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 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 Tigga and Callie.
Tigga
Male
1 ? 2 years
Tigga could benefit from the company of a female, if she was willing to teach him some mannersTigga is a 1-2 year old male Lurcher who came in to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home as a stray in May 2007. He was referred to the Behaviour Unit because of his chase issues with other dogs and potential for over-stimulation in play. Tigga is a friendly, scatty but intelligent lad who loves the company of people.
He needs a multi-carer household in a semi rural or rural location with an adequately sized and securely fenced garden for training, mental stimulation and burn offs.
He could possibly live with another (female) dog of a similar size to him if she would be able to cope with his OTT moments and maybe even teach him some manners.
New owners will need to follow an ongoing training programme and be prepared to listen to and take advice from the Behaviour Unit.
Tigga is at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London. Please call the Behaviour Unit on 0207 627 7884 if you are interested in Tigga, or email us on behaviourrehoming@dogshome.org and quote reference 2007/ 02635
Callie
Female
3 years
Callie needs some TLC and calm interaction to bring out the best in herEnergetic, interactive and slightly quirky, Callie is a female spaniel who is approximately 3 years old. She has a lot of nervous energy to burn and would benefit from calm TLC time. We are looking for owners who have had spaniels before or similar working breeds who can provide her with plenty of activity but also a stable routine.
Callie is not suitable to live with young children but teenagers 14 years plus will be considered if they play a main role in her training and the adults in the household have a good level of experience.
Callie will be more relaxed in areas that are not too heavy populated, so a quiet semirural / rural environment would be needed.
Callie is a very endearing dog that needs the right balance of activity and calm interaction to bring out the best in her. The owners who can provide her with the home that she needs will never look back.
Callie is at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home London. Please call the Behaviour Unit on 020 7627 7884 if you are interested in Callie or email us on behaviourrehoming@dogshome.org and quote ref 2007/02379.
