Hello all, after much debate and discussion, my husband and I have decided the next edition to our home will be a rescue dog. I know this is obviously a forum aimed at the owners of pedigree dogs but I was just hoping for some general dog advice. We are looking round a shelter of which 90% of the dogs are picked up as strays, there is no history on them, so I understand the risks but I also know that these are the dogs that are most in need of a home. So I obviously want to try and get it right when I pick the dog. Im hoping for a young'ish dog, (under a year) and I am hoping to get a smaller dog than our current GR. I was just hoping for some general advice on what I should look for when I introduce a potential dog at the rescue centre. We are going to have a look tomorrow and taking our GR along, and I just dont know what I should be looking for to see if they will get on long term or not (Ive never owned more than one dog at a time before) Would a male be better with our female? Our GR is very sociable and gets on with all dogs, so I wouldn't expect anything other than enthusiasm from her, she is not in the slightest bit dominant with other dogs at all, does this mean that a new dog will try to be dominant over her? Is there always a dog that has to be 'incharge?'

Just any advice on introducing two dogs would be appriciated!

I, personally, would say 'usually' it is better to have one of each.
There is usually a leader in a pack and you may be surprised with your dog. I know when I had two rescue dogs, one of each, the bitch was actually the dominant one - totally placid in every way and maybe even submissive to other dogs, but in her pack she definately wore the trousers.

Most rescue centres will let you take potential dogs out for walks - it may be worth doing this several times before committing to taking a dog home.

Whilst I'm 100% for recuing dogs in need, I wouldn't rush into taking on a dog without some assurance that it will not ruin the hardwork you have put into your dog. By this I mean it's very hard when you know the dogs are desperate for a home, but dogs with some background do end up in rescue centres. It may also be worth checking if there is a GR rescue (sorry I don't know what a GR is?) that way you'll know more about the breed
Good luck

Golden Retriever?

I agree with Poppysmum and think it's safest to have one of each sex. 

:rolleyes: silly me, GR: Golden retriever. Sorry, I must have had my blonde head on yesterday :rolleyes:

Hi Poppysmum, We actually decided we wanted a smaller dog than a golden retriever, we downsized a few years ago, so live in fairly small cottage...we think a dog small - medium would suit us better, Im not sure I could cope with TWO 75lb goldens that are under the impression that they are lapdogs!

Hi,

There are many people on this site with rescue's and none pedigree dogs so don't feel it is mainly pedigrees on here as it isn't. 

You will have loads of people with rescue dogs already here who will no doubt come with tips of what to look for.

I personally would have a dog to go with a bitch, unless you should come across a bitch who you are advised to be very bitch friendly and none dominant like your GR. I think going into a rescue you will just know the dog for you at least that is what I have heard from others who have homed a dog. The rescues will match you with the right dogs to choose from for your lifestyle and then you should just click with one of them.

I wish you luck and commend you for giving one of these dogs a second chance and loving home.

Hi Shannon,

I think it's wonderful you're considering a rescue dog; they have formed the majority of my dogs over the years and teach you so much.

However despite this experience I AM NO EXPERT so take as much or as little notice as you like of what follows.

I think the advice about having different sexes is good although I have had two dogs (neutered) living together perfectly amicably but with a couple of years age difference. 

As for choosing a dog, I think you will know the one for you  - although your choice may surprise you. What I look for is a dog that is relatively calm even in the difficult circumstances of rescue but not listless or 'tuned out'.

I also look for one that responds to my voice and looks for eye contact with me; this usually means the dog is used to human beings and our peculiar ways of communication - although I wouldn't try to hold the eye contact for more than a second or two.

As for getting along with your current dog, she sounds like a sweetie but don't be surprised if the amiability of the initial meeting in the 'socialisation suite' or whatever the rescue has, isn't immediately repeated at home.  That was neutral space, this is home territory and some 'sorting out' is probably inevitable but unlikely to be worrying. 

If it goes the other way don't be too put off either. When our two met for the first time at B'ham Dogs' Home she (new dog) was friendly but he (established dog) was not but I knew he was all mouth and trousers and indeed, once he accepted that she was Queen, life settled down and they are now inseparable - although like Jack and Vera Duckworth the relationship is lively rather than serene!

Hope your experience is a good one.

Linda

Thank you everybody for your replies, we didnt actually end up going today as my husband wasnt feeling great so we shall probably go next weekend instead. The shelter we are going to is actually quite far away from us in Newcastle. It is where my daughter is at university and her and her housemates often volunteer and help out by walking the dogs, so she has persuaded us to look there for a dog, as I say, I think these are most in need of homes as they sometimes have to put a number of them to sleep, just to make room. I'm hoping like a few of you have said that one will just stick out and we will know it should be ours. The rescue has little in the way of checking out potential homes, apparently you fill out a rehoming form and take the dog the same day (as long as there are no problems with the form) They seem very understaffed and dont seem to help much in the way of matching up dogs to owners, so I think we will be on our own. They do let you take them out for walks and spend time with them, so I just hope that one will just stand out and feel 'right' (heres hoping...)  We are wanting to get a young dog, so will hopefully be more to work with, as far as training goes as my daughter says you can tell some of them have had absolutely no imput what so ever...and that might be too much for us to take on.
I have no worries as far as my current girl goes, she has been known to let another younger dog take a raw bone away from her, while she just looks up at me with a very helpless look on her face. She is fantastic with all dogs, so Im sure she wont let me down with our new edition.

Thank you all for your advice and experiences, please keep them coming, they are very helpful

Now that I know what a GR is I can see why two of them might be a 'bit of a handful' - do you know what dogs are available at the rescue centre at the moment? Younger dogs are usually the first to be given new homes so you may find you have to wait a while (but it'll be worth it for the right dog)

Hi poppysmum, I spoke to my daughter on the phone as I know she goes to walk them on a sunday. The rescue actually runs from two sites and I think they both home about 100 or more dogs, my daughter actually commented that she would say about 40% of ALL the dogs there are Staffs (or staffy crosses) So very sad. We may have a bit of a wait for a dog that suits us, and if we do see a dog that is a bit older then we will certainly consider it, we are in no rush...so I guess we will just see what is there. Thanks again!

Hopefully, having your daughter walking the dogs there, she will be able to let you know as soon as a possible 'match' comes in - that way you can express your interest whilst the dogs are given their assessment and the 'general public' have yet to see them.

It seems that alot of staffies / staffie crosses are ending up in rescue centres. I don't know much about the breed myself, I tend to prefer soft mouthed doggies but thats only my personal preferance, I do know of a few people who own lovely staffies and they would be the first to dismiss the bad press they get.
I am sure you will find a perfect match and give a much deserved forever home to a very grateful doggy.

ps/ good on your daughter for helping walk the rescue dogs - a fantastic way of helping dogs in need. I would love to do that myself but think I'd end up wanting to take them all home with me - and right now a 9 mth old springer would not be impressed having to share me with another dozen dogs

You could look at the breed specific recue's as well. Knowing the breed gives you an idea at temperament. I have a german shepherd bitch 2 years old and have now a new addition, a lovely English Springer male 3 years old. He was a show dog being booted out as could not go any further in the show world. The two dogs get along very well although it was obvious from the start that we had to feed them seperately. Good luck with your quest.