Where to find a dog

We've decided we want to add a dog to our family, but where is the best place to find a nice little dog? I dont want to spend hundreds of pounds on something pedigree, and I dont especially want a puppy, but i'm more a cat person, so I dont want a rescue that will need lots of extra specialist help, I've heard lots of dogs on gumtree for example haven't had the socialisation they needed as a puppy and can be hard for someone new to dogs. My kids (9 & 12) are mad about dogs, we've been borrowing dogs from borrowmydoggy.com for 2 years, going out in all weathers, I'd hoped the novelty would have worn off, but I can see how much it will enrich their lives. We home ed so are around plenty during the day.
The other problem is we tried to adopt cats a few years back from a pet rescue centre, we went every day to see 2 little cats, my kids fell in love with them, but then they said we didn't have the right paperwork for our home, (our ground floor flat with a garden is lease hold, but the company went bankrupt, so I couldn't get a letter to say we are allowed pets) and wouldn't let us have them. So I'm not keen on going that route again and get my kids hearts broken again.
Sorry its longer than I meant, but where can I look for a lovely smallish dog, thats not really expensive?
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  • Mojisola
    Mojisola Posts: 35,551
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    If you are likely to have problems with proving you are allowed pets, why not become foster carers for the Cinnamon Trust in addition to BorrowMyDoggy?

    Dogs fostered through the CT sometimes need a permanent home - you'll be in a good position to offer one.
  • TBagpuss
    TBagpuss Posts: 11,198
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    Are you still in the same position regarding your home?

    Rescues are still an option, a good one will try to match you with a dog suitable for your home and level of experience, so you shouldn't end up with a poorly socialised animal or one who needs lots of specialist training.

    Could you ask at your local vets? Or ask the people whose dogs you walk for recommendations? I think personal recommendation are a good starting point. With GumTree and its equivalents there is a high risk that you get a dog from someone who is puppyfarming or breeding irresponsibily, or dogs which have become problems for their current owners. I'm sure that there are more responsible people who sell or rehome dogs that way, ut you have not way of identifying them!
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  • Yes, we are in the same position, my neighbours made up thier own letter and got a dog from a rescue centre, but when we've been in, (I'm sure there are many fabulous rescue centres) they just seem to not like kids, it took them forever to find any cats they would allow to go to a home with children, and then jumped at the excuse not to let us have them. When I've looked at their pages online, most of the smaller dogs say no children in thier details, so I dont hold out much hope of them giving us one even with the right paperwork. Guntree I would like to avoid for the reasons you mention,but theres not many more options. Cats are so much easier, alround. :-)
  • We got a retired greyhound and know the hoops you have to jump through with some of the agencies! So much so we discounted many of them.

    Some agencies say 'no children' as kids can be unpredictable especially very young ones, pulling a dog, trying to wake it, no understanding or recognising when a dog wants its own space.

    How old are the kids? I'm guessing under 10.

    What kind of dog is it you want? You say not a pedigree and small (remember a mutt could be half poodle and half alsatian or a couple of mutts descended from something as they do get frisky and don't care what type of girl ;) )

    Whereabouts are you? Just a county will do as many of us may be able to recommend places.

    Not all rescue dogs have issues, even one from a breeder could have issues, it's a down to training them from the off, the moment it's part of your family.

    I also have a cat, I am a cat person, mine have always been obtained as a kitten via advertising or knowing someone who knows someone that hadn't got the cat done....
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  • We're in Fareham in Hampshire, my kids are 9 and 12. I want a smallish dog that doesn't need as much exercise, (I'd love a welsh collie but I know thats completely unrealistic).The lahasa apso types we mostly borrow are worn out after about a 40 minute walk, which would be much better to start out with. I'd be quite happy with a pedigree dog, I just dont want to spend up to £1000 for one.
  • chucknorris
    chucknorris Posts: 10,785
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    merv98710 wrote: »
    We're in Fareham in Hampshire, my kids are 9 and 12. I want a smallish dog that doesn't need as much exercise, (I'd love a welsh collie but I know thats completely unrealistic).The lahasa apso types we mostly borrow are worn out after about a 40 minute walk, which would be much better to start out with. I'd be quite happy with a pedigree dog, I just dont want to spend up to £1000 for one.

