Margate

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  • Human family requirements

    I need an adult-only home with no visiting kids to keep me stress-free.

  • Other pet requirements

    I can’t live with cats and I would prefer being an only dog

  • House and garden requirements

    I’m active and would love a large, secure garden to let off steam.

  • Out and about requirements

    I have lots of energy and need an active home that loves adventures.

  • Training needs

    I pull on the lead and need someone to help me learn to walk nicely.

  • Medical issues

    I’m fully vaccinated and neutered. I have received treatment for an ear infection.

Meet Margate – Our Clever, Charismatic Underdog Still Waiting for His Big Break

At the time of writing this (12-04-25) Margate has now spent over 17 months in kennels. That’s 506 days of waiting. Waiting while thousands of people have walked past his kennel. Waiting while his friends have come and gone. Waiting for someone to truly see him.

Everyone here adores Margate – he’s smart, affectionate, and bursting with personality. But love from staff isn’t the same as a forever home, and Margate is more than ready for his next chapter.

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So, Who Is Margate?

Margate came to us from a breeder in November 2023. He's incredibly intelligentloves a challenge, and will do absolutely anything for a tasty treat. He picks up tricks like lightning – he knows “sit”, “paw” and “speak” and he’s always ready to learn more. He thrives when his brain is engaged and would be an excellent candidate for scent work or activities like cani-cross (on-lead only!). He’s been described as one of the smartest dogs we’ve ever worked with.

He's vocal, a bit cheeky, and loves to tell us when it’s breakfast time – you can hear his excited barks all the way from the car park. He may come off as bouncy and bold, but beneath the surface, Margate is a sensitive soul who, sadly, has been let down by humans before. He can get worried easily, especially in overwhelming environments like the vet, where he becomes a bit of a puddle of anxiety (though he's muzzle-trained and manages with support).

What Kind of Home Does Margate Need?

Margate does require a very specific kind of home, and we won’t sugar-coat it – he’s not a “starter dog.” He needs:

  • An adult-only home with no children (resident or visiting).
  • A pet-free home/only a calm female dog in the home – no cats, small furries, or other dogs that are male or over the top.
  • A family who is experienced and committed to setting boundaries.
  • A safe, secure area for walks (Margate must remain on-lead due to his prey drive).
  • A quiet room in the house where he can decompress, sleep, and feel safe if visitors come or you need to pop out.

Margate is possessive around food, toys, and bedding, likely stemming from insecurity in his past. These behaviours are manageable – we’ll give guidance – but his adopters will need to understand and work with him, never punish or push him beyond his limits. Setting him up for success is the key.

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What You’ll Get in Return

Margate will test you – not because he's difficult, but because he's clever, spirited, and sensitive. But once you have his trust, you’ll have a bond that’s unbreakable.

You’ll get:

  • A walking buddy who could go for miles.
  • A training partner who makes you feel like the smartest dog trainer alive.
  • A goofy, snuggly, loyal companion who’ll fill your home with character.
  • A dog who will change your life – and whose life you’ll change too.

Why Has He Waited So Long?

Because Margate isn’t a dog you can bring home on a whim. He’s for someone extraordinary. Someone who sees past the behaviours and looks into his big, soulful eyes and says, “I’ve got you now.”

Margate has come so far during his time with us – he’s learned manners, made friends, gained confidence, and shown us the incredible potential he holds. But he deserves so much more than life in a kennel, no matter how much we love him.

Margate is not for everyone, but if he’s for you – truly for you – then you are in for the most rewarding journey. He’ll love you with his whole heart, and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without him.

If you think you could be his person, please don’t wait another day.

Margate’s forever is long overdue. Let’s not make him wait another year.

 “My boy, Margate… I see all of you, and I’ll love you like you’re my own until your forever person comes along. I’ll be so jealous of whoever gets to share their life with you.”

Margate's Diary

  • My boy, Margate. 

