In our community of Fargo, N.D., West Fargo, N.D., and Moorhead, Minn., 85 impounded dogs were euthanized in 2008, along with 698 cats (not a typo).
Giant breed dogs, “bad rap” breeds, senior dogs, sick dogs and injured dogs are the least likely to be pulled from pounds because it is more difficult to find homes for them.
Without foster homes, dogs cannot be saved because there is nowhere for them to go. Because of this, dog rescues desperately need foster homes for their dogs. A foster owner provides temporary care for the dog until a permanent home is found.
Bentley’s Buds Great Dane Rescue based in North Dakota, is one rescue in need of foster homes for its many giant breeds.
Some examples of giant breeds include the great dane, great Pyrenees, St. Bernard, Newfoundland, Irish wolfhound, Scottish deerhound and various mastiff breeds. If you are able to foster a large dog, please consider contacting a dog rescue in your area.
Reasons to foster a giant breed dog
(Or better yet, adopt one!)
1. Giant breeds typically have mellow personalities.
Larger dogs are generally docile and gentle. They are content lying at your feet or snuggling on the couch. It’s not fair to say all great danes and mastiffs will get along with other dogs, but as a general rule the breeds do well when properly introduced to other animals. They are also tolerant of children.
2. Giant breeds don’t need a ton of exercise.
Considering their size, breeds such as great danes, Newfoundlands and St. Bernards do not need any more exercise than a lab. Most likely, they will need less. Still, all dogs need a good 45 minutes of exercise every day.
3. Protection.
Most dogs are not going to protect their owners because they are not trained as protection dogs.
Still, who’s going to try to attack someone or break into a home if there’s a great dane barking? I think I’d pick the house without a giant dog.
4. You will be a spokesperson for the breed.
Other people will see you out and about with your well-mannered St. Bernard or mastiff, and they will see that these dogs really are gentle giants. You and your foster dog can teach others about giant breeds.
5. The dog will be adopted quicker.
People want to know as much as possible about a dog they are adopting. If the dog is sitting in a shelter, it’s hard to know much about her personality. But if the dog lives in a foster home, the foster owner will know a lot about the dog. Maybe the dog is tolerant of cats and children or maybe the dog is afraid of thunder and other loud noises.
6. Large breed dogs draw attention.
People will be lining up to pet and meet your giant breed dog. When Ace and I are out with our great dane friend, everyone stops to look at her and they barely notice my mutt!
7. You are saving a life.
Not only are you saving the life of the dog you are fostering or adopting, but you are opening up more space, money or resources for another dog to be rescued. You are also spreading awareness about the importance of volunteering for a dog shelter or rescue.
8. You are doing what few people are willing to do.
Most people are not willing to foster a dog at all. Those that do are most likely going to take in a dog less than 50 pounds. Not one that’s 160 pounds!
9. Fostering a dog is a good test to see if the breed is right for you.
Perhaps you will realize that a great dane is not as hard to care for as you thought. Or maybe you will realize it just isn’t right for you. Fostering is a good way to find out.
10. You might end up adopting!
Many foster owners end up keeping their foster dogs. Sometimes it is a good fit, and it makes sense.
Dog adoption Fargo
If you are interested in fostering a dog in the Fargo-Moorhead area, please visit the following dog rescue web sites or visit my Fargo dog adoption page.
Bentley’s Buds Great Dane Rescue
Bentley’s is based out of Oakes, N.D. This rescue takes in giant breeds and is in need of foster homes, volunteers and donations.
4 Luv of Dog Rescue
4 Luv of Dog Rescue has several dogs in need of foster homes such as Hannah the lab/mastiff mix. 10/06/09 update: Hannah has a foster home! But she is still available for adoption.
Adopt-A-Pet of Fargo Moorhead
Adopt-A-Pet depends on foster homes for all its rescued dogs, cats and rabbits.
What’s your favorite giant breed? Would you consider fostering one?
Related posts:
- Reason to foster a dog
- Reasons to adopt an older dog
- How to prepare for a foster dog
- Giving away free dogs
- 100 ways to help a dog shelter
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Giant breeds rule!
We can’t take ours anywhere without getting attention (number six is sooooo true) and he IS a VERY mellow guy that really hates when we make him exercise.
I love my big, silly 130lb black & tan bloodhound!
October 2nd, 2009 at 2:16 pm
I’d love to foster a giant breed dog, but I know my little guys would be mean to him. They have decided that four is enough.
October 2nd, 2009 at 2:48 pm
And whatever they decide goes!
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Hm. ##3, 4 and 6 all true with this big dog lover!
October 3rd, 2009 at 3:46 am
Oh my god Lindsay, I had to look twice, that is a pic of my Chelsea! but the collar was wrong.. gees it made me think.. if something happened to me and Chels evergot seperated from me, I hope like hell someone would foster her.. & care for her. Not only is she a Dane but she is black and statistically people leave black dogs behind in the pound…
We only have a small RSPCA pound here but after your story Ive arranged to see them Wednesday. Im home now so taking in another Dane would work…
Well researched post and one of your best mate… it reminds me what damn good, caring people are out there… we hear so many negative storys with neglected dogs… well done!
October 3rd, 2009 at 10:00 am
I know, doesn’t it look just like her?
Happy to hear you are considering taking in another dane, although I don’t know how you do it. I don’t know if I could handle two!
Glad you liked the post. That means a lot to me!
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:09 pm
I wish we could convince more prospective adoptors and foster families of #1 on your list. I get really tired of trying to explain to people that the adorable little small breeds that we have available for adoption are often not a wise choice for a good family dog.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Yes, you are very right!
October 5th, 2009 at 11:04 am
I walk a Great Dane called Scarlet – a 30 minute walk and she’s pooped for the rest of the day!
She’s so laid back and chilled, despite living with a mastiff pup (so pooped after 20 mins he can barely get back in the car) and a MastiffxGreat Dane who is more active and has a couple of 30 min walks a day. He’ll play fetch for 20 mins, then be too tired to run anymore!
Highly recommended if you have the space!
October 5th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Thanks, Linda! I can just picture you walking those three dogs! Do you walk them all together?
October 6th, 2009 at 6:38 am
[...] curious, with cattle, on an adventure only a month ago. The poem is from a Dane rescue site which thatMutt featured this week & says things better than I can. I know the Dane and dog world pulled [...]
October 6th, 2009 at 9:34 am
I really love the idea of fostering a dog! We aren’t where we can do that right now (no dogs allowed), but some day! I think I could talk my husband into it if it was a temporary situation. I’d get my “dog fix” and help out a lovely dog and rescue or shelter. Maybe he would fall in love with the foster dog and we could adopt!!
October 6th, 2009 at 9:39 am
That’s a great idea! I hope it works out and you are able to foster a dog. Hopefully you are right and your husband will want to adopt it!