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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Want a dog, NOT a puppy....

42 replies

loveverona · 28/04/2011 14:42

Anyone know where I can buy a Cavalier King Charles dog/bitch, rather than a puppy?

Tried local rescue places (my preference) but they don't often come up.

Anyone an experience of www.preloved.co.uk?

Is it worth trying breeders - do they sometimes sell dogs when they no longer need them for breeding?

Thank you!

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DooinMeCleanin · 28/04/2011 14:45

Scroll right down to Dolly

DooinMeCleanin · 28/04/2011 14:47

You could also contact your local breeders club here

DooinMeCleanin · 28/04/2011 14:50

More here too

Madsometimes · 28/04/2011 15:00

Whereabouts are you, and how far would you be willing to travel. There is a cavalier breed rescue that you could try.

AFAIK, ex breeding dogs are often rehomed in homes with a resident dog, especially if from a puppy farm. This is because they have often been kept in dreadful conditions and need another dog help their socialisation Sad.

LtEveDallas · 28/04/2011 15:07

Many Tears rescue ex breeding dogs and quite often have cavs, but ex breeders usually need another dog in the home first.

LtEveDallas · 28/04/2011 15:08

Ahh, I see dooin got there first!

midori1999 · 28/04/2011 16:03

You can try breed rescue or your local breed club. Breeders do sometimes rehome ex breeding dogs, butgood breeders don't and it's not something I personally agree with. Some breeders do take adult dogs back from the people who bought them as puppies to rehome though, so do sometimes have older dogs available. The breed club should be aware of any dogs like this.

Original poster
loveverona · 28/04/2011 16:28

Thanks everyone so far. I am noticing this across some of the rescue centres that ex-breeding dogs need to be rehomed with another dog, so that wouldn't work for us.

As a child we rehomed a boxer bitch from a KC breeder as she couldn't have any further litters due to health reasons (although nothing that would affect her day to day, just when having pups), so wondered if there might be something similar. Guess I should give a few a ring.

Also, if you have a King Charles you can no longer keep are aren't too far from Cambridge area, let me know!

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Original poster
loveverona · 28/04/2011 16:32

Anyone any experience/thoughts about private sale of pets through www.preloved.co.uk?

I know private often aren't a good idea, but some could be OK? Or am I being naive?!

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DooinMeCleanin · 28/04/2011 16:35

A Mnetter privately rehomed a dog a few months ago. The next day it bit a child and had to be pts. You have no idea at all why people want to rehome their pets.

Please go to a reputable rescue. Not all of the dogs I linked to need to rehomed with other dogs and there are many more places you could look if you search about a bit.

musicposy · 28/04/2011 17:21

Someone I know got fed up with waiting for rescue (to home check, find a suitable dog etc) and got a dog off of preloved. It seemed a bad idea to me on a number of levels - and I really hope it's a happy ending for this dog but who knows.

The dog is a collie that has been in two homes already. It was bought from someone in a flat who had to get rid of it very quickly because apparently the landlord had found out she had a dog. It seemed very dodgy to me (stolen crossed my mind), especially as this dog had a microchip naming someone else entirely (the original owner apparently).

As well as that, this lady is finding the dog much harder work than she expected. I've been on a couple of walks with her to give her confidence (first time owner) but although the dog is lovely, he's not a first time owner dog in my opinion (very strong, has got to nearly 2 with almost no apparent training, needs bags of stimulation and excercise) and I don't believe any reputable rescue would have put him with her. How long she will last before the dog is moved on again, who knows. I hope it will be permanent, but she could have got a much better matched dog from a good rescue. Also, I wonder if the dog will one day turn out to belong to someone else and then she could face losing him.

Maybe I'm being pessimistic, but having read all the stuff on here etc, I would hold out for rescue.

midori1999 · 28/04/2011 18:29

Please do not even consider Pre-Loved. A dog is a lifelong commitment, not something to be sold onw hen it no longer suits and I simply wouldn't encourage these sort of people. Plus, you can never be sure they are being honest about the history of the dog, it could have behavioural or health problems.

If you go via a reputable rescue they will carefully vet you and match a dog to your circumstances. You will obviously have to wait a while if you want a specific breed though, could you not be a little flexible on that?

As I also said, breeders (good ones!) sometimes take back dogs they have bred later on in life and sometimes look for homes for these. You can find out about them via indivudual breeders or the breed club/maybe breed rescue.

