PUREBRED RESCUE BASICS

Below are suggestions on the three majors questions regarding purebred rescue. These are meant to be guidelines for you. Adapt them to your own specific needs.

WHAT DOGS TO TAKE

Working with Shelters

When possible, rescue Fox Terriers found in any public or private area shelter and place in homes those that are deemed placeable.

The most important consideration should be temperament. A dog with serious temperament problems should not be made available for adoption. This will be a case by case call on your part. People aggressive dogs are a liability both morally and legally. In most cases these dogs must be euthanasied. Have your vet do this, do not leave these dogs in the shelters. They will be adopted out and can end up in situations dangerous to the public. When things go bad, as they often do, the dog and the breed will be blamed. This is not fun work but often necessary.

However, in Fox Terriers most of our breed can and do adjust, even when they have had harsh handling in the past. And most will find wonderful new homes.

You can take from the shelters and the public. Many times a Toy Fox Terrier or Rat Terrier or Jack Russels Terrier will be mistaken for a Smooth or Wire Fox Terrier.

Keep in touch with the people in your area doing rescue for these breeds and work together. If you have the room and you can find homes fairly easily for the mixes, consider taking these dogs too. Many have wonderful temperaments and make lovely pets. This also includes purebreds that are far from the breed standard.

Owner Give Ups

Take any Smooth or Wire Fox Terrier that an owner no longer wishes to keep for any reason. If an owner wants to get rid of his dog, the reason may upset you. They are often frivolous, and without reasonable foundation in your mind. Don't question the owner, just take the dog. If it is temperament problems, talk to the owner and see if you can help. If the owner can't handle the dog, or doesn't want to try than just take the dog. If you don't, the owner will dump the dog in the shelter or in an unscreened home, much to the detriment of the dog.

If there are AKC papers, get them and be sure to have the owner sign a release form that gives you legal ownership of the dog. You may try to contact the breeder to see if they will take back the dog. Reputable breeders will always want their dog back and that is where it should go. But ask the breeder what they are going to do with the dog. Often they will be happy to give you a donation to place the dog for them.

Take any Fox Terrier where the owner has died. Many times the family has no idea of what to do with the dog and it will end up in the shelter or at the vet's to be put down. Let the area vet's know you are there for these clients.

It will be up to each individual rescue to decide what dogs they can take. There are also situations of older dogs in pet shops and dogs being auctioned off by commercial breeders. Each has to be handled on a case by case situation. Get to know others in your community that are also doing dog rescue work. Having local friends that understand can be a great support.

WHAT DOGS TO PLACE

All dogs coming though rescue must be evaluated by a person knowledgeable in the breed before it can be made available for adoption. If you don't have a lot of experience with the Wire or Smooth Fox Terrier, then you will need to have someone nearby that can help you with this. It will need to be someone with experience with the fox terrier, not just with other breeds.

Aggressive Dogs

Any dog that has a history of biting must NOT be placed and should be euthanised. If it is a young dog that is just untrained and undisciplined and can be worked with, that is another situation. Dogs that are very dog aggressive must also be seriously screened before placement. Any dog that has a strong propensity to cause serious damage or death to another animal is a legal and moral liability. However, many dogs are just in bad situations and feel that they must defend themselves. Many times that a small child is bitten, this is the case. If the bite is really a nip, the situation may have caused the problem. The dog maybe OK in an adult only home or even with older children. We do not recommend fox terriers with children 7 years and younger.

Dogs with Medical Problems

Dogs with serious physical problems that make it impossible to place must also be euthanised. This is a judgment call for each case. Sometimes homes can be found that will take a dog with medical problems. It is most important that these homes understand the work and the money that it will take to maintain these dogs. Follow up must be done and good contact kept between rescue and the new home. If you have a fox terrier that needs special surgery or medication, please contact the Fox Terrier Network about their Rescue Fund to help these dogs.

Dogs with medical problems that require medication for the rest of their lives. Sometimes this is something as simple and inexpensive as thyroid medication and sometimes it's much more. There are caring people out there that will take these dogs. If the dog can be maintained comfortably on meds, look for a home that can deal with this dogs special problems. Many Wire Fox Terriers have skin problems, this is fairly common. Some are food allergies that can be solved by a better diet. Some can only to treated and tolerated, so an owner that can empathsize with the dog what you are looking for.

Temperament Issues

Dogs with temperament problems other than biting must also be evaluated to see if they can make the adjustment to a new home. Dogs that have never lived in a house or have had little human contact can have a very difficult time becoming a family pet. Older kennel dogs and dogs that have come from commercial breeders can have adjustment problems too. These dogs often must be kept by rescue personnel and live in a members home for a while to see if they can make the change.

Older Dogs

Older dogs need to be evaluated to see if they can handle placement in a new home. Fox Terriers live long & active lives and can be placed even in their teen years. It depends on the dog. Fox Terriers are usually happy anywhere as long as they get love and good care. I have personally placed quite a few dogs in their teen years very successfully. And many and up finishing up their years with the rescue person.

Abused and Neglected Dogs

Abused and neglected dogs are the saddest to work with. Many just ended up in homes that should never have had an animal of any kind. These dogs often need very special homes. Usually quiet, senior homes with no loud noises and a very peaceful life. Many come around once they are loved and cared for. Each must be evaluated on his own merits. Fox Terriers are very forgiving and see life as an adventure. So even the ones that have had a bad start in life, can put it behind them and go on to have a wonderful life. I've had many that had never been in a house in their lives that settled in completely in 24-48 hours! Never looking back :-}

Remember that purebred rescue came about so that people with in-depth knowledge of a specific breed could take individuals of that breed and keep them long enough to place them in loving permanent homes. Also to give the back up and support to new homes that shelters cannot give. This is an important part of protecting and preserving our breeds.

