Two rescue dogs - making a choice

[tinselvestsparklepants]

After looking at a lot of rescue dogs and learning a lot about what we could/ couldn't cope with, suddenly we may have the choice of 2.

We are a couple in our 40s, rural house, large garden, walks from home, lots of exercise. No children. Quiet life. First time dog owners. Work from home.

Dog 1- private adoption from couple who can't give dog the attention they should after birth of a baby. Well socialised 3 year old lab.

Dog 2 - rescue centre dog. Dog hasn't been in long but seems to be full of joy, well socialised with people and other dogs. 1 year old. Needs some training. Comes with support of recuse centre. Breed - mixed, not known but looks like part collie. Dog was rescued from Romania.

We are suddenly in a position to meet two well socialised female dogs, which is fantastic, and we have been told we are top of the list for both. Both have no reported health issues.

We are ready to do this as we have been planning it for a year. We didn't think we would be considering private or rescue from abroad, but all the uk dogs we have seen so far have had serious issues that as first timers we didn't think we would cope with - which wouldn't be fair on the dog.

I'd welcome thoughts. It's a big decision. Older vs younger, rescue vs private? We want to get it right. With either dog we will be booking in 1-2-1 training classes for our own benefit.

I'm aware that neither choice is the ideal UK rescue. If necessary we will walk away from either / both - we are not going to do this unless we think it's right.

@Newfluff

I've removed from both situations. The biggest thing to remember with a private adoption is that it's very rare that that we'll behaved dog needs rehoming as a balanced well trained dog will fit in with baby. That's not to say they are beyond redemption just that you need to be aware. It's really useful if you can observe how the lab behaves in their family environment, because this is more likely how they are, the dog in rescue and the lab if you take it on your own ofter revert to 'best behaviour ' because they are unsure Agree that meeting them both is a good idea.

Although I don't think poster should go for dog 1 I disagree totally with what you're saying. I rehomed a dog (through a charity) after having a my baby and becoming a single mum purely because I didn't have the time to give him. He was a brilliant dog and it was heartbreaking for me but I did it for him and his quality if life.

I would be wary of a private rehome as you are first time dog owners. I'm not sure how well socialised or behaved their dog is if it's three yet they can't give it sufficient attention now they have a baby. I've got three dogs (two are retrievers) and a 9 month old. Sure I don't think they get as much 1 to 1 attention and cuddles as they did, but we more than meet their needs and we all coexist together very happily.

I don't know anything about Romanian dogs really but I would feel more confident having rescue back up for adopting a dog.

I privately adopted a 16 month old lab 10 years ago and he was a lovely boy. They basically hadn't done anything with him and he had lived outside on his own for the last six months. Clearly never been walked on a lead or anything. Now I have DD I probably wouldn't take a private rehome myself because it hasn't been assessed and you can't ever really know it's background. If you're comfortable seeking support from a behaviourist that if needed, and working through issues like separation anxiety, resource guarding, over exuberance and similar, then the private rehome isn't necessarily a bad idea. I just wouldn't be as 'confident' in the info you're given about the dog.

Romanian rescues can be just as dodgy as private rehomes, and a potential ex-street dog is likely to be a lot more work than a lab based in a private home.
Yep.
There are various Romanian rescues around here, and a fairly high proportion of them are what you might call difficult dogs: ones who bolt (one has never been found), one who is dog aggressive, one who was very nervous (not sure how she has panned out, not seen her in ages), one who is never ever off the lead.

It's not that I don't like street dogs (I spent a part of my childhood with one, who was a wonderful dog). It's more that anyone taking on a street dog needs to be aware that they can be project dogs and, even with back-up, are perhaps not ideal for the inexperienced.

All of my fosters have been placed successfully and remain in lovely homes but I have been on the edge of sanity with a few.

MissMaple82 I do see what you mean but I feel you are the exception rather than the rule. Also you did the right thing and took your loved dog to a rescue.

[quote Postapocalypticcowgirl]@Dobbyafreeelf Do you understand what "can be" means?

