been thinking a lot recently about my decision to get a dog from a breeder and...

[AllergicToNutters]

and am now seriously considering a rescue dog instead. Your thoughts?

It's possible I am just a sucker:)

Enjoy your dog when it comes, I think prep and realistic expectations help a lot:)

Elibean - how active was te rescue in helping you? I'm a bit confused! If you send my details do they match me or do you apply for a dog once you are ready and then just keep trying if you don;t get the dog you first chose. Or is it that you tell them your preferences/family set up and they find the dog for you? Sorry It is a bit confusing.... It sounds like they helped you - a bit like match.com! Your dog had a dna test??!?! How funny! Jeremy Kyle next

I mean if I send my details

splash do we know each other? I owned the Queen of the universe (in her eyes!)

I think one of the key things allergic is to build up a relationship with a rescue, let them see you are serious and that you would be a great home, but inexperienced so need a bomb proof dog. (I knew one of the staff at a local centre and would pop in to say "hi" when they weren't busy) so when the right dog comes in they will remember you. It's in no-ones interest to have a bad match.

My rescue dog had been there for 3 months but nobody knew or told me that he would bite. My children were teenagers but he could never have been trusted with young children.

:) catsrus. She sounds excellent. I love a bitch with high self esteem. They often seem a bit brighter, makes their ruling more despotic.

Completely agree about the relationship with rescue. When I needed a good un to go with my bad un I was able to talk to the boss, the fosterer and they picked me a darling. The good rescues will spend the time making a match that is right.

Outmonday...yeah have had this too but I think there are some rescues that dont have a clue what they are giving you and others that are pretty sure. There are possibly more of the former. I think the first three months throws you a few curved balls with any rescue. I was told one dog was great actually he hated men with a crunchy big bite kind of passion.

i really want to take on a rescue dog but this is kind of making me sit on the fence again. I know that there will be 'teething troubles' with any dog, pup or rescue but I don;t ahve the experience or knowledge to deal with a dog that suddenly turns bitey. Oh bloody hell. I think I will offer to volunteer with one or two rescues around here. Would that work?

Lots would bite your hand off:) sorry couldn't resist.

You just need a calm waggy unruffled hound. The bitey ones are usually anxious they have active ears, are yawny, are avoidant, jumpy etc Actually most of them in calm homes won't be bitey most dogs that bite have/ have had owners who try and dominate, boss or children allowed to do all sorts to them. They aren't hard to separate from more confident and settled dogs for people who know what they are doing.

If you work with a rescue it wouldn't take you long to find people and a dog you trust.

I am going to investigatge volunteering today. There are quite a few in my area so I will get ringing around this morning -

investigate

Allergic - I used to walk for the rescue that we got our dog from - and because of that they knew that I could cope with the 'need experienced owner' dog which chose us. I'm pretty sure it made them more confident about placing her with us - and we even managed to take her out for the day the week before we could pick her up for good.

Well done!
My 2 angels are rescues, not even in my worst nightmares would I endorse the breeding & selling of 'pedigrees', it's disgusting and so so sad.
You'll be saving a wonderful life from execution and theyre wonderful, life enhancing wee darlings!!

once we have got our first dog, i'd like to get a rescue. Dont care what breed as long as it is family and dog friendly. I think that'd be putting something back.

I have just seen the most beautiful looking and sounding dog on Lab Ret rescue. a yellow lab - young - called Rocky - he is stunning. I wish we could fast forward to September!

He sounds lovely Allergic. September is not so far away in the grand scheme of things, but I bet the time is going slowly! I think you are reading so much about dogs that by then you will be a very knowledgeable owner!

i'm like a doghouse stalker! It'll be like motherhood though -nothing will really prepare me I'm sure :-)