For weeks we have searched rescue centres for a youngish family dog. We've tried RSPCA, Battersea, Dogs Trust, Many Tears, Bordercollie Trust, Collie rescue, local rescues, much less local ones

[Slowslowreader]

Please can some one think of anything that might help. The last two I spoke to said they had absolutely nothing in but young dogs with behavioural problems (often lockdown related) and big breed dogs/ greyhounds. We have such a dog shaped hole in this house. We'd love to fill it. Has anyone any suggestions please?

No, I haven't, but I will do. Thank you for the suggestion. I know what you mean. I know a wasted collie. All he can do is pester for tennis ball throwing, inside and outdoors. Yet they can learn so many brilliant things to keep them busy if they are taught.

I know you said you were on the Diane Hart waiting list but do you check her Facebook page. There are specific dogs on there that they are actively trying to rehome and asking people to share the post.
particularly one lovely boy called “spotty nosed blue” I know he has been looking for a home since Christmas.
good luck with your search there is a dog out there with your name on it…..it’s just over the hill.

https://www.hoperescue.org.uk/adopt-phoenix

6 month old collie cross can live with children, no issues

https://www.hoperescue.org.uk/adopt-ella

Collie can live with older kids

https://www.hoperescue.org.uk/adopt-paisley

can live with 8+ kids

Spanish Griffon Rescue. I've had 5 dogs over the years through these guys, wonderful UK back up. Look at this lovely little chap

www.facebook.com/share/p/VrcyVuWpvqL7qjno/?mibextid=K35XfP

It is people who buy puppies from puppy farms that perpetuate them not Many Tears who find homes for the poor ill used breeders.
The same accusation is not levied at the many organisations that find homes for worn out battery chickens when they are offered homes as an alternative to death.

It looks like this thread may have found you your dog, which is lovely. I just want to say, searching for weeks isn't a sign that people ought to give up on rescuing (I know you weren't, but you do hear this justification over and over again for why people went to a breeder instead). There have been three border collies over the last year in my local rescue that would have been perfect for you, I know because I would secretly love a border collie as my next dog, but of course they didn't stay looking for homes for long. Sadly, you will mostly see 'problem' dogs when you first look, as the easier dogs are adopted quickly and the problem dogs linger. If the leads you're following don't work out, I'd be patient.

Someone else mentioned Morgans dog rescue, which in in Alston. They seem to have a steady flow of border collies coming in.

I would try specific breed rescues and local breeders too - reputable ones won't let them have many litters so can need to rehome. Or they may have an older dog returned (not puppy) because of change of circumstances. Also social media - FB pages on specific breeds may have someone in the group who know of a dog that needs a home.

Do you have your heart set on a Collie? I only ask as we have a Lab x Springer and he has similar needs to a Collie but isn't quite as high maintenance as they can be. He loves long walks, enjoys having something to do like hide & seek, scent games and is really biddable and eager to please but is also really cuddly and loves lazing about. He's currently asleep under my desk as he comes to work with me every day. He's also Lab size rather than Springer

Spaniel Aid and Black Retriever X often have some available. He's a fabulous dog and I absolutely love him

How are you getting on, @Slowslowreader ?
Only asking as I noticed
Arkham - Manchester & Cheshire Dogs Home
and I thought he might be a good fit as well as reasonably close to where you are.

Really not good. Visit rescue centre this morning. Dogs well cared for, but such troubled animals. One little bitch had lived in a concrete high walled yard for 6 years. She did not react to humans, having never been spoken too, or dogs, they meant nothing to her. She was entirely solo in her world. Nameless and alone. She wanted nothing to do with us, just to get away.
Farm visit to see unwanted failed sheep collie this afternoon. They wanted 4 figures for it because of its parents.
Passed a small collie bitch tied to a gate with a card box as a bed. Clearly been there all day. So glad of a pat. Hail storms on and off all afternoon. Wanted to ask for her so much, but no one about, I checked twice. DH said if we had been able to take her, they'd only tie up another.
Miserable day.
And I miss my lovely girl so much I ache with it.

