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 Tonto and Holly.
Tonto
Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross
Seven years old
Male
Tonto is a lively, affectionate middle-aged boy, but people just keep walking past his kennel. All his younger friends get to go home but poor Tonto is still waiting.Tonto has been fostered by one of the kennel staff at the Home and has apparently been the model dog and settled quickly on the sofa for his afternoon sleep.
Tonto travels well in a car, can be left for short periods and is housetrained. He knows some basic commands and is very responsive to training.
Although he is an older boy Tonto still has plenty of get-up-and-go, he enjoy going out for walks and like most Staffies he loves to play.Tonto is a loving and affectionate dog who will make a great companion once settled and bonded to his new owner. Ideally he is looking for a quiet semi-rural home with people who have owned dogs before, and he would be best suited to a home without other pets or children as he does like peace and quiet.
If you feel this wonderful dog could be what you are looking for then please contact the rehoming team at Old Windsor on 01784 494443 quoting reference 06/01471.If you are interested in learning more about Blaze then call Battersea Dogs & Cats Home on 020 7627 7884 or email mailbehaviourrehoming@dogshome.organd quote reference 05/06414
Holly
German Shepherd Dog cross
10 months old
Female
Holly is a large, boisterous girl who can be wary of new people, but once she has bonded she is very friendly and loving.
She is an intelligent youngster and very trainable: she already knows some basic commands and recently completed a training course which was the equivalent of the Kennel Club ‘good citizen’ bronze level award. Holly is very social with other dogs would benefit from living with one – but it must be a good role model!
At present Holly cannot be left on her own, she will need time to settle and being a young dog should only be left for short periods. She ideally needs a home in a quiet semi-rural area with people who have owned nervous dogs before, and being a nervous girl she needs a home without young children, although she might be able to live with older teenagers if they could help with her training and care.
Holly has heaps of potential, she just needs pointing in the right direction! If you feel you can offer the home she needs please contact the rehoming team at Old Windsor on 01784 494443 quoting reference 06/02202.
