Hi all,

Its so long since I have been on here I feel like a stranger but its nice too see lots of names I still recognise.

I have been asked to help my nephew (24) find a dog for him and his Mum.  He works all day, she does not.  He wants the responsibility of training etc while his Mum will do some but is looking mostly for a 'friend'.  We plan to go to the Shelter tomorrow but having looked online most of the rescues are SBT's.  I have no issue with these lovely dogs (I had one) but they are a bit put off by the age old image of hard man with scary dog.  My question is.......

How do I explain properly (from experts view) the joys of one of these dogs?  How do I ensure that a rescued one doesn't have issues?  Since its rescue some of the answers won't be forthcoming I'm sure. Am I wrong to suggest rescue with history unknown?

All answers, help and advice welcomed.

S :)

There are some fantastic SBT rescues out there who will do their utmost to match the right dog with the right owner, a lot of the rescues will have done temperament tests and be able to tell you if the dog is ok round children/cats/other dogs, whether it will need an experienced owner or be fine for a novice, you should be able to tell from the rescues re-homing policy if the are reputable or not, and how much info they can give you, a good one should also offer back up help if things go pear shaped.

Thanks Celli, thing is this is a Cat and Dog Rescue - not specifically SBT's just that is what they seem to be overwhelmed with and from previous experience they can only usually say what the dog has been like since for example, 2 weeks ago when abandoned??

Am I doing the wrong thing trying here?  I probably will bring them all home with me (plus divorce papers) x

I agree with Celli, I think that the best thing is to make some appointments with rescue centres and let them guide them through. The only thing I would say is that it is more likely that the Mum is going to be the one the dog bonds with the most as she is the one who will be around. So it will be important to match the dog most closely to her rather than your nephew, however well intentioned he feels.

I would also like to say, if a Staffie type is not what they want then there is no reason they should feel they have to give one of these a home.  There are sadly other dogs in rescue that may suit them better.

I know some very well bred and well mannered/trained staffies, one of my all time favourite dogs was one.

They are not everyones cup of tea though, and not the kind of drives everyone can deal with.  As much as I like their loyalty sense of humour etc, I could not live with a breed that in general are not their best with other dogs.

Many of the ones in rescue are highly likely to be of the poorly bred/crossbred type where breeding animals are often deliberately selected for the more negative traits, then abandoned as they don't live up to it, or worse because they do and the owner can't or won't cope.. 

Such good advice shivj and not something that was in top of my thinking!
Am so nervous as I know it will be upsetting but want to try and help them make a good, right choice and maybe give a dog a new home with a a happy long life - such a responsibility!

Thanks again x

Keep advice and comments coming if you can!

I agree Brainless and this is what I am trying to work out... for all their good points there are negatives as with any dog and although they have had dogs before (when nephew was 5) its a long time ago. Things change. People change as do circumstances and for all I want to help I don't want a dog to think 'hey great new home' anad it not to work out for reasons beyond eithers control.

God I sound like a right paranoid freak.  I think you will all know what I mean though.

Basics then....

7 year old does not mean calm. Yes?
2 year old does not mean mad?
Lovely with kids does not mean great with dogs (basic I know) and vice versa
Loves cuddles doesn't always mean that - in a shelter they will coz they don't get many?

My life! stressed now that I am even offering to help and steer them wrong!!

If it helps....
In the right hands I feel Staffies can be brilliant, wonderful dogs. I haven't owned one but a rescue dog (from Bristol Dogs Home) owned by a friend, is fabulous with other dogs, bombproof with people and over all a flipping good dog. he came out of the shelter that way 6 years ago and has retained his character without any work by my friend.

The trainer at classes I used to go to with one of my dogs a while back, had Staffs and years ago used to compete in Flyball with them at top level. Owning them got her interested in behaviour and training and ultimately running her own positive-based training classes, not well known in the area as she kept the classes small and her reputation spread by word of mouth.

I've seen a couple of others get KC Gold and BIPDT Advanced.

I think the whole Staffy thing isn't helped by the fact that so many are bought by people who have no idea about training and wouldn't set foot in a class or join a club. Like most dogs, you get out what you put in, and I feel this is probably a breed that has potential and can really excel by having something to do. Pity that 99% of owners can't see it or can't be bothered!

My one caution is that dogs in a shelter are often traumatised, shell-shocked and stressed and may be "good with other dogs" in that situation but once they regain their confidence in a new home they may revert to how they behaved before. But this could be avoided with an intelligent new owner willing to put in the work and make a 'new dog' out of them.

Thankyou, exactly my thoughts and i just need to find the right way of saying this now. Starry eyed new owners need to understand what is required and if I am to help then I need to be sure too...... cuddles on sofa are fantastic but not if followed by other stuff that they are not prepared for or up to deal with.

Thanks everyone, knew i would get the back up here :) 

Do you think they'd be up to taking on an ex puppy farm dog ? (not meaning a staffy ) if so, have a look on the Many Tears web site.

Don't feel you need to promote getting a Staff just because there are so many of them, as has been said, fantastic as they can be ( I would say that as I'm biased lol ) they're not everyone's cup of tea, and the very thought of taking one on may be intimidating to the mum especially.
The majority of Staffie specific rescues take dogs direct from the owners or the dog is still with the owner or foster home awaiting a new home, so they really should have a good honest idea of the dogs nature, if they don't, walk away.

Been having a nose around Newcastle cat and dog shelter website , I haven't been for a while but they'll definitely have more dogs in than whats on the website. I shouldn't of looked as Jade has caught my eye , she looks gorgeous , I just love bull terriers . I am just presuming that is the shelter that you will be visiting .
I am a supporter of many tears and make donations to them but they are quite a way from here , I am a home vetter for them but have not had to vett any homes around here yet :( .

