rescue

About Rescue

Adopting a Bouvier takes a special person with a general compassion for taking in a "re-homed" Bouv. It can take a lot of hard work and dedication (the same as with owning any pet), but the rewards can be plentiful. We believe that Bouvier rescues are "rescues for a reason". Many times, the reason is simply a mismatch of dog and original owner.

Our Rescue Program is dedicated to helping unfortunate Bouviers in Southern California. We are not a placement service for breeders.

Some rescued Bouviers originate from animal shelters where they have been dropped off by previous owners or picked up as "straylings", in the latter case, the lost and helpless Bouv usually has no microchip, tattoo, license tags or other form of permanent identification. In these cases, we have no concrete history of the dog. Some Bouvs are surrendered to us by their owners, the reason can vary greatly (i.e. death in family, divorce, moving out of country, no time to train, no time to devote to the dog, etc.).

When we have an incoming Bouvier they are usually fostered for at least a few days so that they can adjust a bit and provide us with the opportunity to learn more about their personality. Some dogs adapt to changing circumstances quickly and seemingly painlessly. Others take longer before their true personalities emerge.

All Bouviers are sexually altered and have received vaccines prior to placement. They are vet-checked, and occasionally, more extensive veterinarian care is needed before we deem the dog to be placeable; several rescues have come to us with broken bones, some have needed dental work, another occasion found us with an adult Bouvier who had entropion (all four eyelids) which required corrective surgery before he could go to his new home.

Sometimes we get Bouviers which the owners consider to be "problem" dogs. After we evaluate them, more times than not, we believe what is needed is guidance, direction, training, consistency and again, acknowledging their existence with positive feedback and love. Some seem ready to go to their new homes in a week or so. We had one who wasn't ready until after 8 weeks of training and a consistent lifestyle, but boy did he make a complete turnaround! We were, and still are, so very proud of this particular Bouv.

What can you expect when you adopt a Bouvier?
Simply put: The unexpected! You must be dedicated and committed to dealing with situations as they appear. You don't have to be a "dog expert" to be successful; it just takes some common sense and remaining aware of behavioral changes and how you interact with the dog. Our Rescue Group provides total support for the life of your adopted Bouvier. We have a fine group of experienced people who are only a phone call away (and oftentimes a short drive) to help if needed.

We thoroughly screen applicants wanting to adopt a Bouvier.
We want to minimize the chance of a dog needing to be "re-homed". We do our best to match a dog's personality and needs with the expectations and lifestyle of a family. We all work together and we keep in touch to make sure everything is all right and everyone is happy. What continues to amaze us is it seems that the adult Bouviers almost know what has taken place when they go to their new home; they seem to exhibit a keen appreciation for getting a "second chance" at life, or finally being loved and accepted for what they are; they seem to never forget what their new family means