Romanian Rescue Dogs

[Gremlin]

I've recently spoken to a couple of people I know who both have Romanian Rescue dogs because the UK rescue turned them down

One has recently lost his previous rescue to cancer, well loved and cared for dog, had a happy life, same thing with the other one

I used to volunteer in rescues helping out around the kennels, cleaning, grooming walking the dogs and repair work, painting etc

So I do have some experience and even I was amazed and some of the things that could prevent a dog going to a new home and leaving dogs
locked in kennels for the rest of their lives or worse being PTS

It saddens me when 0ver 80s are refused on age, yet they are far more active then some people a lot younger and enjoy walking etc.

It's no wonder puppy farms are thriving

 

[moggi1964]

We have a Bulgarian rescue dog and we brought our South Carolina rescue dog back with us when we moved home to the UK.

Both were a lot of work (not hard work, more patience and being careful) in the beginning but we wouldn't change any of it. Our first rescue dog in New Jersey died just a few months before we came home so we made sure to replace him with another rescue.

I think there are definitely dogs more suited to over 80's but each dog and potential owner should be judged as individuals.

 

[Gremlin]

All rescues are a lot of work unless you are very lucky

What amazed me is that in both cases they hadn't met the dog, it was just delivered to their door and left,
one only arrived in the country on the day it was handed over to the new owners

I do wonder what sort of checks are made, one site I looked at just asked for photos of your home and garden

One particular rescue did sound good, they foster the dogs in the UK before rehoming and do home checks

.I think there are definitely dogs more suited to over 80's but each dog and potential owner should be judged as individuals.

I couldn't agree with you more, and that includes people living in flats, who in my experience tend to be more inclined to walk their dogs, unlike some people in houses who just let their dogs out in their "large garden"

 

[lindsay]

So many different dogs with different meds and so many humans with different environments and attitudes: it's impossible to generalise.
We've had cats and a dog from Battersea, who asked us to fill in a form and have a chat before giving us animals. We had our last dog from Dogs Trust who were really thorough, asking for photos of garden and asking you to attend a 1 hour "new owners" training before taking an animal. The current dog came from a smaller rescue "Border Collie Trust", again a form to fill in, spend time with the dog there first, then takeaway. Finally we are acquiring a couple of RSPCA kittens next month where they do a home check as a rule, although in this case as it's my sister running the branch she doesn't need to do that. In no case have I seen or heard of an age discrimination. I sort of understand it but it's not really valid to generalise about people based on age like you say.

I do worry about the east European rescue dogs that come here though - I've heard stories of them being produced in puppy farms then shipped over as rescue dogs for a fee. I hope it's not true or very rare.

 

[sphexx]

All rescues are a lot of work unless you are very lucky

What amazed me is that in both cases they hadn't met the dog, it was just delivered to their door and left,
one only arrived in the country on the day it was handed over to the new owners

I do wonder what sort of checks are made, one site I looked at just asked for photos of your home and garden

One particular rescue did sound good, they foster the dogs in the UK before rehoming and do home checks



I couldn't agree with you more, and that includes people living in flats, who in my experience tend to be more inclined to walk their dogs, unlike some people in houses who just let their dogs out in their "large garden"

Not always, obviously, but often true. I kept two smallish dogs of a notably destructive breed needing lots of exercise in a flat with no access to the communal garden. Exercised for hours each day mostly off lead and no problems at all. They were scrupulously clean too . Actually, the older one wouldn’t even pee in a garden if we were visiting but waited until we left!

 

[sphexx]

I do worry about the east European rescue dogs that come here though - I've heard stories of them being produced in puppy farms then shipped over as rescue dogs for a fee.

Almost certainly true I should think .

 

[Tringa]

So many different dogs with different meds and so many humans with different environments and attitudes: it's impossible to generalise.
We've had cats and a dog from Battersea, who asked us to fill in a form and have a chat before giving us animals. We had our last dog from Dogs Trust who were really thorough, asking for photos of garden and asking you to attend a 1 hour "new owners" training before taking an animal. The current dog came from a smaller rescue "Border Collie Trust", again a form to fill in, spend time with the dog there first, then takeaway. Finally we are acquiring a couple of RSPCA kittens next month where they do a home check as a rule, although in this case as it's my sister running the branch she doesn't need to do that. In no case have I seen or heard of an age discrimination. I sort of understand it but it's not really valid to generalise about people based on age like you say.

