Anyone with DC recently adopted a dog (preferably a collie) via a rescue?

[confuseddoiordonti]

We are experienced dog owners, having lost our 17 year old collie 9 months ago, and are starting to look into adoption again. We are fixed on another collie, and it would be even better if we could do the same Search & Rescue training we did with our first. We are flexible with both sex and, to a point, age.

Unfortunately, this time round we have criteria we didn’t have the first time and hence need to be realistic about what we can handle with regards to issues a dog may have. I run a dog boarding / daycare and walking business and we also have a ten year old (very dog savvy) child. I am reasonably confident in my training abilities but also can’t afford to take months off work to do so.

While we live rurally, we do live on a road, and our garden is small and paved rather than a lawn, although it does have a five foot fence but this is apparently not high enough. On the other side of the road we have 8 miles of woodland (and hence tend not to use the garden for dogs anyway.)

Both these reasons, garden type and fence height so far, have meant three rescues won’t even consider us. Other reasons are our son (I can understand this more) and another is my job. I know a few people who, while open to any breed, have been turned down due to similar reasons and ended up eventually buying a puppy.

Our original dog came via rescue but we didn’t have children or other dogs around then. Has anyone (preferably in the north west but happy to travel within reason) adopted and where from? I have not been looking long but it’s starting to feel like many places apply blanket rules with no flexibility. I’m hoping smaller organisations might be easier!

I have two Hope Rescue dogs, the first came to me when DD was 6yo, the second is a failed foster a few years later. They are always rehoming dogs to families with children. They are based in South Wales but have dogs in foster places all over the country. My first was in a foster home in Oxford. Good luck, sounds like you have a perfect set up.

Have you looked on dogsblog.com?

I gave up trying to rescue a dog and got a border collie pup. Most of the dogs need to be the only dog in the house or can’t live with children and small furries.

Both of our lovely collies came from the border collie trust in Staffordshire - our children were quite small when we adopted and it wasn't an issue. They have great ongoing support, will just want to talk to you to make sure you are rescue dog savvy!

Excellent - two good leads there. While I appreciate these things take time and why, I do get the impression it’s sometimes more tricky than is necessary. Hence, recommendations helps a lot! It also feels like forever since we even looked at dogs with a view to adoption so I’m kind of out the loop.

@LemonDrizzle10 I was getting that impression too but hopefully I’m wrong…

PIL had one from here as well - lovely dog brought over from Northern Ireland! Failed sheepdog we think, beautiful looking and lovey temperament but dim as anything.