Can I buy a puppy or does that make me as bad as everyone else? Plus the easiest and most nostalgic pudding in the world, and a JOYFUL new telly series
I can’t recommend The Dogs Trust enough - we adopted a 12 year old Springer Spaniel whose owner had sadly died. As a family we decided that such a dog should not spend their remaining years in a kennel, no matter how kind they were. We gave her a loving home for her remaining years until she was almost 15. Of course we were heartbroken, but we were grateful to have had her for the three years we did - the Trust were so helpful in ascertaining her nature and what sort of home she should have. I believe the Dogs Trust have a scheme whereby dog owners who maybe have no close family can set up a scheme in case the worst should happen, and the Dogs Trust will guarantee to find the dog a good home. Perfect solution for all concerned. 🐶❤️
I cannot advocate for sighthounds (whippets/lurchers/g-hounds) highly enough. The require minimal walking, are very quiet and clean, LOVE human company and also look incredibly chic to boot. I'd be mindful of having a terrier next door to a fox's earth; after all, the majority of terriers are pre-disposed to digging down to them! Best of luck.
I'm sliiiiightly hoping it solves my fox problem and they move on, because the cubs bring all sorts of rubbish into my garden. But good point re the digging...!
We all spend swathes of time doing what we ‘should do’. As long as what you ‘want to do’ isn’t going start World Wars three through to thirty, do what you want. Get your Westie, they are all that you say, and mercifully haven’t been ‘fashionable’ since Queen Victoria had a pack of them.
How exciting! Westies are so great. If you get puppy then at least go through Kennel Club accredited breeder scheme, never random internet person. Even then, don't assume anything. Ask to see the mum and walk away if for any reason that isn't possible, tho doing this is horrible because you want to save the puppy and give him a nice life. The puppies should be chipper and well-cared for and have toys, ideally within a family setting where they are loved and handled a lot (which will make them happy and well-socialised) and not eg in an outbuilding. If they're in a crate there should be evidence that they come out and play and charge about, eg a big dog playpen or other dedicated area.
If you adopt then really good idea to do so from an official, accredited rehoming place, eg Dogs Trust or Battersea, where the dog will have been assessed by someone objective who can tell you about the dog's personality without romanticising (or being suspiciously keen to get it off their hands). Also don't get him or her from somewhere that only lets you go off a photo - good places always insist you meet the dog first and evaluate you as much as you evaluate the dog. Also dogs in rescue centres, even really nice rescue centres, are stressed out, so bear that in mind. Also sometimes the official breed club can recommend reputable breeders. This concludes my input. PS in my view ideal scenario is to get a puppy from someone you know or almost know whose dog has had a litter, purely because this nice person is likely to have laid down excellent foundations, but rescue dogs can be deeply wonderful too.
This input is BRILLIANT, thank you so so much. Cor, so you can't even trust the KC! A friend of a friend would be ideal so vaguely hoping someone appears...
I mean you CAN trust KC more than most, and you can certainly trust if they've been inspected - but otherwise my understanding is you can just pay to become an assured breeder. I will shut up now. Let me know if you want a copy of my dog book, can post!
We have a Bedlington Whippet - first dog, grew up with dogs but wouldn’t consider myself a particularly doggy person - didn’t want to adopt for all the reasons you mentioned plus had also decided I wanted a BW as they’re basically cats who exercise themselves by running v fast then sleeping the rest of the day. She’s quiet, brilliant with the kids/ people generally, very affectionate, not too needy, generally an excellent addition! Got her from a friend of a friend which I have to say is lovely as we occasionally exchange pix of the dog siblings x
She sounds perfect and yes I would LOVE to find a friend of a friend kind of situation. Just can't think of any Westie friends, but maybe this will bring 'em out of the woodwork...?! X
As a greyhound (and previously a lurcher) mum who's firmly in the "adopt" camp, I can safely say that when you adopt, you DO know exactly what you're getting, personality and behaviour-wise! Dog shelters (good ones, mind) go to such lengths to ensure that you're the right match, and they won't let you adopt a dog unless you can give the dog exactly what it needs in every aspect. Plus, if it doesn't work out for whatever reason, you can return the dog to them (make sure they have this in the contract, if not then I'd avoid that shelter), even though this would be a last resort and they don't want this to happen if it can be helped. It was made very clear to us about a few issues our greyhound Suki had behaviour-wise, and they made sure we were okay with potentially having to take her to a behaviourist (we did and it helped so much). We could have chosen another greyhound without those issues (there are ALWAYS greyhounds and lurchers available, I just wish people realised how wonderfully goofy, loving and low-maintenance they are - they're inherently lazy), but we fell in love with her over all the others we met. We could just tell Suki was our girl, and for a dog "who didn't like men very much", she took to my husband immediately. 10 hours into getting her home she was on her back letting him give her belly rubs ❤️
We actually adopted our lurcher as an 11 year old through a close friend - we had always loved her darling Riley and we used to say, "If we ever get a dog, we want it to have Riley's personality". Her circumstances changed (she had a baby in other words) and eventually said she'd been worrying about what to do with him as she couldn't provide the right environment for an ageing, chilled dog. As her son was getting older he found it hard not to tear around and get in Riley's face or land on him - my friend basically worried that he would snap at her son one day (even the most chilled dogs have their limits). Long story short, Riley came to live with us and we had him for two and half wonderful years. He was basically the canine version of my husband, I think that's why I loved him so much. And my husband says that Suki is the canine version of me personality-wise... we won the lottery both times with our doggies!