I do worry about the east European rescue dogs that come here though - I've heard stories of them being produced in puppy farms then shipped over as rescue dogs for a fee. I hope it's not true or very rare.

We had a similar experience when we got our dog via Terrier Rescue. There was a form to complete and they, quite rightly, wanted to see how secure our garden was, what sort of access to areas to exercise him. I am concerned when dogs are imported and there has been no opportunity to meet the dog first, with possibly very few checks and that, as you say, the dog might have been bred to be a 'rescue' dog.

Dave

 

[Gremlin]

I am concerned when dogs are imported and there has been no opportunity to meet the dog first, with possibly very few checks

I used to homecheck for a couple of local rescues, not sure if it's still written into the rescue agreement, but we also had the
the right to reclaim the dog if you went to see it a few weeks later and felt it wasn't being treated properly. bit risky to
allow home checkers to do that without any further enquiry but it never happened that I heard of.
I did have to drive a fair way to reclaim a young dog, 3 months old, shut in a pen ,made of wire fireguards tied together and fed on adult dog large chunk dried food, he came to live with me for a few weeks before moving onto a new home
So I am concerned with the back up some of these dogs will get, especially those that I referred to earlier, arrive in the country and straight on in the van to their new homes, if it doesn't work out then what happens ?

 

[munch]

I have very mixed feelings about this.

Firstly I am sure that like most I wish there was no need for any animal rescue organisation.
But I accept that not all rescued animals can be saved/rehomed.
I do question the amount of money that is sometimes spent on "saving" a rescued animal.
With so many homeless animals in this country, I do question why anybody brings a "rescued" animal into this country.

 

[sphexx]

I have very mixed feelings about this.

Firstly I am sure that like most I wish there was no need for any animal rescue organisation.
But I accept that not all rescued animals can be saved/rehomed.
I do question the amount of money that is sometimes spent on "saving" a rescued animal.
With so many homeless animals in this country, I do question why anybody brings a "rescued" animal into this country.

A prime example currently with this Afghan ‘rescue‘ of 20 or so which raises all sorts of questions. I suppose the first thing to note is that he left all his staff behind.

Edit: I thought I wrote 200, apparently it’s 170. Also I didn’t mean to write “Afghan” which is clearly misleading … not the A. Hound!

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

A prime example currently with this Afghan ‘rescue‘ of 20 or so which raises all sorts of questions. I suppose the first thing to note is that he left all his staff behind.

My unlike was for the subject of your post, not the post itself.

 

[hashcake]

I know a few people who own Romanian dogs including my next door neighbour.
We also have a local charity who rescue them and bring them back for rehoming.
I'm also a member of a group on facebook that rescue Spaniels from Spain and I have signed up to foster an older dog if need be.
Adopting a dog from these is more expensive due to vetinary costs including neutering / spaying etc.
In both cases they have the dogs in foster care while they are under assesment.
They also do a homecheck before allowing the dogs to be adopted.
I have also heard about a couple of them taking the dogs straight to the new owners home without any assessment which I can't understand.

I think allowing people 80 years of old is fine providing they are healthy enough to walk the dog.
I have one elderly friend who lost his King Charles Cavalier early this year and he will not get another dog as he is concerned about it's welfare should he pass away.
Another one has the biggest Labrador I've ever seen and he also said the same thing but might consider a smaller dog.

 

[hashcake]

All rescues are a lot of work unless you are very lucky

My girl was 2 when I got her from a rescue and as she is a typical bitch who likes food and she was easy to train.
She is an exceptional dog and I just know that one day it will break my heart when I have to say goodbye.
I remember how I felt when I had to have my GSD put to sleep and I just know that next time it will be even harder.

 

[sphexx]

I have also heard about a couple of them taking the dogs straight to the new owners home without any assessment which I can't understand.

I strongly suspect that it’s impossible, except in fairly extreme cases, to judge how well or ill dog will fit into any particular situation .

Edit: typo.

 

[hashcake]

I strongly suspect that it’s impossible, except in fairly extreme cases, to judge how well or ill dog a dog will fit into any particular situation .

