[Lardman]

I'm torn... I've been dithering over this for ages, asking locally hasn't help me make a decision either so I pose the question to the collective.

I'm looking for something med/small, short haired, none "yappy" with a medium exercise requirement.  I'm home most days, have a 200ft+ secure"ish" garden and a park opposite, Im considering a staffie as they seem to tick all the boxes.There are lots of places round here which rescue staffies and I'm sure I can convince them Im not a thug - hopefully.

I was brought up with English Bulldogs and have always considered a dogs temperament to be nurture rather than nature, most of the rescue dogs are older and obviously have had problem pasts.  It's been a very long time since I kept a dog and Im concerned that it wouldn't be fair to the dog (or me) if I was to take on something I couldn't cope with,  would I be better starting with a 'clean slate' and getting something younger.

[allotmentann]

Not all rescue dogs have had bad pasts. I used to visit a local RSPCA frequently and lots of animals are in there because their owners have died, had to move into rented accomodation where they are not allowed pets, cannot afford to keep them, had children and can't manage, or simply find that a dog requires more time and energy than they have. Many of them are very well trained and are lovely animals. (I have a rescue cat, he had been picked up as a stray, they traced his owners and they simply didn't want him back. He is the most gentle, good natured affectionate cat you could wish for and I cannot comprehend why someone would not want him).
And my local centre has a basic description of every animal for you to read as you go round, telling you its temperament, why it is in there, whether it is trained, if it will require a lot of exercise etc.
I am not saying don't get a puppy, but do go and take a look at the rescuue centres before doing so, you may just fall in love with a little treasure needing a new home. The only hard thing is sticking at one!!

[finleyfreyaseth]

its nice to be able think you rescuing a dog giving it another chance as you stated most of the times problems arent the dog its the owner. but whats all ready ingrained in the dog from previous owner can be trouble ,an ex workmate took on a rescue dog from rspca when i saw it a told him hed have massive trouble(it was bullxgreyhound badly marked up face ) sure enough 3mths later it turned on him why tryin murder is auntys cat ,so my advice is puppy.just suggestion BEDLINGTON TERRIER ive had two both grown up with young children never had single problem great little dogs and they dont moult but need haircuts.

[joyfull]

please please do go down the rescue route and especially a Staffy or Staffy x. They used to be called the nanny dog and on the Staffy facebook site where I am an admin I could show you just why they got this name we have photos by the bucket load of happy staffies with babies through to old grannies. You do have to remember that they are highly intelligent and do need stimulation. They have strong jaws so when choosing toys go for things like the black coloured kong toys or the yellow and black tough toys from Pets at home and also large stag bars.
Before being allowed to adopt you will have to undergo a home check - this will include making sure your garden is secure - fences need to be high to prevent the dog from escaping, you will have to show where they will sleep - mine sleep in the living room. Get the address of your local vets so that you can show where you will be taking your dog for it's annual boosters and any treatment it will need.
Remember when you adopt a dog you aren't just rescuing that dog but freeing up a space for another dog thus in effect giving two dogs the chance of finding it's forever home  
Here is a photo of my little Rosie after her speying operation when she was one (this was our birthday present to her - she no longer runs the risk of pyometra) - she was born in a rescue centre and is a Staffy x English bull terrier.

[joyfull]

for every bad report of a bull breed dog I can show you a bad report about another breed of dog.
I also have a Neapolitan Mastiff another dog that frightens people but she is as soft as anything and a Newfoundland x.
All you have to remember with any type of dog is that they are a pack animal and you have to let them know you are the leader of that pack.

[plum crumble]

and it is also important to match the temperament of the dog to you in terms of energy levels. a young puppy might drive you bonkers, even though you love them dearly!

[Oliveview]

All our dogs are ´rescue´ dogs-  Lola, a Jack Russell cross, she came from a dog refuge, I went to look at an Italian Whippet but Lola insisted we look at her instead.  Jumbo (a medium sized terrier type) was born to an abandoned dog out in the olive grove. Then came Charlie.a pure Labrador, he was at the refuge I help at, he had been hit by a car, ran off and was then found in a park terrified.  He is a big dopey lump of a dog, he was terrified of even a dog collar being put on him when I went to put a collar on him, so we had to carry him to the car, he would not walk he just lay as flat as he could on the ground.  What he had been put through before he arrived at the refuge I do not know.  He is much better now, still nervous at times, like when I put a new name tag onto his collar last week  and had to take his collar off, we had to chase him to get it back on, he again was terrified.   
Then comes the last dog, Timón, a small terrier type, he too was at the refuge, he had been attacked by some big dogs, at the refuge, so he came here to recover from his bad wounds, that was last August/September time.....   he is here to stay now.

So I am all for going for a rescue dog, as Joyful says, one dog re-homed is 2 dogs saved.
 
