Quick question about adopting a GSD

[BusyBee]

Hi All,

I have been browsing around for the last 2 hours and haven't found a question similar to this so please forgive me if it's a repeat!

We sadly lost our dog 6 months ago he was a lovely mutt of the heinz variety that we rescued years ago, after months of deliberating we decided that we'd love to adopt a GSD.

My DH is a policeman and has had alot of experience with 'working' GSD as he was part of the dog demo team a few years ago, he was also raised around them, my experience starts and stops with a lovely GSD that we fostered for friends for 6 months about 10 years ago.

So anyway the question.. it seems that adopting a dog will be impossible for us because we have 3 children under the age of 7 the youngest is 2 1/2. Can anyone tell me if this is the norm? and is there a reason for this? Like GSD are prone to devouring toddlers on sight or something? We have always had rescue dogs and have never considered getting a puppy when there are so many wonderful dogs needing homes. Is it a guideline that adoption centres can overlook or is it firmly set in stone?

I am a bit sad about it because though we could offer an older GSD a good home our life style would not particularly suit a puppy. We are quite an active family, I'm an at home mum, so someone would be at home virtually always, but my other hobby is power-walking 5-7 miles at least daily (far too much for a pup) shame to leave it in while I walk.

I'd apprecieate your thoughts/advice (hubby has just pointed out that a pup could sit in the basket on my jogging buggy)

Thanks

Sally

[jesterjenn]

Not all rescues dismiss you because you have young children, but it will be harder (I personally don't know why as I have two rescue GSDs with a baby - granted my dogs were here before the splat - but they're FANTASTIC with him!!). Maybe you could find a dog that has previous experience with children, with a rescue that "allows" their dogs to be homed with children.

BIGGSD is a good place to start looking, as they are a collection of rescues, so have a fair few rescue dogs on there

Good luck in your search I'm sure you will find the right companion for your family, but it might be a struggle, but it will happen

[Bonniesmummy]

Hi Sally

Welcome to the forum I don't have any advice I'm afraid but someone will come along soon I'm sure

Well done you for taking on a rescue, I hope you find the perfect bubba for you and your family xxx

[Stuart]

First of all welcome to the forum Sally, good to see you.

The problem with most rescue`s,..ours included, is that so little is known about so many of the dogs that we get in,..and where children are concerned any rescue has to be carefull

Having said that, GSD do get given out to folk with young children.

I would suggest that you first find your rescue that you will be dealing with,.. and instead,.. as is common you fill out the form,... you instead go and talk to the people involved,..and explain the situation you are in

I would say that between you and your hubby, there is a lot of experience there,.. none of which can be dealt with on a form

Where abouts in the country are you?,..are there rescue centers where you are, that you could visit?

[zetstaff]

Can't help I'm afraid but just wanted to say hello + welcome

And please keep us posted

[jesterjenn]

Lady - Lady

Zazou - Zazou - 18mth GSD

Lieb - Lieb,,,,,,,,Mum of the year (she's got in her details that she's good with children)

There is a few off the site to "wet your tastebuds"

[GV9297]

Welcome to the forum x

Wow Jen I love the dogs details you posted on here - Leib sounds fantastic x

[jesterjenn]

Originally Posted by GV9297

Welcome to the forum x

Wow Jen I love the dogs details you posted on here - Leib sounds fantastic x

She really does. She sounds like the perfect dog If only I didn't have Harley...

[wolfman]

Hi Sally and welcome to our forum...You'll find a lot of good advice from some very knowledgeable people here. I commend you on trying to get a rescue, as that is my own personal preference.
I also know what you're going through having just lost a GS myself within the last 6 months. We found our Layla at a rescue and she's just great with kids, so it can be done.
I can't help you on rescues in your area, as I live in Canada, but rest assured the good folks here will help you.Best of luck hun...

[BusyBee]

Thank you for kind Welcomes!

You all have such beautiful dogs!

Jen, thank you for the advice and lieb... well what can I say, stunning!

I guess the next hurdle is to persuade the rescue to let me have a home assessment even though we don't quite fit the required parameters. After all they are the experienced ones and there may be glaring problems that would make us unsuitable owners, that we simply don't see (though I do hope not lol)

Have spent the majority of today analysing everything we do and thinking how a dog might handle the tough task of living with us after all there are times when a thunderstorm is a minor event compared to one of my toddlers meltdowns!

Stuart, we are actually in Scotland, though sadly not Scottish (not everyone can be perfect eh!) and it is the German Shepherd Rescue Scotland website that we have been drooling over and wondering whether or not we should fill in an adoption form. I know it is a volunteer organisation and we didn't want to waste someones precious time when it clearly says that families with children under 10 are generally not considered and we have 3! (thats why I was checking here first, to see if exceptions are sometimes made). I may give them a quick bell tomorrow to see how the land lies and to try to get their email address as my email account is not linked with my internet server so I can't just send the form.

Thank you again this is wonderful forum, trawling through the posts you really do get it all tears, laughter and everything inbetween I will let you know if I manage to get a home assessment done and how it goes!

Sally