rwade545 Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 Moving into a house house with the misses in August. We have been looking at a lab puppy but a friend who works at a rescue centre has a 15 month old black lab just in. He apparently gets on well with all the other dogs and has a great temprament. My misses has fallen for him already and loves him and is going to meet him Tuesday next week. What is everyone's opinion of rescue dogs, know there is an article in shooting times this this week? We both work and so a slightly older dog is not a bad thing compared to a puppy. Regards. She is sending me some pics I will upload when I get them. Sorry for any spelling mistakes- onto the second bottle of red wine. :s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwade545 Posted June 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 this is him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wraivi Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 He looks like a good lad. Tine spent with the dog will tell and good on ya, sport, for offering him a place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 If its specifically for a working gundog don't, reason being your working with unknown breeding. If its for a pet then go for it yet remember you could get all sorts of health issues come out through careless breeding also. The fact that you can take a Lab from a rescue centre and turn it into an acceptable gundog is notable because its against the odds and generally harder than working with good stock. To fully train a gundog from good breeding takes a lot of time and still some don't make the grade. Breeding is insuring the odds that's all speaking inherited faults, drive and health Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E.w. Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 I also would air on the side of caution here, it can have to many pitfalls and the odds are against you from the start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie57 Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 Agree with Kent, but saying that he does look like a cracker, think it may be a case of heart over mind. Could you really leave him at the rescue centre. I'm sure you could train him to a decent standard irrelevant of his background. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wraivi Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 (edited) Agree with Kent, but saying that he does look like a cracker, think it may be a case of heart over mind. Could you really leave him at the rescue centre. I'm sure you could train him to a decent standard irrelevant of his background. +1There are plenty of non-pedigree dogs that have been successfully trained and vice versa. Odds are against you if you want a championship gundog, but if he's going to be a family dog first, and a helpful shooting companion second.....go for it. Edited June 21, 2014 by wraivi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwade545 Posted June 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 I agree with all the above, have discussed possible health problems with my partner. The dog will be a pet for 350 days of the year and my shooting companion for the other 16 on a small walk up shoot so not looking for a field trial champion. I understand training could be harder, my first lab came from a long line of champions and was so eager to please and train. As has been said I think she has her heart set on him and rescuing him so will have to discuss all with her in detail over the weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jam1e Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 We've always had rescue dogs. If possible, you should try and get as much of his history as you can. It may explain any odd behaviour he may show, or help you to avoid things that may stress him out. Having had numerous rescue dogs for many years, their temperaments can vary wildly! We've had a small Terrier/Jack Russell for around 4-5 years now. We were told she was previously owned by ******. And despite being spoilt rotten since we've had her, she is still reluctant to approach males, and probably always will be.... It can take a hell of a lot of time and effort to get a badly abused dog to trust you! But it's very rewarding! Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compo90 Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 Its is always easier to train a puppy with the right minerals (I.e. Bred from working lines) That said I grew up on a farm, there were farm collies used for herding and driving cattle.... One a really highly bred sheep dog given to the farmer by a sheep dog trialler as part trained absolutely useless with bullocks and in fact anything else was even difficult to work with ducks...... And a stray that the farmers dad found... The stray collie ended up the best and bravest cattle dog I have ever seen, reliable, obedient and brave ...... When the cattle didn't want to move he made them. Good luck with the dog, doesn't sound like he will be a work dog only more a pet that gets to chase a few pheasants on shoot days..... I have been beating with a lurcher before, there were terriers, bull terriers all sorts in that beating line Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 I was once given a 6 month old lab bitch from a farmer because she was a chicken killer. She had one five pence piece size spot of white behind one front paw, so she wasnt a true bred. She turned out a brilliant rough shooting dog. She would point, retrieve, fearless in brambles, and a strong water dog. She wasnt a field trial dog by far, but did everything i needed. Good luck with your rescue dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 Just remember, you don't get the truth from some rehoming centres. No fan of the RSPCA but they wont home a dog with you if it will be left for the longest part of the day- so its not them (their actual criteria is so in depth its a wonder they find homes for any). An interesting case recently of the dog re-homed from a centre as ok for kids that shortly after killed the ladys daughter, not saying this is the case but remember dogs can have quirks. A read a book by the lady who started the special assistance dog training program in the States, she was given an Lab that freaked out and attacked her very badly under certain conditions (not under force or subjected to any aggression I hasten to add). Can you sacrifice those 16 days if the dog is noisy or crushes game to a pulp or has other issues beyond what good training and handling can achieve? