This is a moan.  Seeing a 9 year old Beagle X looking for a new home on the MT website, not in their base in Wales but currently in foster in a town reachable from where we live, I decided to bang in an interest/adoption form.   For once, I have now heard back that (in their opinion), the dog needs 2 hours exercise a day and agility too.  This is more than I feel we can offer at this time (from out own abilities).  Clearly this isn't going ahead - ANOTHER one.    I realise that some 9 year olds are more active than others, and I didn't argue with them BUT thinking ahead, for how many more years is this dog likely to need that kind of exercise, really?   I'd suggest he has more years ahead when he doesn't need that than does.   If he were 4 or 5 etc. maybe, but at 9? 

So another idea bites the dust.  And right now I'm of a mind to give up on any rescue, find the money for a puppy and to heck with what happens to it when both of us dies first.................  It's THAT frustrating.   I realise rescues have to look for the ideal for their dogs, but honestly is turning a potential 5* home down out of hand, the way forward if Shelters are inundated with dogs looking for new homes?

Sorry to hear you’re still having difficulty with this. I wonder if they would accept scentwork as a suitable alternative to agility for the beagle x (or other scent hound)? Plenty of scope for more elderly-joint-friendly exercise for both the canine body and mind.
I do a low-level version (treat hunting at home) with my 9-year old cocker, it’s lovely and fun to watch, keeps him busy double-checking he hasn’t missed any, and he relaxes happily afterwards. Even my arthritic Mr Oldie had a session the day before he died at nearly 15, not vigorous in his case, but fun for him. The point being that it can suit all ages.

I hope you can find a suitable dog soon.

Edited to add: Dogs Trust have a couple of Basset hounds they want to home together. They’re both at Ballymena, but they’ve been listed for quite a while, so they might (it’s a long shot, but you never know) be willing to transfer them to Ilfracombe.

Brain work is far more tiring and satisfying for a dog then masses of vigorous exercise, makes you wonder exactly how much the rescue knows about dogs

ive noticed over the years that with both cats and dogs the requirements from rescue seems to have got more and more difficult for the average home.
I wonder if what they are asking is reasonable or have the gp got expectations of cats and dogs got very high and animals are frequently being returned when they don't fit .
Its very sad because as in your case mambas its likley that good homes are missing out

Unless the dog has been doing agility before rescue is it not a bit risky in joints to start at 9 ?

I agree with Furriefriends. When I did agility out club wouldn't accept a dog over 4 that hadn't done agility before.

Having had a Beagle I agree scent work would be great

> <br />Edited to add: Dogs Trust have a couple of Basset hounds they want to home together. They’re both at Ballymena, but they’ve been listed for quite a while, so they might (it’s a long shot, but you never know) be willing to transfer them to Ilfracombe.

Those two hounds, who I'd have had in a shot, should have been rehomed which as I'm only 'allowed' to have two dogs in here, until we no longer have Teazel, wouldn't have been possible.    But thanks for the thought - I'd have loved to have taken on that boy

I think that sounds completely bonkers (you being refused MamaBas).

I have high energy working dogs and the breed descriptions say things like 2 hours of exercise a day minimum... My dogs get about 45 mins/day of training and exercise (except when working) and have always been content to sleep about the house the rest of the time so I can only conclude they are getting enough.

Rescues diss people for going to breeders and tell people to rescue, then they make it completely impossible to be able to do this with their ridiculous criteria.

I would call MT and have a good discussion with them about requirements and whether scent sessions or mantrailing would be something the dog could do instead. I agree a 9yr old unless is very proficient at agility I wouldn't do either and would be a lot for an older dog to start doing. Mental work is far better on older joints than a very impactive dog sport.

> <br />Those two hounds, who I'd have had in a shot, should have been rehomed which as I'm only 'allowed' to have two dogs in here, until we no longer have Teazel, wouldn't have been possible.    But thanks for the thought - I'd have loved to have taken on that boy <img class="fsm fsm_cry" src="/images/epx.png" title="cry" alt="" />

Edit -  I should have said 'those two hounds etc. should BE rehomed TOGETHER... with apologies.   Just off to see whether they are still on for adoption. 

They are still showing at the Ballymena branch.   It says they came in together and are very close.   I wish they would liase with Basset Welfare or one of the other Basset Rescues or even with one of the better-known breeders over there (I might do some contacting myself) who may have suitable people they know who'd take them on, together.

More - looking online, I note these two have been on Facebook - the N.Ireland BHC and somebody says they have found a home ....... hope so.

Again back to MT I am wondering whether our AGE is affecting any decision to let us home one of their/any dogs - although the email from them did say 'keep watching and apply for others'.......   hope not as there are oldies who are cripples, and oldies who are still up for having another dog to join Teazel, albeit an older dog.

