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Once again I would like to start this report by thanking all those very generous people, who have sent us donations to enable us to have the financial security of look after any dogs that come into our care. Some have donated as a result of giving a Spitz a new start in life, other have contributed simply through their love of our beautiful breed, and this past year has seen us having to manage the rehoming of 7 dogs that were seized by Dover Port Police. The response from all our German Spitz lovers was overwhelming and the amount donated has meant that we have been able to meet all the quarantine costs, and provide for all the needs of these dogs. 

As reported last year work with other rescues needing to find homes for Spitz in their care continues, and we do not have any financial interest in these rehoming, although again the new owners will often make a donation in thanks. Those rehomed through our efforts may not be pure bred Spitz, and it is very rare that we know the pedigree of any of the dogs coming through rescues, they do however get a new secure loving family, who understand the traits of the breed.

Our Club Rescue site (www.germanspitzrescue.co.uk), alongside The Club Facebook site provide very useful vehicles for getting information about the dogs published. Help in fostering dogs is gratefully received. I will repeat that many of these dogs are given up for very good reasons, with owners considering the situation of the dog over theirs. They, along with some rescues approach the Breed Club in the hope of finding that new home where the new owners will understand and love the Breed.

Figure wise during the past 12 months our numbers have remained very stable. I have received 37 enquiries about Spitz potentially needing to be rehomed (including the 7 from Dover). I have also responding to many enquiries both about adopting and from owners wanting general advice about rehoming their dog. These dogs are very rarely German Spitz, but probably of either mixed or Pomeranian origin.

16 dogs posted from other rescues, either by a direct request, or by me being informed of the dog by a third party and contacting the rescue with the offer to post, these comprised of 4 pairs to be homed together and 8 individuals. One pair are still awaiting adoption. This activity I embrace as I feel it gives the dogs a much better chance of finding a new home where the characteristics of the breed are understood and loved.

9 were rehomed directly by the families, (5 by the families efforts, 1 decided to keep the dog after all, and 3 as the result of contacts through the Club). Many owners having to rehome a dog due to unforeseen change in circumstances and wish to be part of the rehoming straight to their new homes. The role I play in this situation is when I receive an enquiry that seems to match the need of the dog, I put both both parties in touch. This provides comfort to the owners knowing that they have met the new owners, and they frequently keep in touch, receiving updates. The predominance of dogs have been Mittel sized, although often of Pomeranian descent.

5 dogs excluding the Dover dogs have formally come through rescue. 4 have been successfully adopted. The 5th was a Battersea dog and it is my practice that the new owners foster for a period until any issues that the dog may have are resolved. He is still in foster care where he is loved and has bonded well by his owner. Although he has made good progress, he is still exhibiting some unwanted behaviour. His carer is being supported by myself and Paddy. Blue remains in the very good hands of his foster carer. 

Now I come to the 7 Dover Dogs. 

On Saturday 19th October when the phone rang. It took me a few minutes to fully grasp what I was hearing. It was a Sargent from Dover Dock police informing me that they had just seized 7 German Spitz that had been concealed all in one crate in a small trailer at the back of a car. They were examined by a vet and reported as having no physical problems, but very feisty, frightened and dirty. The driver chose not to pay the quarantine fee and as a result signed them over to be euthanized. The police have 72 hours to secure funding for these dogs. I agreed on behalf of the German Spitz Club of Great Britain to take responsibility for the quarantine costs (+£3000).  The Kennel Club of Great Britain circulate names and contact of all breed rescues to organisations such as the Dock Police, hence them having my contact details.

They were transferred to Quarantine Kennels two days later, the next day they were seen by the kennel vet and given their rabies injection. The kennel reported that the dogs were very frightened and difficulty to handle.

