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 Reicher and Mole.
Reicher
Rottweiler
Six to twelve months
Male
Reicher is a fantastic young boy with some typical Rottweiler traits. He is responsive and has shown trainability and is eager to please. Reicher requires new owners that are experienced with large breeds and that can cope with an energetic and boisterous youngster. He needs to live in a semi-rural or rural location in a home with plenty of space and a secure garden, and he could live with another dog. He enjoys the company of people but can be demanding for their attention at times. He also needs owners who are going to be at home.
If you feel you match this criteria, please contact Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Brands Hatch on 01474 875106, apply online at www.dogshome.org or come in to register, quoting reference 08/40015.
Mole
Lurcher type
Six to twelve months
Female
Beautiful Mole came to us as a stray and is looking for an active fun filled life in a new home. She is a lively and affectionate girl that has shown a fairly high chase drive similar to that seen in Greyhounds and Lurchers. She is responsive to her handler and very bright, but will need almost all training from scratch, so would suit experienced owners keen and willing to do this.
She is friendly with dogs but cannot live with one at this stage as she can be a bit over the top and will need to learn a few manners first. She would benefit from a circle of doggy pals who can teach her how to play and interact properly. She would like to live out of London in a semi-rural or rural environment and would be best suited to an adult-only home without any other pets.
If you think you can offer this bright spark the home she needs please call Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, London on 020 7627 9234, apply online at www.dogshome.org or come down to the Home and register, quoting reference 08/00824.
