Want a dog but not a puppy or volatile rescue

[phoebemcpeepee]

I've recently started a new job that is permanently wfh and I feel we are finally in a position to welcome a dog into our family. We've wanted one for years but due to work/house/finances it's just not been possible.

We have however just moved into a brand new house plus children are getting bigger and neither DH or I can face the upheaval/carnage of a puppy. And (hard to say this without sounding heartless) I just don't think I've got the time or finances to dedicate to a high needs/traumatised dog that I know is more likely with rescues. Are there any other options? I guess what I'm hoping for is an older dog that has been in a loving home that will need time, love and care to readjust, but not necessarily specialist & expensive training - a family relocating, someone too elderly / infirm to care for their dog who want a loving home (I'd be quite happy to visit with the dog and just be guardian rather than take full ownership) Not fussed about breed, age etc

Is this totally unrealistic? Any suggestions where to find this sort of arrangement?

I also came on to say "greyhound". We were in the same situation as you and I did a lot of research. I kept coming back to retired racer and I was a bit "meh" because they are a bit skinny and weren't really my cup of tea. However, we got one and she has now been with us 4 years. She is phenomenally easy. Honestly, she is the most low maintenance dog I've ever come across (aside from a few accidents which have necessitated trips to the vets - they are very thin skinned!).

They need limited exercise (believe it or not) and in general walk beautifully on a lead as they are exercised on lead during their training. We had two pees in the house and no poohs right at the beginning and since then she's been fine. They are big dogs but take up limited space as they are SO lazy. She doesn't move from the sofa for hours at a time.

We all utterly adore her and I fully recommend looking into getting one. For first time owners they are generally a dream.

Mad. Rescue dogs aren't high need and traumatised! A percentage have 'issues', but so many are there because of owners passing away or financial or household changes. You don't actually sound compatible with a dog, if this is your rather snotty sounding perception of puppies or rescues. Any dog will take a lot of commitment and hard work, you can't just pick one up and it will blend into your life and won't out you our in some way. You're being blinkered and unrealistic. Get some fish.

OP is getting an unfairly hard time. It’s absolutely fine to say that a high-needs rescue isn’t suitable for her family.

I keep an eye o the rescue pages and they quite often ask for foster or a home after you've had a home check. I think the foster is expected to work hard to settle the dog obviously but you're still helping out. Join a fb rescue page and see how they describe/ assess/ dogs and the process for a few months and you'll get an idea.
I've got a rescue who has been high needs as is dog aggressive but we've muddled along for 10 good years without incident by knowing our limits. He has been worth the work

@SomepeopleareTERFSgetoverit

OP is getting an unfairly hard time. It’s absolutely fine to say that a high-needs rescue isn’t suitable for her family.

But she has also said she doesn't have the time or finances to deal with a high needs dog - any dog can become unwell and need regular vet trips or medical care, and most dogs become incontinent or confused as they age.

I think people are concerned that OP will struggle with normal but inevitable aspects of dog ownership - illness, ageing etc.

Another thing to remember is any dog can become reactive after a bad experience - so what will OP do if her once calm and placid dog gets hurt or bitten on a walk and starts reacting - just dump it back with the rescue because it's now too high needs for her?

@SomepeopleareTERFSgetoverit

OP is getting an unfairly hard time. It’s absolutely fine to say that a high-needs rescue isn’t suitable for her family.

Yes, precisely.

For one thing, rehabbing a dog is different from bringing up a puppy (and, IMHO, takes a lot more skill).

And what you know you can't handle now might be very different in 6 or 8 years time when the DC are older and you have a bit more time and energy.

And what you will do for a dog you know and love isn't necessarily what you'd be prepared to do for a dog you've only just met. I'd never have taken on one of our dogs as a rescue: he was reactive on the lead, barked at unknown dogs, hated bikes - but by the time he developed these behaviours (after a couple of bad incidents, the usual story) he was ours, we loved him, we worked on his issues, and he had a good life with us until he had to be PTS.

This lovely boy came from a rescue over 10 years ago as a young adult with a history of 3 homes before us. We had two DC under 10 and I worked part-time.

The rescue had him in a foster home for three weeks with a toddler, a cat and a Rottweiler. He came with a full assessment, neutered, vacced and micro-chipped with rescue backup for life. All for the princely sum of a £150 donation.

He's never put a paw wrong since he arrived. He's the nicest and most stable dog you could hope to meet.