[Nicki85]

Well,i've considered getting another dog for a while now and as I've just got the go-ahead to start working from home part of the week it seems like the ideal time 

So... after contacting Battersea they suggested I come see Alfie, a 3yo Sharpei x Lab.  Apparently he gets on nicely with all other animals (important- I have a 14yo springer, chooks, rabbits, a cat and a 6yo nephew!) I also go horse riding and it would be nice for him to come down the yard. 

Now originally I was after a collie x to do some agility with!  But I have been assured that Alfie would enjoy training... They also know his full history so that is a plus!

Does anyone have any advice on this x breed or taking on a rescue?

It's all very exciting- I just hope Tess gives her approval 

[Thrift]

This subject is very close to my heart, as others will know,  ( see Bessie and Brood ). Bessie is a rescue lab and is an absolute darling. Sorry I have never heard of Sharpei so know nothing of them.

If you fancy an eight week old lab X pup, all of bessie's litter went to Dorset Dog Rescue this week and are seeking permanent homes. ( totally unashamed plug here  ). Whatever you decide it is wonderful to take a rescue dog and I applaud you for that. Good luck and pics please of your new family member.

[joyfull]

I have no experience of Sharpeis but they are lovely looking dogs  .
I get rescues and have always been encouraged by Babbington Rescue where my dogs come from to take my older dogs along to meet and greet their prospective new brother/sister. Could you do this with Battersea?

[Nicki85]

I would love a little bundle of lab x pup!  But we aren't home all the time and that's not fair on a puppy    I have to work three days a week in the office so new dog will have to be left 8-5 those days with a dog walker at lunchtime on those days.  I expect that they will be snapped up though the minute they go on the website!! They are soooo cute  

Battersea won't let us take him until Tess has meet him and given her approval   he has kennel cough at the moment though so she will need inoculating first... I'm going to be so nervous! (even though she is the least dominate bitch in the world!).

[Dawnuss]

 All dogs are individuals and you can never judge fully by breed. Sharpei's over history have been used as guard dogs so they are willing to work and although may not excel like a collie would probably still eagerly learn agility and labs well they are always eager to learn. Any dog will if you make it fun.  sharpei's are very unusual gorgeous looking dogs. Also if it has lots of wrinkles keep them clean but giving a quick sponge wash between them regularly  Good look would love to see pics.

[Thrift]

You are absolutely right Nicki - a small pup wouldn't suit your circumstances.

Good luck with the meeting, I hope they take to each other. 

[1st time veg grower]

We have all kinds of dogs at our agility club and because its all reward based, I don't know one who doesn't enjoy it!

Now having trained for a couple of years I know it isn't just collies that do well at it. Both my dogs ARE Collie Crosses but there are some disadvantages - they always have to work ahead because they are impossible to keep up with, so really become reliant on following verbal commands rather than visual cues and you have to get into position quickly! There is also a ABC (Anything But Collies) competition at most clubs/shows. The labs at our club are really accurate, whereas in their rush to be quick borders can sometimes knock down fences and thus gain faults.

Seriously whatever kind of dog you get big, small, fast, slow - they will love agility!

[Agatha]

Oooh, how exciting!  Let us know how you get on.  No experience at all of that cross - only ever worked with collies or collie crosses, but all rescue dogs are different anyway & a full history is definitely a plus as you are more likely to know about anything that might worry or upset him.  The only thing I'd say is not to rush anything - give him lots of time & space to get used to new things.  I know some people say it takes 6 months for a rescue to settle in, and other people say a year, but I think it depends very much on the dog & on how much upheavel he's had in the past.  Good luck with finding your new friend  . 

[Nicki85]

Well to update I went to see the lovely Alfie today! He was very sweet but unfortunately not quite what I was looking for.  I like really "sharp" dogs that are almost one step ahead of you, he was definitely one step behind!  He was also mastiff build and I couldn't see him jumping (maybe bulldozing?!).  He will make someone the perfect family pet and they have another 5 homes lined up for him.  It was so difficult though, he was such a lovely dog but just not MY dog 

The search continues!

[MJS]

Well to update I went to see the lovely Alfie today! He was very sweet but unfortunately not quite what I was looking for.  I like really "sharp" dogs that are almost one step ahead of you, he was definitely one step behind!  He was also mastiff build and I couldn't see him jumping (maybe bulldozing?!).  He will make someone the perfect family pet and they have another 5 homes lined up for him.  It was so difficult though, he was such a lovely dog but just not MY dog 

The search continues!

That's disappointing, but at least you had the courage to say no and wait for the dog that is right for you. 

[Thrift]

That must be the hardest part, turning down a dog 

You are so wise to make sure you find the right one, after all they are for life. I think we all know the right type for us. For me it is the eyes, apart from a fairly athletic build. I love those open intelligent eyes that seem to be always enquiring 'what next?'

Good luck with the search, there are lots and lots out there waiting for homes.

[tosca100]

That must be the hardest part, turning down a dog 

You are so wise to make sure you find the right one, after all they are for life. I think we all know the right type for us. For me it is the eyes, apart from a fairly athletic build. I love those open intelligent eyes that seem to be always enquiring 'what next?'

Good luck with the search, there are lots and lots out there waiting for homes.

I'm with you here Thrift, eyes are important to me too, and an athletic build. (Might sound odd with having a lab, but she is athletic still!)

Saying that, I watched Casualty this morning, and there was a Mastiff with gorgeous face, but he was about as athletic as me! Can't cope with slobber though!

There will be the right dog out there for you Nicki, but I know how you feel. We actually brought one home as companion for Bonnie, and had to return him next day, heartbreaking, but he wasn't right for our girl, even though they got on great at introduction.

[Dawnuss]

Aww shame but well done for putting lots of thought into the dog you choose far too many rescue dogs end up back because of impulse buyers.  I like dogs that have that cheeky look about them. Although having 3 that i chose because they looked cheeky i have my hands full    but at least they are full of character and i wouldnt change them for the world  :happy:

[Nicki85]

I think because my current dog is a very quick and intelligent Springer that any dog I adopt will have to have the same quick thinking mentality!  I've contacted a couple of specialist collie and Springer rescues so hopefully they will be able to find a suitable dog for me 

It was seriously hard with Alfie as he was such a lovely dog but I could see him in a family home running around with the kids... not marching up mountains and going to agility competitions with me.  When they said they had other homes lined up it made me feel not quite as bad.  Funnily enough my mum loved him- he would have been the ideal dog for her!

[compostqueen]

I picked the one that was most unlikely to be rehomed

I lived to regret it as he was a total person!  He needed someone to take him on though and I loved him despite the turmoil he put me through on a daily basis.  No-one else could have put up with him as he was so difficult to deal with 

Had I been more sensible I would have made my life much easier, and that of my family and neighbours. I think you are right to be careful and not rush such a life-changing decision.