Rescue Dog

Hi Guys,

I am looking for some advice from experienced staffie owners

I have had a keen interest in the breed for sometime now; however i've only ever owned a yorkie, a westie and a springer.  I've been dogless for a few years now and I would really like to get another.

My local dog rescue(I keep a keen eye on their page) has a 5yo neutered male available, but the problem is that the dog would be alone for around 7hours 4 days/week.  The rescue have told me that he is very stressed in the kennels environment and loves getting out on walks in quieter areas.  I guess my questions are as follows:

- Would 7 hours/day be too long to leave this breed alone?  The westie and yorkie both coped fine(no destructiveness/barking/howling etc.)

Note, that I have an enclosed back yard and garden area with a large kennel that I could leave him in whilst at work - this was enough to keep the springer/westie satisfied, but i'm not sure of the staffie breed.

I have the moral dilemma in my head of which environment would be better for him.

Thanks,
Adam

Hi and welcome!

I've got a fair bit of rescue experience and see a lot of stressed staffies!

The best advice is to be guided by the rescue centre. A good centre will know their dogs and know what environment will and won't suit them.

Generally, though, staffies that are stressed in kennels are those that need company most. It's a very human orientated breed that thrives on company and affection. Some do cope alone for longer periods but many find it hard. I would guess that the guy you're thinking of will fall into the latter category.

So I would say go and talk to them to find out more, you never know, but maybe don't get your hopes up.

Thanks for your reply Liz - i'm going to go and have a chat with them tonight.

Let us know what they say!

Hi Liz,

So I went to visit and he was even nicer in person

The guys at the rescue have said that they have noticed him getting more stressed the longer he stays in that environment and that when he is out of it he calms. We then took him into the carpark on his own and you could see the change in him. He was very obedient on sit commands and only taking treats when offered as well!

I explained about my working hours and they said as long as he got a good walk in the morning he should be fine as after a good long walk he will sleep for hours at the rescue.

I basically ended with asking if they thought it would be fair him being alone for up to 7hours and they told me that it would be an improvement on where he is at the minute as depending on volunteer availability etc. he only gets walked once per day sometimes.

Thanks for your help!
Adam

Ooh, this looks very promising
Hope it works out best for you all

Wow! Exciting does that mean you've reserved him?

Is there a link you can share??? Sorry, I get silly excited about staffies getting homes!

Sounds like someone's getting their new furever home