Rescue Dogs Myth Busting - The Numbers Crunched

[PacificDogwood]

I came across this today which is an interesting read and I will certainly use it as 'ammunition' when persuading DH that we do not 'need' a dog from a breeder when the time comes soon.

I thought I'd link to it here in case it is useful or interesting for somebody else.

Thanks, that is a good web site too, didn't know they existed! (scottish pet rescue)

No, nor did I.

I came across it when I was randomly looking for rescue dogs browsing the vastness that is the world wide web

Ah Pacific you'll be typing "Good With Guinea-Pigs" into search too

It is very sobering to read that link that (apart from the SBT) most of the dogs in Rehome are the "working" type - collies, greyhounds, GSD, dalmations,huskies.

Probably people take on the very sweet puppies without taking on board how much work they need.
( I remember talking to a Border Collie owner in the park, she said he could walk for 4 hours and still be buzzing, he needed mental stimulation too )

Ah Pacific you'll be typing "Good With Guinea-Pigs" into search too

Hm. Yes. That may become an ishoo in the future as I am hankering after a rescue greyhound or similar….. strong prey drive, anyone?

The Staffie statistics are really sad, aren't they? The breeds reputation is well and truly ruined by irresponsible breeding and 'training' .

Our local shelter is also always full of huskies/huskie crosses - these dogs are large, need to run lots AND need to not be bored. They look so gorgeous (those blue, blue eyes!) that people get cute fluffy puppies and then reality hits...

An interesting project but it would be nice to see more information on the problems the dogs may have. Good with children and other dogs are significant traits, but loads of other problems can be a huge barrier to rehoming such as separation anxiety, destructive behaviour, persistent toilet training problems and hyperactivity.

Agree with Booboostoo theres just no way I could really trust a rescue with no knowledge about the background or breeding, Good with kids and other dogs isn't really that big of an issue for me, I need good with cows, sheep, pigs, horses, hens and impeccable recall. Training an older dog takes much more time that I just don't have than training from a pup and the breedings got to be right for the instinct to be there

I don't think that this is meant to be an aide to adopting an individual dog - it's a general overview of what kind of dogs are in rescues and it aims to address some of the general misperception that many people have wrt to rescue dogs being 'vicious' 'cannot be trusted' 'dangerous'.

When it comes to adoption of course an individual dog needs to be matched to an individual person/family/set of circumstances.

I grew up with a number of dogs and the most nippy and grumpy of the lot was the pedigree one of whom we knew both parents, the breeder he came from, we had him from puppyhood and he was very well trained (working dog) - he was just a grump and NOT patient with children .
Some of the abused/dumped/neglected dogs were lovely - one we had to return to the rescue which was the hardest thing I have ever done .

Collies end up in rescue because they are over bred too and if not up to scratch they are seen as a waste product