My best analogy is this: When choosing your life partner, you wouldn't choose them based on their parents, their potential looks, their likely personality etc. AT BIRTH, would you... you choose them based on their personality when they're a fully grown adult. So in the same way: buying a puppy based on its breed characteristics isn't always a guarantee of what you're going to get once it's fully grown. But an adult dog that needs a home and is in a shelter... you'll fall in love with the dog's personality (and preferred lifestyle), and they will choose you, too.
My niece and her husband bought a x-large breed puppy that they had their heart set on and although he sadly didn't make it past five due to cancer, he had many behavioural problems. My niece even said to me "I think he has a screw loose" and at one point they very seriously considered putting him up for adoption as they were at their wits' end. This was despite her husband being very experienced with that breed and an expert at dog training, and the dog cost them *thousands* as he was from a very reputable breeder. He was a lovely, lovely dog at home and with most visitors, but in public he was totally unpredictable. A while after losing him she said to me very sadly, "Getting a dog wasn't what I thought it was going to be... I loved him so much, but he just wasn't what I was expecting of that breed." It broke my heart 😥💔
So when you said "You may not know quite what you’re getting with a rescue" - I think that's actually the case with a puppy as my poor niece found out...! Rescuing a dog (or any other animal) and giving them a loving home where they feel safe and loved after a horrible start in life - or where they've maybe lost their owner - is just about the most wonderful thing you could possibly do for any pet.
Looking at how soundly our girl sleeps and how much love she gives us just fills my heart with SO much joy, I honestly don't think I'd have that sort of fulfillment if I'd bought a puppy...!
(All of that said, I do understand that's it's a personal decision, and I don't mean to be preaching to you! Just wanted to share my experiences as the mum of two rescues and what my poor niece went through x)
Thanks for that. Sigh. The search continues... Definitely get the dog/breed you prefer - you sound as if you're now completely clued-up on the potential pitfalls, so it should be fine. (Karen sounded a bit worrying...)
At the beginning of the pandemic we adopted two elderly (11 and 12 at the time) Jack Russells from the RSPCA having seen them on its website. We couldn’t have made a better decision having had many Jacks over the years. These two settled immediately. Going to Battersea, the Dogs Trust, RSPCA or something similar does mean they have been vetted and usually they will know a little about the history of the dog. Our two came as a result of their previous ‘owner’ not being able to continue looking after them. As a breed Jacks are great companions but we do have to make sure they don’t go walkabout as they love exploring and will be gone for hours, even at their advanced age.
So I would say don't get a Rhodesian Ridgeback: they are hard to train and are big dogs (probably best suited to the countryside). Probably not a whippet either, as "there is no dog to my dog" - they are just skin and bone, but they are very good with young children (as are Ridgeback's too). I have had both of these lovely breeds.
You seem to enjoy walking so a dog does sound like a good choice, my only concern is that they are a tie (not as much as a child, but a tie nonetheless), so this may limit your overseas travel plans (and we see these can be extensive) - yes there are places to board or home your dog whilst away, but how often does one want to leave one's dog.
My walking is one of the main reasons behind my longing for a dog, I think. I've started feeling all my hours outside are almost a waste without one! And thank you as always!
You said that you are often around younger children and with an adopted dog "you don't know what you get".
