Adopting a dog - getting nowhere

[RM2013]

We have a 15 month old working cocker spaniel that we have had since he was 11 weeks. We feel like the time would be right to add another dog into the family. WCS is our first ever family dog and we wanted a puppy. However we’ve done a lot of thinking and feel we would like to rescue next time.
ideally another spaniel as we love the breed and would like one a similar age so that they would hopefully match energy levels.

We’ve been looking for a while now and have applied a few times and never hear back.

we approached a local rescue that were looking for homes for some puppies but were told they wouldn’t consider us as our dog hasn’t been neutered. We don’t intend to breed and would only apply for another male or a spayed female but they said their blanket policy is they will never re home a dog if the resident dog isn’t neutered (even if the dog being re homed is neutered).

Can anyone share any positive stories? We do work (part time) and explained that there is someone at home a lot of the time.

It seems as if you can only adopt if you’re at home full time, live rurally with a massive garden and your resident dog is neutered

feeling a bit disheartened- will keep trying over the next few months but suspect we may have no option but to get a puppy from a breeder if we want a second dog.

We aren’t sure about neutering - wanted to wait at least until he reaches full maturity but would be guided by our vet.

I completely understand that rescues have to ensure the best homes for their dogs and I understand their stance on neutering but feels a shame that we have a kind and loving home that feels isn’t good enough for their criteria

You should get your dog neutered. If it gets the scent of a bitch you’ll never get it back unneutered.

I have never, ever, had any difficulty getting my nine year old unneutered dog back despite being exercised in public places and off lead twice a day. We call it "training".

The research into what age to neuter a dog has focused on a range of health concerns (hip dysplasia, arthritis, cruciate ligament ruptured, various cancers etc). It hasn't, so far as I am aware, looked at behaviour. Personally I like my dogs to be socially mature, which for some breeds is around 2 (the breed type we own is notoriously late to mature, so I have got into the habit of waiting considerably longer). If I had dogs, I might not bother at all, but I have bitches and don't fancy the risk of pyometra.

It's very personal decision, based on your own circumstances and on your dog. Where I live I can avoid other dogs fairly easily if I have an in-season bitch to walk, so I wait a few years.

Thanks to all again that have replied. I have taken all your comments on board. I didn’t really want to turn the thread into a debate about whether male dogs should or shouldn’t be neutered and whether I’m considered an irresponsible owner for not having neutered by 15 months.

He has no behavioral issues other than can be a little excited to meet new dogs but I carefully manage this by allowing him off lead when no one is around but always call him back to pop the lead on if we see someone approaching (in case people are nervous of dogs) I’m always considerate and make sure he gives dogs a wide berth if their owners say their dog is reactive and only allow him to go and say hello if the owner of the other dog is happy for him to do so. His recall is great and he has never shown any signs of aggression or dominance and has no separation anxiety.

I’m aware that some dogs can have issues later in life if they haven’t been neutered and I just want to do the right thing. There seems to be lots of people that feel all dogs should be neutered and others that are completely against it so I’m a little torn but for me I want to make sure that I’m giving him the best possible chance of a long and happy life. DH is also against neutering (I’m guessing because he’s male and thinking about it from
this point of view!)

I completely agree that good rescues need to ensure that the needs of their dogs are put first because they don’t want failed adoptions or the dogs falling into the wrong hands. I follow and donate when I can to several rescues.

My point was that we feel we have a kind loving home and were exploring adoption as a possible option. We are an active home with no young children. (2 older teens) and we have a secure garden and lots of nearby rural walks. We also do additional training (currently on the silver level scent training course) as well as lots of meet ups with doggy friends at secure dog fields. Our biggest hurdle seems to be the fact that our dog is still entire and we aren’t at home full time (but usually someone at home most of the time).

its our first dog so maybe we are not as experienced as some and I do appreciate the suggestions in waiting until he’s a little older to add a companion.

We got a Springer at 4 months old as he was too much for the previous owner. We wanted to get another spaniel from a rescue but faced the same problem as you as he wasn’t neutered, We gave up looking and decided to get a female Sprocker puppy 3 months later from a breeder. I personally think it was the best decision & I’ve never regretted it. They are now 8&9 year old and are great together. Both off lead & no problem with recall. Was told by a vet there was no health benefit to neutering him so never did, We did get the bitch done at age 3 because of the risk of Pyometra.