dog rehomeing centres

[lady2016]

Hi both me and dh are thinking of getting a dog we are still in the very early stages of planning and deciding. We have two kids dd3 and ds 6mo but by the time we get one it will be in 1 -2 yrs time due to having a baby . I looked at the rehomeing website today to look at rehomeing process. When I was there I looked at the dogs ( which I want them all btw) and noticed that Most are staffes whys that? And most are to be rehomed with older kids or no kids so are we being unrealistic to say 1-2yrs for a dog sould it be longer? Thanks

I posted this in chat with no replys

We couldn't find a local rescue that would rehome to anyone with children under 8, apart from dogs trust. But thy also admitted that while they would rehome the right dog to someone with small children, they rarely got any dogs that they would. They just don't rule it out completely.

But I am sure that some would, it's just a case of finding one that does then waiting for the right dog.

Why a lot of rescue dogs are Staffies or Staffies cross is something I wonder about but have no idea what the answer is.

Large national rescues won't rehome with young children. They're too afraid of adverse publicity if something were to happen.

Google smaller rescues near and far. They are usually more flexible, often have all/most of their dogs in foster, so can be assessed in family situations. They may have a slightly different selection of dogs. Think about a slightly older dog (above 3), puppies are far too much work! Join any FB groups the rescues have, much more up to date than websites.

Look at:
Black Retriever X rescue
Hope Rescue
Four Paws Rescue
Balkan Underdogs
Help Pozega Dogs
Heathlands Animal Sanctuary
Holbrook Animal Rescue
EGLR
Silver Fox Dog Rescue

All have FB groups. Expect to be proactive and keep in contact with rescues. They simply don't have the time/manpower to keep on top of every message/email/phone call so it helps if you can be proactive without being a PITA!

Think about days out, holidays, after school clubs, weekends away - dogs do restrict your ability to do certain things as they can't be left for too long. Are you happy with this? Friends/family who could help or would you need to pay each time for a walker? Insurance, food, vaccinations and boosters, it all adds up monthly.

Thanks for at least 5 yrs I'd be working at home . I am not keen on a puppy so a older dog would do just fine .at the moment we live in a flat but hopefully we sell soon so we can buy a family home with garden.

Retired greyhound trust will rehome to houses with children.

Is the reason for there being lots of Staffies in rescue because they are wrongly viewed as being a tough-looking "status"dog?
Such irresponsible owners then realise that this is not the case, and/or they don't want to be bothered looking after the poor dog, which then ends up in rescue, whether directly or indirectly.

Staffies in rescue:

• Overbreeding, including breeding them with totally unsuitable mates leading to much bigger/stronger types than "old-fashioned" staffies
• Very bouncy and energetic as pups and into young adulthood - people buy them and then find them too much
• Too strong (ditto above)
• Bad image from the press
• Don't always get on well with other dogs. My friend has a gorgeous, small black Staffie, lovely, lazy dog but really doesn't like other dogs. HE has been attacked several times so has to be kept on a lead now, just because he would always be blamed for any incidents because of his breed.

Interesting, Bagel, to find out those things; I especially didn't know about unsuitable breeding.
I've seen a few staffies out on walks and they seem lovely, happy dogs.

I am planning to call them on Monday for more info etc am going to ask them about the staffy problem.

I think there are simply a lot of staffies as they are over bred. They can be lovely dogs, really intelligent and friendly. They have a stigma that they don't always deserve, and some people don't like the look of them.

I agree with honeyroar.

Staffies are beautiful dogs.

Loads of husky type dogs in my area too as well as staffies.

Tbh, I think huskies and staffies are breeds that are (unfairly) perceived as more likely to be aggressive. As opposed to, say, a retriever or a terrier.

Staffies are the most common breed in the UK...they're the second most registered with the kennel club, but then add in the thousands born every year that aren't registered and the thousands more that are actually crosses...

So even without adding in things like the type of owner who ends up with such an easily available breed or the bad reputation of them, it's always going to be more staffies than any other breed just because of the huge numbers of them.

I also find staffies attract the wrong type of owner - and as a result of a bad owner the dog develops problems. It's then dumped on a rescue, the owner gets a new dog and the cycle starts over.
The rescue is then left to pick up the pieces.
In good hands staffies are amazing dogs though.
I've had two dog-inflicted injuries - a bite from an old English sheepdog (a supposed soft breed) and breaking my front teeth as a Staffie (a supposed "nasty" breed) tried to lick my face a bit too enthusiastically.

Staffies are often bought as a 'status breed' - people think they are tough looking and aggressive and will enhance their street cred.... In reality, they are the soppiest, most enthusiastic and affectionate of breeds so they swiftly wind up in shelters when the idiots who bought them to look tough realise they are so daft it's embarrassing.

On the other hand, it does make them perfect family pets - boundless love and energy, slavish devotion, daft, sunny character.... They are the number one most recommended breed for families with children by the kennel club.

You have to train them well, as they can be a bit over enthusiastic at times, but they make great pets if you don't mind them being a bit bouncy and affectionate!

Why not wait until you're actually in a position to have a dog op? 2 very young children and living in a flat without access to a garden is not ideal.

We have dogs and on each occasion the rescue organisation has paid a home visit. Having outside space is a must I think so you should wait until you have actually have a garden. A reputable rescue centre would also want to make sure a dog isn't going to be left on its own for very long. You says you plan to be at home for 5 years. What then?