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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not know what to do - dog related

181 replies

Dogconfused · 19/04/2023 08:40

my partner and I want to get a dog but cannot decide between trying to get a rescue or a puppy. Pls can people offer advice/opinions?
we have thought long and hard about the pros and cons of each…
Rescue pros

  • helping a dog in need
  • helping a charity
  • Dog may be less needy than a puppy
  • can get clearer idea of dogs character
  • cheaper
Rescue cons
  • don’t know genetic/health/physical history of dog
  • Potentially harder to train than a puppy
  • Would be from abroad so (low) risk of parasitic disease (would be tested for these)
Puppy pros
  • more choice over what we get and when we get it
  • more knowledge of puppies past and parents health etc
  • potentially easier to train as stating from young
Puppy cons
  • not helping a rescue
  • cost is higher
  • potentially more needy at beginning

we have given it a lot of thought, but cannot decide what option is best for us (and the potential dog). We are definitely in favour of rescues but want to make sure we get the right dog for us.

for context, we are first time dog owners who have no children or other pets. We have a large garden and live in a town. We enjoy longer walks, paddle boarding, beer gardens etc. We would want a dog to come out and do things with us. We would want a small dog as our car is small.

if we got a rescue it would be from Romania but from a charity with a UK presence and support system. If we got a puppy it would be from a licensed breeder with lots of research into them etc.

Sorry that’s long but didn’t want to drip feed.
all opinions gladly received!!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
hiredandsqueak · 19/04/2023 17:47

Local ones to here which of course may not be local to you although if you are happy to travel to meet they can organise homechecks through contacts are Yappy Ever After and JLP Trust both on Facebook

Rhondaa · 19/04/2023 17:55

Puppies are a nightmare, cute but for experienced owners only imo.

I'd just buy an older dog, choose the breed you like and Google. Best at 6 months old, they tend to be houstrained and are past the puppy up all night stage. Some places actually sell trained dogs, not cheap obviously.

We once tried a rescue place, they didn't get back to us despite repeated emails as others have said it is just pot luck behaviour wise. They are kept in kennels in rescues so once away from their pals they may well howl all night and that is something you just can't risk in a flat. You need a quiet dog, puppies cry a lot at first.

Skinnydogz · 19/04/2023 18:13

As someone very experienced with dogs who has both a rescue and recent ish puppy. . . Get a rescue. A dog that has matured and you know their personalities, quirks, etc. Puppies even for the experienced are hard work. Also I would say please get a rescue greyhound they are the best, most lazy, cuddly enjoyable dogs out there.

Skinnydogz · 19/04/2023 18:17

Also to add, maybe not a Romanian or non local rescue dog. Only because they need a bit more work and expertise, go to dogs trust or someone and get something like a Labrador or Staffie, maybe spaniel if you can exercise it. And please immediately get yourself a dog trainer so you can start off right as a new owner. Rommies are wonderful dogs but they are not the same as dogs bred in UK, they have often had a tough life and have a lot of needs

WCRoulade · 19/04/2023 18:20

House training will be trickier in a flat with shared access so you will be better getting a UK rescue that is already at least partially house trained.

If you look at smaller UK rescue centres they are much more realistic and flexible about home environments than large centres. If you post your area someone might be able to advise.

Justaflippertyjibbet · 19/04/2023 18:29

Just my experience… i had a rescue Labrador from a recognised rehoming service. Her age was not known, she was full grown size but vet estimated her age at under a year. Once getting her home we found she was totally not house trained. It took about 7 months to get her trained. She became a well loved member of the family for 14 years. Four years ago we decided to get another dog, yes we hummed and haaed about a rescue or a puppy. I thought a pup would be hard to house train. Having pursued several rescue options we did get a Lhasa Apso puppy. Lo and behold he was house trained in less than 3 months and has become very reliable in this aspect. Yes he was, and still is, mischievous but we love him for it.

Secretvet · 19/04/2023 18:45

I’ve name changed for this, I’m a vet. I’m adding my voice to the don’t get a rescue from abroad crew. Some of the rescues are very good, but many are making money from this, and some of the dogs come here and are frankly totally terrified of life/people/living in a house. (I find it very distressing to watch Sophie from Romania, she is not a happy dog). Street dogs are not always happy living such a different life. In addition, some of these rescues can be economical with the truth when it comes to testing for diseases, leishmaniasis can cause kidney failure, even when it has been dormant for some time. Brucellosis can pass to humans and be life changing. In a recent vet survey close to 99% of practicing vets would never get an imported rescue.