 The following day they were visited by Committee member, Lucy Barnes (who also set up a JustGiving page to help raise funds to support these dogs.) and veterinary surgeon friend, they were sadly able to confirm that the state of the dogs was as described, take pictures and microchip readings which helped with identification. It was also established that 1 bitch was in season, and the kennels had put them all in the same run.. They were immediately separated. None were approachable, some did take chicken either from floor or hand after a while. Two weeks later Lucy and the vet visited them again and took blood samples from 6 of them, the 7th they were  still unable to handle. Their bloods subsequently came back with clear bills of health.

During their quarantine they were visited every three or four days by Rosie Macpherson, this was an amazing act of kindness and dedication to the breed, she herself has had German Spitz for many years and ran an Akita rescue for 10 years and is very experienced in handling and understanding dogs in this situation, we were in constant touch and her observations of the dogs were very informative in helping me match them to their new homes.  

 Three weeks after their rabies vaccination they were released from Quarantine. Present at release, myself, Becky Godridge and Veterinary friend. All, except for the still very traumatised one, had been bathed. Two were picked up at the kennels by their new owners (Vet who had helped us already has a Spitz, and gave a home to the eldest girl)  2 were picked up on the way home, and the last 3 were taken by Becky to her home and picked up from there. All were in their new homes by the evening which was my primary concern. I had carefully, and after many hours on the phone and correspondence selected these new homes based on the principles that they had to have taken in rescue dogs before (two had through our Club) preferably have or have had Spitz plus experience in handling nervous frightened rescued dogs. There was one exception to this and that was a lady who had given a home to Romanian Street dog, who likewise was in a very shut down state when she arrived. All new owners were aware of the circumstances of these dogs, and the amount of care they would need and were all prepared for the journey ahead.

 With the very tight time frame from notification by Dover, ensuring their safety was secured by getting them moved to the quarantine kennels and then sorting out the paperwork, including working to establish their true identity, contact all applicants for adoption (approx. 14) spend every day talking to these people I had to make some difficult decisions. Possibly the two most significant were not being able to perform a home check, it is my practice to deliver rescue dogs myself whenever possible, it’s always good to put a face to a voice. In this situation I knew that I would be in constant contact with the adopters and hence should any issues arise I would be aware of it The second, although the vet, as we were leaving with the dogs said that it would be a good idea to get all the bitches injected in case they were pregnant, I made the decision, based on my knowledge of the injection (Alizin) (2 injections 24 hours apart) that this would not be in the interests of these bitches and show little empathy towards their welfare that, after the trauma of the move, I ask their new owners to take them to the vets the next day and the following day for this  procedure. With a normally healthy bitch these injections can be relatively safe, but the can likewise be painful and produce nasty side effects.( See DEFRA website for more information) .

I also set up a WhatsApp self help group for them so that any particular common issues can be communicated and ideas/practices shared, together giving each other support.

It was agreed that all bitches would be scanned at the time of their second injection, however when the bitch that had been thought to be in season was taken to the vet, who was fully aware of her history, she was bleeding and the vet deemed that a scan we unnecessary, hindsight is a wonderful thing, and my biggest regret is that I didn’t challenge that decision.

She was one of the older bitches, at 2.5years, and went on to produce 4 very healthy and sociable pups. She proved to be an excellent mother. Sadly, although she had built up an excellent relationship with her owner and was going on walks and gaining confidence, she had also shown signs of a great fear of men and had in fact nipped males in the house on several occasions. After consultation with Paddy it was decided that the home she had was not going to provide her with the environment she needs. After a very tearful parting, she is now being fostered by Rosie, where she is doing very well, and will be looking for her forever home shortly, probably with a lady and other dogs. Two of the puppies stayed where they were born, one went to live as a companion for one of the other Dover bitches, and the other with a family who I had seriously considered for one of the adults, but they had a close family health crisis just before the dogs were due to be released and sensibly informed me of their situation, the family member has now recovered.

To date

At this point in time 3 months since they were seized, we have 7 dogs that have gone from total shut down to now,  through the love and patience of their wonderful new owners are moving towards living happy and heathy lives.

