Socialization/training: Fredo is a people dog, first and foremost. He loves his people very much and is excited to see anyone new come into the room. He interacts with our dogs, even playing with them a few times. He will curl up next to them on the bed, floor, or the couch (even using them as a pillow). While outside, he will do laps around the yard and has embraced the “garden sniff” with my dogs, happily dive bombing into our flower beds sniffing and snorting his way to the day’s new smells. He does a pretty good job walking beside them when we go for our neighborhood walks. When running across other dogs in the neighborhood he seems to follow the lead of our two dogs and will go nose to nose after they have already done so. We are well past any counter surfing and his manners are what I would now call excellent in the kitchen. He will lay down right next to our others during dinner time or while you are making dinner. He sits for his dinner and treats and knows the cookie drill down pat! Fredo would benefit from training to reinforce good behaviors. He has done well at the vet and going to the pet store, and rides very well in the car where he curls right up and naps.
Crate trained: Yes, Fredo runs right into his crate with some tasty treats thrown in and settles down for the night without a peep, usually by 10-10:30. He is the first foster we have had where he has slept through the night right from the beginning, sleeping until our girls come rumbling down the stairs (typically between 6:30-7). His crate is in the family room downstairs, and we leave the kitchen light on for him and he has had no problems.
Leash trained: Fredo has done well here. He does not zig zag but he will pull and he has the typical setter-stuck-in-concrete-when-seeing-squirrel/bunny. He does a pretty good job walking beside the other dogs when we go for our neighborhood walks. We usually go for 2-3 miles a day, but on days when it has rained quite a bit, we have walked for as much as 8 miles. I’m pretty sure he could walk for 20 miles and he still would want more.
Activity Level: Fredo is a high-energy dog who loves walks and especially loves to run around in the backyard and loves to sniff around and investigate. If someone is not quick enough to let him in (he will wait at the door starting at it while wagging his tail to be let in), he will give some barks to let everyone know that Fredo wants in. When he is done with his laps, he always gets a drink and goes to the back door to be let in. Since we usually sit in the yard, he’ll look out and see that we are still outside and then make his way back into the yard and will end up in my lap for a greeting before galloping away to investigate some potential wildlife activity. He will listen to come inside and will follow our dogs when we they make their way back onto the deck. He sits on the deck with our other dogs and even curl up in a chair on the deck.
Fence: Yes, Fredo needs a yard to run around in and the fence should be 6 foot tall, as he can jump fairly high. An invisible fence may also be considered if the adopter is already experienced with training a setter with a strong prey drive successfully on an invisible fence.
Behavior: Fredo is a very active boy who loves his walks and running around outside but he also likes to take naps during the day (preferably next to someone on the couch). Fredo needs that energy release in the morning and then he’s good to go the rest of the day, relaxing inside and then going outside periodically after that. He will take small naps under my desk while I work. He has found that our chairs in front of the window in my office is an ideal look-out spot for the dastardly squirrels and will occasionally nap there as well. He has been on camera during my work remote meetings several times as he will continually try and climb onto my lap while I politely decline his “assistance” with typing (to date no files have been deleted or weird emails sent due to a paw or snout).
Medical History: Fredo is neutered, microchipped, up to date on vaccinations, and on monthly heartworm. He is a healthy boy who just needs to add on some weight, but who will always be lean with his activity level. His next leishmaniasis test is due June 2025.
This dog originates from Greece where Leishmaniasis is endemic. They tested negative before coming to the USA, but the parasite can remain dormant in the system for many years, so potential adopters must be willing to commit to annual testing for the next 7 years. Typically, the test needs to be sent to a special lab, but any regular vet can draw the blood and send it to the lab. The cost of the test seems to vary widely by area, but is approximately $150-$250. or if your vet is willing to send the test to a veterinary college lab, cost can be as low as $80.
Foster Comments: Fredo was stuck in a shelter over in Greece since January/February, so we were certainly glad we were able to foster him and get him on the path to living the good life. He has such a sweet temperament and just wants as much love as possible and his tail is always wagging. Every morning, his happiness at seeing a human again after being let out of the crate is expressed with his little happy feet and pushing his head against you soaking in the pets and hugs. Fredo would do best in a home where someone is home most of the day so that he can enjoy the great outdoors. He would do fine with or without other dogs in the family, as it is his humans that he wants to spend time with. Due to his prey drive, I would not advise cats and just due to his activity level young children would not be advisable, as I would be concerned he would knock them down by accident, due to his excitable nature.
Foster Location: Monroe, CT
Volunteer transport can be arranged in the Continental US within a 1,000-mile distance between adopters & foster home. If interstate transport is provided for your adopted dog, there will be an additional charge of $50.00 for the required Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (“Health Certificate”). Typically, we are able to transport your adopted dog to within 2 hours of your home. *Dogs can be adopted outside the 1000-mile transport distance; however, adopters must be willing to either fly their adopted dog, drive to a location within the 1000-mile transport range, or make independent transport arrangements for their adopted dog. Transports to far Western states, from Eastern states, may have additional restrictions.
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