Older recue dog or buy a puppy?

[Penguinotterfoxbadger]

I would be grateful for any advice.

Dp and I are planning to get a dog. We have thought a lot about it and feel that we could give one a good home (dp does not work and is home all day & we understand the commitment in terms of exercise, on-going training, expence etc). We don't currently have dcs but will probably start ttc in a couple of years. I know a lot of people will advise us to wait until we've had dcs and they are a bit older but there is a not-insignificant chance that the ttc will be unsuccesful, so I don't really want to put everything else on hold iyswim. That said, we still want to do everything we can to ensure that the dog would be compatible with a future baby (of course they would never be left alone together).

Getting to the point.. We are trying to decide between an older rescue dog, a rescue pup, and buying a puppy. I'm currently pro older rescue dog (maybe a staffie? maybe from battersea?). There are so many that need homes and I don't really mind mising out the mad puppy/house training phase. From the battersea website it seems like they go to a fair bit of effort matching dogs to homes and we would make it clear that we were pretty inexprerienced and not looking for a "project" dog.

On the other hand, maybe buying a puppy and doing all its socialisation etc from scratch would make for a better, safer pet? Maybe it would have more attachement to the family?

The third option would be a resuce pup. The problem with this is that all the puppies in rescues seem to be staffies, which in my (minimal) experience seem to be incredibly boisturous up until at least the age of 4 and might be a bit too much if we do end up with a dc (or maybe the crazy staffies I've met have just been under exercised??).

Arg! It's such a difficult decision (but a nice one to have to make!)

Thank you to anyone who has read this far - any advice would really be very much appreciated!

Since you are London way I suggest Pro Dogs Direct. All dogs are in foster so come very well assessed.

Lots of dogs matching your criteria with them at the moment!

www.prodogsdirect.org.uk/#/dogs/4585849124

My vote is rescue pup.
As for breed, I think a Staffie seems like a good breed for you? They're very loving and like attention and stroking, they are large enough to go on proper walks and if trained properly are not that boisterous. Their build makes them seem more 'boisterous' than other dogs, as they're very solid - if a smaller or slimmer dog acted the same it wouldn't seem as bad iyswim?

Have you considered a boxer? They're similar to staffies, but less solid (longer legs and leaner), they are very good with children, love attention, and love long walks. They're harder to come by in rescues though.

I know I'm biased, but a lurcher may well suit you. My two are happy to go on big walks (they particularly like to run up and down the side of a nearby hill range as we walk along the top) or run with me, but equally would much rather not go out if its raining, and snore on the sofa while I work. Both lurve people, and the older one in particular is so calm that people who are nervous of dogs are attracted to him. And they love stroking.

Lurchers come in all shapes and sizes depending on the exact cross. Mine are both from EGLR who have all their dogs in foster and can homecheck countrywide. If you look on their FB page you can see the new puppies too

I second the sighthound type - we have a lurcher & whippet. They like a good walk but love cuddles and nap time more. I used to take mine with me cycling when they weren't so old - and occasionally running. The whippet likes to swim in the sea with us too. Lurcher is currently sprawled across my lap sharing my hot water bottle & making cute contented "aaahhh" noises - they are so affectionate and fab with kids.

I would also put forward a suggestion to try the blue cross. All their dogs go through comprehensive behaviour assessments before they are up for revoking, and you can go and meet the dogs you are interested in and discuss your circumstances/plans and they will make sure you are matched to suitable dogs. You can also views hemp dry easily on their website and search by area.
Www.bluecross.org.uk.
Good luck with whatever you choose!

Rehoming not revoking!

Rescue pup. Maybe you could foster at first. Look up Romanian Rescue Dogs Support, Scotland on facebook. They are swamped with puppies. I know that you are in London but their page will give an idea of what is possible.

Ooh tollers look good! As do the staffie pups on the pro dogs website

This thread is confirming my previous thoughts that it was a toss up between staffies and sighthounds..

My worry with staffies other than the boisterousness (forgot to mention this in my op) is the pure jaw strength.. So if they did freak out and attack someone they could do a lot more damage than (e.g.) a jrt, even though jrts are more prone to biting iyswim..

