dog from rescue centre - pros an cons

[oxocube]

we are looking for a dog and have more or less decided to look first at our local animal rescue centre. From their website, there seem to be a couple of dogs which would suit us and we would suit them. They are child friendly, get along with cats etc. Problem is, they are quite old (8 yrs) and while we don't want a puppy, it could be heartbreaking for the kids if the dog only lives another 3 or 4 years. We haven't owned a dog before, although we have always had cats so are aware of the responsibility that goes with owning animals. Can anyone give any advice re dog-ownership and esp about the pros and cons of going through a rescue centre? What should we expect? Do they visit you at home and would our home be suitable with its small garden?

We got our dog from a rescue centre when she was 1 and a half years. She is now 6. I had always had cats before. When we got her my children were only 3 and 4 plus we had our cat and I found it really difficult to get a dog which was supposed to be good with both. I called loads of places before I finally found her. The rescue centre actually picked her out for us as their most suitable dog (it must be really hard to have to pick one out yourself). We went and saw her and said we wanted her. We then had to have home visit to check our garden was secure and big enough as she is a big dog. Everything was ok so we took her home. She had always lived in kennels before as she was a racing dog that had been injured so could not race anymore so she was very nervous. She barked at her reflection in the window and was scared of the vacuum. The hardest thing was that nearly everynight she would mess on the floor as she just hadn't been trained,. This went on for a few months and luckily we had a spare room so we just pulled the carpet up. Eventually she realised what was expected of her and is now as good as gold, brilliant with the kids and best friends with the cat. We paid £70 for her and she had already been speyed. Even though you say you have a small garden as long as it is secure it will be ok. I know quite a few people who have rescue dogs. It really is very rewarding and the dogs are so grateful and faithful. I personally would recommend it and if I ever get another dog I would do it again.

Thanks Goldfish. Our garden is only about 45 m2 and much of that is gravelled but it is secure with walls and a gate about 2 mts high. We live in a town but are close to lots of woodland which is ideal for walking dogs. A few people have mentioned to us that rescue dogs can be unpredictable because their histories are often uncertain and they have sometimes been mistreated. Did you find this was a problem? Our kids are almost 9,7 and 3 and we have 3 old cats who would probably escape upstairs and keep out of the dog's way. (They spend all day sleeping anyway!)

I don't think a rescue centre would place a dog with a family with kids if it was unpredictable - not fair on the dog, or the kids. My sister has had two rescue dogs who have both been lovely. Dog1 had a tendency to stray, having been one for a while (big enough to jump over any garden wall) but used to wait for the dog warden to give him a lift home! Very affectionate, got on well with the cat once cat had trained him to recognise he was at the bottom of the heirarchy. Dog2 was a retired racing greyhound, lovely animal, but they are more work as they aren't used to living in a house and have been bred and trained to chase small furry things - can't live with cats very easily, for instance, and have to be very careful when off the lead. But good to look after them as they are very badly treated once retired and no longer making money for the selfish gits who own racing greyhounds.

Hi oxoxube, I agree with Edam. The rescue home wouldn't place an unpredictable dog with you and your children. Our dog was actually rehomed before we had her and they sent her back after a month , poor thing as they said she was destructive. Admittedly when we first had her she did chew up pencils and toys and anything we left around but we soon got wise to that and remembered to pick everything up before we went out. Temperamentally she is brilliant with the kids and I totally trust her. We are also lucky in the fact that we live by the sea so she gets some good walks.

Thanks Goldfish and Edam. I am so excited!!! I always wanted a dog as a child and was never allowed one. DS and I are trawling the internet for shelters and rescue centres in our area and have found a few dogs which seem suitable in principle. We may go to see some of the shelters this weekend so I'll let you know how we get on

Good luck oxocube. Make sure you do let us know. Just think, there is some lucky dog with a lovely home waiting for it with you. Anyway I am now going to take my dog down to the beach for a run. (A bonus for having a dog, it makes you walk more - all the better for losing weight)

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My first dog from a rescue centre was a border collie cross (not sure what the cross bit was!). She was 18 months old when we got her, had been grossly mistreated (scars up her legs, terrified of men) and was still producing milk for pups which had been removed from her. She looked like nothing on earth - so skinny you could count very bone in her body. She was my absolute saviour during teenage years and was a fantastic dog all round (clearly just waiting for someone to love her). She was 18.5 years old when she died and I was devastated.

Spookily, 30 years to the day that we got her, we got our current dog from the same rescue centre. He was 3 when we got him and we had no history. With 3 youngish children, we had to be very careful with him. He is clearly somewhat uncomfortable around children (looks very worried, especially with my youngest) but has never made an aggressive move towards them. He is improving all the time, but I still don't take any chances with him. As he tends to follow me around like a shadow, it's rare for any of the children to be with him alone. I don't worry particularly about the older 2, but the youngest tends to launch himself at the dog to cuddle and kiss him.

That said, he is a lovely dog and it is so true that a dog is only as good as its owners.

Well, DH and I (and DS2) are going to a dog shelter tomorrow to see a dog we have read about online. It sounds perfect - so perfect that I'm terrified someone else will want him before we get a chance to see him. He is a young male labrador, full of energy, loves kids and cats and is supposed to be extremely affectionate and clever. I'll let you know how it goes. The only very slight negative is that he is not good when left alone for more than a short time but then he never would be so not really a problem Am very excited