WHO TO ADOPT TO

All prospective homes must be screened carefully. If you do and you have as much information as possible about the dog you can make better decisions on what dog will do well in which home.

Fencing

All homes should have a securely fenced yard. If you do place a Fox Terrier in an apartment setting, be sure that it is a dog that can handle it and that will be walked on a lead regularly. Most young Fox Terriers are not appropriate for apartment/condo or town house situation and these people should be politely explained that their situation would not be expectable for these breeds. Those with a fenced yard must be checked that the fence is suitably secure and high enough for your breed. Remember a fence keeps undesirable dogs out of your yard as well as your dog in the yard.

Children

If there are children in the family, what ages are they and how do they act around the dog. Do the parents understand their responsibly in supervising play between the dog and the children? Do they accept responsibly for all feeding, grooming, etc. and not expect the children to do this work. Children can and should be involved in helping, but never have the total responsibility. We generally don't recommend Fox Terriers for families with children under 8 years old.

Fox Terrier Experience

Have they had dogs before? Have they had a Wire or Smooth Fox Terrier before? Do they have another dog now? Do they have other pets at this time? How many dogs have they owned and what happened to them? Will any presently owned animals be able to get along with the new Fox Terrier? I always want to see the animals together first before considering the adoption. I will have the family bring any other dog that they have to met on my property first. I watch the dogs and the people to see how they handle it. If the animal can't come (cat, bird,etc) then I will go with the Fox Terrier to their home.

Sleeping Arrangements

Will the dog be in the house at least at night? Dogs left outside at night tend to be barkers and can cause problems. Fox Terriers are such "people dogs" that they should always be in the house with the family at night. And never in the garage! Always check exactly where the family intends for the dog to sleep.

Grooming

Will they be able to handle the grooming of their new rescue dog? The Wire should be professionally groomed. Do the new owners understand the ongoing cost in money and time of keeping their dogs groomed and healthy? Regular veterinarian visits for checks and vaccinations? Even the Smooth Fox Terrier need to have their nails cut, ears cleaned and anal glands checked. These need to be done by a veterinarian or professional groomer. Be sure the new home understands these responsibilities.

Home Alone

Will there be someone home during the day? Do both adults work? If the adopter is single will anyone be in the house during the day? Some dogs will not be used to this and could be noisy and destructive. Older dogs may need someone close by during the day. Fox Terriers are very social and especially younger ones don't do well left for long times everyday. Much depends on the dog and the new owners willingness to see that the Fox Terrier gets ton's of attention when they are at home.

Nutrition

Do the new owners understand the importance of proper feeding? A good premium dog food and not bargain brands or table scraps.

Obedience

Encourage the new owner to enroll in a basic novice obedience class with the dog. Be sure the trainer is familiar with the special personality and needs of the Fox Terrier. Classes can be very boring to them, so be sure that the trainer is someone that knows and likes these breeds. Always use positive reinforcement only.

Other Pets

Always check to see what other animals are in the family. Cats. Birds, hamsters, or reptiles to mention a few. Some Fox Terriers will get along with these animals but many do not. By checking in advance you can prevent a major problem or death to another pet.

Be sure the new owners understand they are entering a wonderful new time in their lives. By taking in a rescue dog they become part of our big "family". People will ask them about their dog and his behavior, and he will help represent your breed to the public. We want them to be proud of their new dog and to realize that they are a walking advertisement for these breeds and for rescue, and how important it is that they make a positive picture.

BEFORE THE DOG LEAVES RESCUE

Spaying and Neutering

Always be sure to spay and neuter every dog before it is placed in a new home. If the dog comes from the shelter it is not always easy to tell with the females. If you and your vet believe that the dog has already been spayed you can place the dog with the understanding that it may not be and that if it comes in season, they will have it spayed immediately afterward. It is important to keep in touch with the new owners of these dogs for at least six months after placement and follow up to be sure the dog is done. You can ask for an additional spay deposit to be refunded after six months or when the dog is spayed.

INFORMING THE PUBLIC

It is always a good idea to have informational brochures available to hand out to or mail to interested people. You can make your own or click here to order existing ones.

One of the brochures is "Bringing Home Your New Fox Terrier" and it is to go home with a new adoptive family that is getting a Fox Terrier. A brochure like this should ideally go to the new adopting family before they get their new dog, but it can go to them when they pick up their dog. If you can, give this brochure ahead of time so they can be ready for their dog. Then the new family can spend their time with the dog and everything has been done beforehand. It makes for an easier transition. There are also simple, inexpensive books available on living with the Wire Fox Terrier and Smooth Fox Terrier.

Public education is a major part of rescue work. Get brochures from different sources that help educate the people contacting you. It is very important to get the word out! There are many free brochures written and many available for a small cost. It is worth the time and money invested. Be sure to read everything before you hand it out and be sure the brochure agrees with your rescue groups philosophy. The only thing worst than no information is bad or incorrect information. Not all free brochures are written by knowledgeable people. Read it first.

If you have a packet ready, you can mail it out to people calling and inquiring about Fox Terriers and their care. Suggest they read the information and then get back to you if they are still interested. This helps since our breeds are not well known to the public. Be sure to put in the good and not so good about your them. Things you find "cute" may not amuse someone else. Be sure they know the amount of grooming the Wire Fox Terrier requires. Also that they don't always take well to obedience training and are a free spirit.

The public needs good, honest information to help them decide if the Fox Terrier is right for them. Don't oversell! Write about the fun stuff and the difficult stuff. Be sure to give a complete picture. The rescue dogs well-being is at stake. You as rescue, must be his advocate. It is your responsibility to find the best possible home for him. When you do, it is a very rewarding experience!