Fostering a Hungarian dog in need

Nesa Payne.

I have been fostering Hungarian dogs for around 12 months now. One failed foster and 10 that I could bare to let go later, here’s a short run down of my experience:

Sadly the Hungarian dogs arrive quite shell shocked and scared, stinking (you never forget the smell!), hungry and usually with some kind of medical condition. But without exception, they are the sweetest souls who after a period of adjustment are brilliant with humans of all ages, and other dogs. Like all dogs, they have different characters and its amazing to watch them flourish.

I’ve had a sock pincher, a football chaser, a noisy sod (little dog syndrome), a sofa licker, a dribbler (literally), a messy eater, an eater of everything (including aforementioned sock), a grumbler, an escape artist and a couple of poo eaters!

Every dog I’ve had has bonded with us very quickly and most have wanted to be close. Some absolutely love the kids, play and chase footballs. Others have been a bit wary and would rather just watch from a distance, but as long as they have a safe space they are fine. Most of the dogs I’ve looked after just don’t know how to play, and having another dog really helps them learn. I’ve had a couple of female dogs that have been so shut down that they didn’t come out of their crate for a couple of days. Tripe sorts this out….I’m yet to meet a dog who can resist tripe.

The needs of these dogs are quite simple; they need space and time to decompress, food, warmth and love. Some dogs seem less traumatized than others and take just a couple of days to start interacting, others can take quite a while longer. My latest foster can only manage a walk of about 25metres even after being here for over a month, some are out and about after only a couple of days.

As a fosterer, you will learn so much even if you are an experienced dog owner. I’ve seen and dealt with so many medical conditions now, its been a real learning curve. I’ve relied heavily of the FBS Team who have helped out at all hours of day and night.

Most of my dogs have had medical issues and that does require time and commitment. But there's no better feeling than a vet telling you that you’ve saved a dogs vision or hearing.

These dogs do wee and poo pretty much anywhere when they arrive, so this is something that I think every potential fosterer needs to know. They do tend to learn to quite quickly to go to the toilet outside, but my failed foster still decides to wee on the kitchen floor even after 10 months of being here. Remember, they have been used to living in concrete kennels, or even worse in cages, so don’t see what all the fuss is about. Most Frenchie’s also need their bums wiping…..just throwing that one in there.

I am always asked how I can let these dogs go and my answer is that without exception, the dogs I have looked after have gone to amazing homes. Knowing that the dogs have been matched perfectly makes saying goodbye so much easier. I have met some great people along the way, some of whom keep in touch. New owners come to my home to pick up their dog, which is amazing to be part of.

If you don’t feel you can foster at present, please consider donating. I have seen first hand the vets bills these dogs generate. If a dog needs a procedure, it’s done without question.

I hope I’ve given you a taste of what its like to foster. Its one of the most rewarding things I have ever been part of.

Lorna Johnstone

No dog has been the same when we have fostered them over the past 2.5 years. Unfortunately alot of these dogs have experienced physical abuse (from being in puppy farms) which leads to trust issues and fear of humans, this is always the 1st uphill battle to gain their trust and you to show them that not every hand will hurt them.

Our first foster dog, would move away when approached or immediately drop to the floor and wouldn't move until you had given her space, this was also the case of her passing you by, she needed a big enough space between you to trust it was safe enough. It broke our hearts every day to see this.

August 2020 we was ask by Lindsey Scanlon to take an emergency foster of a Hungarian baby that arrived 4 days earlier into the UK. Lil Lulamae was shut down, she didn't understand where she was or deal with what was going on around her. She tucked herself as far away from people and point blank had refused to eat or drink anything for the 4 days of being here. A safe space was set up for her and there was no pressure on her to do anything. I was luckily enough to get her eating on the 1st day of arriving with us and everyday after but we still face challenges with her BUT every triumph was soo rewarding and watch these dogs blossom.

I will say having one or more dogs already in the home does help with the transition and provides guidance on what normal life is and generally how to be a dog.

These dogs have been great with kids, just as long as the kids understand to not over step boundaries and give the dog space when needed (like any dog needs)

Cats have never been any issue (approx 2% have decided they don't like them) so if your feline friend isn't fussed about dogs then sign up for fostering.

Unfortunately these dogs need basic training, like knowing where to go to the toilet, some pick it up quickly and some take time (weeks/months) so if a dog messing in your home is an issue generally Fostering isn't for you.

Vicky Whitwell

September 2020 I took in my first foster, she was so skinny and trusted no one. This little lady has food intolerances and needed an understanding home. It took weeks for her to trust anyone.