Both of the charities I mentioned have a lot of potential fosterers ready and that's where the dogs go for assessment before being adopted.
Some of the Spaniels in Spain that get rescued are older and the owners drop them off at kill stations (this sickens me to my back teeth) so they can in most cases go straight for adoption.
As far as I am aware all the Romanian ones are generally street dogs.
Even with doing this a coupe of Spaniels recently showed agression toward their fosterers so better they show it there before being adopted.
Because of the transport and vetinary costs these charities tend to charge £350-£400 for adoption whereas places like the Dogs Trust and Battersea only charge around £150.
Logically this makes sense to me as the people who adopt the Spaniels tend to be lovers of the breeds and you more or less know they will be well cared for.
1 of the Romanian dogs I know about can not go near other dogs or people due to showing agression which leaves me wondering if she was fostered and a few I have come across on the lead the owners asked me not to go near it with my dog.
I know the the Romanian charity here puts all dogs into fostering for assessment before being adopted but as I as said above, I have heard about them being delivered straight to the new onwers.

 

[Gremlin]

but as I as said above, I have heard about them being delivered straight to the new onwers.

I did say that too about the 2 dogs I recently came across, !
I know of a charity here that releases dogs the day after they get them, vet checked and out
for adoption the b=next day, but at least they are on hand to take them back if things do go wrong

 

[hashcake]

I do worry about the east European rescue dogs that come here though - I've heard stories of them being produced in puppy farms then shipped over as rescue dogs for a fee. I hope it's not true or very rare.

I can't speak for the rest of the country but all the Romanian dogs that are here are mostly mongrels, I don't think any of them are cross breeds.
A couple of people I know who unknowningly bought so call pedigree dogs from puppy farms have been breed in the UK.
This is a problem when people do not understand what is involved with a proper pedigree dog.

 

[hashcake]

I did say that too about the 2 dogs I recently came across, !

I was refering to the 2 I know about here, I thought I had previously mention it in my original

 

[hashcake]

A prime example currently with this Afghan ‘rescue‘ of 20 or so which raises all sorts of questions. I suppose the first thing to note is that he left all his staff behind.

There is no case to argue here, only a true dog / animal lover understand the reasons why.

 

[hashcake]

With so many homeless animals in this country, I do question why anybody brings a "rescued" animal into this country.

Over the last 18 months or so, the Dogs Trust, Woodgreen and others rehomed a lot of dogs leaving plenty of spare kennels ready.
People who buy one of the dogs that comes from another country pay more than those from UK rescues .
Most people are not going to pay £350-£400 unless they know 100% they will love that dog for it's entire life.
The above UK rescues tend to charge around £150 but I think they should charge more.

 

[lindsay]

I have always tended to make a donation to rescue places I've had animals from that substantially exceeds their charge for rehoming - because I can, obviously, no judgement on those who can't.
@hashcake I'm struggling to see the difference between a crossbreed and a mongrel, they are the same thing differentiated only by the possibly number of original breeds' DNA in them in my view, but I do get the point you are making. However a lot of people have been paying not just hundreds but thousands for alleged pedigree dogs, often with physical or mental issues as a result of their "breeding" (by which I mean the circumstances of their birth and early life as well as inbreeding), with no idea of how to look after them and only the desire to "own:" a dog. I fully expect many of them to be in rescue places no matter what they originally cost, within a year or two if not sooner.

 

[sphexx]

I'm struggling to see the difference between a crossbreed and a mongrel, they are the same thing differentiated only by the possibly number of original breeds' DNA in them in my view,

Depending on what dogs we are talking about, it ain’t necessarily so. A mongrel is just a dog of unknown breeding but actually could be very inbred. Some cross-breeds may be very different from mongrels and have fairly well defined characteristics -- the various sorts of Lurcher for example. Many working dogs are technically mongrels because their pedigrees are unrecorded except maybe in their breeders heads — some of them are very inbred, perhaps more so then KC Pedigree dogs because more deliberately done.

 

[sphexx]

There is no case to argue here, only a true dog / animal lover understand the reasons why.

I’m genuinely not quite sure what you mean by that but I am happy to say I am not an ”animal lover”. I have hated that term from childhood when people frequently said that I was one .

 

[munch]

This is what I don't like "As far as I am aware all the Romanian ones are generally street dogs." So they could come from breeders (Breeding bitch, mates with local non-throughbread) how do they know no money changed hands etc

Perhaps hascake can explain why he sees the need to support "charities" that bring dogs into this country when we have so many dogs that need rehoming in this country?

 

[Box Brownie]

All the mention of rescue dogs etc, at a tangent reminds of when I worked Saturdays and some school holidays (over 50 years ago) volunteering in a South London PDSA surgery.

There was an older gentleman who came in with two poodles, siblings as I recall, which were his recently deceased wife's pets.

He was quite distraught explaining that he had been walking them for about an hour before he 'managed' to come into the surgery. The request he made of the vet and the veterinary practitioner was could they put them down........as he simply could not cope with them.

