Rescues with child under 10

[KenAdams]

Hi - we're looking at getting a cavalier king charles puppy but I'm sure you'll be aware that most decent breeders have paused breeding for this year and the price of puppies of all breeds has sky rocketed due to covid.

We'd be happy with a rescue but nobody seems to have suitable dogs for us! This is largely due to most rescue dogs only being able to live with a child over 10 - ours is 8.

We won't be waiting another two years for a dog as we've already spent two years researching and changing things in the house to be dog suitable.

Has anyone with young children been successful in adopting a rescue please? I'd only want a rescue from here, not an imported dog (I feel like we have enough of our own rescues needing homes to import them).

[crazycatgal]

There's a rescue near to where I live that has dogs that are suitable to live with children over 5. Keep looking, i'm sure you will find somewhere similar.

[m0therofdragons]

We’ve given up on rescues and decided to go for a puppy as dtds are 8 and we have cats so rescues seem to decide we’re not appropriate. Sorry that’s not helpful. I’ve been looking for more than a year.

[bunnygeek]

Contact rescues, don't rely on website listings. Chat to them, fill in rehoming forms. The kid-friendly, cat-friendly, easy dogs tend to be adopted before they get listed on a website. That's why so many rescue websites seem to be just higher maintenance, experienced adult-only dogs, those homes are harder to find.

[bunnygeek]

Also, don't be too specific on breed - some people could go to a rescue wanting a Labrador, but leave with a Chihuahua.

Kid friendly breeds can include things like Staffies, Lurchers and Greyhounds, all of which are common in rescue. Don't dismiss them over the "fancier" breeds!

[Ylvamoon]

If you can wait for a bit longer, there will be lots of 4-9 mouths old puppies up for sale by November/ December. Get in contact with the breed rescue and approved.
All the boffins that have bought a puppy now, will suddenly realise that work & other commitments don't mix well with having a dog.

[KenAdams]

Yes we've filled in all the forms but lots aren't accepting new applications at the moment. I agree - there will be lots soon so maybe I'll just have to wait and see if they accept our application.

[frostedviolets]

I’m just coming on to say don't get a cavalier King Charles if you go down the puppy route.

The breed is in such a terrible mess health wise and imo it’s no longer fixable within the breed.

[Delamero]

Hi,
We have a Cav rescue from Many Tears and a 6 year old child. So it is possible.
I love the breed but agree with the poster who said don’t get a puppy. They are riddled with health problems and very serious ones. If you get a puppy there is no way of knowing if you’ll be dealing with significant heart issues from 4/5 years old possibly younger. Our is an ex breeding bitch and is the loveliest dog, nervous, so wouldn’t be suitable with a boisterous child. But although we were told she tested clear for a heart murmur, I’m not totally convinced and she is off to the vets for a check up soon (we’ve had her 3 months).
We have another rescue from Serbian forgotten paws, who is clearly not a cav but a retriever cross and we had him from when DC were 3. We also have cats and both are cat friendly.
Good luck in your search

[MrsCaplan]

Another one saying don't get a puppy...

We got a rescue Lab when DD was 3 and a rescue Sprointer (Springer Spaniel Pointer cross) five years later. All good. D.O.G Rescue Cyprus are wonderful, rehome 100s of dogs in homes with younger kids, and have lots of rescue puppies as well as adult dogs.