Help me find a rescue gun dog type?

[LittleB]

We're hunting for a rescue dog to join our family. We have 2 children who are both used to dogs, dd (8) and ds (2), I work part time as a countryside ranger and can often take a dog to work with me (when I can't my mum comes to my house to look after ds so will be company for dog - she loves dogs, has a rescue golden retriever). So we need one trustworthy with children and adults, and good with other dogs (at work and we walk and holiday with family and their dogs), don't mind doing lots of general training though. We have had rescue dogs before. We have decided a gundog type is best for us - retriever/lab pure or mix. I signed up for a failed guide dog in Feb, have signed up with other rescues in March/April - Labrador rescue trust, southern labrador rescue, golden retriever rescue and black retriever cross rescue. Have filled in questionnaires and been approved for all these, had homecheck for one, but no suitable dogs yet. We're based In somerset and check the local centres websites regularly. I'm wary of many tears as I understand they don't give follow up behavioural advice which I know can be a great help with a rescue dog. Is there anywhere else that anyone knows of that I can register with? We want to wait for the right dog but we're getting impatient and thought the more places we register the sooner a dog for us may come up!?

It's such a shame that none of the rescues haven't come up with any suitable dogs. Do you follow up with them every once in a while or have you just registered and that's it? Would be woth trying to keep in touch more closely if you're not doing it already (apologies if you do this already). Also, follow them on Facebook if they have pages, they are usually much more up to date than websites, think they find it easier to update FB "on the go" rather than websites. Some dogs are rehomed before they ever get put on website.

Thirdly, would you be willing to look at rescues who rescue dogs from abroad? There is SOS Animals UK (Spain), Dogwatchuk (UK and some from Spain), Desperate Greekies, Sirius Dog Sanctuary (Cyprus), Action Aid for Anomals (Romania) to name a few. Google will find all of them. They all have websites and FB pages, all have home checkers in UK. Spanish/Greek rescues in particular always have loads of gun dog/hound types ...and it doesn't necessarily cost ££££. Spanish/Romanian and Greek dogs are brought overland but you'd pay more to fly a dog from Cyprus, for example. Good luck - hope this helpful, apologies for length!

Thanks ladyturmoil, thats helpful. I'm following one on facebook, but I know the lady who runs it is v busy and although shes said we'd make a lovely home for the right dog she hasn't got back to me about the dogs I've expressed an interest in. I'll see if some of the others have facebook sites. The guide dogs I've chased a couple of times via e-mail but no response at all after initial approval. I could chase up a couple of the others though.
I'm not sure about dogs from abroad, I need to know that the dog has been socialised and is good with children so generally I'm looking at rescues who've assessed them in foster care here in the uk, but if people have good experiences of this please let me know.
Right of to look for dogwatchuk and facebook pages! Thanks!

Be sure to keep us updated. Not trying to convince you or anything, but lots of the rescues abroad use foster families when they can although, I agree, it would be hard to just pick a dog from a picture/description online and to give your commitment to that dog for life - scary!

Good luck again

Sorry, me again! Mayflower Sanctuary also works with rescues in Cyprus and brings dogs over, so at least you can meet them

Thank you, I've looked at Mayflower but there don't seem to be any suitable dogs at the moment. I'll let you know what happens - I'll be back here in the doghouse when we get one - everyone on here was great when my last dog got cancer, just find it hard reading about dogs when we haven't got one yet!

Black Retriever Cross have some gorgeous dogs - a friend re-homed a super dog from them.

Thats good to know, thanks, they've accepted my application and said we'll be a 'lovely home for the right dog' haven't yet been homechecked though and I've e-mailed about a couple who look perfect on their facebook page but haven't heard back yet. fingers crossed!

have you considered a labradoodle? I know of one rescued labradoodle that works on shoots. The Labradoodle Trust places rescues with foster carers, before matching them with suitable owners. The poodle mixes aren't for everyone - I accept that but I do enjoy mine

Have you also tried breeders. Sometimes they have dogs being returned through no fault of their own. My mum and dad rehomed an adult fox terrier through a breeder and someone in the village gave their cocker back to its breeder when they realised they could not cope with it.

Thanks, although I like labradoodles dh says no! but thanks for the suggestion. Asking breeders is an interesting idea, not really sure though - would you just ring up all the KC reg lab breeders you can find? I think I'd rather support a charity really, but I'll consider it. Had to take my daughters very elderly hamster to vets today to be PTS, but the receptionist has said she'll keep an eye out for us. Someone mentioned the labrador lifeline trust, I'm not sure if they cover my area but I've contacted them anyway!

www.manytearsrescue.org/display_mtar_dog.php?id=6486 ??

Another vote for Black Retriever X Rescue. Follow them on Facebook. I know how desperate you feel about getting a dog (I was exactly the same) but although it was agony waiting, I am so glad I waited and found my dog through them. They are often looking for foster homes too. Good luck with your search - I know it will be worth the wait!

I notice that BRX get most of their dogs from Ireland. On their Facebook page is the contact for Ann Moore from Dundalk Dogs in Ireland. There is a pointer-type looking for a home, don't know if you could contact them directly?

I'd also have a look on www.labradorforums. There is a section on Labs needing homes/labs in rescue and a couple of very pro active members who help out.

Although you are avoiding Many Tears, there are a good number of labs who need homes there and via the forum, there is a bucket load of behavioural advice which could help.

Not sure how far you want to travel but there are quite a few rescues near me (Dorset) that often have gun dog type dogs, I have seen a few labs, springers, pointers etc.., I also know of some pups (not rescue but from a good family home and not kc reg).

On the website: "Bobby is about 2 years old, he is like a small German shorthaired Pointer. He is a small medium size weighing only 12 kilo at present. Bobby was very badly neglected but is now responding to treatment and kindness, he gets along with dogs and doesnt seem interested in cats, he is very sweet and friendly and would love a family to show him the world can be a happy place where he is loved and valued." I think he's due to come to the UK soon but you can check with them to make sure... www.desperategreekies.com/adoption_4.html