Meet Sparky
Sparky - Boxer/terrier mix - young (2 years, 2 months) - male/neutered - 38 pounds - black and brindle short coat with white feet and under markings of white
Sparky is an exceptional dog - responsive, intelligent, and first and foremost - he is filled with joy. Everything is a cause for joy to Sparky. His foster care provider has related that it is hard not to be happy around Sparky; in the questionnaire upon which we base these descriptive narratives we ask “What emotions does he/she inspire in you?" His foster replied “can LAUGHTER be considered an emotion?" He is a willing and excited training partner, and for an adopter who is a jogger, or is interested in a dog who could go the distance in any pursuit from agility to rally - Sparky would work alongside his partner with absolute focus and heart.
Keenly alert, Sparky’s eye contact is very direct — seeking attention and guidance. His large, shining brown eyes do not miss a thing. Sparky is not a dog for someone who seeks a casual relationship with a dog - he is extremely aware, and a look from his foster mom can set off a frenzy of tail wagging. Sparky loves interaction with humans, and will even leave play with other dogs readily if a person calls to him.
Sparky shares his foster home with a number of canines, and his playmates range from 9 to 70 pounds; if none of them is available for play, he’ll settle for a cat.
There has been (friendly) controversy trying to come up with the best breed assignments for Sparky. He is on the small side of medium, and much about his face and head, and especially his eyes, suggest Boston Terrier. But he is large for a Boston, and it is the additional breed or breeds upon which there has been disagreement. We have settled for Boxer or a bully breed, but we really have no way of knowing, as Sparky arrived at a rural West Virginia shelter as a stray.
Sparky’s conformation is refined and compact - he is wonderfully athletic and in that regard, he looks like a miniature Boxer. He is beautifully balanced and proportional. His head is square with large, wide-set liquid eyes, a shortened square muzzle, and a slight underbite, which is characteristic of a Boxer. His play style is Boxer-like as well - full body engagement and full investment in play, and we do not recommend Sparky for dog parks, as his ready-to-spring-into-action stance could be misinterpreted by other dogs as a challenge. In his foster home, where he has had opportunity to meet and form friendships with his canine siblings, he plays beautifully and animatedly.
One of Sparky’s greatest joys is that of touch. He is so happy for inter-activity that he welcomes even ear cleanings and toenail cuttings. He leans into petting, and gives lavish kisses. He loves to climb into laps. Sparky’s tactile nature is endearing, but he could definitely overwhelm a small child with his overtures, especially as the instinctive reaction of a person is to push him away, which Sparky interprets as engagement.
Sparky truly is a dog who brings the party with him, and his joyful demeanor has given him a real aptitude for training and learning; in Sparky’s mind, if he gets to be involved, it’s going to be fun. This wonderful trait was spotlighted recently when Sparky attended a week of basic manners training at Pat Miller’s Peaceable Paws Level I Trainer’s Academy, where he partnered with a trainer-in-training. Sparky was a favorite among the group of 8 dogs and he excelled in his final training presentation. Sparky’s foster care provider has continued and reinforced Sparky’s growing repertoire of cues, and he does well with SIT, LEAVE IT, DROP IT, TAKE IT, COME/HERE, TOUCH, WATCH ME, AND WAIT. He’s still working on DOWN/LIE DOWN - a counter-intuitive move for a dog who is always ready on a dime. He is crate trained, and his house training is solid and on its way to being reliable.
Sparky is also leash trained.
Sparky would shine in a home in which his committed adopter(s) are active, and, ideally, are interested in taking Sparky’s great potential to a new level. He is gifted with a capacity for athleticism and focus, and he derives great joy from learning and purpose. He would also provide wonderful companionship for another well-loved and active dog with whom he could romp and play.
We are requiring a fully fenced yard for Sparky, and we are not recommending him for a home with young children, only because of his enthusiasm which could easily overwhelm a child.
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