Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has a long history of caring for dogs which have been abandoned or whose owners were unable to cope. The Home cares for thousands of dogs many different backgrounds and this year is looking more busy than ever.
Unfortunately many dogs at Battersea arrived because their previous owners only considered what they wanted their dog to look like – not its background and behaviour patterns.
As a result Battersea has seen a rise in the number of pure breed dogs it receives as well as a rise in the number of dogs that need country homes.
The most popular dogs purchased by misinformed town dwellers are, incredibly, Border Collies. These dogs love mental and physical stimulation – they are literally bored silly in the city and need space and air and things to chase.
Other breeds unhappy with life in the city are Jack Russell Terriers (miniature whirlwinds), Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers (both have endless reserves of energy and stamina), Springer Spaniels (originally bred for retrieving they have energy and stamina reserves to rival the Labradors and Golden Retrievers) and Lurchers (a very strong chase instinct coupled with very bad recall means a three legged Lurcher in the city).
Battersea has also lately seen a rise in Japanese and American Akitas. These awe inspiring dogs were originally used as hunters in Japan, therefore they have a very low tolerance of other dogs and so need to move to an area with a low dog population.
These are examples of some of the breeds which are unhappy in the city, and over the next few months dogs like these will be looking for places to live where they are more at home, with loving owners who can give them the attention they need.
This month, the dogs needing immediate housing are Forest and Missy.
Forest
Bloodhound / Dalmation cross
One year old
Male
Young and enthusiastic, Forest is definitely not for the faint hearted! Lacking in maturity, he is in need of confident, strong-minded owners who will appreciate his exuberant personality and sometimes over-the-top behaviour. Forest is looking for an active, outdoors lifestyle and would best suit a hound-orientated rural environment.
Definitely a dog for the large hound enthusiast, Forest has bags of personality and huge potential in the right home.Forest is looking for a home with people who have hands-on experience of owning working-dog types before. His new owners will need to provide him with an outlet for his energy, but also instigate periods of calm.
He would be suited to a confident adult household with no young children due to his size and strength. As Forest has trouble reading the body language of other dogs, he needs a home where he can either be in an established pack of similar hound types or have interaction with other dogs.If you are interested in Forest please call the Behaviour Unit on 020 7627 7884 or email us on behaviourrehoming@dogshome.org and quote reference 06/20440.
Missy
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Five to seven years old
Female
Missy is a sweet, playful dog who really blossoms once a bond has been established. Although initially aloof and independent, just a bit of time spent with this girl will turn her giggly and affectionate.Missy is looking for owners who will provide her with both mental and physical stimulation, consistency in her routine and the guidance that she needs.
She can be jealous of other dogs, particularly females, especially if they show an interest in the people Missy has formed a bond with, and she does try to chase other dogs away. Due to her intolerance she would be better suited to living in a low dog-populated area.Missy responds well to training once a friendship has been made and will have a lot of potential in the right home.Missy is looking for owners who have previous experience of bull breeds and of owning bitches.
She needs a semi-rural or rural home with a garden, and no other dogs. She is not suitable to live with children, although she may be able to live with respectful older teenagers.If you are interested in Missy please call the Behaviour Unit on 020 7627 7884 or email us on behaviourrehoming@dogshome.org and quote reference 06/02530.
