Why import dogs?

I can remember going to Dog's Trust and the only dogs for adoption were nasty huge things that nobody in their right mind would want. I wanted a kind and gentle dog not something to be frightened of.

There are plenty of British escape artist and right nasty dogs too.

A woman in our village got a dog from Romania. First night it escaped from her very small garden and ran for miles. Took a couple of days to catch it.

Another person I know got one from abroad but can’t remember exactly where. It’s a right nasty thing.

kircubbin2000

Riry Cellan Jones is a good example of this. He had visions of nice walks to help his parkinsons but the dog he got was so traumatised it has taken months to socialize her.Far better to have gone to a rescue and picked one suitable for his circumstances.

As others have said adopting from a UK rescue is not easy and you certainly rarely, if ever, "pick one". I was offered ex Irish breeding bitches (poor, poor things, years of trauma), dogs far too strong for me to handle, escape artists that had been returned numerous times, none of which p could have coped with. I used to be a rehoming manager for a dog rescue and for every dog that does not have severe issues (and there aren't many) there are scores if potential adopters. What l really object to is breeders - of any breed, who invariably sell at profit, using dogs for financial gain.
My rescue came from one of the very many reputable charities who use the money they make through having foreign dogs adopted in the UK to further neutering programmes in other countries. I, and my home were thoroughly vetted, should l not be able to keep my dog she has to be returned to the charity, their ongoing advice and care is lifelong, they are not exceptional in that. Most foreign adoptions are through reputable charities, of course that's not so newsworthy as the exceptions highlighted in the media.

Rory Cellan Jones did set out to adopt a dog from the UK, he previously had a dog from The Dogs Trust. This time he met some of the same snags that others on he have mentioned. Check it out on Google.

Riry Cellan Jones is a good example of this. He had visions of nice walks to help his parkinsons but the dog he got was so traumatised it has taken months to socialize her.Far better to have gone to a rescue and picked one suitable for his circumstances.

We set out to adopt from rescue societies here in UK, we now have a dog from Greece. Why? As previous posters have said it is not easy. We were deemed too old, my husband was just coming up to 75. The type of dog we wanted is not often available, they are not overbred and owners, like us fall in love with the breed and they rarely come up for rehoming. We did not want a puppy, our age was a consideration. We met all criteria, garden, 6' fence, previous experience of breed etc. but we could do nothing about our age. Through a society that rescues here and abroad we ended up with our beautiful boy. Five years down the line he has not shown the slightest sign of aggression and is wonderful with small children and other dogs. The adoption society was very professional and our boy came with all medical vaccinations done and all certificates to show he did not have any nasty illnesses. Our vet was impressed. Not all overseas societies are as professional; because of this I do think better legislation is required but it wouldn't be necessary if UK societies showed a bit more common sense. I know of two teachers who chose not to have a dog while they were working. When they retired they set out to rescue a dog. They were turned down because they had never had a dog before. Guess where their dog came from? Common sense...

I volunteer for a British rescue charity. I recently assessed and approved two people in their early 70 or late 60s for our dogs
Both fit and with adult children likeky to step in if need be
Some of these imported dogs are part of money making schemes. Some would not be approved as safe for adoption here. Some lovely dogs

We have had dogs all our lives but were regarded as unsuitable as we are too old even with a promise from our son to take the dog if we both popped our clogs. Also dogs that charities had available, even if they had let us have one, were totally unsuitable for us. There were many staffies, lurchers and husky types, all needing an enormous amount of exercise. Many were very old. There are some very nice dogs from abroad but who knows what their temperament is We now have a dog that my son found.

twiglet77

They do it because the criteria for adopting foreign dogs is so much looser. I believe some of the UK charities are absolutely rigid eg on the garden having a six foot fence, or wanting a guarantee that no child under 10 will ever be in the same house.

I have visiting grandchildren and would never consider adopting a dog whose history is unknown. I don’t want to find out the hard way what ghosts in its past might trigger an attack. I would always prefer a carefully bred and properly reared, properly nourished puppy, from a breeder I know, or at least know of, whose experiences since birth have all been positive.

I think a lot of the charities importing dogs and puppies for adoption are just funding a dubious business. Someone over there is making good money out of it.

This is not true at all that overseas rescues are running a business . We adopted 2x through an English run rescue that has dogs from abroad . For us it was finding a dog that looked just like our previous rescue and then we adopted his sister as well .

Ladyripple

My dog is from Romania,why I chose him is nothing to do with anyone.

I have had him over 11 years,since he was 20 weeks old.

Try dealing with U.K. rescues,they are a nightmare.

Our dog is from Spain and he’s been with us 7 years. We’d been dog owners for many years, were retired, in good health and had a lovely home and big garden to offer a rescue dog. We registered with a number of UK animal rescue centres, but no suitable dogs became available, although there were many Greyhounds and Staffies looking for homes. Eventually, I got in touch with the charity Griffon Adoption UK. We had a visit from the charity and were thoroughly vetted and our home/garden inspected. Before accepting us, they insisted that we increase the height of our fences, as this breed of dog could jump very high! Also, their policy is, if there is a problem and it is decided that we can’t keep the dog, then Griffon Adoption UK will re home with registered fosterers. They have always been there to offer advice, support and a professional behaviourist is available, should help be required. I cannot fault them.

This really annoys me as well. We have rescued animals all over this country and why can’t they have them. Arghhhhhhhh!

