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want a dog but no one will rehome to us

9 replies

memphis83 · 14/02/2011 20:54

my gorgeous dog died the day i went into labour, i have never lived without a dog and 7 months on we are ready for another, we have decided we would love a shnauzer as after much reserch they are easy going, good with kids and dont shed hair, but we would be open to other dogs, but we have been to or called all homes in our area (leicester) and they wont re home to us as we have a baby, the only one that would rehome to us would only rehome a greyhound which with its size wasnt suitable, any advice we would take on board we have a lovely home with a fantastic garden and many lovely places to walk a dog around here, out baby loves dogs already as my whole family have them feel sad we are ready for a dog but rehoming would be better than a breeder?

OP posts:
chickchickchicken · 14/02/2011 21:13

dogs trust have a rehoming centre in kenilworth which i think is about 40mins from you and they do rehome to families with a baby

also if you google shnauzer rescue (i just did it but dont know how to post a link) it will come up with a rehoming organisation for that breed. havent tried this route myself but a friend has. it worked out well for her as she wanted a specific breed but also wanted to rehome a dog that needed a home. she has a child with severe autism and the rescue org was especially good with matching dog to the home.

personally i would always rehome a dog and not go to a breeder. also with a baby i would prefer a dog 18mths + as behaviours assessments are more accurate and temperament is already known

memphis83 · 14/02/2011 21:36

thanks for reply, will call them this week would be great to have a dog we can give a second chance to

OP posts:
Vallhala · 15/02/2011 09:48

Added to Chick's advice, I'd also suggest that you widen your search even further. Many breed rescues and several independent all-breed rescues will rehome out of their area - for example Labrador and German Shepherd Rescues have rescuers and fosterers in most counties and rehome across the country (not that you appear to want either of those, but you get my point I'm sure!).

I would also ask you not to totally discount a Greyhound. Not all are huge, especially girls, and they actually don't take up a huge amount of space nor are they terribly demanding. They don't require walking for miles and miles a day, preferring a couple or three of relatively short opportunities to run madly and then will come home and sleep (usually with their legs in the air! :) ). They're short-haired too so don't shed a great deal.

Better still, approach rescue with an open mind. You want a Schnauzer? What, the one which howls each time you go to the corner shop without him and who barks at every man he meets?

Or would you prefer the quiet, laid back Labrador even though that's not a breed you considered?

You see, it isn't about the breed of dog... it's about the dog which is best for YOU. Take it from me, the woman who having lost her collie cross girl to cancer went looking for a similar young dog. I eventually ended up with a 9 year old male long haired German Shepherd dog! He wasn't what I was looking for but that gentle, calm, well behaved loyal soul was an angel to my children and I and the best decision I ever made was adopting him. It's far better to approach a rescue with "We are a family with a baby, live in a town, I'm a SAHM, have a small 3 bed house and garden..." etc etc than "We would like X breed". The first will gain you a dog who will fit with you, the second will quite possibly gain you the answer no or worse still an unsuitable dog.

Please remember to ensure that the rescue you choose follows the best possible standards. A dog from a reputable and responsible rescue will be assessed, neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, matched to the new owner and vice versa, bringing with him a lifetime's support and an agreement that the rescue will take the dog back should the owner not be able to keep him, even if that's in 10 years time. A decent rescue will also homecheck you - this is for YOUR benefit as much as the dogs and irons out many problems before they arise.

memphis83 · 15/02/2011 10:07

vallhala im not set on a breed that is breed that i had researched, but any dog up to a size of a lab would be fine not really ussed just want a nice dog to keep me company when dh is away and a friend for my little boy never looked a specific breed rescue will look into it

OP posts:
Vallhala · 15/02/2011 11:00

Ah-ha, then certainly your options are far less limited, memphis. :)

If you come across a rescue you're not acquainted with or are unsure of and you'd like some background I'll do my best to help. I'm independent so I work alongside rescues across the UK and whilst I don't know them all of course I know a fair few and usually one of my contacts will know something about those which I don't. If I can be of use please don't hesitate to ask here or pm me.

Good luck and enjoy your search.

MmeBucket · 15/02/2011 21:06

It isn't easy, is it. I live in the States, and we had the same problem. I have a 5 and 7 year old, and we also have 2 cats, and either the cats or the kids were the kiss of death when it came to finding a dog. I didn't care what breed we got (I just didn't want a big big dog or a breed known for fighting or not kid-friendly) and I didn't want a puppy, but we were happy to consider anything else, even a dog with special needs. We ended up having to go about 40 minutes away to get our dog.

Baffledandbewildered · 15/02/2011 21:23

You could try Irish setter rescue they consider you and the bred are great with children good luck

MotherJack · 15/02/2011 23:07

I got my dog from Leicester SBT rescue and they will home dogs to all suitable families once assessed. The clue is in the name though so you're looking at one breed only.

If you're not keen, have you looked at Doris Banham Dog Rescue? Many of the kennels aren't too far from you - you're just a bit further south from me and they are generally a bit further north / east from me.

What I would say though is to register with as many rescues as you know that don't have a blanket policy on the age of children - Val will no doubt be able to verify many of the rescues - and they will then have you on their list for a suitable dog.

By the way Val, did you get transport for that rescue to DN22 yet?

SugarMousePink · 18/02/2011 14:34

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