Adopt a rescue dog January 2008

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has a long history of caring for dogs which have been abandoned or whose owners were unable to cope.

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 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 which require immediate housing are Ollie and Garfield.

Ollie Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross 10 months old Male

Ollie lives life to the full and needs plenty of attention

Ollie is a bouncy, lovely chap full of character and mischief. He can be a little over the top with other dogs so needs owners capable of dealing with this. He’s a fun, interactive dog who needs constructive control and focus work and people who are willing to give him lots of exercise and training.

He would be best suited to an adult-only household, although a home with mature teenagers would be considered, and needs to live in a rural or semi-rural area with his own garden. He could live with a confident older female dog who might teach him some manners and deal with his excitability.

Ollie has such an amusing personality. He is full of energy and lives life to the full but definitely needs a home that is happy to invest time now to ensure they have a happy, well-behaved dog in the future. He has a great sense of humour and will add a lot of fun to his new owners' life.

Ollie is at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, London. Please call us on 020 7627 7884 if you are interested in Ollie, or email us on behaviourrehoming@dogshome.org and quote reference 2007/ 06526.

Garfield Jack Russell Terrier 3 - 5 years old Male

Garfield is a loveable rogue.

A feisty little character, Garfield seems to have quite a high opinion of himself, especially around other dogs, but he is not overly pushy with his interactions and does listen when told off. He is looking for experienced owners in an adult only home, although older teenagers would be considered.

He needs a home in a semi-rural or rural location, especially as he can be quite vocal at times. He could live with another dog, possibly a mature female who will show him the boundaries of what is and what isn't acceptable behaviour. Garfield is a loveable rogue who is set in his ways but will delight and entertain with his cheekiness.

Garfield is at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, London. Please call on 020 7627 7884 if you are interested in Garfield or email us on behaviourrehoming@dogshome.org and quote ref 2007/01705.