But I have heard an awful lot of horror stories, including from people I know directly, so more than just "hearsay".

Maybe there are some good ones out there, I don't know, but there are a lot that can leave people with a very tricky dog and limited support- and that's before you get into the issue of rescues not doing the correct health checks etc.[/quote]
@Postapocalypticcowgirl yes My understanding is fine thanks. But I have huge issue with you saying or implying that a Romania rescue dog is to be avoided.
And your reply just confirms to me that you actually have NO EXPERIENCE of Romanian rescue dogs so perhaps refrain from commenting on things you have no idea about in future!

We have had both over the last few years, firstly a Labrador crossed Staffy Girl, from a Rescue centre, she was abandoned and tied up at the back.of a Pub as a half grown Pup at around 12 months old, and collected by the Dog warden who took her to a local Rescue centre where l used to Volunteer at the weekend opendays sometimes, and my Daughters found her in her kennel and fell in love. We adopted her the following week and she turned out to be a very loving and faithful friend. She went on to live with us for 11 years, until she died of old age.
The Labrador girl we have now is 10, a private adoption who found us, by word of mouth after her owners went through a Divorce and could no longer keep her due to no Dogs being allowed in the rented house they were moving to. She was 4 yrs old when she arrived, fully housetrained, and a Failed Guidedog puppy, due to eyesight problems, which she still has, but in normal life, she copes fine with them, and is now a well loved family pet. Im.still in contact as a supporter of the Rescue centre, but strangely we tend to get more Male Dogs put up for adoption than we do Female, and recently a high number of recently retired Greyhounds, and very few small breeds.

I have adopted a Lab (via Lab rescue) who's owner said they didn't have time for him anymore as had a new baby - more fool them, he was an absolutely brilliant dog. Having the dog straight from the owner slightly puts me on edge - I mean, if it were me rehoming my dog, unless I knew anyone myself who would like him, I would probably go via the Lab Rescue (Or similar) and let them handle it to make sure he went to a good home. I also would not want money.
The Romanian rescue - I personally would not (only because I would prefer to rescue a dog already here). If you are OK with that, he may well be a lovely dog - a lot of street dogs are (I have experience).
I think, as others have said, you need to see if you click with either dog - on paper we had been matched to a dog via a rescue - went to meet her and did not click at all, so that was that.
Good luck! :)

Why haven’t the lab owners got back in touch with the dog’s breeder? That would be the logical thing up to (but they wouldn’t get any money).

Rescue with rescue back up. I have six rommies and have fostered 15, all have been nothing but an absolute joy please don’t listen to people with very little experience of them.

I have also got 2 rommies. They are the most loving loyal dogs ever. I adopted them from a well known Romanian rescue charity and apart from a few tiny issues - one is terrified of large vehicles, and the other gets anxious easily - they are wonderful. Goodness knows what went on in their lives when they lived on the streets 😢

My SIL has done a lot of fostering, & bringing up retriever & lab puppies before handing them back to be trained as guide dogs.
She says labs walk off from them ar handing over tine, & never look back.
For this reason, I would choose the lab, as I would hope it wasn't pining for it's former owners.
They are also generally gentle, loyal, trainable

Do check it's leishmania status if it has come from Romania. It may have had checks prior to leaving? If Leish positive, it can be treated and can live a normal life, but insurance may exclude the condition.

I've got two Romanian rescues , they are the very light of my life and honestly not any more hassle than any other dogs I've had! Just my personal experience though :)

We recently privately rehomed a dog. The previous owners were not honest about the issues. The "mild guarding issue" was full on aggression and a constant search for things to steal and guard. After 3 weeks, for my daughters sake, we had to do what his original owners should have done in the first place and get him fostered by a local charity, and he's now found a lovely experienced forever home without kids. I would never privately rehome again. We already have a dog so knew what we were getting into to a degree, but was an extremely stressful few weeks. Rescue centres will find the best match for your situation and are a valuable resource.

Wow thank you all - you've provided us with lots more to consider - which is why I posted. This will help us build question lists for both dogs. We really do want to get it right, do due diligence, so this is much appreciated.