That's so so sad :( :(

https://www.greenacresrescue.org.uk/find-a-pet/dogs/gelert/

I know it's a heck of a way from you, but this is my local rescue centre in case there's a dog that would suit? https://www.margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk/

I so understand. Please think about Protecting Preloved Border Collies. All are fostered. They will arrange transport to your home if necessary.

I know it's a clunky name, but they are good people. I lost my girl very suddenly last Oct and my heart is still in smithereens.

@Slowslowreader Sounds dreadful. Which one did you visit? MT has got several that meet your criteria. I'd give them a go.

I mentioned collielife earlier but they’ve now got two adult but young rough collie girls looking for pet homes. If a rough would do instead of a border.
https://www.collielife.com/roughandsmoothcollieadultsforsale.html#ma

I'd be loathe to hand over money to a breeder for the two dogs being advertised through Collielife. They are mother and daughter and both have genetic issues so no good for breeding. If you can give them a good home and go into it with your eyes open, it is probably the best outcome for the dogs. It would still make me uncomfortable though.

@SlowslowreaderObviously I wasn't there so don't know how shut down the dog was but after enduring six years in a concrete high walled yard, I'd want to give that poor dog a chance. You could well be amazed how much she changes in a short space of time. Won't be overnight of course but it may well be the best outcome for her and very rewarding for you.

The daughter doesn’t have a genetic condition. The mother is a carrier but that doesn’t necessarily mean she’d develop DM.

The MDR1 thing mentioned is sensitivity to certain drugs often used in vet treatment- if you know then you ask them to use different drugs. It’s really common in collies but has no impact unless your dog needs treatment and you are unaware of it.

I’ve got no skin in the game but thought I’d explain what the genetic conditions are - and there’s no guarantee that a rescue wouldn’t have things either. You just don’t know.

MDR1 might be easily managed but it is a genetic issue.
My main point is though that both dogs have been bred by someone who now wants rid of them because they are no good for breeding.
I would not want to hand over money to that person.
Having said that, what might happen to the dogs if somebody doesn't buy them may well be worse so probably it is best if someone who can offer a couple of rough collies a home does buy them.

There's no guarantees with any dog of course and at least the breeder is being honest about the dogs. I just find the whole situation very sad.

Hi, have you looked at the Dogsblog site? You can filter by breed - try Collie as well as Border Collie and Crosses for both. If you see a dog you like, then try the rescue website listed for more info, and to see if it's still available. Some are rescues from abroad, either still there or in now in UK foster. There seem to be a few Collie crosses on there at the moment - not sure how much Collie is in them though!

We've found two dogs this way, both spaniels, one from the UK and one from Cyprus, and they've both been wonderful.

Good luck with your search - there's one lucky dog out there waiting for you!

You are right - it is a genetic issue. It’s not a health issue though in that it won’t cause problems as long as the vet is warned that certain meds aren’t suitable.

I do see what you are saying but every dog breeder breeds and then maybe only keeps one or two of the pups. Whether that is a farm dog or a pedigree breeder. People breed for what they want (a new sheep dog, a new show dog, a family pet to add to their household) and then they sell the others. Older ones often come up because they look right so they try them in the show ring and the dog doesn’t like it. So they are better off going to be a pet.

She’s selling ones that probably don’t show well and that she now doesn’t want anyone to breed from because of the genetics. I’d actually see it as quite responsible of them - saying don’t breed because these are the known concerns.

I just don’t see it as wildly different to all the farmers round me who breed dogs to work them but don’t need every pup from the litter so sell them on.

I see your point too @babybythesea
I just get the impression that the OP wanted to rehome a dog from a rescue centre rather than going to a breeder. But dogs in rescue have been bred by someone, although circumstances vary, so doesn't make much difference I suppose. And I agree that the breeder of the rough collies could be classed as a good breeder (I struggle with the concept myself) but has still produced two dogs which are now in need of new homes when there are so many unwanted dogs already.
Anyway, I have derailed enough so will stop now.

Lots of young dogs available at the greyhound trust 🙂