Does anyone have a rescue dog from Romania? Bad idea?

[ThisIsNotAIBUPeople]

Me again! We are thinking about getting our first dog. We have 2 DS aged 10 and 15, and 2 cats. I am at home Mon, Tues, Weds and out of the house 8-4 Thurs Fri. I can come home in my lunch hour for a quick walk or let out in the garden, my Dad will also come and give it a walk on the days I work.
I'm looking at rescues in the area and found this one which rescues dogs from Romania
https://www.dogswalkthisway.com/dogs-walk-this-way-rescue.html
Its really important that we find the right dog to fit in with our family, I really want to get it right and can't risk ending up with the 'wrong' dog, that would be worse than no dog. This rescue seem to be good at knowing the dog's personality and whether they are children and cat friendly. Any thoughts? Really bad idea? All comments and advice very gratefully received

Why isn’t it the law that all dogs and cats are sterilised at birth? (Or soon as appropriate)?
Not really practical.

• laws aren't any good unless they're enforced. Existing laws on having animals micro-chipped aren't followed by everyone. What penalty would you propose?

• who decides which dogs/cats get sterilised and which are allowed to breed - or rather, which owners are responsible enough to be allowed to breed cats/dogs? (unless you want a complete end to pet ownership, which is not going to a popular manifesto pledge)

I do think there should be an end to pet breeding, yes. Until all the ones in shelters are homed anyway.

And when all the shelter dogs have been found homes, and all the pets are sterilised, then what?

While you can't neuter every dog, I think there should be financial implications for breeding. It should cost £250 extra to have a dog chipped and registered. When puppies are sold that chip should be registered to the new owner, and there should be random checks on advertised puppies to check they're registered by the KC or dog warden( paid for out of the extra charges). If an animal turns up in a shelter or abandoned a fine of £500 should be given to the registered owner, which is then paid to the rescue.

People need to be made to think more before they breed, buy or dump a dog.

People need to be made to think more before they breed, buy or dump a dog.

I know this thread is now off topic a bit but there will always be people who will circumvent any laws or fines. It's very clear by threads on here that lots of people have an attitude that dogs can be easily 'got rid of' which is why you see so many being sold or in rescues.

I don't know what the answer is but I do think that fines and laws typically penalise the responsible dog owners rather than addressing the actual issue.

I understand that puppy farms in Romania now supply the ‘rescue’ organisations, as they know they can sell to gullible brits.
Please try getting a dog from a uk rescue. We’ve had three from three different places and they’ve all been brilliant.

Marcipex is right and the same is true, I know, in Greece and, I would imagine, in loads of other countries popular with British rescuers. It's the same as the idiotic rescue of horses from the meat market in France which was in fashion about a decade ago. All it managed to do was increase the supply and price of horses for the meat market while leaving owners stranded with unsuitable horses for the next 30 years.

I have a Romanian rescue dog. We got her at 4 months old from a local rescue kennels. Every so often they receive a few dogs or pups, alongside the Staffies, etc. We went looking for a certain type of dog and she just fit the bill. Took her longer to toilet train and she’s more nervous than previous dogs I’ve owned but totally wonderful and no regrets. She was spayed, vaccinated, wormed, deflea’d, she has passport - the kennels were great! If you’re near the midlands then check out Babbington Dog Rescue.

I do think there should be an end to pet breeding, yes. Until all the ones in shelters are homed anyway.

Aside from the problem of how there'll be any dogs/cats left after ten years of complete non-breeding, it's a bit like suggesting compulsory human sterilisation as a means of addressing poverty and hunger. No more babies until every person on Earth has access to adequate food, clean water, housing, and healthcare.

Yes, dogs aren't humans. But if it if it's a daft idea for people it isn't any better for dogs, cats, or hamsters.

i also think there should be an end to commercial pet breeding too, and a return of dog licences.
Cute designer puppies, plus anyone can go get one leads to a huge increase in badly trained or untrained dogs that then get put up for rehoming when the damage is done

I don't know what the answer is but I do think that fines and laws typically penalise the responsible dog owners rather than addressing the actual issue.
Well, precisely. The new rules to try and clamp down a bit on unscrupulous people who breed three litters a year and flog the puppies for as much as they can get for them are very likely to seriously penalise sensible people who will breed a good bitch once or twice and make sure the puppies go to good homes - in other words, the rules may well choke off the supply of exactly the sort of thoughtfully-bred and well-socialised puppies which are ideal as pets (and workers).

It's a lottery - my friend fostered a Romanian rescue - she came to her direct from the journey. She was very lucky, the dog is the sweetest nicest dog you could hope to meet - clearly a much loved pet at one time and is now a permanent member of my friend's family.

Others have had dreadful time with their rescue dogs.

Dogs walk this way is a great charity. I have been volunteering with them. The dogs come to the uk from Romania and spend time in Grayshott at the kennels and/or in local foster homes. We have a mix of puppies, young dogs and older dogs. The dogs are very carefully assessed and are cared for by a team of experienced volunteers who work on whatever the dog needs. Families/ homes are carefully checked and the time is taken to match the family with the right dog. Have you filled in the form on the website?

Marcipex of course a few rescues will be dodgy, just as some uk ones are, but your "understanding" is far of the mark. The rescue my Romanian dog came from has built a kennels, so it can remove dogs from the kill shelters and streets and work with them before rehoming. It regularly visits local schools to try and educate and change the feeling toward dogs and is working with the local mayor to try and organise neutering programs for street dogs. They're not all con artists. (and I have a much higher opinion of them than the uk rescue that one of my labs came from!)

@Lara53 I've just seen your post, I did contact Dogs Walk This Way and am hoping to visit their kennels in Grayshott, however my main priority now is to dog proof my garden! I don't want to find the right dog and not be completely ready to adopt. I appreciate your recommendation, really helpful thank you