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Dog rescues that will considering rehoming to a house that contains a toddler??

41 replies

Orangebird69 · 06/08/2017 15:24

Just what the subject says really. I'm considering a dog. Anything of the sighthound/lurcher type. I'm v familiar with the type but looking on all the rescue sites I found so far, they won't rehome to a home with small children. I'm looking around the Wilts, Hants, Dorset area (based in West Wilts but happy to travel). Any suggestions?

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AnUtterIdiot · 06/08/2017 16:17

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AnUtterIdiot · 06/08/2017 16:21

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SlaveToDisney · 06/08/2017 16:23

I'm in the same conundrum we have finally decided to get a dog we have a 4 and 3 year old and an 18 month old and nowhere will consider us to be suitible. I went to the local rescue centre today and there was an 8 month old labrador puppy and again theu said it wasn't suitable for us as they are lively and couls knock the children over. I really wanted to re-home a dog but after 6 months of searching and being turned down for very dog we have shown interest in i think we will have to buy a puppy. It makes me sad because we could offer a rescue dog a lovely home and a second chance. I do understand that SOME dogs are unsuitable like if there has been violence from a small child to that dog but I think in most circumstances the dogs we have shown interest in would have been fine.

SlaveToDisney · 06/08/2017 16:24

Just thought I'd add we are a family of dog enthusiast and have had dogs all our lives (me and dh) apart from 3 years so we aren't novices either.

eirrar · 06/08/2017 16:26

The blue cross will if it is the right dog. There is a filter for this on their search website too. You may have to wait a while for the right breed - but they turn around quite quickly.

CMOTDibbler · 06/08/2017 16:27

EGLR will rehome to people with small children, but it is based on what the dog is like (they foster all the dogs in peoples homes so they do know what they are like in lots of situations).
You'll be expected to discuss how you will supervise dog and toddler, what you will do if toddler decides to be funny about the dog etc

robinia · 06/08/2017 16:29

We looked for over a year and nowhere would rehome to us with a 3 year old. In the end we bought one. I won't deny there were stressful times with the puppy chewing dc's toys and shoes but the blanket refusal to rehome does seem counterproductive to me; obviously the temperament of the dog is hugely important but surely rescues can get a good enough idea of dogs that would be suitable and owners should always take necessary precautions?

passmethewineplease · 06/08/2017 16:32

None of them will round my area. Seems such a shame. I know they obviously have to be careful but I do think that sometimes it's a bit over zealous.

stonecircle · 06/08/2017 16:34

Slave - we have 2 Labradors rescued at around 6-7 months. I've always kept the eldest (now 7) away from small children as he doesn't have a great temperament. The youngest (now 18 months) has the sweetest nature imaginable but would just be too full on for small children.

You don't know what their nature is until you get them home. But whatever it is, young Labradors can be really full on and just too big and bouncy for little people.

Haint · 06/08/2017 16:35

I would've agreed with it being over zealous but having recently rehomed a dog I can see exactly why they are reluctant. It's very very very hard work managing a new dog and children.

We're experienced, our kids are a bit older 6&8, we're determined but by god it's hard work

Orangebird69 · 06/08/2017 16:53

Am experienced with dogs. Particularly labs, lurchers, JRTS, cockers, bedlingtons, beagles and whippets (bit of a country girl). I'm not massively fussed on breed though - I'd be happy with any old mutt as long as it was other dog, child and cat friendly. Ds is 22 mo. He adores my mums lurchers - they're quite bouncy and excitable but that suits my son. Not worried about the size of dog for ds - he loves my dads horses abd has no fear of anything big. DM would be the dog sitter and she has 2 cats (who are very dog savvy). I'd rehome a dog of any age but if we don't find one for us in a rescue, I won't buy a puppy purely on principle whilst dog rescues centres are bursting at the seams (possibly a self perpetuating issue for them with the understandable but v frustrating rehoming criteria).. I'm on no rush though and will keep looking. Thanks for all input so far!

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SlaveToDisney · 06/08/2017 17:02

stonecircle I do get that Labradors can be very excitable I have had a lan throughout my entire life (as well as other breeds) but I just think if theu have all of these rules the poor dogs will end up never being re-home. I even suggested that we do a meet and greet with the dog which they also refused to do. I didn't understand how a labrador was refused because "it could knock a child over" when any dog would be able to do that even a tiny chiwauwau if it ran at a Childs leg.

ChrisPrattsFace · 06/08/2017 17:09

Any retired greyhound group should have a gentle giant available!
I work closely with a retired racing greyhound trust and they are fantastic! They have some that can't go to cat/young children homes - obviously, but also have some incredibly loving dogs!
Good luck Op!

stonecircle · 06/08/2017 17:11

Slave - I agree, but worse in the long run for people not like you who don't appreciate what they're taking on and end up returning the dog. Given how many people treat dogs like toys, to be discarded when too much trouble, it's not surprising that rescue centres are cautious. Hard though when an experienced dog owner like you comes along.

