Hi, I'm Kate.
I live on a smallholding in Devon (moved here from Buckinghamshire 3 years ago and loving it!) and recently lost my 11 yr old Dobermann to a form of cancer. He was totally devoted to me, and I loved him more than I can say but I'm sure you can identify with that. He was the 3rd Dobermann I have rehomed. My husbands dog is a black labrador, a trained & excellent gun dog but at 10 & 1/2 is now retired. I also have  a Patterdale terrier whom I rehomed after he ran away from the home he had - not through cruelty issues, he was just misunderstood!! He also is devoted to me and he is a terrific dog. I also have 2 aged horses here so we are a bit of a geriatrics home!!
There seem to be no breeders in the area who have recent litters so I am starting to think about another rescue. With the recent lockdown issues and what with the apparent glut of people wanting puppies I am thinking there may well be a number of dogs, of many breeds, soon looking for new homes, which is very sad. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

I think you are absolutely right, there will be loads of young dogs in rescues or for sale on certain websites. A lot of these puppies have been bought at sky high prices and now doubt the owners will be wanting sky high prices to try and get their money back. It’s already beginning to start as people start going back to work. Give it another month or so and there will be hundreds for sale I should imagine and at more normal prices. If you go to a rescue rather then a private sale you should get an honest opinion on the temperament of the dog which will be essential as you have your own dogs at home.

Many of the good breeders have shelved their breeding plans due to a Covid, but will probabaly get going again so long as there is no second wave of the virus, so you may we’ll find breeders in your area will start to announce impending puppies hopefully at pre Covid prices. 

I’m very glad I’m not looking for a puppy at the moment, the whole thing has just been utter madness

I agree after all the mad increase in people wanting puppies I can see many ending up in rescue or sadly people trying to get money back and selling from those certain websites .
Its hard to believe that all these people really thought it through.

You sound like you are in an excellent position to look for rescue and as Jodi says going through a general rescue or a breed rescue is probably better as they should give you a chance to see if any new dog will match well with your existing ones. That can be a bit tricky with private rehoming as can getting a true picture of the dog from its existing owners.

Hold on for a bit and see how things develop

Ps would love to have done what you have it sounds wonderful

Thank you for your thoughts on this. Keep them coming!
There is also the possibility of dogs being returned to reputable breeders, which might open up another avenue?

Suejaw, Izralight seems to be in Staffordshire from what I can find? Sussex is probably a bit too far as well but thanks for the info. x

Don't limit yourself either to local. Izralight is in Surrey sorry not Sussex

I agree about distance .it's about finding the right breeder or dog so do  expect to have to look further than your immediate vicinity. Surrey is a days return travel from devon . I have e friends who do it regularly for family reasons .worth looking

Thanks, Suejaw, I think my friend from DRA has mentioned this prefix

Actually the wave of impulsive bought puppies ending up in Rescue hasn't really hit - yet.   Yes good breeders have a return clause in their Sale Contract but right now it's only BYBs who are flooding the market with puppies at huge prices and they don't usually WANT the puppies they sell back.   And it's those unfortunate puppies who will soon be everywhere in Shelters.

You might keep checking on the Dogs Trust, Ilfracombe, website where there might be the occasional Dobie in there.   But believe me, looking for a specific breed in a general Rescue Centre isn't easy at the moment.  Many will take a reservation and even deliver if the home seems ok, but others ask for repeated visits, by appointment, to see some dogs so they get to know the prospective new owner.   If you are prepared to travel, you might keep checking the Many Tears website although some of their requirements may not suit you - like insisting any other dogs in the new home be neutered.  For me, and I am a home-checker for them, that's basically none of their business, as long as the dog being adopted is neutered.

Keep an eye on the breed rescues too is always a good thing

Thank you for your input everyone. I am still scouring the rescue sites & other Internet selling sites, in case something comes up; so far, I have been disappointed by being "so near and yet so far" to a dog at Dogs Trust, a private rehome, whose owner changed their mind after asking for help, and another rehome via a rescue organisation who hasn't had the promised phone call from the owner who was tearing her hair out 2 weeks ago!! I am almost desperate enough to line a BYBs pocket by buying a puppy! Almost anyway!!

> I am almost desperate enough to line a BYBs pocket by buying a puppy!

Nooo please don't...the right dog is out there & will come when your least expecting it

Thank you Lexy, I hope you are right; I keep telling myself that as I believe in Fate but I am so missing Zen
Just realised that sounds weird - that was his name "Zen"