Loving home waiting for rescue dog - Help me decide who they are

[Veronyca]

In the new year I'll be actively seeking to adopt a dog via an animal sanctuary. Its just me, home most of the time - out of the house 3 hours max on a couple of days pw. I'm kind and patient and have had nervous / shy dogs in the past. Have a secure garden & lots of love to offer.

Realistically I would be out walking the dog for 45 mins morning and evening, probably more at the weekends.

I would like a dog that would walk nicely on the lead and would not need to go off lead regularly when out (as the likes of spaniels, collies etc would) as there's nowhere local to do this.

I'd like a small or medium dog, not yappy, and am attracted to the crossbreeds rather than prettier designer dogs.

Who would I be best suited to?

Go for purebred every time. The crossbreeds are the designer dogs and come with problems. You would be better off choosing a breed and approaching a reputable breed rescue.

By crossbreed do you mean the old Heinz 57 dogs rather than the newer oodley doodle doos? If your rescues are like ours you’ll probably find loads of staffy crosses. Some are smaller and might be great for you, although maybe need access to at least some long line/private field walks. Your best bet is to speak to small, local rescues now as they’ll be able to keep you in mind if a dog comes in that would be good for you and will have a clear idea of what the dog needs. I think they’ll probably be delighted that you have experience with anxious dogs.

Thanks both

CoubousAndTourmaIet I hadn't considered approaching a specific breed rescue as I don't know which specific breed I'd suit. Any ideas?

BackToLurk yes, by crossbreed I had meant the Heinz57 mongrels rather than the cockapoos etc

Instead of asking strangers on the internet why not go and visit a rescue (not sure where you are but most Dog’s trust places do open sessions where you can walk in and talk to staff) they’ll be able to tell you what dogs they have available and give good advice about your lifestyle and needs and what would suit you.
You sound like a lovely dog owner with loads to offer but all you’ll really get on here is individual posters talking about their personal likes and dislikes (myself included I suppose as I always bang the drum for Dog’s Trust) which is a fun thread for a miserable Sunday morning but probably won’t bring you any closer to a decision.
Good luck with your search!

assuming you are working from home so the temperament needs to be a dog that can chill whilst you are working but also not be upset by being alone for a couple of hours so this is based on my personal experience of breeds we have known or had fostering and adoption either personally or family.

Staffies are totally cute. I think a lab around the age of around 6 would also be lovely as they’ve gone past the puppy /adolescent stage

and greyhounds and whippets (so long as you don’t have small furry animals)

A smaller lurcher might fit the bill especially if you like crossbreds. My brother rehomed two lurchers through Lurcher Link but lurchers often turn up in local rescues too.

Mongrel every time. All rescue dogs have problems, don't add to that the hideous issues breeders have created in pedigree dogs.

We've just adopted a dog, if you like a staff type dog they will be over the moon. My only concern is so many of these have had owners who wanted the look and treated them very badly.

Why not consider an older spaniel? There are often so many in places like SA and most of them are given up simply because their owners have a baby and can't be arsed with the dog anymore. Older dogs like that (I mean 9-12) are the ones no one ever takes on, but the ones who need a home the most IMO.

Breed specific rescues are a much better choice than any of the big charities who will shove you off on any old dog - even if it's not suitable - and then lie about the dogs history when you ask them questions.

You want a mongrel or crossbreed, they're a lot hardier than purebreds or pedigrees . And in all honesty, if you're going to a rescue the dog will choose you.

You said small - however greyhounds fit your needs perfectly. Yes they’re big (though females tend to be smaller) but they are such gentle giants. And so, so lazy. We adopted a 9 year old grey back in May, he’s 37kg so a big lad, but he walks to heel, never pulls, doesn’t bark, sleeps 22 hours a day, is the most cuddly, affectionate dog I’ve ever met and only needs 2x 20 minute walks a day. Ours is also happy to be alone for a few hours at a time with the radio on (though I WFH so rarely have to leave him for longer than it takes me to pop to do the food shop).
They are so misunderstood, and the most gentle of giants in the world. Here’s a picture of my boy! He’s completely enriched my life, and DD(6) adores him.

Not all pedigree dogs have hideous issues any more than mongrels do. My breed doesn't, for starters.

Bullshit! Nothing is hardier than a LGD breed.

Agree that if you want a crossbreed/mongrel a lurcher is a good option. Provided you can cope with high prey drive...

For a purebred it's difficult to suggest because the calmer, more chilled breeds tend to be the very large ones 😬

Edited to add Greyhound or Whippet may be worth a look.

This is actually not true. Many mongrels and crossbreeds come from unhealth tested parents - and many also come from breeds that are predisposed to the same issues (dysplasia, PRA etc). With pedigrees, you can actually be more certain that the puppy will be healthy if you purchase from someone who has fully health tested parents - as all good breeders do.

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/common-dog-diseases-not-breed-specific/

Only thing that seems a shame OP is a dog never being off the lead. Dogs need to socialise and play with other dogs, they need to run around. Being on a lead all the time means no playing and I wouldn’t subject a dog to that.
You sound the perfect owner otherwise. Are there no parks near you at all ? Where do other local people take their dogs ?

I recently got a the best dog ever from Dogs Trust. You can favourite the type of dogs you like when you apply online but you fill out a general application saying what you can offer a dog and what you are looking for and they find the best match. It’s a great way to do it because there are dogs you wouldn’t consider that are perfect. I love Dogs Trust because a) they are really honest about the pros and cons of each dog (unlike many rescues who only share the good bits to avoid putting people off) and b) the support is exceptional. My dog had a hidden health issue which affected her behaviour post adoption and they’ve been brilliant in supporting the situation. They’ve really helped me as a first time owner.

OP, please don't be put off getting a dog because you don't want the dog to go off-lead regularly.
It's just not true that "dogs need to socialise and play with other dogs, they need to run around". Some do, some don't.
Owners who think this make my dog walks more difficult for me and my dog.

The big pro about getting a rescue dog is that you don’t need to pick a breed

you can just go - this is the lifestyle I can realistically offer, is there a suitable dog?

Because you’re dealing with an actual dog not a list of probable breed traits.

Lhasa apsos are usually yappy, I fostered one once that barked like twice in 6 months for an example of what I mean.

I'll just leave this here...quiet, sweet, lovable greyhounds 😍

I'd recommend a greyhound too. Lurchers can be variable, I have one who would definitely not be happy with your set up, so picking the right one would be more difficult I think, (although he is improving with age).

Aren’t they just the best! Such a misunderstood breed. I plan to have a fleet of greys in time!

Do greyhounds cope if they aren’t ever off lead? I had a lurcher and needed to play daft games to let him really stretch his legs. He was a lovely dog. Alternating between calm and snoozy and zooming round a field.

I don't think you can generalise too much about lurchers/greyhounds. Our beautiful lurcher had no prey drive, rarely barked and was happy with two 45 min walks a day with an odd zoomy. She slept most of the time and was the easiest dog ever, much missed.

But if the dog has been in a cage or a pen, rather than in foster, then chances are actually the dog you adopt isn’t the dog you get - as my neighbour found out to her child’s detriment. It only really works when the dog is in foster.