bad, but you might want to speak to the rescue and clarify.
If it is a good rescue they will provide rescue back up for the life of the dog and support you with any issues.

[MotherForkinShirtBalls]

OK... I'm glad I asked for a translation! Both dh and I would have had dogs growing up, but wouldn't consider us very experienced. I was concerned 2x30 min walks might not be enough for him. Hard to tell size from the pics, but I'd guess springer spaniel sized.

He has the most adorable face

[Nesssie]

Mental exercise is just as important as physical, especially for a young dog.
I’ll be honest that age is the age when they are usually at their worst, so routine and boundaries are key. On the plus side you should have skipped the toilet training and nippy phase, and it won’t be long until they hit that magical 2years!
I’d invest in some food toys such as Kong wobblers, snuffle mats, lickimats and Nina Ottoman games as these will wear him out just as much as a walk, and keep him occupied in the evening or whenever you need to leave him alone.

[Nesssie]

Do you have any idea of the possible breeds as that may help identify any behavioural traits/exercise needs.

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

I would have thought that "active" and "long walks" are the key words that mean he won't fit into your plan of 2x 30 mins per day. Those are the sort of words I'd use to describe my dog and he's a 2 hr per day minimum sort of dog (in less polite company: if he doesn't get his 2 hours a day he's a twat).

Do they suggest what breeds might be in him? When you say 2x 30 mins, how much of that time would be spent on lead getting to / from your local park, and how much potential off lead time would that be? I live near a big park, and 30 mins for us would realistically mean only 15 mins in the park.

[MotherForkinShirtBalls]

I think I'm going to need to call the shelter tomorrow and find out a lot more info. Thanks for all the replies, it gives me a good list of questions.

[fleshmarketclose]

I don't think two 30 minute walks are enough for a young dog described as active. Bella is nine, a small dog and wasn't described as active by the rescue but thirty minutes in she is just settling into her stride.. We tend to do an hour and a half morning and forty minutes in the evening which makes her a happy and contented dog for the time we are at home.

[BiteyShark]

Long walks to me sounds like a lot longer than what you suggested. Also off lead where they can run about and sniff lots of things is far more tiring than on lead road walking but again not sure from your posts on which one you would be doing.

[GeorgeTheHippo]

LEM has translated it for you. Don't be smitten by a cute face, you will regret it.

[mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork]

I think I'd be inclined to look at a dog not younger than 4, partly because you can only do 2 x 30-min walks a day during the week and, depending on the type of dog, one of this age may be happier with that than a puppy would. Also, I always prefer an adult dog as puppies are so exhausting and time-consuming (and irritating a lot of the time) but maybe that's just because I value my peaceful home! My 6 year old rescue dog gets 40 mins, 1 hour, 30 mins on weekdays and at weekends she gets approx one 1 hour walk + one 2 hour walk each day but she is a quick and energetic dog (Staffy cross) - my previous larger dog was fine with less walks, especially as she got older. I think the thing to do is to go along and meet whatever dogs they have and you'll get more of an idea what you want (they never look the same nor are quite as you'd imagined as when you saw them on the website). Ultimately, I think you "know" when you meet the right dog - I did (looked at loads of websites, visited nearest RSPCA and looks at loads of dogs, went to Battersea - saw lots of dogs but they just didn't "click", then one did!).