Rescues

[Gettingbysomehow]

I'm thinking about getting a dog when I retire in a few years. I live near Exmoor and it would be great to take a dog out there for long walks on the park and beaches.
I've always had cats mainly because they are my first love and I work full time.
I want to rescue because I only have rescue animals.
Does anyone have any experience of getting a dog from a shelter? I don't want a massive dog just a medium size, don't care if its a mongrel.
Only stipulation is that its ok with cats.

I have had a dog before years ago.

My neighbour got a rescue from one of the ‘big five.’ She was lied to (either deliberately or by omission) about the dogs behavioural issues - it ended up biting her and she PTS about a week ago - and that’s not uncommon (the lying). People either lie to the rescue and the rescue doesn’t properly check, or the rescue lies.

On the other hand…My mum has a rescue from Spaniel Aid - beautiful little dog. They were totally honest about her issues (and god, there were a lot - reactive, bad with men, bad with kids, severe separation anxiety, digging, submission urination, shadow chasing) so at least my mum went into it with her eyes open.

Rescuing is a great thing to do but after seeing what my neighbour went through, and anecdotally what I’ve seen from others on mumsnet about big kennel rescues, I’d never go with a charity that wasn’t breed specific.

You should get one that lives in foster IMO - that way the fosterer can be 100% sure about the sort of behaviour a dog is likely to have. Dogs in kennels behaved very differently once you get them into a home.

I’d also add if you have cats, or young kids visiting etc, it’ll be hard to rescue - the big five in particular are so beyond fussy about who they give dogs to (ironic given how poor they are at being honest about dogs issues) - so you may have to be very patient.

That's some very good advice thank you.

No young children visiting. Just cats.

My cousin used to get ex drug sniffer dogs, those animals were constantly in my handbag looking for the cocodamol 😂

I've had three rescue dogs over my lifetime. First was a wonderful mongrel. His only vice was pulling on the lead which we just couldn't train him out of. But such a character.
Second was a chow chow/German shepherd cross. Again great dog. Obedient, loyal, no separation anxiety. Then a German shepherd who had been trained perfectly and was such a gentle giant.
The first was a stray they knew nothing of its history. The second was just turned in as they couldn't care properly for the dog anymore. The third belonged to an elderly woman who moved in to a home. Not every dog has been surrendered for behavioural issues, often it's because of a change of circumstance.

Op cats is luck of the draw, from everyone around here (we all have cats and dogs), some get on great, others not so well. Our cat likes her own company and finds the dog an annoyance, he’d love to be friends but has learned to be wary of her so life is now about watching them carefully. Our next door neighbours have three cats two dogs, one of the dogs is best friends with one of the cats and chases the other away. I’ve heard loads of similar stories. Lurchers are the only dogs I’ve heard of to stay away from if you have cats but other than that I’d say it’s on a dog by dog basis- the rescue will hopefully know

Ps I will add to be careful of the rescue you go to too, I know plenty that have hugely mismatched people with dogs, sad for the dog and owner

I would try a breed specific rescue organisation. As other posters have said, their dogs are more likely to be fostered by volunteers who can give accurate feedback about the way a dog behaves in a domestic situation. They often give extended support to adopters too.

''I'd never go through a charity that wasn't breed specific''

This ☝️

Breed specific rescues tend to know ''their'' breed inside out - but the waiting lists for certain breeds can be phenomenally long {think years in some cases}.

Beware @Gettingbysomehow of overseas rescues as well - an experienced dog owner took on an Eastern European dog that attacked her in her kitchen - our vets also say there is a high failure rate behaviourally with these- they start off 'quiet' then begin to 'flex'.

However, imported Irish Greyhounds and Lurchers seem to be a much better bet behaviourally - but with cats, that might be an issue.

A local family where we lived used to take on rescued German Shepherds- these were lovely dogs, but the adopters knew the breed very well, and were good at training - a lot of their GSD's had digestive issues.

I too have heard of behaviour issues being downplayed - and bites {or worse }occurring, particularly with certain powerful breed types.

Breed specific rescues generally don't have ''kennels''- they use foster homes that really get to know the dog.

I second the breed specific rescue comments. My Spaniel Aid dog is snoring next to me on the sofa. We knew exactly what we were getting warts and all.

