rescue dogs and small children

I wouldn't bring in a strange dog where there are children, ever.

A lot of rescue homes will not rehome dogs where there are children under 5 for everyones safety

When I was two (a very long time ago I know) my DF brought home a six month old Staffordshire Bull Terrier. She was free to any home as her owner couldn't cope with her and he found her shut in a coal shed.

No crates then of course, and no stair gate, but her basket was her safe place and I knew not to touch her there - and she was not allowed on my bed either! She was immediately my best friend and defended me against the world for the next twelve years.

I gather there are 'breeders' in the UK importing puppies from the continent and selling them on at exorbitant prices. Unless you can get a pup from someone you know, nothing is guaranteed nowadays.

DD has a rescue dog from abroad, she had to be checked out by the Charity with a home visit to make sure that she and her home were suitable, the dogs have to be health checked, they don’t circumvent checks at our borders!

The young dog is a mongrel and has some issues but is a lovely friendly dog once she gets used to you, she stays with us 2 days a week .
My other daughter has a dog that she rehomed after a friends marriage broke up and he sleeps in his crate and retreats into it when he wants some peace and quiet, it certainly isn’t a punishment, he has a bed in there with his favourite toys and anything else he can drag into there without the family missing it, often their scarves and hats!
So don’t worry, your DD sounds a sensible lady, however if things don’t work out the people she is dealing with Will rehome the dog if necessary.

Thank you all. Just the sort of reassurances I needed to hear!
7am now and still awake!
The dog is 6 months old and a medium looking size, probably a mongrel. It's the whole importing it bit (and circumventing UK checks and balances) which makes it most worrying I think. If she was getting it from a UK charity I'd feel happier. I can't find any adddress for this charity in Strumica only facebook and email so I worry that it may just be a front for people taking strays from the streets and "trafficking" them over here, for financial gain, although the facebook stuff looks genuine enough and my DD tells me she has messaged other owners who got their dogs from them.

I too had a dog (but when I was older) so I know what joy and love they can bring to your life, I just worry about my very lively and inquisitive and headstrong (sometimes) grandchildren and it's probably worse for not having seen them for ages (we're shielding due to DH health)

janipans crates are meant to give the dog a safe place. We used one for our golden retriever when he was a puppy and it worked really well until he outgrew it and he now sleeps in the kitchen.
Our last dog was from Battersea dogs home and lived to the grand age of 17. He was brilliant with children but when he died I too was nervous about getting another rescue with young grandchildren visiting regularly. Dogs need lots of time and patience invested in them when they arrive in a new home, with a 2 and 4 year old that will be a challenge, I hope her OH is in full agreement and shares the care. Good luck

LovelyCuppa

The breed of dog will make an enormous difference. We had a rescue spaniel when I was a child. He was enormous but so gentle. He became my best friend and there are many silly secrets from my childhood that I only ever told him.

Oh LovelyCuppa, I just conjured up this heartwarming image of you whispering confessions in the spaniels ear.

On re-homing rescue dogs, if she really must have a dog what is wrong with rescuing one in the UK ? There's loads of dogs of all ages needing new homes!

Personally, with such young children I wouldn't bring another animal into the home. Small furry creatures are all too often considered toys by children and the outcome can be most unpleasant, not the animals fault either!

The breed of dog will make an enormous difference. We had a rescue spaniel when I was a child. He was enormous but so gentle. He became my best friend and there are many silly secrets from my childhood that I only ever told him.

What kind of dog is it? Rescue dogs can be lovely. They tend to be very good at making sure that the dogs go to the right homes too. With such young children it might be harder to get a rescue dog. I know they can be reluctant with young children in the house, but that is more for the dog's sake than the children.

I used to agree with you about caging (or crating) dogs. Then I read more about it and how, for a dog, it is like a den and they find it a safe and comforting space. Of course, there are limits to how much it should be used. We don't use ours often but it's the safest place for them to be when we go out. Usually there is someone at home with them. My dogs voluntarily take themselves into their crates for rests when they are sitting with the door open, so it's a space they like and obviously enjoy.

Has your daughter done a lot of research about breeds and do you trust her to make a good decision that puts her children first? If so, try not to worry too much. I hope you get some sleep.

Depending on how your DD is going about getting this dog, she will probably have to jump through more hoops to get the dog home doing it this way than she would by just going and buying a puppy.
As far as I am aware most rehoming services match the dog with a forever home, which means that a home with young children would not be suitable for a dog with aggression issues. All that is to say she may actually be safer doing it this way than by buying an unknown quantity from a breeder. Adult dogs are generally less bouncy and less likely to mouth than a puppy, both of which are far less dangerous for children.
Above all else you have to trust your DD, is she a good mum, wife, daughter, employee, person? If yes to any or all of these questions then trust her: adding a dog to the family could be a wonderful experience for your GC. I was raised around dogs and loved all of them, was taught how to interact and had responsibilities towards helping keep them healthy. These are all good things.
Now this bit might be a wee bit stern; this isn’t your concern and you shouldn’t voice it - DD is an adult and just because she’s making choices that you wouldn’t doesn’t make her a careless parent.
Maybe do some research into the breeds she is looking at to try and reassure yourself, it’s natural to worry - but please don’t catastrophise - it’s a dog, not a bomb!!