Health wise, one of the males is due to be castrated next week, now that he is just 15 months old, and has gained sufficient confidence. The other, despite being a month older was the most traumatised of the 7 and is still not confident to be handled to any degree. He is slowly and surely improving and is now willing to accept strokes from other than his immediate family. He will be castrated when mentally ready to withstand the separation the operation will mean. The females are due to be spayed 3 months after their next season, giving them time to recover from their ordeal. One has already been spayed due to a new young rescue male playmate being taken in by the family. The mother of the puppies will be spayed in two weeks time, when the puppies will be 12 weeks. We are waiting for the others to come into season.

The man who was transporting them is presently on bail and faces prosecution from Trading Standards, and the Czech German Spitz Club are with our help pursuing the breeder of the dogs with hope of a ban. To date I have learnt that the necessary document have only been passed to Trading Standards in the last few weeks, and the outcome will not be known for at least another month.

 All still have ongoing challenges to varying degrees, but are responding to their new environments. A sincere thank you to all that have made this episode possible and have contributed to such a good outcome, not forgetting those amazing and generous people who with very little notice were willing to step into the unknown and give up their time and energies to turn the lives of these dogs around.

 I continue to work with Paddy Driscoll, who I know I can call upon at any time to give sound advice to owners, whether with rescues or not, who contact me when they are struggling with their Spitz behavioural problems. For this support I thank her, it has helped many owners and dogs.

It has now been 3 months since these lovely dogs were seized by Dover police. I thought that those of you who so kindly donated to help us provide them with the love and security that they deserved, would like to see these pictures of how they are now. Al, still have ongoing challenges to varying degrees, but are responding to the live and patience that their owners are giving them. a sincere thank you to all that have made this episode possible and have contributed to such a good outcome.

I was sat at the kitchen table enjoying a coffee at 9.30 on Saturday 19th October when the phone rang. It took me a few minutes to fully grasp what I was hearing. It was a Sargent from Dover Dock police informing me that they had just seized 7 German Spitz that had been concealed in a small trailer at the back of a car. They were examined by a vet and reported as having no physical problems, but very feisty, frightened and dirty. The driver chose not to pay the quarantine fee and as a result signed them over to be euthanized. The police have 72 hours to secure funding for these dogs. I agreed on behalf of the German Spitz Club of Great Britain to take responsibility for the quarantine costs (+£3000).  The Kennel Club of Great Britain circulate names and contact of all breed rescues to organisations such as the Dock Police, hence them having my contact details.

They were transferred to Quarantine Kennels two days later, the next day they were seen by the kennel vet and given their rabies injection. The kennel reported that the dogs were very frightened and hard to handle.

The following day they were visited by Committee member, Lucy Barnes (who also set up a JustGiving page to help raise funds to support these dogs.) and veterinary surgeon friend, they were sadly able to confirm that the dogs were all in a very frightened, some terrified and dirty state. They took photographs and videos as evidence. None were approachable, some did take chicken either from floor or hand after a while.

Two weeks later Lucy and the vet visited them again and took blood samples from 6 of them, the 7th they were  still unable to handle. Their bloods subsequently came back with clear bills of health.

Three weeks after their rabies vaccination they were released from Quarantine. Present at release, myself, Becky Godridge and Veterinary friend. All, except for the still very traumatised one, had been bathed. Two were picked up at the kennels by their new owners (Vet who had helped us already has a Spitz, and gave a home to the eldest girl)  2 were picked up on the way home, and the last 3 were taken by Becky to her home and picked up from there. All were in their new homes by the evening. All new owners have had or do have Spitz plus experience in handling nervous frightened dogs. New owners are aware of the circumstances of these dogs, but do not have their pedigrees, or full kennel name of their dog. The man who was transporting them is presently on bail and faces prosecution from Trading Standards, and the Czech German Spitz Club are with our help pursuing the breeder of the dogs with hope of a ban.

During their time in quarantine they were also visited at regular intervals by an experienced Club member. I think this was an amazing act of kindness and dedication to the breed. It helped them and enabled us to assess them in preparation for placing them with an appropriate new owner.

