Looking for new dog

[orezok]

Our Golden Retriever crossed the Rainbow Bridge back in September. Given a little time to adjust, it is now time to look for a new dog. The last 2 dogs were purebred Goldens raised from puppy and living 14 and 13.5 years. We are getting older and think it might be too much for us to start with a new puppy (and maybe unfair to the puppy).

We decided to look for a rescue and are fairly open to a large dog breed. The first 4 shelters we went to we noticed that more than half of their dogs and up to 3/4 are pit bulls or pit bull mixed. I have no problem with any dog in the right home with the right training, but I fear that many of these dogs will never find their forever home.

Most of the shelters we visited were "no kill" and I fear that the pits will spend the rest of their lives in a cage.

 

[1stDeuce]

Or they'll get shipped to less "left" places, where people aren't so predisposed to hate on them...

We recently had a little pup hanging around with a hurt front foot. He was the cutest little brindled fella, with floppy ears. None of the neighbors claimed to have seen him before, and he spent two nights with us before disappearing while we were out one day. We weren't locking him in when we left, for fear that someone would come looking for him... He was well fed.

Found out the next weekend that someone saw him wandering up by the road, and called him in. The shelter has him now, and they chose to amputate his leg. Evidently it had at one time been broken in several places, and had healed badly... His tail has some kinks by the end that are also due to it being broken. Rough life for a 5mo puppy... He has the blocky head of a pitt, so he's a mix of some sort. I think we're going to foster him if nobody takes him in a week or two... We said these were our last two dogs, and they're 11/12 now, but he was just such a nice cute little fella... He deserves a good home!

I'd encourage you to visit the shelters and take a few dogs for a walk and spend time with them. Both of our current dogs were shelter dogs, and they've been the BEST dogs. My dad is on his 3rd pure golden, and they've averaged 8 years for him... You're extremely blessed to have had yours live so long!!

Good luck in your search!!

 

[dickfoster]

Our Golden Retriever crossed the Rainbow Bridge back in September. Given a little time to adjust, it is now time to look for a new dog. The last 2 dogs were purebred Goldens raised from puppy and living 14 and 13.5 years. We are getting older and think it might be too much for us to start with a new puppy (and maybe unfair to the puppy).

We decided to look for a rescue and are fairly open to a large dog breed. The first 4 shelters we went to we noticed that more than half of their dogs and up to 3/4 are pit bulls or pit bull mixed. I have no problem with any dog in the right home with the right training, but I fear that many of these dogs will never find their forever home.

Most of the shelters we visited were "no kill" and I fear that the pits will spend the rest of their lives in a cage.

You might want to give petfinder.com a try. That's how I came across our last dog, a purebred schnauzer 5 month old male puppy. If you're picky about breed, gender, age etc. it might take a little patience but if you keep checking you may find exactly what you want like I did. You can search as wide of a geographic area as you like from local out to nationwide, plus you can add your preferences for age, gender, breed etc. The narrower your search criteria the longer it will likely take. They include listings from most rescuse agencies, breed specific rescuse outfits, pounds etc. so you're looking at much larger group. Celebrating 2 Years of Pet Adoption - Petfinder

 

[bigtiller]

less "left" places,

So now a dog breed is also a political choice?

 

[nybirdman]

If looking for a laid back rescue;I would look for a lab or lab mix.More inclined for a mixed breed as long as the other half wasn't Pit.Pure bred labs recently have had a lot of health problems and some are high strung field trail dogs so a mix may be a better choice.Love labs ;had them for 30+ years and they make great family/house dogs.
Our current dogs are all pointers;German Short-hairs and English pointers;great hunters but a little hyper for house dogs(all of ours are in the house).

 

[Streetcar]

My pit is the most loyal dog I ever had.
They will defend the pack ( mom and dad)with great intensity. Unneutered males cause most problems
Pits love to snuggle and be loved on.
With good training I have zero problems

 

[EarPlug]

You might like to try a "rescue" organization instead of a shelter. Try a google search like the one below

Google

 

[randy41]

my pit scotty is a great dog.

 

[Garandman]

less "left" places,

So now a dog breed is also a political choice?

"Breed specific" legislation was popping up in MA from around 2004, until it was banned.

 

[RNeumann]

My wife and I have had a lot of success with Cesar Millan and his teaching. He has books, videos and a few tv shows. The important thing for you guys it to find a dog that matches your level of energy. No sense getting a dog that needs a walk every day if that isn't your reality. It's hard to find bad dogs but easy to find bad owners- I have no issues with specific breeds. Once you understand your needs and life style you will able to narrow down your choices.

 

[Tomtint]

I also lost my dog in Sept. he was a 13 year old Weimariner, and I'm not sure I can explain how much I still miss him. One night I was looking on a few FB groups dedicated to Weims and came across someone who had a 9 month old she had to rehome. It was somewhat a leap of faith as we are in Mass and he was in TN. I sent her a bank check and arranged for a transporter. He showed up and has been a joy ever since. Maybe not all adoptions work out as well as ours but maybe they do, I don't know. I'm sure there must be breed specific forums on FB for virtually all types.