They treated him with such compassion and understanding, discussing fostering & rehoming services. (NB both of the vets but especially the practioner did not suffer chancers or 'gamers' as I observed on a couple of occasions)

He explained they had been together since puppies and were inseparable. They acquiesced to his clearly heartfelt request, saying they would give the dogs a tranquiliser to calm them and he can take them for a walk for 20 mins.

He said he doubted he would have strength to come back if he did that. We sat him down in a back room with a cuppa to say his goodbyes to them.

It was a sad time for all of us there

PS the vet herself had one rescue dog as well as her GSD.

PPS for me one of many life lessons I experienced doing that job!

 

[Gremlin]

Depending on what dogs we are talking about, it ain’t necessarily so. A mongrel is just a dog of unknown breeding but actually could be very inbred. Some cross-breeds may be very different from mongrels and have fairly well defined characteristics -- the various sorts of Lurcher for example. Many working dogs are technically mongrels because their pedigrees are unrecorded except maybe in their breeders heads — some of them are very inbred, perhaps more so then KC Pedigree dogs because more deliberately done.

You don't see many dogs of "street accident" dogs these days, mostly the ones being crossed are the so called "designer dogs" that people pay a fortune for and are churned out for the market or those who owners still believe the bitch should have one litter.
The mass bred puppies are normally from a few bitches that are bred every season until they can't produce any more
then they are got rid of
Many of the working breeds that you register with the KC have 2 distinct types, the ones that actually work and would never win in the ring, and the show types that wouldn't last a couple of hours doing the job and you can't enter the dogs in breed working shows unless they are KC registered, give me the unregistered working variety any day

Perhaps hashcake can explain why he sees the need to support "charities" that bring dogs into this country when we have so many dogs that need rehoming in this country?

My thoughts too, if the kennels are emptying that can't be a bad things, they will soon fill with all the pandemic dogs when
people start going to work and kids go back to school.

Not directly related to the topic, but I saw a man trying to get a labrador pup to walk down the high street, dragging it a long while the pup just wanted to lie down, it didn't look much more the 9/10 weeks old !

 

[sphexx]

This is what I don't like "As far as I am aware all the Romanian ones are generally street dogs."

I’ve no idea what the situation is in Romania but here many ‘street dogs’ actually have owners and are better described as ‘latchkey’ dogs .

Following on from that how would one be sure dogs in Romania (or anywhere) aren’t being stolen for export?

 

[Neilc28]

As a single person with a full-time job I was refused to be able to rescue due to apparently not being able to dedicate enough time to their needs and my garden being small.

I then went out and got a pup anyway, she’s walked 3 times a day around the beaches and woodland including during my lunch hour when I nip home to take her out, and has a lot of off-lead time. The rescues base their decision on simple facts and no longer wish to meet people and make a decision based on that person, or that’s how it feels at least.

3.5yrs old and the best decision I ever made. Her cross-breed now fetches an outrageous 3k, utter madness!

 

[hashcake]

Perhaps hascake can explain why he sees the need to support "charities" that bring dogs into this country when we have so many dogs that need rehoming in this country?

As a dog lover I believe they all have a right to live a decent life.
As I said above, healthy Spaniels regardless of age tend to end up at Spanish kill stations.
If a British person is prepared to pay more for one these dogs my hat is off to them, even more so when it's an elderly dog
Have a look at websites such as the Dogs Trust, you will see there isn't as many dogs in the rescues compared to pre covid and you will find quite a few of them are reserved.
Some people have their favourite breeds so I totally understand why the Save Our Spaniels charity rehomes a lot of dogs.
With regard to the Romanian dogs you do have a fair point and I have thought about this quite often.
Personally I would not pay over the top for a crossbreed / mongrel but again I respect the people that do.
I can only surmise that do to a lack of choice in the UK, more people are turning to these charities when looking for a dog and I expect they know these dogs are more expensive to adopt.
Quite a few dogs in rescues in the UK tend to be either pure Staffordshire Bull Terriers or crossbred with them.
A lot of people prefer cute looking dogs to the short hair muscular type even though they still make great pets.
The rise of stupid kids think having one of these makes them look hard doesn't help either.

 

[hashcake]

I’m genuinely not quite sure what you mean by that but I am happy to say I am not an ”animal lover”. I have hated that term from childhood when people frequently said that I was one .

That's fair enough not everyone is an animal lover.
I didn't mean to come across as antagonistic so I apologise if it came across like that.

