My name is Royal Rainbow!

If you're looking for a fun, smart pup who melts with pleasure at the touch of your hand, look no further. Royal is looking for a job as your sidekick when you're adventuring, and your snoozebuddy when you're working or taking time out on the couch.

HISTORY
Royal is the last of the Rainbow litter - seven pups who were dumped on a country road near Prosser, in Eastern Washington, at the end of July. They found their way to a house and asked for help, and shortly afterwards were safe with a HART foster. Most have gone home to families who wanted laid-back snugglers. Royal was passed over mainly because he's black, and also because he seemed to be more high energy than they were looking for. However, now that he's living with adult dogs who play with him while patiently teaching him manners, he's turned out to be unexpectedly mellow.

We don't know for sure what breed he is, and we've gone back and forth on the subject! But one of Royal's litter mates who was adopted recently had a DNA test, and that came back 50% Golden Retriever, and the other half a near-even split Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd. Royal doesn't look like either breed, but based on all the Rainbows' temperaments we figured Mom was probably Golden Retriever. Royal's alert intelligence does suggest that there's Shepherd in his family tree, but he looks more like a black Labrador mix, and most of the time he is just as chill as any Golden Retriever could wish to be.

SOCIALIZATION
Royal is a confident, friendly pup who eagerly makes friends with new humans, and LOVES the people he knows. Being young and a larger breed he may be a bit bouncy for very young children or fragile people, but he is easily corrected, and he'd be a great addition to an active family and older kids.

He gets on well with other dogs who are friendly and playful, and has learned to respect the senior dogs in his foster home when they grumble and don't want to play. He'd do well in a home with a laid back but playful adult dog who can correct him when necessary, teach him manners, and help him burn off energy.

He finds cats interesting but doesn't pay them much attention. He's young enough to learn how to coexist safely with a cat, and will likely do well with one that is confident and dog-savvy.

TEMPERAMENT, BEHAVIOR & TRAINING
Despite his rocky start to life, Royal is a confident, affectionate, playful pup. Loud voices bother him - he may sometimes be a small whirligig of puppy chaos, but he's a sensitive little guy deep down. However there is no indication that anyone has hurt or scared him. He likes people and is quick to trust.

While he's an energetic, busy pup, he does have an off switch! Once Royal has had his play out, he's content to flop down near wherever his favorite human is, and snooze for a couple hours ... and then a couple more hours after that.

As stated, his favorite activity (after hanging out with the human) is to carry things in his mouth. He's not especially mouthy - he doesn't generally chomp people the way many puppies do, and he chews only occasionally - but he loves to prance around with a leash, a toy, a cell phone, a sock - whatever you might leave lying around - held proudly in his mouth. He also enjoys splashing in a paddle pool during hot weather, playing tag or tug, chewing on a tasty bone or bully stick, sniffing here and there - he is brave and curious about his world!

Royal is smart and focused on his human, and will be rewarding to train. At this stage, however, he doesn't know a lot. He is learning to walk on a leash, come when called, and to go into his crate when told. As puppies go he's not especially destructive - he'd rather carry things than chew them. He is 90% house-trained - he'll choose to go outside to potty if the door is open, but he may still have accidents if you're no paying attention, because he hasn't learned how to ask to go out.

As easy as he is, it's important to remember: ROYAL IS A PUPPY! Puppies are HARD WORK, and they have sharp claws and needle teeth! Please don't apply to adopt this very special pup unless you are up for the work of potty-training, teaching him the difference between his stuff (can chew) and yours (leave it), teaching him manners, and ensuring he doesn't hurt himself or destroy anything you really care about in the process.

PHYSICAL & HEALTH STATUS
Based on their teeth at the time we took the Rainbows in we estimated that they were about 6-7 weeks old, and assigned them June 12, 2023 as their birthday.

Royal appears to be in good overall health, and has been vaccinated, treated for intestinal parasites, and microchipped. We expect him to weigh 55-65 lbs when full-grown.

HART does not support pediatric spay and neuter. We believe, based on current research, that pups develop best when they have an uninterrupted supply of sex hormones for at least the first five months of their lives. Royal's adopter will be contractually obligated to ensure that their pup is sterilized between five months and one year. HART will refund $100 - equivalent to the cost of sterilization by our usual veterinary clinic - when we receive proof that he has been sterilized.

ADOPTION INFORMATION
Royal is living in a private home, and will be available to meet you after your adoption application has been approved. Please email HearthfireART@gmail.com to request an adoption application form.

For more pictures of Royal, please see his Facebook album at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.596767822604311&type=3