rescue dog vs puppy

[fredsredhat]

the mrs and i have been talking of getting another dog, staffy to be precise. we have a lurcher and a cat already and a 2 yr old boy. we used to (before Ellis was born) foster and help out at the local rescue centre, but with a newborn in the equation taking unknown dogs on was a risk too far so we had to postpone that.

So my heart says we have to rescue a dog, i've personally dealt with probably 10 staffies and they've all turned out to be nice pets but 1 or 2 with dog aggression problems (owner caused ) im also fully aware of the 6 week honeymoon period.

Now if we got a pup it'd be 100% socialised, completely trained in the direction we want i.e. cats, dogs, kids etc. but that'd be feeding the fire that is staffy overbreeding.

I've had a staff before, he was "my" dog in that in the 13yrs i had him we saw girlfriends come and go, moved house a few times, and with my partner foster dogs, cats, and the birth of my son and he just took it ALL in his stride, so im also aware that i dont want to replace him but as a breed they are superb.

any thoughts BCF?

[WannaBeDude]

https://www.cesarsway.com/
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[scorps]

I am all for rescue pets over bought, I have four rescue cats and one indulgence main coon i bought. However, bring a two year old child into the equation and I would not go for a rescue dog of any breed. an older child who can respect an animal is fine but two year olds are unpredictable and without knowing the full history i dont think I personally could risk it.
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[hellkat]

Please rescue a dog.

There are so many staffs out there; the rescues are full of them, its heartbreaking.
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[WannaBeDude]

New dog laws are needed ref breeding and buying ...
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[Rogerborg]

Why is a wife, a dog, a cat, a 2 year old and a bike not already enough for you?
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[dgo1212]

People are always going to breed staffies regardless of wether you buy one or rescue one, I bought a puppy that is now 5 month old, spent about 2 of the 5 month inbetween wishing I'd rescued one, I've done everything by the book and he was still chewing everything and pissing in the house, have reverted to my old mans training tactics which involve rubbing snout in piss and slaps on the nose, different dog now , wouldn't be to sure about bringing a rescue staffy into a household that already has a dog and a cat though, could be a recipe for disaster

[Minty]

[tbourner]

DEFINITELY rescue.

Although you'd be wise to approach some rescues first off too see what their policies are on your situation. Some might just turn around and flatly refuse because you have cats for example.

So advise looking into it first, talk to them maybe get a homecheck booked and ask the homecheck volunteer about the types of dogs they have in at the moment - you'll get a gut feel for whether they just want to get rid of dogs or if they genuinely try to match dogs to homes. That's assuming you get a homechecker from the rescue and not some homecheck helpers website.

Other option is most rescues have a facebook page, post on there about your situation and see what the staff have to say.

Once you've exhausted these options, and know for certain that you can't rescue one or still don't feel comfortable about the dogs they're offering, then look at breeders - PROPER breeders who add you to a list and demand homechecks and ask YOU questions rather than just giving you a price. AVOID gumtree/preloved.
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[Ronin]

I personally would buy a pup with a small child.I wouldn't take the chance with a rescue.Also most of the so-called staffs in rescues are cross's of all sorts.

Go and find a reputable staff breeder and buy a good one.Not just out of the local paper.

[neatbik]

I would say get a pup.
Normally i'm all for rescue centre dogs (done it myself a couple of times), but with a small kid i would want to know and raise the dog from the start.

Too many unknowns with a rescue dog.

[Tonka]

Tricky one!

A pup will be a lot of extra work on top of your family commitments, whereas a grown up dog will hopefully fit into your lifestyle much quicker and smoother, especially if they've come from a similar background.

Many of the current rescue dogs are not problem dogs, but are family dogs where folk have had to give them up due to financial and housing issues. Providing you go to a reputable rescue centre who are fully aware of you circumstances, I see no reason why a rescue wouldn't be ok.

I think if I was in your position I would investigate a rehome/rescue with my eyes wide open and if I was unable to find a dog that was suitable then I'd look at getting a puppy.
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[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

^^^Agreed...as in it's a tricky one, I also suspect it would be easier to return a rescue dog.....and probably less stressful for all concerned.
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[fredsredhat]

thanks for the replies, we're looking at the rescue sites and as we used to be heavily involved in volunteering we're putting the feelers out for what dogs are where. an older dog would be fine but we're relying on someones word that they're ok with kids, but with our lurcher which we "rescued" from a pikey (found him locked in a transit van for 23 hrs a day as a 6 week old pup) we KNOW he's bomb proof when it comes to excitable play from an energetic 2 yr old. we're not rushing into anything so it's going to be after xmas, although the mrs has seen a great dane x german sheppard she's fell in love with

[TUG]

I'd rather rescue than buy a new pup, a lot of the time you can re-home a pup from a rescue centre.
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[fredsredhat]

update as all of the rescue centres we've approached have flatly turned us down on the grounds of us having a cat or dog. none were overly bothered we had a child (which is a bit worrying) so if anyone knows of a good female staffy pup.............

[ScaredyCat]

[WannaBeDude]

Preloved, wait for the right dog, see a few if need be, pay some cash, take dog home.
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[Lone-Wolf]

[Lord Percy]

Definitely a rescue dog. Loads of staffies gonna be available I reckon, what with all the chavs getting one and wanting to look tough, then when they have puppies the get rid of them all.

And how do I know this?

My parents just last week got a rescued staffy, only a few months only, found almost lifeless, skin and bones, wondering the streets of Doncaster.

[Nexus Icon]

My money's on the dog. No way will a puppy win.

Where's the fight being held?
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[andrew]

I agree with Hellkat, rescue dog all the way. There are so many unwanted dogs out there that need to be given a chance.

I know people say that people will always breed but by buying a puppy you're just supporting the idea that people can make money from it.

Up to you of course but after having a rescue greyhound and now a rescue staff i would never get a dog any other way.

[Alpha-9]

Staffies are the loveliest most harmless dogs with the right owner, they don't deserve their rep

Rescue dog ftw, but be careful if you've got kids and they've come from an aggressive background

Lurchers creep me out, they're so lurchy
but not as much as this thing https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/09/14/article-0-15007123000005DC-669_634x513.jpg
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[Alpha-9]