Hi, I'm new to this site, but would appreciate advice on getting a rescue dog please.

I am hoping to get a rescue dog. I have my eye on two, one I am due to visit on Tuesday, and the other I saw yesterday. The one I saw yesterday I did fall in love with, but, the main concern of mine is that she is a 5 month old mastiff cross. I don't know what she is crossed with. I have had no experience with this breed and would like to know how good or not they are with children. My youngest is a boy of 9, almost 10, but he is a very energetic boy (politely put for into everything), I am concerned if he made a fuss of the dog, would it snap. The other dog I am visiting this week is a cocker spaniel. I have had two male spaniel's in my past (one as a young child), but the other one through a young teenager to an adult almost 14 years ago. The previous spaniel breeds have been a 'Treetops' and 'Blue roan - tricolour). This one is a 10 week old golden female (don't know what variety of spaniel), and I've heard that they can be a bit snappy. I would dearly love to get them both as I love spaniel's and now I've met the mastiff I feel attached to her. I am not able to afford two dogs unfortunately, so I would greatly appreciate any advice. Thank you in advance.

How much exposure to children, especially before 12 weeks is much more important than which breed it is. I wouldn't worry about the breed, and see how it reacts to your children.

Even such often child friendly breeds as Labs and Goldens may do poorly around children with a lack of early experience with them.

Thank you for your advice. I know that no dog is 100% safe if you don't train it properly, but as don't know much about the mastiff breed and because it's a cross I don't know what it is crossed with. I think I'm a little unsure due to the bad media those types of breeds were getting, but as you'd be aware it's more to do with the bad owner than the dog. Thanks again.

Mastiffs are usually very good with children, at five months old I certainly wouldn't be worrying

I would - I`d be worried for the dog!
Children need to be trained to behave properly around animals as much as animals need to be socialised with children.
If you are concerned that your son might be a bit much for the dog, I would trust your instincts and see if you can teach him about handling dogs first. Have you a friend with a dog he could practice on? He needs to learn all the simple stuff really like not leaping about and yelling round a dog, not grabbing stuff from the dog, being aware of the dog`s body language and reacting to it. All good stuff for a child to learn TBH. Maybe find him a good puppy book to start with and go through it? My boys loved helping with my dogs.

Are these dogs in foster homes or in kennels?

The reason I ask is that many rescues now foster dogs out, this enables them to get a very good idea as to the nature and temperament of a dog, and I would say that is you have children and are conncerned about the issues above that you find a rescue that fosters as opposed to kennels its dogs.

presumably the rescues have assessed both dogs and therefore can give you a more in depth assessment as regards suitability to your environment?

and that they will also afford you several meetings before taking dog home whereby the dogs will meet everyone from your home and a staff member will be on hand to advise and judge accordingly?

thats what i did when i was a rehomer

Unfortunately not all rescues seem to do this, a friend of mine was looking to re home a dog from a private rehoming centre, asked about the dogs temperament or how it was with other dogs, was told no idea, you pay your money and take your chances.

Many thanks for all your advice and help with this, it does seem more positive than negative about the dog. It is currently in a RSPCA shelter, so a reputable one. It is only because of the bad media around them that I was concerned, unfortunately they don't seem to print the good stuff as it doesn't sell. My two daughters are teenagers so I have absolutely no qualms about them, and my son has been around dogs and treats them with respect, and idolises dogs, I waited until he was of a suitable age before I really considered a dog, I would have had one years ago, but it wouldn't have been fair on the dog. I purchased two dwarf rabbits first to see how he reacted with them, plus if they need to get away they can escape to the hutch or the cage. It's just when he gets his exciteable moments that most children do. I have drummed it into him about how you have to treat dogs and told him what has happened to children how dont (bit harsh but you can't namby pamby around it for the sake of my son and the dog). When I've input which dog is suitable with children I was surprised to keep seeing that breed keep coming up, so it must have been tried and tested. I think my only concern is that they do think it's crossed with a staffy, and I've been told that was originally to create the ultimate fighting dog - strength and determination in one. Though it's down to how you bring them up and train them really. I've only had cocker spaniels before so it's really quite a change for me. I'm looking at her again tomorrow with the children and they'll probably let us take her out again, so will keep you posted. Thanks again, it's all very much appreciated.

My fear with the Mastiff cross would not so much be what he is crossed with! BUT how well has he been socialized? between the age of 8-12 weeks is a vital time in the chiselling a dogs personalitily! Has the dog be left in a pen with little human contact during this time? or has been been brought up with an active family?

You say your son is energetic! But he is at an age to know right from one, It would be of paramount importance, with whichever dog you choose that you son is told how to behave around a dog.

I would have thought that whichever rescue organization you are rehoming through would have assessed the dogs and their suitability to living with children etc etc

Whichever dog you choose I wish you all the best, well done for taking a rescue!
DT