I've made the mistake of looking on Many Tears.....so many I'd snap up in a second, there are a lot there that aren't ex breeders too. One called Slate I'd be itching for, and a very cute Pug cross, and a lovely Whippet cross, and wait till you see Folly !.

Ah!!! yes Newcastle C&D shelters, two of them and i have seen Jade too! So hope i don't see her tomorrow in the nicest possible way :(  But you can see what I  mean abut the SBT's. I know there will be other dogs as well and puppies hence i am taking puppy and kitten food with me!  I so appreciate all your input so thank you.  I shall post tomorrow and let you know what happens. 

Sxx

Well am now sitting in tears after after been through that website. Breaks my heart.

I've shed many a tear for them , I swear if I win the lottery they along with my local shelters will be being helped out. I would give Sylvia who runs MT a holiday as she works so hard , even through the night if dogs are poorly .

always said i would have my own rescue centre if i won too. Not sure I would be able to in the end though am too soft i think.  Hats off to those who can and those who do. OH has warned if i come home tomorrow with another he is off - tough choice? probably not :))

Sxx

I have a fridge magnet that says " I got a dog for my husband.......it was a fair swap " lol.

Lots of local rescues are looking for people to foster dogs.  Maybe they could foster initially and then if they feel they've found the right dog then they could take it on and adopt it?  I know it sounds like just try before you buy but either way it helps rescues save money on kennels and get some more dogs out the pounds, you can help the rescue by giving them an idea of the type of home needed for a dog and how it will settle in a home meaning even if you decide its not right for you you'll have helped out in the long run and maybe stopped that dog ending up in the wrong home situation.

then hopefully they'll find the right dog?

Thinking back to my children's father, much as it may sound ungracious to say it here, if I'd got a dog for him I would have felt guilty robbing the dog owner!

How did it go yesterday ?

Hi everyone, sorry its taken so long to report back but the computer/broadband are having issues!

Yesterday was as I thought it would be.  Really hard and very upsetting.  Went to both shelters and cried at each one. Not at the shelter obvs but at the dogs that are there.  Mainly SBT's as I thought and SBT x together with Lurchers and Mastiffs.  Cani1, Jade was no longer there.  I could have brought them all home :((((.

Anyway, nephew asked to see one particular dog but when we enquired were told that he wasn't ready to be rehomed, they couldn't say when he would be nor did they offer any further information.  Found that really odd? So we came away thoroughly depressed but very much with a 'if it's meant to be' attitude.

Sat googling a bit more and found a dog in those dreadful free pages type of advert and nervously rang to enquire.  Same old story really, new baby, not enough time...... mind you the dog had only been bought 5 months ago and I'm pretty sure they must have known then they were having a baby and wouldn't have much time?

So we trolleyed off to check it out and meet her.  He fell in love with her on sight, she fell in love with him and ta da, she has a loving new home!   KC registered, papers, vaccinations the lot - unbelievable.

Training and socialising required but a beautiful girl with a lovely nature.  Very very lucky.

Thank you all again for your wise words

Quite sure I will be back for advice on his behalf when any thing crops up I can't personally help with too!

Sx

What breed is his new girl then?

Golden Labrador :)

Yellow :-)

So happy for your nephew :) . She's a lucky girl at least she is going to be loved forever .

Pleased Jade has found a home :) not that they'd let me have her anyway as they don't rehome to anyone with children or children who visit . My mam wanted to rehome a staff x from Claremont centre and because she had grandchildren visiting on a weekend she was turned down :( .

>Thinking back to my children's father, much as it may sound ungracious to say it here, if I'd got a dog for him I would have felt guilty robbing the dog owner!

Mmmmm, think I know why that stirred up memories.  :-)

Years ago hubby said "any more dogs and I'm going"

I looked into 3 pairs of brown eyes and said "and we'll miss him won't we?"

:-)  :-)

I looked into 3 pairs of brown eyes and said "and we'll miss him won't we?"

How many dogs did you say you had now :-) :-) :-)???

Lol at Jean!! I have to negotiate with my hubby for more dogs as I need his salary for entry fees - and we'd miss him too! :-p

>How many dogs did you say you had now

OMG!!      

You mean I'm meant to count them!!

I found I needed to Jean as if I didn't I had occasionally shut one outside when going out! 

This was always Lexi who likes to make herself comfy in some corner and often doesn't do the rush in with the others when they are all called considering she should get a specific invitation!!!

I have found once I got past four I definitely needed to do a head count. ;)

Hell, I'm bad enough with three, I'm sure Ben thinks his name is SpudDaisyehnosorryImeanBen lol.

LJS..... quite right, yellow. Sorry :) my best mate has a golden retriever and I keep calling her yellow.

Took her and my black lab out yesterday to the beach, a total angel! Good recall (she adores him though) swam for first time that we have seen, sits at roads (with treat help) and is fab. I want her :( Anyway, all is good.  Have told him if there are ever issues, I will have her though I doubt thats going to happen. She has been enrolled at puppy class, KC papers are filled in and sent.  Just need to pint him in right direction of insurance (minefield) and things will be great!! Also have discussed the spaying too - still a topic I know that has lots of opinions!! age wise i mean.

So. Just shows you one persons loss is anothers very, very good gain!

Still would like a couple of SBT's from the shelter though :((

Thanks again everyone x

Pint?? I mean point obviously although a pint never goes a miss :)