Rescuing with small kids, is it possible?

[ChunkyLegsandKinderEggs]

We’d love a dog. We have a small house but a large garden, live rurally and have immediate access to footpaths and farmland. DH works from home full time in a workshop in our garden so dog could have constant access to the garden/workshop/house. We’re keen runners and walkers and the dog would get plenty of regular exercise (easily have three walks per day). We’ve both lived with dogs before and understand the challenges associated.

The ‘problem’ is that we have two small children - 2 and 4. I’m realistic about needing to introduce them to a dog slowly, never leaving them together unsupervised, using the stair gates and stable doors, teaching the children good manners (they are generally very good with family dogs anyway) etc.

I know that we have no chance with the RSPCA or Dogs Trust. I filled in an application with a local rescue recently but haven’t heard anything so assume we weren’t accepted. I’ve just seen a perfect looking ex-racing greyhound (under 2 so potentially seems very trainable) advertised by a specialist rescue very local to us but I don’t know if it’s even worth trying.

We’re going to have to give up and get a puppy, aren’t we?

Not my experience at all.

Complete opposite some real health issues, dogs initially kept in kennels so not socialised to living in a house, real big health issues (that were kept hidden) and very flightly and horrific noise phobias.

I do see dogs that have behavioural issues so may see the wrong side of the coin but my heart always sinks when clients say they have an "issue" with a failed gundog or sheepdog for that matter.

Personally I would not recommend at all

Breed specific websites often will have ads for adult dogs who need rehoming due to a number of reasons such as someone moving abroad or illness. Pick a breed you like and then research doing that. A smooth collie would suit your lifestyle so look on collielife website.

Try lurcher link Facebook group. They provide a platform for loads of different rescues that have different policies. From what I've seen they also tend to work case by case rather than blanket refusal for certain circumstances.

No 'breed' or mix is a guarantee in temperament, so don't listen to those people. Lurchers might not be one of the glamorous mixed breeds you see (though they're no different)

Good luck, sounds like your attitude will give you the best chance at success and can find a lovely rescue dog and give it a lovely new life

I can’t get a rescue so I’ll get a puppy !!!!

Having a dog is not a human right.

This! The entitlement of people to have dogs bred for them, mostly badly, because they want, want, want never fails to astound me.

I did see a lovely dog on Dogs Trust that was listed as being able to live with children of any age, can't even remember what breed it was but it was only online for a few hours before it was reserved.

Yes rescue dogs who have history of living with pre-schoolers without any issue DO end up in rescue, but it's infrequent and the demand is so high they'll be gone in the blink of an eye.

Personally I wouldn't recommend puppies for under 5's either, unless you're already a very experienced dog owner and have raised and training dogs from puppies before you had children. Puppies are little whirlwinds of teeth and fur for at least a year and a half if not more depending on breed. You need eyes in the back of your head plus they become a real drag as you suddenly can't just take the kids to birthday parties or out to the playground without first planning on what you need to do with the puppy.

There's no harm in waiting, dogs aren't going anywhere.