    Another day for Margate in kennels, after another week, another month... I'm just hoping that he doesn't have to wait until the another year mark.

    Margate has been waiting for seventeen months for his ideal home to find him, that's 506 days in the same place, with people who adore him, but they're not just his people. He has to share his time with so many other dogs that are waiting for their forever homes, but none have been waiting as long as him.

    He does require a special home, with people who can help him thrive and who will not fail him! But as long as they understand his needs and set him up for success, they'll get so much in return.

    Margate needs a cat, child (resident and visiting) and small furry free home. He needs mental stimulation and he needs a good deal of exercise too, he is smart, so so soooo smart and this is where his humans will have to try and be smarter.

    Margate learns everything very quickly and will need to have clear, set boundaries in his new home from the get-go. He will need to be given his own bed, that he learns is his bed and that he isn't allowed on the sofas or other furniture, especially to begin with. He will need a home that understands how to enrich his life, to use his brain and that LOVES a good walk. He could walk for miles. He could potentially do cani-cross as he loves to run, but Margate needs to be kept safe at all times, so he will need to be kept on a lead in anything he does (unless in a secure rented dog field area). He has a high prey drive and a nose that rivals the very best sniffer dog. If you had treats in your pocket at some point this year, he'll know.

    The best set up for Margate would be a home that could adapt a room to be his area that is free of food and where he could go to sleep at night, if visitors came round or if you had to pop out to go shopping etc. He needs this to be his area that helps him feel safe and secure.

    Although he can act like a big tough guy, underneath it all he is extremely sensitive and can get very worried by things.

    How can we blame him for being this way? He's been let down by humans over and over again, he has had thousands of people walk by his kennel during his stay and no one chooses him.. I know that in a home that FULLY understands him and puts everything in place to set him up to succeed, then he will be the bestest boy you could ever wish to know. His heart is the size of the whole universe and he just needs someone to see him and commit to him, then they'll see what I see too. My boy, Margate, I see all of you and I'll love you like you're my own until your forever person comes along. I'll be so jealous of the person who gets to share their life with you.

    Disclaimer - although he picks up agility things quite quickly, this is not something he should do to a competitive level as the environment of the events would not benefit him.

  • It is now over a year since Margate joined us here in Many Tears.  That’s 365 days of seeing the same kennel, and the same routine and watching his friends leave whilst he gets left behind. This year it’ll be the second Christmas in kennels and whilst others are snuggled up in a warm home and spoilt with presents, it’ll be another day in kennels for him.  Everyone here at the rescue loves Margate!

    What can I say that already hasn’t been said about this wonderful boy ??

    He’s a real character, smart and witty. Every morning I hear him from the staff car park and you know that he’s announcing breakfast time for the whole rescue!  At times he can be loud and bouncy but deep down he’s just a little baby who loves a good snuggle.  

    Margate really has improved over the year, learnt new tricks, muzzle trained, met loads of new friends and loves meeting new people! He’ll happily walk past volunteers and once instructed to sit and wait he will receive a fuss.

    So far Margate has only needed the muzzle for the vets as a precaution, but he tends to turn into a puddle of mush as he’s actually quite scared of the vets.

    Margate does have issues regarding high value treats, toys and beds. This is resolved by removing any food in the area, removing any toys from the yard before play time and using multiple blankets for bedding. This is something that can be discussed and helped with for potential adopters.

    All Margate needs is for adopters to understand his requirement’s and who are willing to work with him in a home environment.  He is such a beautiful wonderful boy who really is wasted here in kennels?

  • Margate is still absolutely thriving and learning every day. He is such a clever boy who enjoys his training and the company of his kennel friend. He has come such a long way, but in a home he could truly excel as long as his new humans know how to keep his training progressing and his mind busy. I really hope he breaks free soon.