After a few weeks we started to see some improvements. With lots of encouragement she started to walk on her lead but would lay flat on seeing a car, however with lots more encouragement and trust building she eventually crossed a road, I was so happy I cried, seeing a dog grow was so rewarding. We fail fostered her and over the next 8 months continued to work on her diet and watch her grow. Over a year on and our little lady is a completely different dog, she loves to walk, cuddle and play.

We have continued to foster over the last 12 months and seeing a furbaby grow and become the dog it's supposed to be is honestly the most rewarding thing I have ever done. As a medical foster home we build a bond with all our foster furbabies and seeing these go to their forever homes is beautiful.

We have had the honour of being part of over 15 fosters in the last 12 months and each one has been different but so so rewarding. Some need space, some need cuddles, some need to learn to be a dog. These dogs may be 2, 3, 4, 5 or even 6. But each one is like a new baby who needs to learn to trust and be a happy dog.

Nikki Clayton

Sharing my experience of adoption and fostering for FBS in case it helps anyone. In the first two weeks of lock-down we lost our Luna. She was only 3 and it was very sudden.

I had been following the charity because I love Frenchies. A few months after losing Luna we started to apply to adopt. The first few few times we weren't selected and it was very difficult to accept! Eventually we were home checked for our beautiful Monica and were chosen for her . We travelled to Oldham and met the lovely Tamara Lee and Tracy Howard, her foster family. Despite our best efforts they wouldn't let us take all of their dogs and their cat, but they carefully made sure we were the right people for Monica.

Bringing home a dog who has come from such horrendous circumstances isn't easy - she wasn't toilet trained fully and had never been on a harness and lead. We spent weeks just standing in the garden letting her get used to it all. In my head she would just slot into Luna's place but she is a different dog - she has slotted in in her own way!

Fast forward to lock-down 2 and we were asked to foster a Hungary dog, who we instantly christened Dora the Snorer. She was totally different - terrified and stinky, yes, and hyperventilating, but a much more confident hound than Monni. We bathed her, fed her, let her find her feet, and within a week she was rolling round the house with both Monica and our Staffy cross Ellie. Hearing she had new potential parents was hard but we felt we had done our bit. Sometimes, though, things are just meant to be - the adoption fell through and we took her on as our dog.

It hadn't been easy. They both still piddle on the floor if the mood takes them. Monica has had an emergency hysterectomy and Dora, an older dog, has epilepsy, liver scarring, and weak legs. But they are both living their best lives.

Adoption doesn't mean you will get a well balanced, healthy designer dog for a bargain price. They are already adult and have suffered dreadfully. My husband, who adores them, is most put out by the fact that Dora often takes against him and barks the house down - god only knows what men have done to her. They both get nervous, and our lives are dictated by them - neither can cope with being in a busy town and Dora freaks out on a lead. But the love and laughter caused by my two little comedians makes it well worth it. Please don't adopt or foster if you're not prepared for a less than "perfect" dog - but I promise they are worth it.

Leigh Dorrington

I didn’t think I could cope with fostering because of getting attached and I kept saying no when asked if I would as I just use to help with road trains but finally Sadie convinced me to apply to foster so October 20th 2019 I picked up my first foster and just seeing them all in the van broke my heart. I got Rosie and popped her in the car she was shaking and I sat there stroking her talking to her and I cried but then you remember you are the next step to their happy ever after and they will never experience anything horrible again.

Two years now I’ve been fostering and 20 of them have been from Hungary and one was a failed foster. No two dogs are the same I’ve had ones that will be happy straight away and will be straight on you for cuddles and playing with toys and others that will stay outside and hide, ones that won’t come near you for weeks but remember patience is everything let them do things in their own time. Seeing their personalities finally come out is just amazing. Some of these dogs will of never experienced love and affection only neglect and abuse.

I find having my other dogs help them to adjust and settle and learn from. I also have two cats and a couple of the dogs have wanted to play but they learn that the cats don’t want to play and the others have just not bothered at all with them.

They will usually need a bath, regular ear, face folds, eyes cleaned. Sometimes something for a dry nose.

If you can’t handle accidents in the house and things being chewed and pinched then this is not for you as these dogs most of the time won’t be toilet trained, they won’t know what is a toy and what isn’t. Noises might scare them they might bark at them. You might get some sleepless nights while they settle to the new environment. They might be terrified having a harness put on or scared of going out for a walk, take things slowly build it up.

Fostering is the most rewarding thing, is it easy no not sometimes and it still doesn’t get any easier saying good bye to them but it’s so worth it when you see them in their forever home happy. I love getting updates of my past fosters.

If you’ve been thinking of fostering please apply so more dogs get their happy ever after. You will not be alone you have constant support from the team and also from the other fosters. It’s a true honour to be part of this.