bibblybobbly

hi
I was wondering if anyone out there has had any experience of adopting a rescue dog, and weather it worked out. We are due to move into our own place in Sept time, so at last we are out of the rental game.
I would like to look at getting a puppy, or at least a young dog. There are so many different types of course. I enquired with a breeder today about a german shepard puppy, the cost of which is $2,000. . I don't want to go and get a dog on the cheap, from some family who have dogs and just keep breeding them and breeding them to make a quick buck,as I don't agree with that at all, but $2k is a lot of money. So have been looking at rescue centre dogs. I was just wanting to know if anyone else has adopted a dog this way, and did the dog settle well with your family. I have a 9 and 12 yr old, and my only concern is not knowing the dogs history, if a dog has been mistreated it might snap one day.
Thanks

gobbyjock

We got our Blue Heeler bitch from a local rescue she she was 6 months old ( they thought that was roughly her age). I can honestly say she is a wee gem, well behaved and loves a cuddle. She is 6 now and we'd be lost without her. Most rescue places will evaluate their dog s and try to match them appropriately, do your breed research and work out what dog will suit your lifestyle and circumstances.

eddie007

And don't go taking a rescue dog you haven't met ... Make sure you have had time to meet it and it has met the family too....

Be honest with the rescue people about your homelife and dog owning experience and they are pretty darned good about matching/advising....

We have had many 'rescue' dogs in our time, including an RSPCA death row problem dog who was a victim of abuse/cruelty... not ONE of them has been anything other than a fully paid up member of the family and not one, ok..after a lot of work with one or two of them..havent come good...

Also the majority of rescue dogs are simply ones that have been handed in by people who cant keep them for one reason or another... financial, personal, bereavement... didnt realise that a dog is a commitmant for life... NOT 'pbecause the dog has an issue...

Problems mainly arise when someone bullshits about their lifestyle/ activity level and dog owning/rehab experience

spottydog

As well as pounds there are also rescue groups who look after the dogs in a home environment whilst they are waiting their forever home and these groups generally know everything about the dogs temperament since they live as a family member. Many (but not all) rescue organizations are breed specific so it may be worth a Google.

Hebe

Got mine from Petrescue.com.au. She was about 15 months old and neglected. However she is a great little dog who loves cuddles etc. however she can be a little bolshy but I think that is due to my bad training!!

bibblybobbly

Thanks for all your replies. I had dogs as a child growing up, so am used to having a dog in the family , but have never been responsible for its training. I would always be honest, no point in me getting a dog that needs a crazy amount of walking due to high energy. 30 mins twice a day is about my lot, maybe a little more sometimes
I would really like a puppy, but realise so does everyone else, so need to be realistic on that score. Its good to know that people have had good experiences , and will definitely give this option a lot of thought ,
Thanks a lot

eddie007

Sounds like you'd be ideal as a preloved dog rehomer.... There are so many wonderful dogs here who need families like you

One thing about puppies that people often forget... When They turn out less than perfect it's ALL YOUR FAULT

Also.. About Kids... Puppies are cute, fun, ...... Usually kids are REALLY into the puppy, but as they mature and are all growed up (the puppy that is) the kids tend to be less "keen".... And if you do go down the rescue route don't be surprised if the batty old ladies that run the centre judge your dog management abilities on the behavior of your children during their visit to the centre.. So keep the children walking to heel and don't let them bark too loudly

brissybee

The best dog we have ever had was adopted from the RSPCA. She died at the end of last year, aged 14, and we were all very, very sad. She gave us ten brilliant years of happy dog smiles, playing ball, cuddling under the doona, greeting at the door and never hurting a soul. (Though she did, on rare occasions, reduce the mynah population. )

I thoroughly recommend pet adoption. So many homeless dogs are destroyed and when you adopt a pet you know you have made a real difference to a loving, living creature.

Plus, there are some really shonky pet breeders out there who shouldn't be financially rewarded for their misdeeds.

bibblybobbly

Kapri

I have had two rescue dogs - one worked out and one didn't.
We got our staffy cross when she Was 6 months old and she is now 13. She is a an affectionate and loving dog and we love her to bits.

About 10 years ago we got a rescue German Shepherd cross. We think he was about 2 years old. He wasn't particularly affectionate and when he started baring his teeth at my then 2 year old, he had to go.
If I hadn't had a young child and a baby about to be born I would maybe have spent time training and socialising him. But with a baby and a toddler it wasn't feasible.

In short, I will get another rescue dog eventually but I will spend time making sure that there are no aggressive tendencies. If you have young children then you need to be doubly sure.

stken

We had a dog from the Swan Animal Haven [WA],a rescue centre, a great dog and we would do it again, we had a young dog but we did not see any puppies there so if that is what you are after this is not the place for you. They do allow you to take the dog for a short walk before choosing, the cost was $100 which included de-sexing, some time ago i should add.
Good luck

FiP

We got our pound pup from Renbury Farm Western Sydney http://www.renbury.com.au/. They act as a pound for the local surrounding councils. She was listed as 12 months old but was more like 5 to 6 months old according to our vet and still very much a puppy. She has turned out great and I would not hesitate to get another rescue dog or cat. They have a nice selection of big/small pure and crossbreed dogs and sometimes have litters of puppies and very young dogs/pups available.

bibblybobbly

I am in Perth. there is a dog rescue in shenton park, so am looking closely at that place. I saw a beautiful staffie x advertised on gumtree, but wasn't from a private home, I cant remember exactly where, but it was some sort of rescue place, the ladies holding him where wearing some sort of uniform, and it mentioned rescue. He was just the most gorgeous pup, but I hadn't been looking at staffies really. I think I also need to find more out about ongoing yearly cost of keeping a dog,not food and stuff, but more required shots each yr, and cost of desexing. Does anyone know if the cost is similar to desex a male dog and a bitch , or is there a big dif, Am supposing a bitch is more involved so would be more expensive. Do dogs get yealy shots, and I know they def need heartworm tablets, is this each month. thanks for all your replies so far. I don't want to get everyones hopes well and truly up, then find out its flippin expensive. Also, 1 final thing, should we get that far, how much are obedience classes,and do they teach hubbies I could do with a more obedient one.
thanks very much

eddie007

Mate, if you are in Perth it's well worth taking a drive down to mandurah to K9 rescue, they are really good at matching people to dogs... Can't recommend them highly enough... They will help and advise and they assess the dogs well before homing them.... They have a website where you can see some of the dogs they have available...

Be well worth the trip... And tell them Socket's mum sent you....

petensue

We have two rescue dogs.We looked online at pet rescue and found Dexter from Southern River rescue they were wonderful with advice and even though they had no history of Dexter they told us about how he had been at the kennels and would not let us take him until he had met our other dog.All the staff were wonderful and told us to bring him back if it did not work out.One of the men there was almost in tears as we left.If you are after a puppy they go very fast!