But if you adopt a dog, the previous owners and/or staff at the rehoming facility can tell you about the dog's temperament and preferences - which can be inherited, especially with terriers (and Westies, also one of my favourite breeds).
As you are looking for a smaller dog and not one on the dangerous dog breeds list it should be fairly "safe" to adopt and you might also be able to assess and rule out any genetic diseases which can not always be spotted in young puppies from breeders.
As you frequently travel you could ask if the dog is used to staying with other people and/or alone for a bit and enjoys being on the road.
Finally, it is a kinder thing to do as well as there are so many discarded pets and it is simply not necessary to breed more. Dogs are not handbags.
Thank you! I think I'm probably being quite cynical about what people tell you if they're looking to rehome. I don't mean at the facilities. But I've seen a lot of adverts from people looking to rehome their dog which make me wonder how honest they're being. I wrote a Tel column about Pets4Homes and the ads offering XL Bullies for rehoming not v long ago and a few of the adverts said 'Through no fault of his own ...' etc etc. Not that I'm looking for an XL Bully. I just wonder how honest people are if they're looking to rehome a poor dog they've taken on and realise they can't handle. Cor that'e quite garbled but hopefully you get what I mean. VERY much agree that dogs are not handbags...
That is a good point, not everyone is honest! (And now we are back in the "handbag territory": "lost the dust bag and authenticity card, but the bag is totally authentic" (haha, from an authentic beach seller maybe ;)
But the breeders might not disclose a nervous disposition of one of the parents either (or might not even always know about it) or any early trauma that might have happened to the puppies.
I would go along to the Battersea facility, it is approved by Queen Camilla after all, and I would think that the professionals and volunteers there are interested in making a good match, not just getting rid of a dog or making a buck.
They should also be able to recommend a dog that suits your life style and might be there with tips and advice.
Or do you have any vets nearby? They might know someone who is looking to rehome (or know responsible breeders).
I can’t recommend The Dogs Trust enough - we adopted a 12 year old Springer Spaniel whose owner had sadly died. As a family we decided that such a dog should not spend their remaining years in a kennel, no matter how kind they were. We gave her a loving home for her remaining years until she was almost 15. Of course we were heartbroken, but we were grateful to have had her for the three years we did - the Trust were so helpful in ascertaining her nature and what sort of home she should have. I believe the Dogs Trust have a scheme whereby dog owners who maybe have no close family can set up a scheme in case the worst should happen, and the Dogs Trust will guarantee to find the dog a good home. Perfect solution for all concerned. 🐶❤️
Thank you! The very idea of that scheme makes me sad but how brilliant of them.
I cannot advocate for sighthounds (whippets/lurchers/g-hounds) highly enough. The require minimal walking, are very quiet and clean, LOVE human company and also look incredibly chic to boot. I'd be mindful of having a terrier next door to a fox's earth; after all, the majority of terriers are pre-disposed to digging down to them! Best of luck.
I'm sliiiiightly hoping it solves my fox problem and they move on, because the cubs bring all sorts of rubbish into my garden. But good point re the digging...!
Here’s my thought on the matter.
We all spend swathes of time doing what we ‘should do’. As long as what you ‘want to do’ isn’t going start World Wars three through to thirty, do what you want. Get your Westie, they are all that you say, and mercifully haven’t been ‘fashionable’ since Queen Victoria had a pack of them.
How exciting! Westies are so great. If you get puppy then at least go through Kennel Club accredited breeder scheme, never random internet person. Even then, don't assume anything. Ask to see the mum and walk away if for any reason that isn't possible, tho doing this is horrible because you want to save the puppy and give him a nice life. The puppies should be chipper and well-cared for and have toys, ideally within a family setting where they are loved and handled a lot (which will make them happy and well-socialised) and not eg in an outbuilding. If they're in a crate there should be evidence that they come out and play and charge about, eg a big dog playpen or other dedicated area.
If you adopt then really good idea to do so from an official, accredited rehoming place, eg Dogs Trust or Battersea, where the dog will have been assessed by someone objective who can tell you about the dog's personality without romanticising (or being suspiciously keen to get it off their hands). Also don't get him or her from somewhere that only lets you go off a photo - good places always insist you meet the dog first and evaluate you as much as you evaluate the dog. Also dogs in rescue centres, even really nice rescue centres, are stressed out, so bear that in mind. Also sometimes the official breed club can recommend reputable breeders. This concludes my input. PS in my view ideal scenario is to get a puppy from someone you know or almost know whose dog has had a litter, purely because this nice person is likely to have laid down excellent foundations, but rescue dogs can be deeply wonderful too.