SlaveToDisney · 06/08/2017 17:34

stonecircle I know I do totally get that people dont realise how much time and dedication a puppy/dog takes and alot of the time thats why the dogs are in the rescue centre in the first place. I just wish that instead of doing a blanket rule they had something like a competency test! You know to pick out those that maybe able to train the dog and give it a loving stable home for the rest of its life.

Rightpivotturn · 06/08/2017 17:35

As well as EGLR already mentioned above (who are an excellent rescue who really know their dogs), you could try Hounds First Sighthound Rescue who will rehome to homes with children on a dog by dog basis. Also Southern Lurcher Rescue. Also practically every branch of the Greyhound Trust, again on a dog by dog basis as greyhounds are very gentle . Their website allows you to search geographically for your nearest branch. You could also try the Forever Hounds Trust who cover that area too. Most sighthound rescues are sensible in their approach and take things very much on a dog by dog basis, and I know lots of friends who have young children who've successfully adopted and one who currently fosters as well.

Rightpivotturn · 06/08/2017 17:39

We were at the Greyhound Trust Somerset and Dorset branch annual show yesterday - masses of happy dogs and happy kids. Smile

Shambolical1 · 07/08/2017 19:08

Please don't perpetuate the myth that the rescues themselves (and their rehoming rules) are the cause of there being 'so many dogs in rescue'.

The rescues are there trying hard to pick up the pieces caused by (amongst many genuine reasons) over-breeding, puppy farming, unsuitable homing, impulse buys then thrown away, lack of training, lack of even basic understanding, 'don't have the time', 'child is allergic', 'doesn't get on with other dogs', 'chases cats', 'can't be left alone', 'it cries and messes all the time (it's a flipping puppy!) and even - and yes this has happened - 'no longer goes with the decor'.

Unfortunately rescues have to do an awful lot of weeding out and thus have to set the barrier pretty low with rehoming criteria but most have some flexibility within the parameters. Look at it this way: at the point a rescue dog is accepted into a rescue it becomes their dog and hopefully a good rescue will treat it as if it were their own pet and will take every care to rehome it permanently to suitable home and family.

If breeders and dealers took as much care initially as the rescues do there would be far fewer dogs endlessly circling round the free-ads, being passed from pillar to post and deteriorating a little in health and behaviour each time, ending up in rescue if they're lucky. Or, even better, hold off on the breeding and importing of pups for which there are just not enough homes.

Shambolical1 · 07/08/2017 19:11

If age is not an issue, many great dogs here:

www.oldies.org.uk/?cat=1,2,3,8&tag=good-with-cats

Orangebird69 · 07/08/2017 19:20

Shambolic I don't think it's the sole reason but I don't think some of them help themselves with their blanket rules. I understand what you're saying - I have done and worked in cat rescue for a few years myself. I've been turned down by certain national rescue centres because I lived on a road Hmm. No home visit, no reference to cats I had living happily at the same address for years that died of old age etc....

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stonecircle · 07/08/2017 19:46

Did you try Labrador rescue op? We got ours from the southern branch and their website doesn't suggest an issue with children
labrador-rescue.org.uk/paddy.html

Orangebird69 · 07/08/2017 19:56

Age is not an issue for me Shambolic - thanks for the link. It seems that, in this case understandably, quite a few of the oldies won't be good with small children but there are a couple that look good. Miles away though. I might get in contact with the rescue and see if they'd consider rehoming so far away...

Thanks for the link Stone - quite a few won't rehome to a toddler house 😕. Will have another look through later though.

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SellMySoulForMoreSleep · 07/08/2017 21:17

Firstly I'm really pleased you're still looking for a rescue dog rather than resorting to buying one (no judgements made here, just my preference). I guess places are very careful with toddlers generally and dogs. We got our rescue greyhound from the retired greyhound trust when our kids were 5 and 7 - so not toddlers but I think they would have considered us even if the 5 year old had been younger. She (our dog) is absolutely the most lovely, gentle animal with children and the trusts know their animals really well so would be able to give you one that would fit your family, please consider approaching them in your area - greyhounds are the loveliest dogs!

Anchovies12 · 07/08/2017 21:20

We have had rescues with young children from many tears and Lizzies barn which are both in Wales (both 10hr+ round trips from where we live but worth every second Smile)

Orangebird69 · 07/08/2017 21:22

sellmysoul I will never buy a puppy. I'd honestly go without rather than do that. I know I have a tall order (toddler friendly, cat friendly, other dog friendly etc). Something may never come along but I need to make sure it fits my life and provisions for holidays/when I'm away etc. I'm incredibly judgemental of others who don't make proper provision for their pets and I don't want to find myself or any potential dog of mine in any kind of situation that I couldn't deal with.

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