 

[hashcake]

I’ve no idea what the situation is in Romania but here many ‘street dogs’ actually have owners and are better described as ‘latchkey’ dogs .

That's true which in this day and age I find very said,

I’ve no idea what the situation is in Romania but here many ‘street dogs’ actually have owners and are better described as ‘latchkey’ dogs .

Following on from that how would one be sure dogs in Romania (or anywhere) aren’t being stolen for export?

The charity I know about works along side another charity in Romania and they either have the dogs handed over to them or they rescue them themselves.
I'm not aware of any pedigree dogs coming over from there (this doesn't mean it doesn't happen)so there is little money to be made.

 

[hashcake]

You don't see many dogs of "street accident" dogs these days, mostly the ones being crossed are the so called "designer dogs" that people pay a fortune for and are churned out for the market or those who owners still believe the bitch should have one litter.

This is something I just can't understand.
Take 2 different breeds, mate them then basically produce a crossbreed!
It's been a long time since I have any dealings with the Kennel Club and I really hope they don't recognise these as breeds?

 

[Neilc28]

This is something I just can't understand.
Take 2 different breeds, mate them then basically produce a crossbreed!
It's been a long time since I have used the Kennel Club and I really hope they don't recognise these as breeds?

Isn’t that true for most breeds though? Golden Retrievers being an example?

 

[hashcake]

Isn’t that true for most breeds though? Golden Retrievers being an example?

Yes it is does a degree.
Even now days I sometimes come across a recognised breed I had no idea about.
When I did some charity work for the Guide dogs for the blind I was told the dogs are a cross between a Labrador and Golden Retriever.
The reason for this that Labradors tend to have their nose to the ground and this doesn't make for a good support dogs.

 

[hashcake]

As a single person with a full-time job I was refused to be able to rescue due to apparently not being able to dedicate enough time to their needs and my garden being small.

There are a lot of people who work full time and have a dog.
I don't see the problem as long they have fresh water, they'd sleep most of the day as well.

 

[hashcake]

My thoughts too, if the kennels are emptying that can't be a bad things, they will soon fill with all the pandemic dogs when
people start going to work and kids go back to school.

This my concernd as well, why did they wait for a global pamdenic to get a dog?

Not directly related to the topic, but I saw a man trying to get a labrador pup to walk down the high street, dragging it a long while the pup just wanted to lie down, it didn't look much more the 9/10 weeks old !

I've met people who have be allowed to have the puppy at 6 weeks old and a few at the age you mentioned so there is no chance the dog has been vaccinated.

 

[Gremlin]

It's been a long time since I have any dealings with the Kennel Club and I really hope they don't recognise these as breeds?

There was talk of them recognising labradoodles at on time, don't know if they ever did

There are a lot of people who work full time and have a dog.
I don't see the problem as long they have fresh water, they'd sleep most of the day as well.

One of my rescue dogs. a high energy pedigree gun dog type, was bought as a pup i just such circumstances !
Left shut in a conservatory all day, in with the owners for a few hours in the evening then
back in the conservatory overnight, only really walked at weekends, untrained, unsocialised and TBH and absolute nightmare hence he ended up in breed rescue, dropped off with me as a foster a week before christmas and stayed.
He was hard work but once he got the right attention/exercise he was mostly ok except for mental problems which
unfortunately couldn't be cured, lovely dog until he had one of his "turnss

 

[Gremlin]

Isn’t that true for most breeds though? Golden Retrievers being an example?

Most breeds have evolved by being bred for the right traits by people who spent years getting it right.
Unfortunately when certain shows started interpreting things to suit the judges many breed were led down a path
far removed from the original.
This latest trend for designer dogs bred for look and money is just awful.

 

[Neilc28]

There was talk of them recognising labradoodles at on time, don't know if they ever did

There’s been a push to get them recognised I believe, but it’s also been proven that the ‘allergy’ benefits of their coat is pretty much non-existent. A lovely dog like most, but a designer dog nonetheless with no proven benefits as far as I’m aware.

Happy to be proven wrong if I’m misinformed

 

[Gremlin]

There’s been a push to get them recognised I believe, but it’s also been proven that the ‘allergy’ benefits of their coat is pretty much non-existent. A lovely dog like most, but a designer dog nonetheless with no proven benefits as far as I’m aware.

Happy to be proven wrong if I’m misinformed

I agree with you, the idea was that poodle don't shed so that would stop the allergies but did, and yes I think they are lovely to, if somewhat scatty, well those I've met are