thinking of adopting a rescue dog

Gav's basically covered most of it!!

Myself and t'wife have recently done what you're thinking of and became 'parents' to an 8 week old labrador x viszla puppy and went from having very little dog experience (absolutely none in my case!) to properly thrown in at the deep end! She's now 8 months old and we've got a gorgeous, well behaved (mostly!) best mate for life. It is very hard work, but thoroughly worth it [bigsmile1]

We didn't want a small yappy dog either and my BIL has had viszlas in the past, so we knew the advantages (short haired, not massive hair shedders, not very 'doggy' smelling, VERY affectionate) and the disadvantages (very demanding, need a LOT of exercise/stimulation) and we stumbled upon the dog we now have by accident, but the labrador cross element does give her a brilliant temperament and the food obsession bit makes her easy to train. She's nowhere near as destructive as a collie for instance, but all our shoes are hidden in cupboards!!

My mate got a dog from a rescue place at the same time, some sort of mastiff cross, but no-ones quite sure, who was 5 months old at the time, already toilet trained, had basic puppy training etc. and he seems to have had an easier time of it. Not sure either myself or my wife could have coped with an 8 week old puppy on our own, so my recommendation is along the lines of your option 2).

Look at labrador crosses as others have said, they're less prone to pure lab hip problems and, depending on what they're crossed with, less likely to become a complete fatty and won't necessarily get that big. Ours is less than 18kg at the moment and will probably not get much above 20kg. I've also met a few people who have adopted retired greyhounds and they seem lovely, great temperament dogs.

Good luck, you won't regret it.
Oh and get RSPCA insurance!!

Do it. Dogs are wonderful. I reckon they are one of the best ways to improve your quality of life.

I am loyal to one particular breed (Retrievers) having grown up with them but its definitely worth doing some research to figure out which breed would suit you best. I am probably biased because I helped create it but Petbarn has a pretty good online tool for working out which breeds might work best for you - type of property, time available, energy levels, trainability etc. It's a good starting point for some research at least.

I understand the rules and regs are different in Australia but almost all our dogs in the UK were from 'mom and pop' breeders who were having a litter with a family pet. We found them in ads in the back of the local farming paper. All except for a couple of pups we got by breeding our dog with a family friend's bitch. I understand that that isn't allowed here. I suppose it makes sense but is a shame.

I wouldn't personally get a rescue because of a) wanting a particular breed and b) wanting to own it from a puppy but plenty of friends have rescues and not had any problems. And I can see that it's a good thing to do.

P.S. Anyone got any Golden Retriever pups for sale, let me know! [biggrin]

Just be aware that some breeds and individual dogs have behavior problems , and that is what leads them to be rescue dogs.
For example greyhounds are likely to not know to return to their owner when called . I spoke to a bloke on the beach at Kingscliffe once who had chased his for 7 hours. They have to wear a muzzle in NSW unless they have a Green card for behavior. They of course will chase any small animal . If you have the patience to persevere in training they are beautiful affectionate dogs, who love to sit on your lap where they are all legs and bones.

You are correct not to consider Kelpies or IMHO Border Collies or cattle dogs.

Siberian Huskies are noted for their independence ie disappearing for days if not confined or kept on a lead. My son had a Rottweiler /Husky cross and it was a great dog but very independent. They also drop literally kilos of hair in spring.

Staffies are great and love humans but hate cats.

Avoid any American Bull terrier crosses as IMHO they can be unpredictable and kill you .

My favourite is a Schnauzer or dare I say it a standard poodle . Labs are also great placid dogs but do not have a food "off " button and many have hip displasure problems as they get older.

Regards Philip A
PS If you can find a Labradoodle which are currently flavor of the month, they are probably the best pick of all

one thing ive identified that might cause an issue.

sometimes i like being left alone. a dog isnt going to understand that and will think its done something wrong.

If you want to walk and get fit, adopt a Greyhound. Mum had one. It was the sweetest natured dog. GAP here in Vic matches dog to owner. They screen all the dogs, so any with serious problems aren't adopted out. Mum had a dog, and he was big, but some of the bitches are actually not big at all. Bear in mind though, they are trained to chase, so any cats etc. will be in trouble. And, of course, the buggers can RUN.

Greyhound Adoption Program VIC | Adopt A Greyhound | GAP

SA may have something similar.

Dogs are brilliant. I could do with one atm, but it wouldn't be fair to the dog. You will need to consider your lifestyle, and also remember that there are many places where dogs aren't welcome.

As for wanting to be left alone, well most dogs recognise that, others not so much. Do you plan for an inside or outside dog? All my dogs have been allowed into the house, as they were all family, but maybe you don't want that. It needs to be considered before you choose a dog, as it's previous life will determine it's behaviour. Before the greyhound, mum had an OESD that she rescued from a puppy farm. It's whole life had been in a pen. It had no concept of toilet behaviour. You need to have access to some history, or you will need to be very patient, as getting angry with a dog is pointless, and has a bad effect on your relationship. Never forget, that is what it is. A dog will bond, and become the best mate you have, if you approach it the right way. It hurts when they go.

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Originally Posted by Eevo

one thing ive identified that might cause an issue.

sometimes i like being left alone. a dog isnt going to understand that and will think its done something wrong.

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Certain breeds will, yes. Others won’t care that you’ve stuck them in the back yard for the evening.

not keen on a Greyhound.

Cant go past a staffie, and they do get on with cats just fine. My brother has a westie and mum has a scottie, both beautiful dogs but expensive to buy and dont come up as rescues very often.
Go to a local shelter and see what they have and what you like.

I have always wanted a german shepherd, thinking of getting one in the future...anything negative about them??

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Originally Posted by Gordie

I have always wanted a german shepherd, thinking of getting one in the future...anything negative about them??

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Yes,they bite,come up from behind.

I did residential breakdowns for years,so came across all types of dogs.

Could be the way the particular dogs were brought up,I don’t know.

I prefer a dog to be up front,therefore you know where you stand,not come up from behind later on,sometimes an hour later and bite.

In all those years of doing residential calls,I only ever got bitten by German Shepards.

They also have hip displacia problems,as do many breeds.

Out of all the breeds we have had,the English Springer Spaniel we have now is probably for us,the best we have had.They are very active,need heaps of exercise,great watch dog,and a wonderfull companion.They are also very clean,come toilet trained and always poo way down in the back yard out of the way,or wait until they are on a walk.Even the pups we had,as soon as they could walk would go right to the end of the pen to do their business.
The do need regular clipping,and being food driven,have to be strict with food,only eats out of her bowl,no where else.

They are also naturally hunters,so have to be carefull with chooks,etc,although are very trainable and will learn to live with other animals.