I’ve been a vet for close on 40 years and this has been such a sea change, we sometimes can really struggle to get some of these dogs in the surgery, never mind lay a hand on them. Yes some are fine but they are the exceptions.

I would recommend looking at uk breed specific rescues. I have a rescue Border Terrier, I got her under a year after spending her first few months shut in a tiny cage. She still has some trust issues with new people but is a joy. And the greyhound/whippet recommendations are spot on, kind gentle dogs who will fit into a home so well as long as they have a comfy sofa to recline on.

Offthexmaslist · 19/04/2023 18:51

OrlandointheWilderness · 19/04/2023 09:17

Uk rescue dog with no previous behavioural issues. I think something like greyhounds are a fab choice for first time owners providing you use your brain and you don't own a cat..!
Taking on a Romanian rescue is a very tricky thing - I know several and none are easy dogs. They need experience. They are often abused street dogs.

Yes !, Greyhounds are fab... never met a tricky one ... also great with cats which is an added bonus

Rockbird · 19/04/2023 18:51

We rescued from abroad (N Macedonia). We tried so hard to rescue from the UK but with 2 cats and children we were turned down every time. Added to that, they always wanted a resident dog to teach the rescue.

We went with a UK based charity Paw Project UK who work with rescues in Eastern Europe. Our girl was dumped outside their door in a bag with her sister at a few hours old. We've had her 6 months now and she's a beauty. She's a pain in the arse puppy but no issues so far outside of just being a puppy.

Rhondaa · 19/04/2023 18:52

'find it very distressing to watch Sophie from Romania, she is not a happy dog'

I do too. She clearly is happier outside and instead of trying to domesticate her the best thing they could do is get her an outdoor kennel and let her have her solitude.

steppemum · 19/04/2023 18:56

They are kept in kennels in rescues

they really aren't.
Many small rescues use foster homes.
I would wnat to knwo how the dog is in a home

Annfr · 19/04/2023 19:01

ThereIsNoSuchThingAsRoadTax · 19/04/2023 12:54

I'm uneasy about the ethics of rehoming Romanian dogs. As other posters have said, they are generally street dogs 'rescued' to order to supply the demand here. But what makes us think that street dogs need to be rescued? They are quite distinct from pet dogs. They aren't simply dogs that have strayed from their homes, they are an independent population that lives alongside humans rather than with them. What are we rescuing them from? Why do we assume that transporting them hundreds of miles to a completely alien lifestyle is better for them? How is it different to rounding up squirrels from the local park and keeping them as pets (apart from that being illegal)?

This is utter trash.

I have a Romanian dog and involved in several charities. They are caught by dog catchers and aren't allowed to just live peacefully on the streets. They are then thrown into disgusting public shelters without their basic needs being met before being killed cruelly unless a rescue takes them to a private shelter and then rehomed.

OrlandointheWilderness · 19/04/2023 19:02

Ah @Offthexmaslist - I'm afraid ours wasn't ideal with cats! He did actually kill ours. He was as thoroughly cat tested as possible but she ran and I think he finally caught what he'd been chasing for years!

Offthexmaslist · 19/04/2023 19:04

OrlandointheWilderness · 19/04/2023 19:02

Ah @Offthexmaslist - I'm afraid ours wasn't ideal with cats! He did actually kill ours. He was as thoroughly cat tested as possible but she ran and I think he finally caught what he'd been chasing for years!

That is so sad.. I take my advice back BlushFlowers

MiniTheMinx · 19/04/2023 19:05

A dog from a UK rescue is probably more likely to have behaviour issues than many dogs from abroad. People give up on dogs that have behaviour problems!

I have a rescue from Spain who has absolutely no behaviour issues. He was two when he came to us. When we are ready (hoping to move) we will adopt again from the same rescue.