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2sledge Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 We did the same thing about 4years ago with a chocklet lab from the RSPCA we put him on a diat as he was very fat took about 1/12stone off him and he has made a fine family pet and hide dog my old jack Russell soon put him in his place There are to many people breeding dogs the dogs homes are full of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 Bit of research int why it was rescued first Happy wife !!! Always good If he seems biddable and doesn't have any dangerous issues and your happy to put in the work why not All the best Of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moor man Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 It is what it is......a gamble, you may be lucky and end up with a trustful member of the family but if your considering a family of your own dont do it. If you have a puppy from 10wks or so you have a clean page to start with. If all goes well he will be with you for a long time (10 years, hopefully more) The cost of a well bred dog spread over 10 years + is a small price to pay for peace of mind. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwade545 Posted June 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 Well the misses went up to have a look with her friend who is veterinary trained. Feeling is he is a probably under a year of age. Accordingly it was love at first sight and she has decided she has to have him. I felt that I would have no choice in the matter once she had made her mind up. He was apparently found as a stray and not reduce dog as such. He has a lovely temperament and is very friendly to people and other dogs. Will try and keep people updated on how he progresses. Now just 3 weeks on call till I get to meet him. He is a little thin but will get fed up and training will commence when I return. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aled Posted June 25, 2014 Report Share Posted June 25, 2014 Cracking looking dog good luck. Sadly i missed last weeks shooting times, is anybdoy out there able to scan the article and email it to me about rescue dogs?(it would be appreciated) I'd be interested to read what ST have to say. There is often an advert in the Field about resuce dogs. Cheers Aled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E.w. Posted June 25, 2014 Report Share Posted June 25, 2014 Nice dog and the best of luck to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireboy Posted June 25, 2014 Report Share Posted June 25, 2014 good luck with him its good to see that there are people like you who are willing to give a dog a good home and a chance before they right them off as a shooting companion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingo15 Posted June 26, 2014 Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 I used to foster for a springer rescue, to be honest i found that the main reasons people got rid of their dogs was numpties that saw a cute puppy not realising that without the proper time and training they turn into devil dogs haha. A friend of mine rehomed a returned black lab puppy from a breeder after the woman returned it. Then after a few weeks of having her he had a call from the breeder saying he may need a statement from him about how the dog is behaving as the first lady who had her was taking him to court. Due to the fact of there was something wrong with the dog as she acts completely mad compared to her other lab who is 12yrs old!!!!!!!!!!!! The world is full of mad people. Good luck on your new dog hope all goes well for you, It definitely is a good feeling to rehome a dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 26, 2014 Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 I used to foster for a springer rescue, to be honest i found that the main reasons people got rid of their dogs was numpties that saw a cute puppy not realising that without the proper time and training they turn into devil dogs haha. A friend of mine rehomed a returned black lab puppy from a breeder after the woman returned it. Then after a few weeks of having her he had a call from the breeder saying he may need a statement from him about how the dog is behaving as the first lady who had her was taking him to court. Due to the fact of there was something wrong with the dog as she acts completely mad compared to her other lab who is 12yrs old!!!!!!!!!!!! The world is full of mad people. Good luck on your new dog hope all goes well for you, It definitely is a good feeling to rehome a dog. I recon she returned without refund then LOL quite rightly by the breeder if that the case. Think it might be forgivable if you had a puppy that behaved like a 12 year old to try and get a refund. I know some breeders now have a very long list of terms and conditions for you to sign before they let you take a pup now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bull dog Posted June 26, 2014 Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 I've got two rescue labs both had terrible back grounds the first bitch I got at 10mts old she is now nearly 3 and a fantastic companion and working dog and the second one I got at 9mths he is now 15mths and a cracking worker full of drive and just wants to please just lucky Maybe it can b done a lot of work undoing somone else's mess but once you sort out the basics jobs a goodun good luck and enjoy I'm sure he will repay your kindness with interest mine have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwade545 Posted July 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 It is with much sadness and heart ache that I have to say that Meeko has passed away. He was to come home on Thursday last week but sadly on the day he was to come home he became unwell. He developed Parvovirus and despite waging his tail through the illness and until the end he was put to sleep today. He was unable to lift his head up and after 5 day of a drip and supper at the vets it was decided he was too weak, and thin to survive and had developed a secondary infection, and he was now in pain. Please, I beg all you dog owners, check your dogs vaccinations are up to date, it is a horrible disease that can be prevented. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bull dog Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 I feel for you mate I lost a bitch 2 weeks after I got her from rescue to parvovirus the most heart breaking thing I have ever been through all for the sake of a £20 vaccination they told me she was all up to date she was only 9mths old and died in my arms outside the vets broke my heart mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aled Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Sorry to hear that. Condolences. Cheers Aled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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