Two weeks of being in their new homes all are making good progress, although two of them are stillvery wary and frightened and as yet are not willing to be touched. I will keep in regular touch with them to monitor their progress and support their owners with any issues that may occur. All will complete their vaccinations and be neutered in due course.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who made donations,

I was sat at the kitchen table enjoying a coffee at 9.30 on Saturday 19th October when the phone rang. It took me a few minutes to fully grasp what I was hearing. It was a Sargent from Dover Dock police informing me that they had just seized 7 German Spitz that had been concealed in a small trailer at the back of a car. They were examined by a vet and reported as having no physical problems, but very feisty, frightened and dirty. The driver chose not to pay the quarantine fee and as a result signed them over to be euthanized. The police have 72 hours to secure funding for these dogs. I agreed on behalf of the German Spitz Club of Great Britain to take responsibility for the quarantine costs (+£3000).  The Kennel Club of Great Britain circulate names and contact of all breed rescues to organisations such as the Dock Police, hence them having my contact details.

They were transferred to Quarantine Kennels two days later, the next day they were seen by the kennel vet and given their rabies injection. The kennel reported that the dogs were very frightened and hard to handle.

The following day they were visited by Committee member, Lucy Barnes (who also set up a JustGiving page to help raise funds to support these dogs.) and veterinary surgeon friend, they were sadly able to confirm that the dogs were all in a very frightened, some terrified and dirty state. They took photographs and videos as evidence. None were approachable, some did take chicken either from floor or hand after a while.

Two weeks later Lucy and the vet visited them again and took blood samples from 6 of them, the 7th they were  still unable to handle. Their bloods subsequently came back with clear bills of health.

Three weeks after their rabies vaccination they were released from Quarantine. Present at release, myself, Becky Godridge and Veterinary friend. All, except for the still very traumatised one, had been bathed. Two were picked up at the kennels by their new owners (Vet who had helped us already has a Spitz, and gave a home to the eldest girl)  2 were picked up on the way home, and the last 3 were taken by Becky to her home and picked up from there. All were in their new homes by the evening. All new owners have had or do have Spitz plus experience in handling nervous frightened dogs. New owners are aware of the circumstances of these dogs, but do not have their pedigrees, or full kennel name of their dog. The man who was transporting them is presently on bail and faces prosecution from Trading Standards (a heavy fine or imprisonment), and the Czech German Spitz Club are with our help pursuing the breeder of the dogs with hope of a ban.

During their time in quarantine they were also visited at regular intervals by an experienced Club member. I think this was an amazing act of kindness and dedication to the breed. It helped them and enabled us to assess them in preparation for placing them with an appropriate new owner.

Two weeks of being in their new homes all are making good progress. I will keep in regular touch with them to monitor their progress and support their owners with any issues that may occur. All will complete there vaccinations and be neutered in due course.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who made donations. The total cost is likely to be in excess of £4000, most of which we are hoping to meet without using our welfare reserves, leaving our fund for any other unfortunate Spitz that may need our support in the future.

German Spitz Rescue – March 2019

I would like to start this report by thanking all those very generous people, who have sent us donations to enable us to have the financial security of look after any dogs that come into our care. Some have donated as a result of giving a Spitz a new start in life, other have contributed simply through their love of our beautiful breed, and last year we also received a substantial donation through very exceptional circumstances when Jenny Smith’s family suffered the tragic death of Reacher, when he should have been in  safe care. Any money they received as a result of this loss they donated to help dogs in need.

Work with other rescues needing to find homes for Spitz in their care continues, and we do not have any financial interest in these rehoming, although again the new owners will often make a donation in thanks. Those rehomed through our efforts may not be pure bred Spitz, and it is very rare that we know the pedigree of any of the dogs coming through rescues, they do however get a new secure loving family, who understand the traits of the breed,

I think that Blue will remain with Debbie, and I thank her for the care she gives him without request for financial help.