Much less likely with a dedicated breed rescue- where they have no vested interest in making money out of moving dogs on quickly- But otherwise I agree with you..Have seen so many 'reactive' out of control dogs and the owner is way out of the depth with them, calling out ''He's a rescyoooo!'' as if that excuses the poor behaviour.

It is obvious that certain rescues are selling dogs to all and sundry, and NOT giving good backup.

You could have a look at Ferne Animal Sanctuary. It's in Wambrook, near Chard, Somerset.

They have resident cats on site, as well as those for rehoming, so get a reasonable idea of which dogs are definitely not suitable for rehoming with a cat.

Many dogs seem to be available due to no fault of their own, as was the case with the 4 we adopted. They tend to have a history on many dogs and list if they lived with children or cats before.

One of ours was a 4 month old puppy, surrendered due to a skin issue that the previous owner "couldn't afford to treat". Ferne advised they would pay for her necessary treatment for life, as she was being adopted out with the condition. However, the previous owner clearly didn't even take her to a vet, as it was quickly diagnosed as Demodex Mange. This cleared up after a decent flea treatment.

They provide support and always want the animal returned if things ultimately don't work out.

Look at local rescues, many use foster homes so they often know how a dog is with cats.

We foster and have adopted a few dogs. All a joy. With issues as you'd expect, but they bring so much love. Can't imagine a home without a dog.

Good luck, Exmoor sounds great for you and the dog.

Great advice everyone thanks very much. Both my cats lived with dogs before they came to me. I have a lovely video of my black cat wrestling with her dog friend.

Some of the breed specific rescues are excellent.
Just watch out if you're walking on Exmoor, as you will want a dog that will be safe with sheep and horses.

I have rescue cats and rescue dogs. My dogs are a specific foreign breed (Spanish podencos) that I adopted from charities that specialise in the breed. All mine were young adults when they came to us - all wonderful dogs, albeit a lot of work due to their awful lives before rescue. Go to a reputable charity, and make sure the dog is ‘cat tested’, and the charity has ongoing support for adopters and adoptees, and preferably a behaviourist they recommend if there are problems. Pic of one of mine because you can’t have a dog thread without pics, it’s the law! She’s a very spoilt little lady now, who lives happily with my cats.

Actually Pods are very nice dogs. Haven't yet met a nasty one. They are usually good with other dogs they meet out and about.
There is a lovely one near us who has had her nose cut off, but despite that is a trusting and lovely girl.

That's just insane that the original owner didn't bother to take the dog to the vets!
Mange would have been diagnosed easily and appropriate treatments given.

I saw a dog years ago that was almost completely bald with mange, the poor dog was sore and scabby-almost like the hide of an elephant. I gave the woman the address of PDSA and RSPCA but never saw the dog again.

I have a rescue dog from Hungary, I can PM you details of the organisation I went through if you like. She is the best dog I have had in a lifetime of dog ownership. What made it work so well (because selecting a dog you’ve never actually seen is clearly fraught with risk) was the following:
we did not filter according to looks! She is not a looker!
we were not attracted by sob stories of sad terrible histories. We didn’t want a damaged dog. Any mention of nervous and we moved on.
we used an organisation with a UK hub and back up.
You have to be a bit hard headed, I think.
But if you are very sensible and caveat emptor when you approach the overseas rescues, it can work.
my Hungarian rescue dog is the envy of my village because she is so well behaved and has immaculate recall … but beautiful she ain’t!

Rescues can be tricky.

Most places have such strict criteria that unless you are an agoraphobic recluse, who just happens to live in a mansion with a fully fenced in garden the size of Winsor Park, you don't stand a chance of being approved.

And the harsh reality is most dogs end up in rescue for a reason, you are taking on someone else's problem. You won't be "rescuing" some furry angel, you will be taking on the responsibility of looking after a dog with potentially dangerous behaviour patterns. You won't know the dog's triggers or history.

Remember, recent changes to the Dangerous Dog's Act means you can be prosecuted even if your dog doesn't actually do anything. It doesn't have to bite or hurt anyone, but someone being worried it might do, means YOU commit an offence. Taking on a rescue with unknown issues is a huge risk now.

We have 3 spaniel aid dogs and foster for them as well. They're very through and all the dogs come through foster homes so they're not in kennels. If not interested in spaniels or spaniel mixes, definitely look for a breed specific rescue.

Are you sure it was just cocodamol?