Do we or don't we get this dog?

[fendti]

We've applied for many rescue dogs and been put on lists but not getting anywhere really, we have too many animals and children and none seem to fit the bill (we live on a farm).
We aren't mad keen for a puppy so trying other avenues first really.

Via word of mouth, we heard about a nearly 2 year old lab x cocker who currently lives with children but their circumstances are changing and can't keep the dog. The circumstances seem genuine but won't go into them on here.

Me and the children went to visit him in his home and he was lovely, a little bouncy when we were all sat on the floor but didn't jump up etc and calmed down quickly.
They then brought him to our home to meet our current dog and other animals, and that also went very well. He has good recall for his owner, sit/stay etc very prompt. He genuinely seems a really sweet dog.

Ideally we weren't looking for a dog with cocker in more in terms of grooming (we've had a cocker before but our current dog is a lab x terrier so much easier in terms of grooming) but it's not a deal breaker. Our main niggle really is they're looking for £400 to re-home him.

He isn't neutered, I've asked for vet records to see where he is with vaccines etc but £400 seems a lot for an adult dog. I was thinking more along the lines of £250 but they've said no to this. (I was thinking of a standard rehoming fee you'd pay to a rescue).

I'm just concerned that it's a lot of money and we'd have no rescue back up etc should anything go wrong. But at the same time, I know we could easily spend way more on a puppy plus training if we went down that road instead.

What do you think? I'm really torn, every time I think no, just go with a reputable rescue, I think how lovely he is and wonder if I'll regret passing on him.

It sounds as if you have really clicked with him. A good dog will be worth the expense. Is he that expensive? Going by the prices on websites, it doesnt seem extortionate?

We paid about this in a similar situation for a dally. No rescue involved just word of mouth that a dog needed re homing. Clicking with the dog was vital, and I guess not always easy when they’re a bit older?

If you feel that their reasons for rehoming are genuine, I’d pay £450 given that you have clicked with him and he’s seemingly not feral.

He sounds adorable. Over his lifetime and the endless joy he'll bring your family, the £150 difference seems not a lot, if you can afford it.

Get the dog ☺️

The rescue I support charges £500- I appreciate that this is with neutering and gets.

But is it money or is it making sure you are willing to take on the commitment?

Ultimately if he is a good dog and fits with your family he is worth so much more.

I paid 3k for my dog. He sounds great. Pay the money and get the dog!!

If they are rehoming him, why are they asking a fee? It's not like you're getting a puppy from a breeder, or from a rescue paying a rehoming fee... If I had a pet that I cared about and needed to rehome them I wouldn't be charging

I think it’s cheeky of them to ask for anything really if they are giving him up - they should be looking for the very best home for him. That said, having paid lots of behaviourist fees for our tricky rescue dog, and a whole lot in extra fencing as he’s an escapologist, a well behaved dog who fits with you is worth £450.

Can you imagine the sort of people that take free dogs?

If I couldn't cope I would wait for a space in rescue.

I can understand charging something as if he was free, people would take him on with not much thought and he could then end up passed around endlessly. But then they could hand him over to a rescue. Maybe my worry is more about having no back up from a breeder or rescue.

Maybe my worry is more about having no back up from a breeder or rescue.

What do you mean by this? You wouldn't have someone to hand him back to if vets cost spiral? Isn't that what insurance is for? Or you would be stuck with him if things didn't work out?
Well, you would anyway if you are buying x-breeds. It's unlikely a x-breed breeder would take a dog back (the current owners have presumably been turned away by their breeder, unless they are the breeders of course) or be there for advice or have bred a health tested dog in the first place.
You can't always just hand them back to rescues if things don't work out either because of the lack of space.
As for the cost, £400 is not excessive for a rescue dog but I would be concerned why the owners have not approached a rescue centre if they need to rehome him. I realise space is short in rescue but they could keep him at home while still being available on their site.
I would have a think as to why you've been turned down by so many rescue organisations. I know they don't always make the best decisions but you need to have a think if you've got the time and money and resources to take on another dog and if that is going to work out best for everyone. Not saying you shouldn't but just a plea to have a honest think. Follow your head, not your heart.

Edited to say, while they might seem genuine, have a think if they really are. I mean, if they had approached a rescue, they wouldn't have got any money for him.