 

[nybirdman]

Congrats on the Weim;they are a nice dog. A friend of mine has a "Long Hair Weim"

 

[QRTRHRS]

I also lost my dog in Sept. he was a 13 year old Weimariner, and I'm not sure I can explain how much I still miss him. One night I was looking on a few FB groups dedicated to Weims and came across someone who had a 9 month old she had to rehome. It was somewhat a leap of faith as we are in Mass and he was in TN. I sent her a bank check and arranged for a transporter. He showed up and has been a joy ever since. Maybe not all adoptions work out as well as ours but maybe they do, I don't know. I'm sure there must be breed specific forums on FB for virtually all types.

No need to explain your grief or an attachment to a particular dog or breed. Glad that it worked out for you but I do have to take issue with the "check" part. And, do not take this personally but no dog needing to be "rehomed" should come with a price tag other than an adoption fee. There are just way to many puppy mills operating.

Overall, my feeling is that dogs and cats should be by law spayed and neutered in every state with tax payer money to supplement as needed to get started. Those whom choose to breed need to pay a breeder's fee. Said breeder's fee should eventually go to pay for low cost clinics until if ever, there is no need.

There are just way to many animals being put down for no other reason than that they are not wanted. The no-kill shelters are stretched to the limits to care for animals. Change is needed and needed now.

 

[1stDeuce]

less "left" places,

So now a dog breed is also a political choice?

Well, so far as I've seen, the places that have pitbull bans are big cities that tend to be fairly left leaning. Once you get away from those areas, there seems to be much less stigma about pit bulls being a "dangerous" breed, and they get adopted out more quickly.
That's all...

 

[Stowe Boy]

I grew up on purebreds. As I got older, I just figured I was a purebred type of guy. Mutts and rescues were for other people.

Then in 2004, my then girlfriend, now wife, rescued a pit mix. I yelled at her. I chastised her. I did not speak to her for a while. I just could not fathom why she would get that type of dog. I would have given her money for a purebred.

Then I got to know that dog - Denise (the Menace). He was great. Best fetch dog ever. Best bird dog I ever had. He could flush them out and retrieve as well as my friend's purebred hunting dogs. I could teach him anything.

Fast forward to today. We are on our 7th, 8th and 9th rescued dogs. (The other 6 are in dog heaven.) Of the current three, Two are pit mixes one is a cane corso mix. And when we see the right one, we will rescue again...most likely another pit mix.

Our 9 dogs all have been great and each the best at something. Fetch. Hunting. Retrieving. Protective. With kids. Swimming. Dock diving. Companion.

All I am saying is don't rule anything out. Dogs are like people. Each different. Each unique. Find the one that suits you.

Best of luck with your search. We expect pictures.

 

[orezok]

GREAT NEWS... We adopted a 9 year old Golden/Lab mix from a "kill" shelter in LA. I knew the minute I saw her that she was the one. She "talked" to my heart immediately. I think that I got the best of both breeds.

She came with a bad case of kennel cough and has started on antibiotics this morning.

We have a vet visit scheduled for next week to have her checked out.

 

[dickfoster]

GREAT NEWS... We adopted a 9 year old Golden/Lab mix from a "kill" shelter in LA. I knew the minute I saw her that she was the one. She "talked" to my heart immediately. I think that I got the best of both breeds.

She came with a bad case of kennel cough and has started on antibiotics this morning.

We have a vet visit scheduled for next week to have her checked out.

View attachment 495000

Good for you and more importantly good for the dog.

 

[TripleR]

For those who are still looking for a good rescue dog, it may sound strange, but you might want to check with your local Probation and/or Parole Office or Department of Corrections. Missouri like some other states have a program called "Pups for Parole" where rescue animals are trained by inmates or those on community supervision under department personnel. My son got a great predominantly German Shepard from Southeast Correctional Center and continued its training locally and is now a service dog he uses at work. He also works with the "Pups for Parole" program at his office.

Division of Adult Institutions

 

[tallyho8]

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, adopt a retired greyhound. They are great pets and make excellent house dogs. I adopted one who was 1 1/2 years old after I lost my last dog and instantly fell in love with him. They are very docile (if you don't have a cat), friendly, learn easy, and never growl or bite.

There are far too many of them being retired from the racetrack and unless they are adopted they meet a cruel fate. Adopt, don't buy a dog from a puppy mill because this just causes more great dogs to lose their lives.

My greyhound was trained not to chase my cats or chickens just by yelling at him twice, He now won't go near them. He loves to race! My golf cart goes 22 miles an hour as I drive my 1/4 mile driveway to my barn and he races me every time, stopping and coming back to meet me when he gets too far ahead. An average dog can run 25 miles an hour but the greyhound runs 45 mph. He is a thrill to watch when he hits top speed running down the driveway.

Their short hair makes them easy to care for and they will lie still and sleep for hours so you don't even realize they are there.

SAVE A LIFE; ADOPT A GREYHOUND!