Dogs trust in harefield, west london. Currently have collie cross pups in, well they did on Wednesday. Their website is pretty decent.

Oh a grey all the way!

They are in need of a home, but not "rescue" as such in that they haven't been mistreated or bullied by other dogs, and are used to being handled and being around other dogs.

Our two are just wonderful, don't need a huge amount of walking and are incredibly gentle. Go to your local trust and have a walk with a couple, you'll fall in love.

Puppy search of their website including a bull terrier

Another vote for retired greyhounds here. Ours is quiet, gentle and affectionate. We wanted a rescue dog that would be good with children (as we're ttc) and happy to be left alone whilst we worked. They are such loving dogs. I agree with mutton, pop into your local RGT branch and you'll struggle to leave without one!

Tollers are totally gorgeous and we just so happen to have one coming to stay this weekend ( we dog sit him sometimes). He's great with the DC and he is beautifully trained ( which I can't take credit for). He does need quite a lot of mental stimulation such as playing hide and seek etc.
They are pretty rare though and it could take you a year or more to get one.
I would love one of our own and am looking into it at the moment.

Greyhounds are always recommended here and they do sound like dogs who would suit most people. Don't think they'd be keen to go running with you but very amenable otherwise.

[http://www.prodogsdirect.org.uk/ Pro Dogs]] Mostly dogs in foster homes so they can be assessed in family environments. Mostly around Surrey/Guildford area but not too far away from you.

All Dogs Matter Many staffie types, but contact them and be prepared to wait/contact them every now and again

Lea Valley Dog Rescue

Black Retriever Rescue not only retrievers but mostly!

Try and find these rescues and others on Facebook. Websites are usually out of date, as volunteers just don't have time. FB groups are usually more up to date and will put pics of dogs up before they reach the website.

oh, and forgot this one Greyhound Welfare

In your position I'd go along to Battersea ,do the paperwork and interview etc and see what they've got - if they don't have anything at least you have done the groundwork and can keep an eye on the website . We got a 15/16 week old pup from Battersea 4.5 yrs ago . If you look around and don't see anything you like ask if they have anything else - the day we went our pup and a staff pup were both available but were not out on public display and it was only because we asked specifically if they had any pups that we got to see them . Good luck .

I'd go for a rescue - ideally one that has lived with a family before - loads of dogs end up in rescues cos of divorce, changes in circumstances etc and this way you have an idea of what you're getting. Dogs like staffys and sighthounds are often very tolerant of kids anyway.

Raising your own pup only means it will fit with your lifestyle now, not that it will cope brilliantly when kids come along so there are no guarantees with raising your own pup

Our grey runs with dh every morning! He's a lazy bugger the rest of the day (except if there's food or a cuddle in the offing).

Google whittingham kennels if you're in North or East London. They are a really lovely branch of the rgt, very open and friendly with great aftercare on the adoption. They open every Saturday and Sunday and you can walk a grey over Epping forest. There's no obligation, they're just happy their dogs are exercised and given attention!

[[http://wkretiredgreyhounds.blogspot.co.uk/p/greyhounds-looking-for-homes.html?m=1]]

Sorry I'm on phone not sure what happened there!

Ooh, Rusty sounds nice

Would be great to go and get some experience be before adopting too - thanks for the tip

Different rgt branches can really vary. We visited one we were not at all happy with but knew the moment we found Whittingham it was good. We asked them to find the dog for us-they knew them so well and they found our boy who settled in to our family really well .

OP, wrt your concern about a Staffie freaking out/biting/jaw strength: of course these are strong dogs. But (and this is a big but), their aim in life is to please their owners. You are God to them. If you treat a Staffie well, ensure that Staffie knows their standing in your family, knows boundaries - they're actually less likely to bite than most other breeds.

They're extremely tolerant dogs. They have a very high pain threshold. Honestly, the biggest muscle they have are their hearts

*oops, is their hearts

Aah, just watched the lovely staffie on crufts tonight. God love him, I just wanted to cuddle that little chap!