Your Country needs your dog.

1sue23

I am off to live on a narrow boat full time ,I own a working english springer who has lived outdoors all of his life , I do have a pet home for him and it is a good home living with relatives ,the problem is he is very active and hates being indoors he is an excellent dog and will find anything hidden around the house and garden on Tuesday I am having a visit from the mod to assess him as a sniffer dog I am sure he would be very happy with this life ,I want to know what people think do I let him go as a pet or would he have a better life as a working dog in the army.

orlao

1sue23 wrote: »

I am off to live on a narrow boat full time ,I own a working english springer who has lived outdoors all of his life , I do have a pet home for him and it is a good home living with relatives ,the problem is he is very active and hates being indoors he is an excellent dog and will find anything hidden around the house and garden on Tuesday I am having a visit from the mod to assess him as a sniffer dog I am sure he would be very happy with this life ,I want to know what people think do I let him go as a pet or would he have a better life as a working dog in the army.

I'd say it could be a great life for the right dog.......however how would you feel if you discovered he'd been sent abroad? The army don't usually bring the dogs back then, they just change handlers as each regiment comes and goes.

So much depends on the dog - his age, experiences to date, lifestyle etc - only you know your dog to know if he'll be happy in the hustle and bustle of the army with possibly frequent handler changes.Also, I'm sure the MOD assessors would be happy to answer any questions.

Please keep us updated, I've always been interested in the how/why they choose older dogs for the services.

1sue23

His lifestyle at the moment is as a working dog ,he is used to hustle and bustle and nothing seems to worry him loud noises ,fireworks etc he does not react at all ,he is a worker and he needs to work and he will not give in when searching ,he just completly focuses and will ignore any distractions including food until he finds the object ,changes in handler would not be a problem as he will work for anyone ,he could not live with a family who were not willing to work him and is very unhappy in a house pacing constantly and is unable to settle ,he is a tireless worker and given the chance will work all day at the moment I am inclined to pass him to the army because I feel his needs would be met .

loobyloo2

Are you going to be working whilst living on the boat? It's just that I know many people on narrowboats that own dogs, funnily enough, most of them tend to be spaniels, obviously, if you will be at work, this is the problem.

You alone are the best one to decide what is right for your dog, as you know him better than anyone else. I'm sure you will make the right decision.

Notsosharp

I do not work but have 2other dogs an elderly gsd aged 14 and a collie both of whom could easily live on a boat ,the problem with the springer he needs to work he has never lived in a house and living in a small area would drive him stir crazy .he is very work driven and loves to swim so would be very dificult and not a good life for an energetic dog I need a very energetic working home which the relative could provide ,but a working life in the army would be great for him i just need to make sure that I make the right choice for a very work driven dog.

breezerockz

When i was very young my father had a gsd, he found he didnt have the time to do as much as the dog needed,
long story short, bloke from RAF came to see him, decided he could do the job,
we had letters from the handler (no names etc),
dogs nickname was screaming skull, he had a very good life, thankfully.

UKTigerlily

If the MOD isn't right, what about the police? I think the MOD job sounds perfect for him & at least you know he'd be working hard & loving it!

Errata

Sounds like an ideal candidate for some kind of work. If the MOD can't take him for whatever reason, why not ask them whothey think might be interested in having him as a valuable part of their working team ?

1sue23

UKTigerlily wrote: »

If the MOD isn't right, what about the police? I think the MOD job sounds perfect for him & at least you know he'd be working hard & loving it![/QUOTE

I did think of the police as my gsd came from them as a puppy ,but he is a little to old they will only take them up to the age of 2 but the mod take them up to the age of 3.

chez22

The prison service could be another possible home for him. Or customs and excise.

1sue23

chez22 wrote: »

The prison service could be another possible home for him. Or customs and excise.

Thankyou I never thought of them I will give them a ring and see what they say.