[Page last updated 29/04/2011 14:07 ]

< Gus

Gus is in "Dogs needing Special Homes" because he is a strong dog on the lead and is not comfortable with all dogs he meets so needs work to socialise him with dogs.

Gus is an Elkhound cross Labrador, he is a strikingly handsome, medium sized dog about knee high, he is about a year old.

Gus seems very fit and healthy, he is active and agile and has a stunning yellow coat. He is a well balanced dog with nice paces and a good ground covering stride. He has lovely clean teeth and bright eyes.

He is a very active and intelligent dog who would do very well if trained for agility trials. He really enjoys learning new tasks and commands and picks things up extremely quickly if given food rewards when he does well.

This dog would benefit from professional training, he is strong on the lead, better on an extending lead and very good off lead. He wears a harness but may benefit from a headcollar at first to reduce the pulling.

Gus is very kind and affectionate, he follows the foster round like a shadow. He loves human company and would make a great family pet for older children as he is rather too active and boisterous for youngsters so could easily accidentally knock them over.

Gus is CAT FRIENDLY see photo of him with a ginger cat lying on chair in the background.

We are looking for a home that has experience of big, strong, active dogs such as Labradors, Shepherds or other working types. Gus needs someone who knows positive reward-based training methods and who will spent time training him and stimulating his active mind. In the right hands Gus will be a superbly well trained and obedient dog once he knows what is expected of him.

We are looking for someone who is fit and strong as Gus is able to pull hard on occasion. He doesn't need a lot of exercise as long as he gets 2 good walks and some off lead walking in open country so he can run off steam.

Most important for Gus is to have human company and someone around most of the time, because if he is left alone for long periods he gets very upset and may howl.

Gus needs work to improve his socialisation with dogs as he is very uncomfortable around dogs.

Neutered, vaccinated, treated for fleas and worms, microchipped

Contact Jo 07827294856

< Chance

is in "Dogs looking for Special homes" because she has fear related issues, and needs confident, calm dog experienced owners to improve her social skills.

Chance is a pedigree Briard and she is a sensitive, loving, affectionate dog.

Chance has been clipped as her coat was very matted.She is fostered at an isolated smallholding where she is always off lead, and is living as part of a group of 12 dogs and gets on very well with all of them. She sleeps in the kitchen with 8 dogs and shares her bed with a terrier or two. She is able to be crated for short times without distress provided the crate is large enough. She is house trained and not destructive. Although she is nervous on meeting new dogs we have never seen her fight. She barks at strangers when they walk past or on arrival at the house but after being given a few pieces of cheese she is best friends. We love her dearly.

We encourage you to investigate and research the breed before considering Chance as she is typical of the breed characteristics.

The Briard is a large, powerful herding dog with an exceptional hearing ability. It has a thick double coat that takes a lot of maintenance or it becomes very easily matted.

Briards are kind but have a strong protective instinct so making them a wonderful, alert watchdog. A long history of working with humans makes them intelligent with a good memory, and playful. They can be a challenge because of their size and strength and need to be well handled by experienced large dog owners. This is not a breed for the first time dog owner or for people who cannot ensure that boundaries of behaviour are understood in a consistent, kind manner. Briards do not respond well to unkind, harsh, training methods and do not understand a quick temper or anger or unjust treatment. They need to be treated with respect.

Briards need attention, entertainment and activity to be happy and must not be left alone for long periods and allowed to get bored. They are suspicious of strangers until they get to know them. They very loyal to their families but do not like to be teased by children. They are very loyal and will reward their owners kindness tenfold.;

This rescue has made a huge investment in time, money and help from dog behaviourists and improved her fear related issues with new dogs and new people. However there is a lot more work to do with Chance which will be a long process and so will need very dedicated people.

We are looking for a calm, quiet, child free home with experienced, patient and confident dog lovers who are prepared to work with Chance to improve her socialisation with people and dogs. Briard experience would be great but equally, owners who have previously lived with breeds such as Rottweilers or German Shepherds will be likely to have the required experience and skills to live happily with Chance.

Finally we are looking for owners who have a lot of land for example a smallholding or similar so that she can have plenty of controlled off lead exercise. However she must be kept indoors as part of a loving family and not kennelled outside.

Neutered, vaccinated, treated for fleas and worms

Contact Judith 07825324892