Want a wee dog - advice please

ceebeeby

On behalf of someone else:

My friend is looking for a wee dog. The majority of dogs at the rescue centres are medium or big dogs. She's looking for a little dog, with little legs that likes walking. By no means does this dog need to be pedigree, just friendly, good with children and cats and like fresh air, preferably house-trained (ie. not a new puppy)

Given that none of the rescue centres near us appear to have any such dog - where would be the best place to advertise for a rescue type adoption - or would we be better going to a private seller - and where can I find a reputable one that doesn't do that awful in-breeding thing?

Thanks for advice.

jetta_wales

Papillons are very smal but exceptionally intelligent, up in the top 10 of all breed). I'm bias of course as I have one but they're a lovely breed, she follows me round everywhere but loves long walk and running like a hare too. We had her at 15 weeks and she went straight to the litter tray (we don't have it anymore as we have a proper garden now) and even though she'd never seen one before she went in it straight away and never had miss haps.

suki1964

ceebeeby wrote: »

On behalf of someone else:

My friend is looking for a wee dog. The majority of dogs at the rescue centres are medium or big dogs. She's looking for a little dog, with little legs that likes walking. By no means does this dog need to be pedigree, just friendly, good with children and cats and like fresh air, preferably house-trained (ie. not a new puppy)

Given that none of the rescue centres near us appear to have any such dog - where would be the best place to advertise for a rescue type adoption - or would we be better going to a private seller - and where can I find a reputable one that doesn't do that awful in-breeding thing?

Thanks for advice.

Its commendable that your friend knows what sort of dog she wants and is looking in the local rescues

If she really isnt fussed on any particular breed - or even a pedigree then may I suggest she takes her time, gets known in the rescues and register her interest? Buying a dog shouldnt be a quick purchase, not if shes finding the right dog for her

Now if she has identified a breed ( ie pedigree ) that really interests her then I would advise going to the breed club of that breed. Thier web page will have details of their particular breed rescue and will also have the contact numbers of the secretarys for the areas shes searching

It is through the secretaries you need to go to get advice on who may be breeding a litter.

I really would not advise going through the small ads or even some of the websites online. If you are trying to advoid the puppy trade and are not too sure on what research you need to be doing then please be guided by the breed club or through registered rescues

Good luck in the search, and dont pin your hopes on getting a pup in the next few weeks - but hopefully in the next few months

Person_one

Has she tried Little Dog Rescue?

They don't have lots of dogs but they have new ones coming in regularly.

http://www.littledogrescue.co.uk/

dianadoesnt

Person_one wrote: »

Has she tried Little Dog Rescue?

They don't have lots of dogs but they have new ones coming in regularly.

http://www.littledogrescue.co.uk/

You just beat me too it!
Diana

Fire_Fox

As Suki1964 says, please don't be tempted to use the freeads for any pet - too many stories of emotional blackmail, lies, sick animals, behavioural problems, surprise pregnancies and so on. Many breed-specific rescues also take in cross breeds and will adopt out to different parts of the country, or some local rescues would be happy to put your friend on a waiting list. Have you tried DogPages? http://www.dogpages.org.uk/

How much walking and how small are you talking about? Some small breeds cannot walk many miles just like small children cannot, because they have little legs so have to take more paces per mile! I believe terriers can be great for those who like to hike, but often less good with children or cats.

WobblyDog

Have you considered a rescued "working" English Setter such as Jesse, on the right in the picture on this page:
http://www.englishsetterrescue.co.uk/rehomedin.html

They're a lot smaller than the full-sized ones, but like walking a lot. Some of my relatives have adopted a couple of them from this organisation. They tend to be a bit hyper at first, because they're used to working all day, but they're good family dogs once they've settled down. Cats might be a problem, depending on the dog.

ermintrudey

As has been said by Fire Fox, if you go to dogpages, you can go to the section that says 'homes offered' and put a thread , like you have done here, and then people will often tell you of dogs that may be suitable and available for you.

I friend of mine found her dog this way.

Good luck with the search.

ceebeeby

Thanks so much everyone for all the fantastic advice. I shall pass it all on, but sounds very positive. Definitely liking the sound of continuing down the adoption route. Distance isn't an issue as would travel anywhere within the UK either as would travel anywhere to collect the right dog.

Yes - probably more of a terrier type than a genteel dog, suitable for long walks / hikes etc.

Fire_Fox

ceebeeby wrote: »

Thanks so much everyone for all the fantastic advice. I shall pass it all on, but sounds very positive. Definitely liking the sound of continuing down the adoption route. Distance isn't an issue as would travel anywhere within the UK either as would travel anywhere to collect the right dog.

Yes - probably more of a terrier type than a genteel dog, suitable for long walks / hikes etc.

The only problem you may find with distance is getting a homecheck done - I have known of rescues doing favours for one another to get a specific cat the perfect home so I am sure the same can be done with a dog.

CFC

I got my baby from an online pet site, private rehoming ad. - I got tired of all the rescue running around and the rescue bamboozle, plus I wanted the dog's history as I emphatically wanted a small dog who was not an escape artist. The rescues, it seemed to me, tried to give you the most difficult dogs to home or the ones they feel sorriest for. It seems to me the more genuine you are the more they try to pull a fast one. Rescues appear to be very far from equal.

I'm not keen on bureaucrats at the best of times. But you need to be lucky and very careful to avoid a dog who potentially has problems if you are looking privately. I've wanted another dog as well but not been lucky so far.