Rhondaa · 19/04/2023 19:06

steppemum · 19/04/2023 18:56

They are kept in kennels in rescues

they really aren't.
Many small rescues use foster homes.
I would wnat to knwo how the dog is in a home

Many are kept in kennels. Whether indoor with heating or whatever the point is it is impossible to know if you'll get a nighttime howler or not. Unless they are one of the very few in foster homes.

moveoverye · 19/04/2023 19:09

Haven’t read the whole thread, but have you considered rescuing from Takis Shelter in Crete? They will never “ship” a dog, you have to go there to choose and collect the dog in person, and arrange your own way home (usually by train/ferry/car). Takis will not let you take a dog if you are not a good match for them.

Spend some time following his Facebook page, he is a very ethical rescue, I am considering rescuing from there.

One pro, for me, of rescuing from abroad, is I think mongrel breeds are far healthier than pure-breeds or crossbreeds, which is what you will get in the UK, even in rescues.

Carouselfish · 19/04/2023 19:15

But...you DON'T know the personality of a rescue. You wont know what has happened to them previously. You wont know what triggers they havent encountered at the rescue centre.
And more importantly, as a first time owner, you simply wont be clued in enough to their 'language' to always react appropriately.

NewtonsCradle · 19/04/2023 19:16

Dogconfused · 19/04/2023 08:40

my partner and I want to get a dog but cannot decide between trying to get a rescue or a puppy. Pls can people offer advice/opinions?
we have thought long and hard about the pros and cons of each…
Rescue pros

  • helping a dog in need
  • helping a charity
  • Dog may be less needy than a puppy
  • can get clearer idea of dogs character
  • cheaper
Rescue cons
  • don’t know genetic/health/physical history of dog
  • Potentially harder to train than a puppy
  • Would be from abroad so (low) risk of parasitic disease (would be tested for these)
Puppy pros
  • more choice over what we get and when we get it
  • more knowledge of puppies past and parents health etc
  • potentially easier to train as stating from young
Puppy cons
  • not helping a rescue
  • cost is higher
  • potentially more needy at beginning

we have given it a lot of thought, but cannot decide what option is best for us (and the potential dog). We are definitely in favour of rescues but want to make sure we get the right dog for us.

for context, we are first time dog owners who have no children or other pets. We have a large garden and live in a town. We enjoy longer walks, paddle boarding, beer gardens etc. We would want a dog to come out and do things with us. We would want a small dog as our car is small.

if we got a rescue it would be from Romania but from a charity with a UK presence and support system. If we got a puppy it would be from a licensed breeder with lots of research into them etc.

Sorry that’s long but didn’t want to drip feed.
all opinions gladly received!!

Where are you based?

GreekDogRescue · 19/04/2023 19:17

@ToHellBackAndBeyond When you have spent time in Romanian and Greek dog pounds come back and tell me that rescuing a dog from one of these places isn’t ‘kind’.
The latest wheeze in Romania is to
lace cat food with pins to feed to stray cats.
it’s another world.

Unbridezilla · 19/04/2023 19:21

If you have no experience of dogs, and live near a centre, guide dog training dog fostering is a great introduction.

If you live less close, and are able to have a puppy, there is always GD puppy raising. You get given training all the way through on how to train a pup, which is a great opportunity to learn and can be applied to a future pup.of your own

Stardust32 · 19/04/2023 19:21

My friend has two Romanian rescues and they were utterly traumatised by the journey over here (in a van for a number of days).

They are both reactive dogs and despite lots of training, hundreds spent on behaviourists, they can’t socialise the dogs with other people/dogs so they can’t take them to cafes/beer gardens or walks with friends etc

LucyLucyAppleJuice · 19/04/2023 19:29

Please do look at Silverfox dog rescue. They specialise in small dogs. I agree with everything @Verv says, they're a wonderful rehoming charity, I have 2 dogs from them.

Itiswhatitis21 · 19/04/2023 19:38

I will give the positive side to adopting a dog from Romania
April 2021 we picked up our dog we had adopted from Romania through a UK based rescue.
We didn't know what to expect, but what I can say is she has completed the family
She was 2 years old when we got her, a golden Labrador (cross I think as she is shorter than a lab)
She has 2 downfalls which even 2 years on we are still working on

  1. she's a runner if you leave the front door open, but if we go to a field off lead and we have a ball she will not run off
  2. Greedy, will take food off a plate if left unattended (we just don't leave food around) I still wouldn't change her for the world and I can't believe anyone could give her up, she's cuddly, great with kids, cats and people, has never messed in the house or chewed anything up. She's just beautiful ❤️