Our Club Rescue site (www.germanspitzrescue.co.uk), alongside The Club Facebook site provide very useful vehicles for getting information about the dogs published. Help in fostering dogs is gratefully received.  I have been pleased in recent months to note that negative comments on the Facebook page have been very rare. I will repeat that many of these dogs are given up for very good reasons, with owners considering the situation of the dog over theirs. They approach the Breed Club in the hope of finding that new home where the new owners will understand and love the Breed.

Figure wise during the past 12 months our numbers have remainded very stable, with 10 requests from other rescues. This activity I embrace as I feel it gives the dogs a much better chance of finding a new home that understands the breed.  We have been notified directly of 1 less at 15 Spitz potentially needing to be rehomed, and again further 2 we helped families who eventually rehomed them locally. Most who are still with their families are kept by them until a home is found. They then go straight to their new homes, as I am able to put both parties in touch. The predominance of dogs have been Mittel sized, (even if called poms!!!)

On a lighter note we will have one Spitz performing at Crufts this year having been given a home where with encouragement, patience and excellent training she has developed into an excellent dancer!

I would like to thank Paddy Driscoll again, I know I can call upon her to give sound advice to owners, whether with rescues or not, who contact me when they are struggling with their Spitz behavioural problems.

This year started of quietly, but the last 6 months have seemed quite busy..

I continue to have contact and work with other rescues needing to find homes for Spitz in their care. I realise that especially this year that some of the Spitz that I have posted are possibly not of German Spitz origin, but nevertheless they are obviously very much of a spitz type and in need of a home. Those we do see rehomed through our efforts get a new secure loving family, what more could a Spitz want!!! I have heard it whispered that these make our numbers look bad, well seriously I don’t care!!! Actually we have had less this year compared to others.

Blue still remains with Debbie, who fears that his unpredictable disposition to occasionally bite when stressed makes finding the perfect home quite a challenge

Life is always busy on the computer, but I am finding the Club facebook site a very useful vehicle for getting information about the dogs published. Help in fostering dogs is gratefully received. I feel that I also should note that I have been rather alarmed on occasions about the negative comments some of our group members make without really considering the consequences. Many of these dogs are given up for very good reasons, with owners considering the situation of the dog over theirs. They approach the Breed Club in the hope of finding that new home where the new owners understand and love the Breed, and they too may have access to the group pages

Figure wise during the past 12 months we have been notified of 16 Spitz potentially needing to be rehomed, directly through our rescue, plus 9 from various rescues, and a further 2 we helped families to rehome locally. A considerable number go straight to their new homes, as I have been fortunate enough to have new owners patiently waiting for the right dog. The predominance of dogs have been Mittel sized, and I have a short waiting list for small elderly dogs/bitches suitable as companions to elderly owners.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Paddy Driscoll, with whom I speak regularly regarding behavioural problems with some of our charges. She is always very willing to speak to new owners and give excellent help and guidance which I know is greatly appreciated.

German Spitz Rescue – March 2017

This year has seemed generally been quieter than previous, which is probably just as well, as after some continuing ill health in the family, followed by a very fast sale of our house in Wales, we have been living in our caravan since August with our 5 Spitz, whilst managing the build of our new home.

 Some Spitz needing rehoming have proved to be quite needy. I continue to have contact and work with other rescues needing to find homes for Spitz in their care, last year the two that come to mind are Blue, from Battersea, who thanks to Paddy is still in foster care with an animal behaviourist. He is now fine about the home and with other family dogs, but he is finding it very hard not to bark at other dogs he sees whilst out! Although we have had offers of a permanent home, none have been perfect to meet his needs so as he is settled in his foster home, we are not in a hurry. The other case was Chance, now Charlie who had to have the embedded puppy collar removed from his neck, leaving a scar that went almost all the way round. He now has a great home. Our thanks for his wellbeing have to go to Jenny Startup who nursed him back to good health, both mentally and physically .I never cease to be impressed by the love and devotion that new owners are willing to give their new charges, who often come to them with significant issues, the most common being anxiety and lack of socialisation.