We once had a border collie cross, from a pup, he had to be put to sleep, he was forever being teased by our neighbours children as they ran along the path that went to the back of the other houses,  in the end Sam bit one of the boys, but the boys mother said it was her sons fault.  A little while later he bit my cousin´s daughter for no reason, so we went to see the vet about re-homing him and the vet said he was too ´damaged´ (he had also bitten the postman)  so we had to have him put to sleep. I was expecting a baby at the time. Sam also broke a window once barking at people as they went by. He was a really mad dog.   We had another border collie a few years later, and she was completely different, she was as daft as a brush and not nasty at all, they were as different as could be. So what I am trying to say is, even having a dog from a puppy can turn out to be not so good! 

Pamela

[Thrift]

I too would support the rescue idea. There are so many dogs without homes that I fail to see why people keep breeding more!

If you really do want to go for a puppy then there are lots of litters available for rescue. There is one rescue, here in Ireland, which specialises in pups and sends them, by the van load, to England on a weekly basis. I'm sure you're aware of the time commitment and training required in raising a pup, and the possible shredding of a few possessions. 

As Joy says - staffies are great dogs!

[Daamoot]

I rescued my Spaniel from the local dog home 9yrs ago and haven't regretted it since.  I was lucky enough to get him when he was young (9months) and although he does have a few attachment issues, they're nothing that would put me off getting another rescue.  The only reason I wouldn't rescue my future dogs would be if I wanted to start breeding them but that would be a long way off if we ever decide to.  There are so many homeless dogs out there its heartbreaking that more people don't go down that road and I can assure you that after you visit a rescue centre, you'll feel terrible not to help one.  With Christmas just passed there is a good chance of unwanted puppies being left with a centre so it could be worthwhile visiting a centre a few times every week or two until you find the one that's right for you.  Good luck with your decision and dog hunt and keep us updated (with photos)  :happy:

[grinling]

Contact the local rescue centres and visit the dogs, some might let you foster the dog before adopting it. They will also check you out as much as you check them.
Friend across the road has a rescue staffie which was a puppy when they got him, he is now 3. Someone else I know had a staffie which was recued by the police from a fighting gang and his staffie was fab.

[ANHBUC]

If you do rehome a rescue dog they will do follow ups and if the dog doesn't settle for any reason they will take it back.  I know it is not ideal for a dog to be passed from pillar to post but it is not good for the dog or the owner if they are not compatable.  As others have said they do get young dogs as well so it is always worth getting in touch.  At the end of the day the rehoming centres have more experience than most of us so they should point you in the right direction.

www.rspca-worcester.co.uk/index_files/DOGSREHOMING.htm

Good luck with your search and don't feel you have to rush into it.  I am sure you will know the right dog when you meet him/her.

[Dawnuss]

Its great your considering rescuing a staffie they are always over looked and make great dogs, I am studying dog psychology andvhave only had to work with one staff it was my frinends dog and it wasnt because she was agressive it was because she was scared of pretty much everythink   not quite so scary. 2 of my own dogs have been attacked and niether time was it a staffie or bull type breed. Most rescues know the background of a dog and if not they assess the animal to a point of knowing them. And whatever people say you can teach an old dog new tricks with a good pocket full of tasty treats   lol. Im sure youll make a great owner and good luck with finding your new addition. Like Daamoot said after Christmas rescues are full of young dogs and puppies.

[joyfull]

Here is a list of 12 rescues in the Worcester area :_

http://www.rescuedirectory.co.uk/animals/worcestershire/page1.html

Please do not choose the first one you see but take your time and decide which will suit your situation best whether it is a pup or a golden oldie 

[Lardman]

I don't do anything quickly ... it's taken a year to get to this stage.

Im at what I would consider the last point I would take on a puppy because of the commitment level, which is possibly making my decision more difficult.  It's not the cute puppy thing that attracts me - but the bond created between dog / owner during the early stages of development.

I certainly don't consider staffies any more troublesome than any other breed - anything with teeth can bite   

All the local places are bookmarked and I check their sites regularly.  I have a little bit of an issue with their ownership policy of the dogs but it's not a deal breaker.

I have no doubt I could work with an older dog, but I worry 5-6 years from now it might for a split second regress to it's former life and cause a problem.

It's probably my main stumbling block, I've talked myself in and out of the situation several times. 

[Dawnuss]

Have you been to any of your local centres yet as u could arrange a visit and talk over your concerns and explain what you are looking for. I understand what you mean by a puppy and its bond with you and you being the one to model the doh you want but as for an older dog regressing to its former life i can assure you dogs live in the here and no. Once youve built a stong bond with an older dog you will be its new here and now. And dont worry im the worst person in the world for making a desicion and going round and round it drives my oh mad. I will say the fact that your taking your time and questioning shows that when you make a final decision it will be the right one