  • Margate is one of those dogs that once you know him, you fall head over heels in love with him. He is one of the smartest dogs I've ever worked with, picks things up incredibly quickly and tries very hard to please you. He would be the perfect only dog for someone who wants to pour lots of time in to training to build a strong bond with him and who will understand that he will train you if given a chance. He's a super special guy with so much love to give, he just needs the right person to choose him and fully commit.

  • Margate is a super cool bocker. He loves long walks and his time in the yard. He thrives with anything to get his brain working, so stimulation games are an excellent way of working Margate. The best way to work with him is definitely food, he will do anything for a tasty treat. Be careful though as Margate can be food possessive. As you can see by the pictures he is such an affectionate boy who loves a good fuss, to go with that he is just absolutely handsome! Margate has been in kennels for some time now and he does cope well with being in kennels, but he would just absolutely thrive in an active home with someone who is willing to keep him busy and stimulated. While he's been with us he's always had a female kennel friend but he would also be an excellent only dog, so you have the best of both worlds with Margate, but due to his exuberant nature he might grate on any resident dogs a bit . Margate is a stunning young man with bags of personality and he loves all the attention and will need an experienced owner as he is a rambunctious soul. Margate is an absolute star and deserves the best life possible, if you feel you can offer him his best life get in contact. Be sure to read all the previous updates on Margate also to get the best overall idea of this smart little man. This wonderful boy has been in kennels for far too long now and is ready to find his forever home and new loving family. Will you give him the chance to progress to the next chapter in his life?

  • Margate is a unique boy. Firstly, Margate will need an owner with some experience under their belt, to make sure his rehabilitation is successful. It is probably best that he is homed as an only dog, as Margate struggles to get along with some dogs due to his boisterous personality, which can be overwhelming. This doesn't mean he can't be homed with another dog, as he has had a few kennel friends at the rescue that he gets along great with, he just prefers human attention. Margate will not trust strangers 100% straight off the bat , he's always excited to see people and interact with them, but to build a bond of trust takes some time. However this is an experience that I've found extremely rewarding. I discovered this when I took him to the vets for an intimate checkup, and was surprised to discover that he would only allow me to carry out the checks. It absolutely melted my heart to know that he had complete faith in me. He really is a sweet, colourful personality with so much love and energy to give, he just needs some time, love and repetition with a regular owner to steer all that energy in a positive direction  

  • Since his last update Margate has been enjoying learning tricks and enjoying fun little games. We have learnt to "sit" "paw" and to" speak". Margate enjoys his treats so was very keen to learn and being as smart as he is, picks up training in a flash. He is a very vocal boy and will bark until I give a treat. I do not give in and he will stop and wait patiently. Margate does need to learn manners so will need adopters to remind him of this and to show Margate right and wrong.

    Margate has come on so well since being here and I must admit that I do have a soft spot for him. He enjoys his walks but does pull a little when he has found a sniff, but can easily be managed with lead training. I'm currently teaching Margate to sit when I stop walking, to get his pulling under control, and as Margate is food motivated, it’s easy to see that this can be managed with little trouble. He is already  getting the hang of it!

    Margate does jump up on you and can jump quite high, so adopters will need to encourage Margate not to jump up, which I am currently showing him, but again he is a very smart boy who is eager to learn. He is a funny, friendly, and vocal boy who will needs adopters to be mindful of his needs and issues and redirect him properly for him to be the best boy he can. He is still kenneled with his friend who both still continue to share their bed and space together with no problems. He is still only young and I can't wait to see him flourish more than what kennel life can offer him. Please read Margate's profile and updates and see what an amazing boy he is. He is perfect for someone that loves to share an active lifestyle with their dog, and we can’t wait to see pictures of him on all his future adventures!

  • Margate is a gorgeous boy who I have spent a lot of time getting to know recently and has come along way since his last update. He greets you with a waggy tail and excitement when he knows you and does enjoy a gentle fuss. He is also getting used to his name and when you call him he will turn to you. Margate has very high energy and needs an active household who enjoys long walks and adventures and are able to stimulate him mentally as well as physically. He also walks on a lead but can pull, this can easily be managed with lead training and I believe will settle once he gets to go on regular adventures with his new family as he enjoys the sniffs of the world . Margate loves to learn and play and due to his breed, he will need adopters to understand the Bocker breed and the energy they have. Margate currently is kennelled with a female cocker and they spend their time together playing in the yard and rolling around in their beds together. They both get on very well!