RumourOfAHurricane · 28/04/2011 21:57

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Original poster
loveverona · 28/04/2011 22:25

Yes you are all absolutely right. I personally think that if I had to part with my dog I wouldn't put it on a free ads website - seems a bit odd to me.

shineone, yes we did chat on another thread. Thanks for your advice once again. I hadn't thought about the possibility of taking on an adult dog who may already have health issues.

Hmmm, to be continued...!

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RumourOfAHurricane · 28/04/2011 22:29

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Original poster
loveverona · 29/04/2011 19:56

Well, after taking all of your priceless advice, I decided to have another look around some rescue websites and found a lovely cross breed bitch - 2-4 yrs, superb with children, very friendly but not too bouncy, walks nicely on the lead, etc, from homes4dogs.co.uk.

Called up about her and they said they think she's still available because she is very nervous and jumpy in kennels, so when people visit her they may be put off by that. The lady said she is totally different in a home environment.n She said she's not particularly interested in hamsters, guinea pigs, other small furries, but doesn't know how she'll be with a cat. So, she's offered to bring her to our house on Sunday!

All of a sudden I'm really nervous! Am I doing the right thing? Are the kids too young (2, 5 and 8)? Will it be too much work? Is she too big (bit smaller than a Lab and much skinnier)? What if we take her and she doesn't settle?

Aarrrgh!! I guess I should have the visit and see how things go. You have to start somewhere, right? Please someone, tell me these feelings are normal and having a dog isn't mad!! I just look towards the time when we're all settled into a routine and think it can't be that difficult.... sorry for being a bit wet....

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Original poster
loveverona · 29/04/2011 19:57

She's here - z6.invisionfree.com/Animal_Helpline/index.php?showtopic=1414 - Silky.

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RumourOfAHurricane · 29/04/2011 20:03

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Original poster
loveverona · 29/04/2011 20:09

They think maybe bit lab, bit lurcher, but they aren't sure. I, in a very prejudiced way, hope she doesn't have any SBT in her. Although I know that they can be extremely loving dogs. But you know how they are portrayed in the press, which probably why there are so many of the poor things in rescue.

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silentcatastrophe · 29/04/2011 20:10

In some ways it's easier to get an adult dog and not have to go through puberty with another species! None the less, you will probably have to do some training and sort out whatever problems arise. It's all a bit of an upward learning curve. It IS nervewracking, taking the decision to get a dog. Bloody terrifying.

Find a good training class and talk to your vet about who they might recommend.

She will settle. IT takes a bit of time for everyone to adjust. She is not the only one in a new situation! Size should not be too much of an issue unless the dog is so big that it can't fit through the door, or so small that you are always treading on it.

YOu are absolutely right to have the feelings you have! It's a big commitment and a big change to your lives. If you long to have a dog, and nothing will stop you and you are prepared to do the work, go ahead! If you have any shadow of a doubt, leave it. Getting a first dog is always a bit of leap into the dark!

RumourOfAHurricane · 29/04/2011 20:24

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minimu1 · 29/04/2011 20:50

Are you an experienced owner?

This would concern me "Silky can be choosy with her canine friends" and also the fact that she needs to an only dog.

I think rescue is always the way go but it has to be the right rescue for you circumstances.

Make sure you take her out for a walk and meet other dogs whilst the lady from the rescue is with you to see her reaction to other dogs.

Rhydderch · 30/04/2011 19:29

We have been trying to get a 6 month plus working cocker to add to our german pointers and it has soooo hard.

We have tried rescues but working cockers are few and far between.

Please dont diss preloved or pets4homes. We have two super GSPs from these websites and they are fab.

I can understand where you are coming from but you need to be savy.

Original poster
loveverona · 01/05/2011 01:25

Well, I spoke to a lady advertising on preloved today and she sounded lovely and very genuine. She has a 5 yr old cav king Charles who is great with young kids (she has two), is very loving, usual super temperament. She also has all his pedigree paperwork, although she said he wasn't kc reg.

But she doesn't know how he is with cats. I asked her if she would be wiling to bring him to ours to test him, but it's about 1.5 hours to ours and she doesn't have time this weekend. She says cats walk through the garden and he isn't really bothered, so WWYD!? My gut feeling is that it's not worth risking and not fair to the cat to not know how he would be for sure. But other than that he seems perfect.

Aarggggh, this is doing my brain in. Which is probably why I'm still up at 01.25!

Thanks, as ever.

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Original poster
loveverona · 01/05/2011 01:29

Great to hear your positive stories rydderch about preloved etc. I think you have to switched on and, as you say, savvy. This lady sounded very normal and genuine and had just sold her other CKC, gorgeous 2 yr old ruby bitch. She was quite upset on the phone. Just wish she was nearer and I'd go and visit.

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