This input is BRILLIANT, thank you so so much. Cor, so you can't even trust the KC! A friend of a friend would be ideal so vaguely hoping someone appears...
I mean you CAN trust KC more than most, and you can certainly trust if they've been inspected - but otherwise my understanding is you can just pay to become an assured breeder. I will shut up now. Let me know if you want a copy of my dog book, can post!
Hadn't thought of that! Have just downloaded it. THANK YOU.
Where?! Where can one buy your dog book? Amazon (I know) says no longer available... Was looking a little while back.
I downloaded it on kindle tbf so feel like that’s slightly cheating!
Might be out of print but as S says, still on Kindle.
Thanks - thought it was too good to be true.
We have a Bedlington Whippet - first dog, grew up with dogs but wouldn’t consider myself a particularly doggy person - didn’t want to adopt for all the reasons you mentioned plus had also decided I wanted a BW as they’re basically cats who exercise themselves by running v fast then sleeping the rest of the day. She’s quiet, brilliant with the kids/ people generally, very affectionate, not too needy, generally an excellent addition! Got her from a friend of a friend which I have to say is lovely as we occasionally exchange pix of the dog siblings x
She sounds perfect and yes I would LOVE to find a friend of a friend kind of situation. Just can't think of any Westie friends, but maybe this will bring 'em out of the woodwork...?! X
I have a friend with a Westie. I shall enquire! X
OH! Thank you X
As a greyhound (and previously a lurcher) mum who's firmly in the "adopt" camp, I can safely say that when you adopt, you DO know exactly what you're getting, personality and behaviour-wise! Dog shelters (good ones, mind) go to such lengths to ensure that you're the right match, and they won't let you adopt a dog unless you can give the dog exactly what it needs in every aspect. Plus, if it doesn't work out for whatever reason, you can return the dog to them (make sure they have this in the contract, if not then I'd avoid that shelter), even though this would be a last resort and they don't want this to happen if it can be helped. It was made very clear to us about a few issues our greyhound Suki had behaviour-wise, and they made sure we were okay with potentially having to take her to a behaviourist (we did and it helped so much). We could have chosen another greyhound without those issues (there are ALWAYS greyhounds and lurchers available, I just wish people realised how wonderfully goofy, loving and low-maintenance they are - they're inherently lazy), but we fell in love with her over all the others we met. We could just tell Suki was our girl, and for a dog "who didn't like men very much", she took to my husband immediately. 10 hours into getting her home she was on her back letting him give her belly rubs ❤️
We actually adopted our lurcher as an 11 year old through a close friend - we had always loved her darling Riley and we used to say, "If we ever get a dog, we want it to have Riley's personality". Her circumstances changed (she had a baby in other words) and eventually said she'd been worrying about what to do with him as she couldn't provide the right environment for an ageing, chilled dog. As her son was getting older he found it hard not to tear around and get in Riley's face or land on him - my friend basically worried that he would snap at her son one day (even the most chilled dogs have their limits). Long story short, Riley came to live with us and we had him for two and half wonderful years. He was basically the canine version of my husband, I think that's why I loved him so much. And my husband says that Suki is the canine version of me personality-wise... we won the lottery both times with our doggies!
My best analogy is this: When choosing your life partner, you wouldn't choose them based on their parents, their potential looks, their likely personality etc. AT BIRTH, would you... you choose them based on their personality when they're a fully grown adult. So in the same way: buying a puppy based on its breed characteristics isn't always a guarantee of what you're going to get once it's fully grown. But an adult dog that needs a home and is in a shelter... you'll fall in love with the dog's personality (and preferred lifestyle), and they will choose you, too.
My niece and her husband bought a x-large breed puppy that they had their heart set on and although he sadly didn't make it past five due to cancer, he had many behavioural problems. My niece even said to me "I think he has a screw loose" and at one point they very seriously considered putting him up for adoption as they were at their wits' end. This was despite her husband being very experienced with that breed and an expert at dog training, and the dog cost them *thousands* as he was from a very reputable breeder. He was a lovely, lovely dog at home and with most visitors, but in public he was totally unpredictable. A while after losing him she said to me very sadly, "Getting a dog wasn't what I thought it was going to be... I loved him so much, but he just wasn't what I was expecting of that breed." It broke my heart 😥💔
So when you said "You may not know quite what you’re getting with a rescue" - I think that's actually the case with a puppy as my poor niece found out...! Rescuing a dog (or any other animal) and giving them a loving home where they feel safe and loved after a horrible start in life - or where they've maybe lost their owner - is just about the most wonderful thing you could possibly do for any pet.
