Rehoming a spaniel

[EnsignRoLaren]

I’d love some recommendations about how to find an older spaniel to join our family. I have joined most of the springer/cocker/sprocker rescue sites on Facebook and a friend with a gun dog is asking around her contacts.

Is it the done thing to ask breeders if they have older animals needing homes?

We have a big secure garden plus another acre of land, and we have country walks on our doorstep. We have children (8 and nearly 5) and I mostly work from home, have a dog friendly office, and it looks like DH will be home for the next year or two at least. I don’t think we are ready for a puppy but we could give an older dog a lovely home.

It seems like unless I am willing to stalk every Facebook page for hours a day that we won’t be selected to rescue or foster. Is there another way to find an older dog or bitch? Thanks for any tips! 🙂

[slipperywhensparticus]

Is there any reason why you wont consider a breed specific rescue

[Wolfiefan]

A breed club may have contacts with specialist rescues.
Decent breeders don’t discard dogs. But unfortunately rescues like Many Tears take on ex puppy farming dogs.
Also dogsblog used to allow you to search for specific breeds.
Very long shot at the moment but vets or local breeders might know someone who has to give one up?
Cinnamon Trust may end up with one for permanent foster? Or other rescues may get one in?
Good luck OP.

[EnsignRoLaren]

@slipperywhensparticus - I have joined breed specific rescues, at least the ones I have found. Do you have any recommendations, please?

[EnsignRoLaren]

Thank you @Wolfiefan! I scrolled through dogsblog today and am going to take a closer look now. I have been wondering about the vet! I may ask MIL, who used to work in a local vet surgery, if that’s likely.

I’ll try a breed club - most don’t have great websites and I always feel like I am bothering people if I phone (foolishly I suppose). There are plenty of breeders in the county (lots of shooting in the Cotswolds) but I suppose it makes sense that good breeders are in it for life. To many years on MN has taught me to be over cautious of breeders!

[LochJessMonster]

Some breeders rehome older dogs, for example if they can’t breed them anymore or a dog doesn’t turn out to have the characteristics they want to breed from.
So it’s always worth contacting any that you know of.


Spaniel Aid is probably your best breed specific rescue.
Many Tears is more cavalier spaniels than springers.

[DesdemonaDryEyes]

Rescues are closed at the moment.

Spaniel Aid UK will have dogs up for rehoming when they can.

[Offredismysister]

I’d second spaniel aid. I adopted an 18 month old springer from them. They were very thorough & honest about what they knew regarding his history. I had to make 2 visits with my other dog & teenage child to the foster home & I had a full home & garden check. He’s nearly 6 now & is a fantastic dog. Spaniel aid often have older dogs.

[Whatnametomorrow10]

Another vote for spaniel Aid x

[EnsignRoLaren]

Thanks everyone! @DesdemonaDryEyes some rescues have opened up in May and are doing home checks from the garden. Certainly some animals are being rehomed and reserved (obsessive page checking!)

There are a couple of oldies via Spaniel Aid and they specify they won’t rehome with children younger than 6. Sadly.

Maybe I will be brave and ask a couple of localish breeders!

[DesdemonaDryEyes]

SAUK is no to children under 5.

[EnsignRoLaren]

@DesdemonaDryEyes you are right! I just checked that and thought it said 6 years. My eyes must be going blurry from all the scrolling

DC2 is five in a few months. Hmm.

[GU24Mum]

Have you looked at CAESSR? I think adoptions are paused at the moment but they specialise in cockers and springers.

[EnsignRoLaren]

@GU24Mum I have! They won’t rehome with children under 8, sadly for us.

[Froq]

For many of the older dogs at SAUK, they won’t be rehomed with children of any age.

[Wolfiefan]

I would contact all the rescues. Even if they say no children under 8. If they hear how your kids are used to dogs? They may get a dog in who is used to dogs? And if you’re perfect in every other way?
Can’t hurt!!
Decent breeders don’t rehome old breeding stock.
Can you email breed clubs or societies? I have Wolfhounds. There is a rescue but they don’t advertise available dogs. The breed club or society could put you in touch with rescue coordinators.

[EnsignRoLaren]

@DesdemonaDryEyes is your name coincidental? I feel like a have seen a spaniel with dry eyes on a rehoming page recently!

[DesdemonaDryEyes]

Purely coincidental.

Shakespearean reference to My eyes do itch ...

[EnsignRoLaren]

@Froq - yes, I have seen lots of places that specify 16 plus. I get it, totally, but it seems nutty that it is easier to get a puppy than an older dog. We grew up with dogs and certainly we kids were all over our family dogs in a way I would never allow now - never a whisper of a problem.

My kids have always been taught to ask first and let dogs come to you, aided by granny’s excessively licky terrier!

[EnsignRoLaren]

Desdemona - got it. Thanks for the advice.

[Wolfiefan]

Black retriever x may have a spaniel or two coming up!!

[EnsignRoLaren]

Thanks @Wolfiefan - I think you might be right - not every animal has a Facebook page 😀

[EnsignRoLaren]

How did you find that out wolfing?! I like their Facebook feed - very clear and well managed!

[Thunderpunt]

I know not everyone wants a rescue dog, but if you would consider one and possibly a cross, the Heathlands Animal Sanctuary in Royston sometimes have springers. We got our springer cross from them 5 years ago and they were fab. They've currently got this handsome chap looking for a home....

[Thunderpunt]

And the advantage of Heathlands is all dogs are fostered in homes so they have a good idea of how they are with kids. My one came from a foster with 3 kids under 9 and 3 other dogs so we had a good idea he would be ok with our kids (and they were happy for us to adopt him after a home check and several visits with the kids to meet him)

[Wolfiefan]

They share dogs they are taking into foster before they come up for rehoming. Took a couple of spaniels in recently. Have a look on FB. Great rescue.