Won't help u but very occasionally if u contact breed rescue they will try and work with the rescue to help with homing
I know at least one of gsd rescues who was able to

I think a lot of the time agility is suggested as some kind of magic fix all for dogs who are untrained and hyper when in fact a gentle firm routine of regular walks & sensible training will do far more to calm an over excited dog. 
There is an elderly lady near me -for many years she has rescued corgis. They arrive with her as young or middle aged adults with no manners, over excitable and really quite vile to be around. within a few months they happily plod at her heel- she is calm, she wants them to be calm and gives them the routine and training to be so. I have seen her do it 5 times over the years.

> Won't help u but very occasionally if u contact breed rescue they will try and work with the rescue to help with homing

I have a local contact (Basset Welfare) who has told me that things are 'very quiet' re Bassets in need of a new home.   I have also been in contact with Basset Hound Rescue (GB) and applied a couple of times for suitables - one a bitch who was being fostered down here in Cornwall.   Very much my type too.   As I really want a male, I asked them if I could perhaps take Teazel to meet with these fosterers and the bitch to see how Teazel reacted (different to coming in under 'her' roof I know, but still).   Meanwhile I applied for her but heard NOTHING back.   Ditto with the two other times they advertised hounds in need of homes.

It has taken me some time to decide which way to jump re letting Teazel live out her days as an only dog, or what..... as I've posted before.   Right now, although I will keep looking occasionally, I think the decision has been made for me.  Live with Teazel and forget about a rescue.   Then perhaps get a CAT.   If still here it may be relevant as again we have RATS around!!

So difficult especially when u are used to having dogs.  For what it's worth i think keeping an eye out and seeing how things go something may pop up .
As u say perhaps a cat in the future if u think u would be happy with a cat or two :) I am sure u could make a cat very happy if a dog wasn't possible .
Yep can be very useful re rats too

I knew that my health wasn't going to let me have another dog so when my last 2 dogs were getting older I decided to get 2 cats.
Dogs and cats got on well then when I lost my last dog I got another cat and we live very happily. I think the two first cats missed the dogs more than I did.
Mamabas you say the cats would help with the rats, I actually had Fancy Rats when I had the dogs so I did it back to front

Have you seen the boy on the P4H site . It may be worth talking to them, as you know the breed. The price is a bit steep but that could be to stop people selling him on!

siamese cats are dogs in a cat suit,  trainable, funny and very responsive. Had one with a whippet when I was a child and they adored each other (dog arrived first but they were great playmates)  They are not like other cats. for starters they answer back .

Or burmese , in fact a lot of the Orientals are dog like. They need a lot of interaction with u some will retrieve small.things and need toys  and to a limited extent can be trained.  And very chatty .definitely answer back
We have 3 burmeses atm between me and my  adult children and one previously
U can workout what my future cats are going to be

MT have a strange way of assessing their dogs, brain exercise is far better for older dogs, plus I doubt anyone would offer a new to agility 9 year old dog a place in their training groups.

I suppose at the moment with such high demand, rescues can afford to be more picky. But the two hours excercise rule for this particular dog seems extreme.
Have you thought about or looked into any of the foreign rescues? I know there are differing opinions on them and thier practices, but I often see bassett types advertised on various fb groups of these rescues. Mostly Romanian. But they do seem to have deccent success rates once settled.

I suspect with them saying 2 hours exercise plus agility that he would be a pretty hyper lunatic of a dog which would put me right off.  I know they are all trainable to an extent but it makes me feel shattered just thinking about untangling that!

The Cyprus rescues are always overcrowded, and seem to have a lot of Beagles.
They seem to use Facebook to publicise them though.

Sorry to hear you're in this position. I have never adopted a dog from a rescue centre, but I know there's many hoops people are expected to jump through.

Do you know any breeders as friends? I know people in their late 70s who have taken on a puppy - they are active, and it has been written into their contracts that should anything happen to the owner then the puppy returns to the breeder. I really feel for you, the demand for dogs has soared and it's made it really difficult for everyone involved with the process.

> Do you know any breeders as friends? I know people in their late 70s who have taken on a puppy - they are active, and it has been written into their contracts that should anything happen to the owner then the puppy returns to the breeder.

I do, and I have contacted people who were around within the Basset breed when I was, plus the lovely person who I bought my Whippet from.   Actually I had been considering going to her for a puppy Whippet when she has her next litter but she's asking £2K for her puppies now plus I'm not really sure, in fact not at all, I'm into having another puppy if I'm honest.   I hope she's looking out for an older dog.   As for the Basset contacts, other than the one who is a Basset Welfare Rep down here, the two I did approach are now into Dachsies - one Min.Wires and the other Min.Smooths.    I'd be open to either but neither has been back to me.   There is another big breeder (Bassets) who I have held off approaching, if only because even before the Virus, was asking an arm and a leg for puppies.  With a younger dog, I'd like to think something could be written into a contract re taking him back should anything happen to either of us!