    Please try and find a dog from a rescue centre, the dogs in there really do (generally speaking) deserve a second chance in life. We have had two dogs, (both were rescue dogs), and both of them enriched both my and my wife's lives so much.
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  • Katiehound
    Katiehound Posts: 7,513
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    edited 22 February 2019 at 9:36PM
    I just want to point out that not all dogs from rescue are a problem- many are perfectly wonderful.
    All the dogs I have had have come from rescue.

    Dogs go into rescue for many different reasons- sometimes the owners just can't keep them due to a change in home circumstances. Sometimes puppies are born into rescue because mother was abandoned.
    Small dogs in rescue are like gold dust- they fly off the shelves.

    Personally I think you should have a a look at rescues and see what dogs are available.
    (and NO! collies are not recommended for first time owners- they need masses of stimulation because if they were working they would be running miles each day!)
    Good luck in your search.
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  • Fire_Fox
    Fire_Fox Posts: 26,026
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    edited 23 February 2019 at 12:47AM
    Agree that rescue pets often do not need any special help. You are more likely to get the truth about the health or temperament of a rescue dog in foster care than from strangers on the internet.

    You do not have to introduce your children to any potential dog until you are confident you will be accepted. Conversely you may be able to persuade the rescue of your suitability if members of your family volunteer for them.

    Not all rescues will need such documentation for leasehold properties. I did not and neither did two of my friends (all adult cats).
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  • sheramber
    sheramber Posts: 18,867
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    There are many reasons a dog may be unsuitable for children.

    Small dogs often are terrier based and may be inclined to nip.

    A dog may have had a bad experience with a child- like a child lifting a small dog up and hurting it.

    The dog may have come into rescue with no background information therefore the rescue will not want to risk placing it with children.

    All these are credible reasons to prevent an unfortunate situation resulting in a dog being returned or worse.

    Remember, a rescue dog has already had an upheaval in his life and the last thing the rescue want os him to have more upheaval.

    A good rescue will have assessed their animals and will pair them up with a suitable family

    Some rescues have a blanket ban on children under a certain age. This can be due to previous experience and they have decided to avoid this in future.

    But there are many rescues who rehome a suitable dog to a home with children. You just need to shop around to find those that do.

    Your perfect dog will be worth the effort.

    Your lack of permission to have a dog may be a problem as rescues don't want you finding out you cannot keep the dog after a year, two tears etc

    Buying a dog off the internet gives you no guarantee that what you are told is true.

    Do your research of rescues as to what they requires of potential adopters so you don't get disappointed later in.
  • doglover86
    doglover86 Posts: 56 Forumite
    I would definitely say look into rescue at first. It can be difficult, some rescues are very specific about the home they think each dog needs and it can take time to find the right match for your family, but it is so, so worthwhile.


    Buying a puppy of any breed is no guarantee of temperment or personality and a good rescue centre will have spent the time on assessing each dog that comes through their doors, to see what kind of personality they have and what type of home will suit them. Usually if a rescue centre has to say "no kids" for a dogs new home, it is for a good reason and helps to prevent dangerous situations and failed adoptions down the line. It's also important to remember that not every rescue dog has suffered significant trauma - many dogs are given up for adoption because their owner has had to move into pet unfriendly accomodation and many of those dogs are perfectly used to family life and just need a second chance.



    I understand your concerns about having your children let down as they were previously when rescuing cats, but if you call some rescue centres local to you, and explain your situation, hopefully you will be able to clarify before you start looking at any particular dogs whether or not you will be eligable to adopt. It's also a great opportunity to discuss with the rescue what you are looking for in a dog so that they can help you to find the right match for both you and the dog.



    Best of luck in your search - if you are struggling to find a local dog rescue with the right dog for you, you may wish to look into breed specific rescues if you have breeds in mind or rescues that are happy to rehome across the UK.
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