Working dogs
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home receives a large number of pure-breed dogs including Springer Spaniels, Border Collies, Labradors and German Shepherds. Such breeds sometimes need more stimulation and training with more experienced owners than they can get in an 'average' pet home. Our aim is to rehome these dogs into homes where they can enjoy an active life doing, for example, obedience, working trials or flyball.
Learn how to train rescue dogs with this insightful 'How To' from gundog expert Howard Kirby.
In the video Howard Kirby and his head trainer Annie Buckley demonstrate their two ex-Battersea dogs and talk about training rescue dogs. Watch the video >>
Every dog that comes into the Home is behaviour and temperament assessed so we are able to determine those dogs that would benefit from a non-domestic home or meet the criteria needed to be worked in such disciplines. Often crossbreeds can need a 'working home' as they may be more active than the average dog or show potential to thrive with further training. In our experience, crossbreeds can also make outstanding competitive agility or obedience dogs.
Battersea also actively supports the work of assistance dog charities by offering our dogs for rehoming if they are felt to be suitable candidates for the work they would be used for.
Dogs with particular behaviour challenges that are not suitable to be placed into the average pet home are given the chance of a new start in life where they can take on an extremely valuable role working alongside a handler. Many of these dogs have excelled in their operational field, responsible for actively deterring crime - and to think they were once wandering the streets of London as an unwanted dog!
Battersea also actively supports the work of assistance dog charities by offering our dogs for rehoming if they are felt to be suitable candidates for the work they would be used for. We have formed good working relationships with Canine Partners and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. We are proud that we are able to support such organisations, helping them with the valuable contribution they make to people's lives.
At Battersea we also accept rehoming applications for dogs to be used for shooting or gundog training, as we take in dogs ideally suited to this type of work.
We also rehome our Border Collies to sheepdog homes as this breed is typically suited to this type of work and such homes provide these dogs with the stimulation they need.
If you are interested in offering a working home to a Battersea dog then please contact us.