I'm now thinking about the Oriental cats who can be very dog-like in their ways.   But that won't be possible until we no longer have Teazel (Whippet).

Thanks for all your input.

> Have you seen the boy on the P4H site . It may be worth talking to them, as you know the breed. The price is a bit steep but that could be to stop people selling him on!

Could you tell me which breed - Beagles?   Because I have been considering more than just Beagles or mixes thereof.

gosh there are loads. The prices for beagle pups over  a year being rehomed all £1000 + . even apparently kc reg . why not back to breeder ? oh yes I know , money of course

I googled basset hounds for sale and 1 advert came up on that other site for a rescue.  No idea if either of those would suit? They are overseas though. Think its the Setter rescue

https://www.pets4homes.co.uk/classifieds/3170553-20-month-old-beagle-x-bridgend.html

Is this the dog suggested?   Might be possible at £650.   I went on there on the Mix-Breed lists and was horrified at the prices, not that I was surprised!!   I note that this Beagle X is being rehomed as he's too boisterous for their 12 year old.... well Teazel is now 12.5 years so I doubt he'd be a good mix (no pun intended).   I wish these people advertising would get their photos the right way up

Off to check Bassets on there......

No hang on will see if I can find it for you

https://www.pets4homes.co.uk/classifieds/2615723-federico-6-and-lera-4-spanish-hounds-tunbridge-wells.html

I know they are not bassets but they are hounds in a similar vein

> I know they are not bassets but they are hounds in a similar vein

Ah right - yes those two have been looking for a home for quite a while.  Too big for us now, me thinks and they need to go together.  But thanks for the heads up.

Sorry, Not a Beagle a Basset. 3.5 years old dog.

The add is no longer showing

I know through a friend that a couple of the large succesfull (not sure if allowed to say which) beagle kennels often have adult ex show/breeding stock looking for homes. She was interested in a bitch one of them were looking to rehome, but she had never lived indoors and my friend thought it too much work at the time.

Someone like that would probably be happy with a retirement home with another former experienced exhibitor/breeder.

> why not back to breeder ? oh yes I know , money of course

The number of times I have contacted people with a youngster being advertised for sale suggesting they go back to the breeder (as per most sale contracts with reputable breeders).    But of course, it is all about recouping losses when changing their minds!   Some reply, most don't, or if they do, are rude.

Sad isn't it? They bought a pup ,decide they can't or won't keep it but then its not about a sentient being and what is best for the pup but money. 
This is just one part of the problem with the massive increase in purchase costs people decide they need the money back or possibbly make a profit

I think if the pup has been with the new owners a matter of days or a few weeks maybe breeders should be considering giving a full or almost full refund so the owners aren't losing out and the breeder knows the puppy is coming back to safety.

However we do know some people have purchased a puppy in order to sell on for more than they paid in the last year.

Just checked on MT and 'Jake' is showing as Reserved now. 

To clarify, and I know I'm casting around some , my main preferences re breed, would be a Whippet or a Basset (oldies).   However I am also looking at Beagles (hence Beagle X Jake), smallish Lurchers or Dachsies, prefer wire-haired.   Or none of the above but to let Teazel live out her days and then, depending on our then situation, start looking again

have a look for bedlington terrier x whippet.  usually working dogs so the crazy price lark is not always on them.  fab dogs- rough wire coats in grey , fiesty fast clever but like a whippet enjoy a sofa. great mini lurchers and a long established deliberate cross .

> have a look for bedlington terrier x whippet

Funnily enough there's a little Bedlington in town who I see out regularly,   I'd not rule one out, or a mix either.   ANYTHING

http://www.bedlingtonrescue.co.uk/our-dogs/

Thanks for that link which I'll put on the 'back burner' for now otherwise making all these applications, gets a tad confusing.. for me.!

There is a Beagle in one of the DT that can live with another dog but seems she is a resource guarder with food. Would that work in your home?

> There is a Beagle in one of the DT that can live with another dog but seems she is a resource guarder with food. Would that work in your home?

I just took a look on DT re their Beagles of which there appear to be 3.   Only one a male however, and not local - they want pre-adoption visits which would rule him out and they also say he's to be the only dog in the home (sad, for a hound imo).   The other two are bitches and although Teazel showed no resource guarding issues herself (and we fed her and Frankie separated in any case) ideally I'm really only looking at males.   Once she's not with us, that opens up other options.   Thanks tho.

Frank -  In DT Canterbury
https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/dogs/dog/filters/~253~~~~n~~/1140031/frank

There is a litter of whippets on the KC site.

Similar thing going on with my brother and family they have a 16 year old Westie in good health but have decided to stop looking and give it a year or two with just Alf.

Also on P4H a litter or whippet pups in Turo https://www.pets4homes.co.uk/classifieds/3164470-lurcher-pups-truro.html only dogs though. Sue you said you are down south.