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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Private sale of an older dog...

58 replies

Florianna · 30/12/2020 23:12

Am I making a terrible mistake?

I've spent months looking for a chilled out, small dog at a rescue. I work part-time hours, but the dogs I've seen in rescue are either too big, or can't be left, or they sound great, but then somebody gets there first. I've spent the last 5 months looking at every rescue I can think of, but nothing has clicked.

However, I've found someone privately selling a 3 year old jack Russell online. They are wanting to find a new home as their hours have gone up, and they think their toddler is a bit rough with the dog.

I always presume everything in an online advert is a lie, but the woman has given me lots and lots of info, the dog is spayed, she has answered my endless questions.

Is there any chance of this being genuine, or am I a fool to even consider this?

OP posts:
Bluebird2021 · 30/12/2020 23:14

I think it’s likely genuine. You would have to find out more

Stands to reason though, genuine difficulties can and do arise.

Random63638 · 30/12/2020 23:20

Why don't you offer to take the dog out on a regular basis to begin with? You get to know the circumstances and the dog and see if you get on.

Argoscatalogueandabingoma · 30/12/2020 23:20

We took on a 5 year old pug. My first dog. She's brilliant. Had no issue's.

She came from a friend's brother. Every few months she goes to stay with them for the weekend. Joint custody.

Like you we spent 6 months going to the Dog's Trust and had nearly given up. So it does work out sometimes.

Eng123 · 30/12/2020 23:23

Assuming that a dog is a family pet I can I.agine that having to rehome would be very upsetting. However I can't imagine selling a beloved family pet.

Bunnybigears · 30/12/2020 23:23

She has answered your questions but has she asked you any? How interested she is in where the dog is going would give an indication of if it is genuine. Also agree with taking the dog for some walks etc, or even an overnight stay before committing to anything.

Ingleduh · 30/12/2020 23:23

Our first dog was found online, although rescues are fab, they're hard work!!
I'd visit and make your mind up if you think the story is genuine after meeting the lady and the dog.

VitreousHumour · 30/12/2020 23:38

Why is she selling rather than giving, has she said?

Happenchance · 30/12/2020 23:39

Do you have young children or visiting young children @Florianna? If you do, I would be wary of taking on a dog that has had negative experiences of children.

Original poster
Florianna · 30/12/2020 23:43

Meeting several times would be great, but we are a bit of a distance for that I'm afraid.

She has been asking me lots of practical questions in return tonight, asked for some photos, and also said that the dog loves visits to the groomers, so would I consider continuing that. She's also sent a lot of photos - obviously taken at different times -of a dog that looks well cared for. She was also happy for me to take time to think thinks over, and wanted us to meet before making any decisions.

My every instinct is to rescue, but getting a nice little dog just seems like mission impossible. A local rescue put up a preview of a little terrier the other day, and they had 200 expressions of interest in 2hrs!!!

OP posts:
Marcipex · 30/12/2020 23:45

I’m afraid I translate ‘toddler is a bit rough with the dog’ as ‘child torments the dog and has been snapped at’.
Have they asked you anything eg what dogs have you owned previously, what hours do you work, where will the dog spend alone time/nights/exercise time, how much time daily for these, do you have children or visiting children, what is the name of your veterinarian.

Bunnybigears · 30/12/2020 23:46

Why is she selling rather than giving, has she said?

People are encouraged not to advertise dogs for free as they get used as bait dogs.

Original poster
Florianna · 30/12/2020 23:46

No kids here and that won't change, and no visiting kids either.

She is selling, but the fee is nominal, and in the advert says it is negotiable, but to put off people making a spur of the moment decision.

OP posts:
Original poster
Florianna · 30/12/2020 23:50

Marcipex - every single one of your points came up in conversation tonight.

OP posts:
littlealexhorne · 30/12/2020 23:58

The fact that they seem to be so willing to talk openly with you and are asking you questions back seems like a really good sign, but I 100% understand why you're apprehensive. I hope it all goes well for you both if you do decide to go ahead.

LaurieFairyCake · 31/12/2020 00:00

Sounds legit to me

I'd jump at it if I were you Smile

Blimeyoreilly2020 · 31/12/2020 00:05

Friends of mine got their family dog at 3 yrs old from someone who hadn’t realised it would need exercise as much as it did🙄....been a huge success and it’s a lovely dog!

AlwaysLatte · 31/12/2020 00:19

Ask for a FaceTime and to see the dog in its home?
My previous dog was a gorgeous 2.5 year old Rough Collie whose owners just couldn't cope - they had two other dogs and all three were left alone during the day while they worked. She loved being an only dog with someone around all day. Not necessarily a deal breaker.

FAQs · 31/12/2020 00:20

Sounds positive to me and I had a JR for nearly 17 years and she was amazing, clever, funny and very affectionate. They can prefer one person as their wing man/woman but in general a great breed.

AlwaysLatte · 31/12/2020 00:22

Oh and my mum's current dog came via a breed rescue but was arranged directly through the owner's daughter (the owner had 14 !!!! All pets!!! And had gone into a care home - odd but again genuine.

Icequeen01 · 31/12/2020 00:27

I wonder if she could provide you with the name of her vet who might be able to vouch for them? I asked my vet if they would be willing to do this for me when I applied for two kittens from my local rescue. I'm not sure if the rescue ever phoned them but I got my gorgeous kittens.

Krazynights34 · 31/12/2020 00:30

I’m someone who has two beagles who we got at different times. One via a rescue centre (she’d been given up because of “family circumstances”). We met her an hour after she was dropped off. She was overweight and anxious. She’s now my disabled daughter’s best friend.
Our older lad (now15) is the best dog in the world- he’d been through a family break-up, rescue pound, back to breeders, onto another family. I always wanted beagles.
They are a handful when they are young, but the best thing I’ve ever done!
So, I guess I’m saying do it (with your eyes open!)

SometimesIWonderWhy · 31/12/2020 00:42

Sounds pretty good to me...I second asking about Vet history/health and taking dog for a trial (I've done this and sent the dog back Blush)

Swaddlemeinplants · 31/12/2020 15:03

I strongly suspect this a dog that has snapped or bitten a child and is now being passed on.

Personally, I wouldn’t ever go for a rescue and certainly not a private rehome because i think previous owners tend to minimise or outright lie about the dog’s faults and given how stressful kennels are and that rescue dogs take up to 6 months to show their true personality I do not believe it possible for any rescue to truly, properly assess temperament.

they think their toddler is a bit rough with the dog is a prime example imo of minimising faults.

Bunnybigears · 31/12/2020 15:12

@Swaddlemeinplants what do you propose happens to rescue dogs then instead?

SmartyPants0 · 31/12/2020 15:24

We found our pup on gum tree, she was advertised for sale and ended up giving her to us. The vet confirmed her background. I would say go and meet the dog and go from there. If you do go ahead with the dog do get details of her micro chip