Choosing a Rescue Dog

Choosing a rescue dog can be a difficult choice -all of our
Spanish strays are so grateful and lovable, and make such
wonderful pets, I wonder why anybody would ever want to buy from
a breeder.

If you have made up your mind to take one of our strays, or
indeed, any other rescued dog, do think very carefully about
which kind of dog would suit your particular lifestyle. The last
thing an unwanted dog needs is to find a loving home only to
discover that after a short while he is unloved again and
considered a nuisance.

If you are at home a good deal of the time and are active, there
is no reason not to enjoy long walks with a larger active dog
providing you have the space to accommodate him.

Many large dogs such as greyhounds or big heavy dogs do not need
as much exercise as smaller highly strung dogs- and greyhounds
in particular usually make docile pets.

If you work part-time (you really should not consider taking a
dog if there is nobody at home all day) a smaller less active
dog would not require such lengthy walks although many small
dogs are highly active. You should ask advice to the dog’s
particular needs from the refuge where the dog has been looked
after.

Don’t expect miracles when your dog first arrives. He will be
very confused especially if he is one of our Spanish dogs who
may well have spent years in the refuge or tied up somewhere.

With quiet love and understanding he will settle. Just give him
his own time and space to adjust. So many people want to make a
big fuss of the dog when he arrives, inviting friends and family
to meet him – but there will be plenty of time in the future for
this. Leave him be, just speaking in a friendly tone to him as
you go about the house. The less fuss you make- so will he.

Another consideration when deciding which rescue dog to choose
is whether you have time to spend grooming a long coat. If not
stick to a dog with short hair as long coats need regular
attention to keep them healthy.

Dog or Bitch? I personally really don’t have a preference.

All our dogs are neutered before arriving in England for
rehoming, and they all have distinct personalities.

If you already have one dog it is usually best to choose a
second one of the opposite sex, to avoid competion as to who is
going to be “top dog”.

If your reason for taking on a rescued dog is to provide your
existing dog with a friend, please be sure that you have the
patience and ability to persevere in the event that the first
dog does not like or accept his new friend.

A couple of dogs have been returned to me for this reason, not
through any fault of their own, just because the owners had not
thought it through first, and all it achieve was to make an
insecure little dog even more insecure.

Young or Old? Lastly do consider an “oldie” if you can. They are
usually wonderful pets and great characters. It is so sad that
they are forgotten especially when

if like our Spanish strays they have been confined to a refuge
for years. Some say they are institutionalised and will not
settle but this simply is not true. I have rehomed several (whom
were thought to be quite ancient) but am pleased to say they are
still going strong after five or six years!

Whichever dog you decide on make sure you have given the matter
some careful thought.

Think carefully before taking him Do not expect too much from
him at first Give him lots of love and you will receive lots in
return!