Adopting a dog with primary aged children

[Mistysunshine]

We recently lost our 17 year old collie (a rescue dog) and would love to adopt again. DC are 12 and 9.

I know it can be tricky for familes with children to find a rescue dog, particularly as our youngest is primary aged. We don't want to wait too long so will consider a puppy if it doesn't work out but would like to give the adoption route a good go. I'd love to hear other people's experiences and advice on this.

I ahve done Homechecking for a Dog charity and kids of that age wouldn't be an automatic no, it was usually kids 7 and younger.
It will narrow the field a bit for you though and you need to be incredibly careful that the Rescue is a sensible and reputable one as the consequences of getting it wrong could be awful

If you decide on a puppy instead of a rescue, please do your research. Seek advice from the relevant breed club and don't end up with a puppy farm/backyard breeder dog.

Ky, 1 year old, used to 7 year old children.

animalviewer.anilog.co.uk/animallist.aspx?charity=bctgb

All I would say with adoption is there are more and more dogs these days in rescue centres (note I say rescue centres, rather than at rescues being fostered) who do not display the behaviour in the rescue centre they subsequently display at home. There are also more people abandoning their dogs without declaring all the dogs issues - including bite history.

If you do decide to adopt, I would 100% choose a rescue where the dogs are fostered - that way you can speak to the fosterer about the dogs specific requirements.

My neighbour just rescued from one of the 'Big Three' - and she's returning the dog as it's aggressive with other dogs and men (something the rescue did not declare to her - despite her asking, as she has children and a husband). Not the first story I've heard either.

In comparison, my mum rescued a cocker from Spaniel Aid a few years ago. She had been in foster for six months before my mum applied for her and they were able to go into so much detail about her issues and how best to handle them.

Rescuing can be great, but far too many of the rescue centres these days are...economical with the truth about dogs undesirable behaviour.

IRR are very honest (almost to a fault) about their dogs and take them back if needed.
Find them on FB if you use that

@LandSharksAnonymous this is a good point. Our previous rescue dog seemed completely unproblematic in kennels but was very reactive and anxious when we got her home. It was just my husband and I at that stage and we had the time and support to help her through it. She became the most wonderful family dog, but we couldn't take on this kind of "project" dog now.

We were thinking of applying to the Dogs Trust. They do match dogs with families, but it could potentially take a long while. Would be good to hear experiences people have had with them or other rescues.

We adopted our ddog from JLP Trust. She was advertised as child friendly and undoubtedly would be although we were a family of adults. They are Rotherham based and on Facebook if you are nearby.

I did home checks for a Labrador rescue charity and children that age wouldn't generally be a problem. The charity fostered out almost all its dogs, after a preliminary assessment in kennels, so fosterers would be able to tell potential adopters about any issues in a home environment.

Rescuing can be great, but far too many of the rescue centres these days are...economical with the truth about dogs undesirable behaviour.
@LandSharksAnonymous makes a very good point. Some of the descriptions of the dogs make you wonder what isn't being said in the ad and what they will tell you if you see the dog. I saw one recently that said, 'He is uncomfortable around other dogs, so he is currently learning to wear a muzzle during his walks to help him feel more at ease'. Wot? He's wearing a muzzle so he can't bite!

That said, I know some wonderful dogs who have come through rescue, but IME breed-specific ones that foster the dogs will give better info.

I would ensure you chose your rescue carefully, there are plenty that will rehome to children of that age. I find the breed specific foster based ones best

I find a lot that rehome from abroad seem to tell people what they want to hear and I've seen some absolute disasters come out from that