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My basic info
Breed
Labrador Retriever/Newfoundland
Color
Tan/Yellow/Fawn
Age
12 years 3 months old, Adult
Size
X-Large 101 lbs (46 kg) or more (when grown)
Weight
107 lbs (current)
Sex
Male
Pet ID
–
My details
Good with kids
Good with cats
Shots current
Spayed / Neutered
Housetrained
My story
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Here's what the humans have to say about me:
SPARKY - 6+ year-old (will turn 7 in June) Yellow Lab-Mix Male, Neutered, 107 Pounds
(Sparky's father was a chocolate Lab and his mother was a Lab, Newfie, Great Dane mix)
Sparky came into Lab Rescue as an owner surrender. His family has had him since he was a puppy so the decision to re home him was a difficult one. Sparky's parents divorced a few years ago, and Sparky moved with his mom from a large home with a backyard to a townhome without a yard.
Sparky's mom has been managing a knee problem, and it has limited her ability to get Sparky out and exercised. Most recently, she found out she will be needing a second surgery which will restrict her activity even more. In addition, there is a neighbor that has never been a fan of Sparky's since the day he moved in (she has complained that he barks when he's home alone and doesn't like to see him being walked around the complex).
Upon meeting Sparky, Lab Rescue found a big, friendly, and somewhat mellow guy (while in the house). Outside, is a dog that's eager to go! He is strong (like a horse) and will take you for a run, pull you down to your knees and a drag along the sidewalk if you let him. He is better controlled with a slip-harness and does respond to correction; the owner put him through training earlier, but after her injury, she was unable to reinforce his training.
Sparky is housetrained and his former owner reports he could be left in the house, without issue (except some barking as reported by the neighbor). He has lived with a cat and is being fostered with a cat. Sparky does well with most dogs, more so females. Around other dogs, he will do some resource guarding with food, bones, possibly toys. An example - he'll take all the bones and place them in front of himself, waiting for another dog to come and get them, and if they do, he will snap.
As of the writing of this profile, Sparky has been in a foster home for a few days ( with both a canine and feline sibling) and this is What the Foster Says: Sparky slept on the floor next to our bed the first night and only got up once to turn around. He went to the beach in the morning, ran around and met other dogs.
He knows how to swim and retrieved a few sticks yesterday! Not so interested in balls yet. He also likes tug with rope toys. He definitely has energy to burn and seems overjoyed to be out and about.
We left him home yesterday with Bosun for under two hours and he was fine. Today is a work day so he has been to the park, will be home with Bosun and get some time out at midday, and another walk in the evening.
He is not calm in the car but perhaps this will improve when the routine of daily car rides to the park sinks in. We have him on a tie down, otherwise he vaults over the seats.
He knows sit. We are working on stay. He pulls but responds to correction. He knows his name and has some recall.
He is very sweet but can see he has some possessive tendencies. They are mild but could be an issue in a multi dog household. No problem with cats at all. I would look for a family that wants to do things out and about with their dog.
What Lab Rescue Says: We'd like to see Sparky in a home where he will get the exercise and activity he was accustomed to previously. He was raised with children and teens, 10-17 years of age, and although he'd likely enjoy the company of younger/smaller children, he could potentially (and unintentionally) knock a small child over. He would do well as an only dog, or with another compatible dog (with proper introductions). He has lived with a cat and is presently being fostered with one. As with all of of our rescues, we'd like to see Sparky living in the house with his family, where he will be spoiled, pampered and better yet, allowed on the sofa.
Medical information: Sparky is neutered, microchipped, heartworm free and up to date on vaccinations. He could stand to lose some weight, possibly 10-15 pounds. Sparky is located in: El Cerrito
If you are interested in Sparky, please contact Rescue Rep Kris at krisellen.nm@gmail.com. In your email, please tell me about your experience with Labs, and the kind of Lab you are looking for.
Our volunteers donate their personal time & phones so please only call during reasonable hours (8am - 8pm). The Rescue Rep identified in the dog posting is the only person with information about the dog - please only contact the designated volunteer. We do call everyone back within 2-3 days so please be patient. We work very hard to make the right matches for the dogs and for the new owners. We get 3-5 dogs per week; we do not have a facility where the dogs are housed, they are in foster homes throughout the Bay Area.
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