looking for a new dog!

amacca · 15-07-2011 6:54pm #1

just looking for a bit of advice

looking for a dog (as a pet - not a guard dog)

I've had collies and a golden retriever and springer spaniels before.......mixed feelings on the collies (I found they really needed a lot of attention and exercise and were hard to train - not as sheepdogs but just in terms of not acting aggressively towards visitors / chasing cars / leaving droppings all over the place)

I found the spaniel and the golden retriever to be ideal....very active dogs too but happy to accompany me when working (outdoors) able to entertain themselves and generally very friendly and loyal and not prone to sneaking off, running after cars etc..easy to train and quite obedient.

have acres of space (literally) but looking for a good quality dog, had my heart more or less set on a golden retriever but was also considering an Irish wolfhound so two questions really.

1) last dog I had I rescued from the pound - gorgeous liver and white springer - by far the best dog I ever had

does anyone on here know the best pounds to contact (leinster area but dont mind travelling) / how to specify what you want etc, how this works now

(when I went last you were not allowed go out back to view the dogs, the warden said he would look out for what you wanted and lo and behold after about 6 weeks he did but just wondering if anything has changed)

2) was considering buying an irish wolfhound (while avoiding puppy farms as per sticky above)

bad idea? .....I've heard they are not territorial but protective of their owners and do not consume as much food as you would think given their size - any thoughts on the breed from owners out there...is the ikc the best place to get info from owners about them etc

basically just looking for a pet...but the dog will be well treated / well fed etc

3) anyone know whats the best way of getting a list of breed specific rescues?

any help/advice appreciated

toadfly · 15-07-2011 7:01pm

Hi OP,

Can't comment on breeds only to say I love golden retrievers are gorgeous dogs. I got one of my dogs direct from Ashton pound near Finglas and one other from Ashton via a rescue. They have a facebook page, you have to go to meet the dogs and fill in a request form.

Best of luck with your furry friend

Shanao · 15-07-2011 7:03pm

If its a wolfie you're thinking of, then you can contact the Irish Wolfhound club of Ireland. They will know of any wolfies in need of rehoming. http://www.iwcofireland.com/
They are amazing dogs, very gentle and extremely loyal, but can be a tad protective if not properly socialised with other people and dogs.

Dirk Gently · 15-07-2011 7:09pm

If you're going the dog pound route drop into dogs trust at the finglas exit on the m50. I was really impressed with them. All their dogs are vacc'd and nurtured. They really look after them up there, lots of staff, in house vets and free behaviour advise anytime after you leave if you need it. They give you the full dog history, vet sheets, dates times, what meds / food the dog was given. They give you a few weeks worth of dog food, 6 weeks pet insurance, lead / collar etc when you pick up the dog. Their fee is 100 euro so great value when you think of what you get for your 100 euro.

I picked up a lovely Belgian shepherd cross a month or so ago. You can go into the kennels and see all the dogs and then spend some time walking them and letting them off the lead up in their grounds. They update their web page each friday with new pics of their dogs if you want to keep an eye on it. I was watching the page for a while until I seen the type of dog I wanted updated on their page. http://www.dogstrust.ie/dogs-for-rehoming/

bmarley · 15-07-2011 7:12pm

You could contact egar they're in Galway.

Justask · 15-07-2011 7:28pm

If I was you I would go with a springer again.. they are just the best dogs ever IMO (even though mine decided today to point blank refuse to get back into the car :rolleyes:) And if you have land they just love that as you know...Im not:D bias btw

Dogs trust Ireland have a lovely black spaniel on their site.

lorebringer · 15-07-2011 8:35pm

Some good rescue sites:

www.irishanimal.ie
www.dogstrust.ie
www.inistiogepuppyrescue.com (these guys get in a lot of retriever and spaniel pure and mixed breeds)
www.ispca.ie

On the rescue verses buying situation, I would always recommend looking into rescue (even if you are leaning more towards buying) because there are so many fantastic dogs available and you may find the perfect one (especially if you aren't really looking)! Most rescues carry out necessary veterinary work on the dogs before they are homed (any medical care they need, vaccinations etc.) and will assess the dogs temperament to make sure they go to the right home. There is usually an adoption fee, but generally this isn't very much. Pounds are different to rescues, their fees are much lower but they do not vaccinate, neuter etc. and have no background on the dogs but will advise you as best they can. Dogs in pounds have a very limited time to get out (5 days as a stray or 24 hours as a surrender). It's always worth having a look, in pounds and/or rescues to see if there are any dogs you think would be good for your home - you might be very surprised!

If you really want to buy a puppy, the best advise I can give is research, research and, when you are finished, more research! Look into the breed, the breeder and everything you can think of to do with your potentially new dog. Contact the IKC breed secretary for a list of breeders, make sure the breeder health tests (such as hip scoring, ECGs, eye scoring... all health issues that apply to the breed), make sure you see all paperwork in person, see the mother (maybe the father, depending on whether the breeder has him), the other pups in the litter, where they are kept and ask the breeder a million and one questions to make sure they know their stuff!

Hope you find a perfect new dog soon

looking for a new dog!

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