Looking at how soundly our girl sleeps and how much love she gives us just fills my heart with SO much joy, I honestly don't think I'd have that sort of fulfillment if I'd bought a puppy...!
(All of that said, I do understand that's it's a personal decision, and I don't mean to be preaching to you! Just wanted to share my experiences as the mum of two rescues and what my poor niece went through x)
Thanks for that. Sigh. The search continues... Definitely get the dog/breed you prefer - you sound as if you're now completely clued-up on the potential pitfalls, so it should be fine. (Karen sounded a bit worrying...)
Great name “Tadpole”. One of our favourites was “Cobweb”, so named for her habit of going behind every sofa and cupboard.
I have very little of use to contribute about dogs, but the one up top is adorable!
I will tell him. He'll be THRILLED.
At the beginning of the pandemic we adopted two elderly (11 and 12 at the time) Jack Russells from the RSPCA having seen them on its website. We couldn’t have made a better decision having had many Jacks over the years. These two settled immediately. Going to Battersea, the Dogs Trust, RSPCA or something similar does mean they have been vetted and usually they will know a little about the history of the dog. Our two came as a result of their previous ‘owner’ not being able to continue looking after them. As a breed Jacks are great companions but we do have to make sure they don’t go walkabout as they love exploring and will be gone for hours, even at their advanced age.
I grew up with a Jack Russell called Tadpole who I loved DEEPLY so totally get their allure.
So I would say don't get a Rhodesian Ridgeback: they are hard to train and are big dogs (probably best suited to the countryside). Probably not a whippet either, as "there is no dog to my dog" - they are just skin and bone, but they are very good with young children (as are Ridgeback's too). I have had both of these lovely breeds.
You seem to enjoy walking so a dog does sound like a good choice, my only concern is that they are a tie (not as much as a child, but a tie nonetheless), so this may limit your overseas travel plans (and we see these can be extensive) - yes there are places to board or home your dog whilst away, but how often does one want to leave one's dog.
My walking is one of the main reasons behind my longing for a dog, I think. I've started feeling all my hours outside are almost a waste without one! And thank you as always!
You said that you are often around younger children and with an adopted dog "you don't know what you get".
But if you adopt a dog, the previous owners and/or staff at the rehoming facility can tell you about the dog's temperament and preferences - which can be inherited, especially with terriers (and Westies, also one of my favourite breeds).
As you are looking for a smaller dog and not one on the dangerous dog breeds list it should be fairly "safe" to adopt and you might also be able to assess and rule out any genetic diseases which can not always be spotted in young puppies from breeders.
As you frequently travel you could ask if the dog is used to staying with other people and/or alone for a bit and enjoys being on the road.
Finally, it is a kinder thing to do as well as there are so many discarded pets and it is simply not necessary to breed more. Dogs are not handbags.
Thank you! I think I'm probably being quite cynical about what people tell you if they're looking to rehome. I don't mean at the facilities. But I've seen a lot of adverts from people looking to rehome their dog which make me wonder how honest they're being. I wrote a Tel column about Pets4Homes and the ads offering XL Bullies for rehoming not v long ago and a few of the adverts said 'Through no fault of his own ...' etc etc. Not that I'm looking for an XL Bully. I just wonder how honest people are if they're looking to rehome a poor dog they've taken on and realise they can't handle. Cor that'e quite garbled but hopefully you get what I mean. VERY much agree that dogs are not handbags...
That is a good point, not everyone is honest! (And now we are back in the "handbag territory": "lost the dust bag and authenticity card, but the bag is totally authentic" (haha, from an authentic beach seller maybe ;)
But the breeders might not disclose a nervous disposition of one of the parents either (or might not even always know about it) or any early trauma that might have happened to the puppies.
I would go along to the Battersea facility, it is approved by Queen Camilla after all, and I would think that the professionals and volunteers there are interested in making a good match, not just getting rid of a dog or making a buck.
They should also be able to recommend a dog that suits your life style and might be there with tips and advice.
Or do you have any vets nearby? They might know someone who is looking to rehome (or know responsible breeders).