Life is always busy on the computer, but I am finding the Club facebook site a very useful vehicle for getting information about the dogs published. Help in fostering dogs is gratefully received, and we now have quite a good network of experienced foster homes, who do a wonderful job in turning around those who come to use with special issues.

Figure wise during the past 12 months we have been notified of 25 Spitz potentially needing to be rehomed, directly through our rescue, plus 5 from various rescues, and a further 4 we helped families managed to rehome locally. A considerable number go straight to their new homes, as I have been fortunate enough to have new owners patiently waiting for the right dog. I am however not in that position at the moment, but situations can change overnight.

Good news regarding Whisky, he now has his ideal fore ever home near Manchester, after his long stay with Kathy, it always pays to wait for the perfect match when dogs have had a rough start in life.

We presently have 2 dogs in foster homes, one sadly terminally ill, but receiving wonderful care, and of course Blue.

German Spitz Rescue - March 2016

I  have contact with an increasing number of rescue organisations, supporting the re homing of any German Spitz. I have corresponded with a total of nine during the last twelve months. Owners continue to make contact, whether needing help with rehoming, or to offer a new home, either by email ( the 921 emails in my rescue folder that I have either received and sent since March 2015, represents in excess of 100% increase over the previous year). The phone is also in constant use. Many of the emails are initially from the rescue site, or previous owners looking to replace a lost one.

Paddy Driscoll continues to offer an excellent behaviour advice service to new owners, plus a few that have contacted me out of desperation regarding their spitz antics.

I have also had wonderful support in fostering dogs that have needed help before moving to permanent homes, Kathy Trout, Lucy Barnes, Mr & Mrs  Croucher, Mr & Mrs Clayton, Molly Hunter, Becky Godridge and Claire Hamer come to mind, I hope I haven't missed anyone else, although there are also those who have offered, but I have thankfully not needed their assistance. 

There has  been an increase in the number of dogs needing to be rehomed.

During the past 12 months we have been notified of 32 Spitz needing new homes, not all have appeared on our web site, as I have been able to match them up with prospective new owners who have already contacted me.  Of these, 3 have been rehomed independently by those contacting me for help, 6 by the rescues that asked for support, and the remainder were found homes either directly or through advertising on the website. We still have the lovely Whiskey from Battersea looking for a home, although I think that Kathy at West Yorkshire Rescue, who is long term fostering him has fallen in love with him and is very discerning when it comes to considering any new owner. I have been heartened by the response I have received from our German Spitz Club Facebook site , were, when stuck for ideas I have posted various of the more needy dogs. 

German Spitz Rescue March 2015 435

I continue to have contact with various organisations in aiding the re homing of any German Spitz. Battersea have contacted me once during this period with what they thought was a Spitz in their care that had failed their rehoming tests. The photo they sent was definitely not a spitz, and they agreed with this, poor dog just behaved like a very frightened spitz!!

Owners continue to make contact, whether needing help with rehoming, or to offer a new home, either by email ( an amazing 435 emails sit in my rescue folder received and sent since March 2014) or phone, usually via the rescue site or to offer a home to another rescue having already given one a home in the past.

There has been a decrease in the number of dogs needing to be rehomed. Once again Becky Brady kindly offered to take a young dog into foster care during the summer until a new home could be found. Paddy Driscoll continues to offer an excellent behaviour advice service to new owners, plus a few that have contacted me out of desperation regarding their spitz antics.

During the past 12 months we have been notified of 20 Spitz needing new homes, not all have appeared on our web site, as I have been able to match them up with prospective new owners who have already contacted me. Of these, 7 have been rehomed independently by those contacting me for help, 3 very elderly that were with Geoff and Irene Clayton are now being permanently fostered by Molly Hunter and 2 of her friends, and the remainder were found homes either directly or through advertising on the website. I have 2 Kleins and an elderly Mittle needing homes at present, but am fairly certain that one will be placed this weekend.

Pat has again raised funds of £283.00 from her companion show, in aid of the Welfare, well done to Pat for all her hard work