    Due to Margate's resource guarding, him and his kennel friend have bedding and blankets rather than plastic normal beds and they both share this with no problems. Margate does have food guarding issues  and is fed separately from his kennel friend. This can also be managed in a home with another dog if he is separated at feeding times. Margate does take treats from you when his kennel friend is present and has not shown any issues towards them but this still needs to be remembered. I have been visiting him when I'm not on the same section to issue treats around other dogs in proximity to get him used to being in the same space around other dogs with food and treats. With these small issues, Margate will need an adult home with no children.

    Margate has mastered a few tricks with treats, learning to sit and give paw. He gets very excited when you ask him but need to tell him firmly. Margate can be jumpy and will jump on you so he will need a firm voice to encourage him manners. Margate learns quickly so I think teaching him house training, lead training as well as other tricks and manners will come quickly for him, especially with treats!

    He is a stunning boy and overlooked here at the rescue. If you have a Bocker sized hole in your heart and are active, love long walks, adventures and fun. Please consider applying for Margate.  

  • Hi! My name is Margate I am 2 years old male Bocker (Cocker X Beagle) and have found myself at this amazing place called Many Tears. When I first arrived, I was extremely worried with my new surroundings, and adapting back to kennel life was very tough. I have spent a little time in a home but because of my high energy levels and need for adventures my family wasn’t able to provide this so unfortunately through no fault of my own I have set out on an adventure to find my new forever home. In my new home I would need a child free home with no visiting children. In my new home I will need someone who understands my breed and have had experience with similar breeds. I am currently in a bedroom (Kennel) with a female Bocker called Nova. We don’t interact too much but we do enjoy one another’s company so I could be happy having another friend in my new home upon having a meet and greet at the rescue. I can also be an only dog as long as I have a loving owner who plays lots of games with me. I have mastered walking on a lead and I absolutely love to explore and go on walks so having a busy home who is as on the go as I am would really benefit my energy levels. I still struggle a little to find the toilet but if I’m shown I will definitely find a way to go in the right place. when I meet new people I can become a little shy and anxious so go slow with me, have a kind voice and I will wag my tail and ask you for some fuss. After spending a day with you i trust very easily and I will become your best friend. If you’d like to meet me I am currently at the many tears rescue.
    Margate is still waiting for his forever home at Many Tears and despite his struggles around food and resource guarding from humans and dogs when food is involved, all he needs is an experienced home with the ability to adapt and help Margate with this. He will bring so much joy into your home and he can't wait to be a cherished member of the family where he can go on lots of adventures and finally be loved.

  • Margate is a stunning but very confused boy who is overwhelmed to be here and has been through so much change recently. He has come to us from a breeder to find his forever home. Initially when you first meet him he is mistrustful of strangers and unsure about being handled - he will make his worries known by growling. However once you have spent a few minutes in his company showing that you are safe he quickly warms up to you and jumps all over you for love and attention. We suspect he may have lived in a home before and then returned to the breeder hence his being unsure of people initially which is fair enough, poor boy! Margate already walks on a lead and would probably prefer to be an only dog.  Margate will need a cat free home as he is far too interested in them and a home without children or visiting children as he would find them too much. Margate may need help learning to live in a home and being taught housetraining skills. Margate is such a poor soul who just wants to be loved and to feel safe. Margate would need a home that is experienced in resource guarding and can help Margate work through his struggles. Margate can resource guard when he has food or high value treats/chews/bones around both dogs and people so this would need to be managed with an environment set up to ensure lovely Margate is set up for success.

Can live with other dogs

This dog can be homed with a resident dog.