We have enough dogs here in the UK. It shouldn't be allowed to bring dogs in from other countries.
Especially the large "farming" breeds that can be dangerous. I watch a programme on TV that's about re-homing a dog from them, can't remember the name of the programme it seems a pretty simple process.
From children to elderly people they all have gotten a dog . I've always preferred to have a puppy so have always gone to a reputable breeder .

Just as an aside- there is a limited number of small children in Britain awaiting adoption.
There are children in this situation, but mostly requiring an adoptive family that can take, for example, a larger family group, or a child with additional needs, or an older child.
Adoption of children in Britain is, quite rightly, very carefully regulated.
I know nothing about adopting dogs, BTW!

My dog is from Romania,why I chose him is nothing to do with anyone.

I have had him over 11 years,since he was 20 weeks old.

Try dealing with U.K. rescues,they are a nightmare.

Granarchist I have heard this over and over good experienced owners are turned down for really silly reasons age being one of them or the fence is two inches short when you're trying to rehome a miniature dog really petty reasons Also the breed of dogs available in UK isn’t always convivial lots of big strong dogs needing homes so yes people go abroad anyway a dog in need is the same the world over

Dog shelters need to look at their rules! It’s ridiculous to bring dogs in from abroad when there are so many here that need homes. Sounds like the old rules for adopting children!

Granarchist

here goes- British rescue centres are a nightmare. I have a friend who has had, and trained, dogs her entire life - she has a huge garden which is totally dog proof. She has a child living within 10 minutes who is a canine specialist vet. She has dog friendly grandchildren. Not allowed to adopt a dog. She is over 70 (just) and has probably more experience than the people rejecting her. She now has the most fabulous lab via word of mouth. Her other child was also refused a UK dog. He lives in a London flat opposite Battersea Park and he is a professional dog walker!!!!!! He got a gorgeous dog from Cyprus which goes everywhere with him. If he is on holiday it goes to his sibling (the canine vet with 40 acres of Wiltshire) or to his mother (see above). The system is insane. A woman in the next village has 2 rescue dogs from abroad -similar scenario - not allowed to have a cat - not allowed children - not allowed to go to work - these are NOT vets turning them down but people who think they know best and as a result perfectly brilliant homes are being rejected. No one want to have to spend £5000 on a dog from abroad but that is what is happening.

You are right, but not all dog rescue centres are he same, I know someone who had three rescues and only had older small dogs to give them their last few years.

Understandably most people will want to adopt much younger dogs,

It’s still a very flawed system, I agree.

ViceVersa well, it’s a beautiful sunny day, let’s just agree to disagree

here goes- British rescue centres are a nightmare. I have a friend who has had, and trained, dogs her entire life - she has a huge garden which is totally dog proof. She has a child living within 10 minutes who is a canine specialist vet. She has dog friendly grandchildren. Not allowed to adopt a dog. She is over 70 (just) and has probably more experience than the people rejecting her. She now has the most fabulous lab via word of mouth. Her other child was also refused a UK dog. He lives in a London flat opposite Battersea Park and he is a professional dog walker!!!!!! He got a gorgeous dog from Cyprus which goes everywhere with him. If he is on holiday it goes to his sibling (the canine vet with 40 acres of Wiltshire) or to his mother (see above). The system is insane. A woman in the next village has 2 rescue dogs from abroad -similar scenario - not allowed to have a cat - not allowed children - not allowed to go to work - these are NOT vets turning them down but people who think they know best and as a result perfectly brilliant homes are being rejected. No one want to have to spend £5000 on a dog from abroad but that is what is happening.

Cossy

ViceVersa

This was answered in the previous thread about adopting dogs. There can be any number of reasons why people choose to adopt from overseas, much in the same way that people adopt children from overseas while there are many up for adoption here in the UK.

Sorry to appear churlish, but I’m not sure comparing adoption of children from abroad and adopting dogs from abroad is at all similar.

Why not? I personally don't see the difference.

ViceVersa

This was answered in the previous thread about adopting dogs. There can be any number of reasons why people choose to adopt from overseas, much in the same way that people adopt children from overseas while there are many up for adoption here in the UK.

Sorry to appear churlish, but I’m not sure comparing adoption of children from abroad and adopting dogs from abroad is at all similar.

ayse

No idea. It seems daft to me. Perhaps the importing of dogs should be stopped, dog licenses reintroduced and dog breeders to be inspected and licensed. It could pay for itself although the cost of buying pedigree dogs would certainly rise.

Dog breeders are supposed to be licensed and inspected. Dog licences wouldn’t help as only responsible dog owners would buy one.

However, I absolutely agree with stopping imports of these dogs

This was answered in the previous thread about adopting dogs. There can be any number of reasons why people choose to adopt from overseas, much in the same way that people adopt children from overseas while there are many up for adoption here in the UK.

They do it because the criteria for adopting foreign dogs is so much looser. I believe some of the UK charities are absolutely rigid eg on the garden having a six foot fence, or wanting a guarantee that no child under 10 will ever be in the same house.

I have visiting grandchildren and would never consider adopting a dog whose history is unknown. I don’t want to find out the hard way what ghosts in its past might trigger an attack. I would always prefer a carefully bred and properly reared, properly nourished puppy, from a breeder I know, or at least know of, whose experiences since birth have all been positive.

I think a lot of the charities importing dogs and puppies for adoption are just funding a dubious business. Someone over there is making good money out of it.