This is my thinking too.
You are doing them a massive favor , they want rid, they should be snapping your hand off.
But I may be the wrong person to give an opinion as I hate animals being treated as a commodity.
Hundreds of pounds for a dog, understandable to some degree if vets fees inc but not in this case.
I think they will struggle to sell an entire adult cross breed for this much.

When we had to rehome one of our dogs many years ago we did put a higher price but then when we met the perfect family for him we gave him to them for free, it was more proving they was the right ones for him.
but if he seemed a nice dog and they seemed genuine people I would pay the money.

Can you spend a couple more meetings with the dog for some more assurance on his behaviour, especially around your kids?
tbh he sounds adorable and it seems like you’re looking for the perfect scenario to get a rescue dog which I imagine just does not exist.
if you like the dog I’d pay the fee but I would want full transparency of vet records first.
are you sure you’re committed to really wanting a dog? If I met a dog I thought was sweet I’d probably pay 5 million pounds to make sure I got it 😂

Can you do a Facebook search? See whether they advertise lots of puppies or not (ie not a front for a puppy farm?). It does seem odd they haven’t taken it to a rehoming centre and definantly look at the paperwork.

100% agree.

TBH though I wouldn’t be getting a random dog through word of mouth even if there’s no dodgy ‘fronts’. Too much of a risk if it goes wrong given you only have there word on temperament etc, and a few hours really isn’t enough to judge a dog by

We are definitely committed to having a dog, we already have one! And have always had at least one. The reason rescues are struggling to find the right dog for us is because we have a lot of other animals that they can't guarantee the rescue dogs will be able to manage. We also have primary aged children.

I don't expect to be able to hand a dog back, either. But when I've rescued previously, it has been handy to have a contact to say we've noticed xyz behaviour, do you have any tips? That kind of thing. Plus a rescue will have more knowledge a lot of the time of the dog's health. But then this dog seems to have less issues than a typical rescue as it has been in a loving family home and is still young enough to be able to build on his training.

I think we will struggle to find another adult dog like him but I guess the comments here show the back and for of the decision making in my mind!

I've just had a look on Facebook and can see this time last year they posted 'on behalf of someone else' about a 6 month old puppy needing rehomed...

Front for a puppy farm. Dog is an ex stud who has out-lived his use

Pressed send to soon! Sorry OP, but I would avoid. It’s got so many red flags. Sad for the dog. But you shouldn’t financially support people like this

No rescue back up would concern me too. Having said that, the local rescue we got ours from three months ago hasn't responded to me when I contacted them about a behavioural issue. We've no intention of sending our boy back but the lack of support is disappointing.

The dog isn't 2 yet, so I'd be quite pleased he hadn't been neutered yet - I let my dogs grow up physically and mentally before I meddle with their endocrine systems.

And I don't know what the advice is now, but it used to be that if you were privately rehoming your dog, you should charge for the dog to weed out the people who weren't serious or had nefarious intent. So that wouldn't particularly bother me either.

The only thing that would concern me with cocker in the mix would be prey drive. I'd also want to see his vet records to reassure me that I wasn't taking on a dog with health issues that had been concealed.

I'd ask the owners if they'd take him back if he wasn't right for you, and I'd spend some more time with him - see how he is around food or toys (any sign of resource guarding, for example), ask if you can play with him in the garden etc. And make sure he's vaccinated, and check his vet records - you don't want to take on a dog with medical issues that have been hidden from you.

And maybe ask why they haven't gone to a rescue centre and see what they say.

If you're committed to getting another dog then it may as well be this one. Good idea to carry out more checks and spend more time with him first but it seems like you're not going to get one through a centre and you don't want to buy a pup so realistically you haven't got many options.
But if it were me, I'd only take him for £0 to them and £400 to a reputable rehoming charity. The current owners would run a mile because as pp has said, they are likely puppy farmers looking to offload a stud dog for the maximum amount of money they can get.

I completely agree.

£450 seems excessive though. For a mutt, who’s an adult, doesn’t seem to have a consistent history with the vet and they are rehoming. I’m all for putting a price on it to deter anyone who may be wanting the dog impulsively or for negative reasons.

if OP takes this dog and he turns out to be a nightmare/unwell etc they can’t return him, and they’ve also paid a hefty price for the privilege.

£400 that is really dodgy imo he sounds lovely but neglected. I would feel sad but I wouldn't pay so much for a dog with sketchy vet history. The uncastrated wouldn't worry me i didn't get my dog done until he was over 2 that is recomended now.