Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Good with dogs,
Good with cats,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
He can run like the wind when he's outside and off-leash, but when indoors Heath is a mellow fellow. Intensely focused on his special person, this affectionate boy will constantly look to you for cues as to what you're planning to do, and how you want him to behave.
HISTORY
Heath is a member of the Cocoapup litter - five sweet boys who were very young, sick babies when they were dumped on a country road near Prosser, in Eastern Washington, in September last year. It took a while in their loving foster home to get them healthy and build their confidence, but they've matured into delightful companions and we are heartbroken and puzzled that three of these pups (Reese, Rolo and Heath) are still waiting for their forever families to choose them!
Heath was in fact adopted, but he was returned after a couple months because the young couple who adopted him couldn't meet his exercise needs after one of them was injured in a fall.
Their breed mix is a well-educated guess. It's pretty obvious that they're at least half Doberman, and this was confirmed by a DNA test done by the person who adopted one of their brothers. The test also indicated that the other half was made up of Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky. They have short Dobie-style coats, and their temperament is also typical Dobie.
All three boys get on well (they often meet for playdates) and could be placed together - but they're not tightly bonded and would also do well being placed in different homes.
SOCIALIZATION
When Heath was adopted his lifestyle changed dramatically, from a home with lots of dogs on a few acres to a city apartment and only one senior dog. But although the first week or so was difficult for him, he was able to work through the anxiety and adjust to the change.
Heath quickly bonds very tightly with his special people. He needs caregivers who are gentle and patient as well as firm, consistent and able to be confident leaders. He tends to be reserved and slow to warm up to strangers, but he knows how to greet people politely when they visit his home, or meet him while out on a walk. He is uncomfortable around young children, but would probably do well in a home with calm, kind, dog-savvy children aged about 12 and over.
He grew up in a home with a large pack of dogs of all sizes, and he is generally comfortable with other dogs. He especially enjoys playing with his brothers, although he is not closely bonded to them and will do fine if adopted separately. When in a new environment he may tend to be possessive of
"his" humans and growly at any other dogs, but given time he settles down and is willing to share. On walks he can be somewhat leash-reactive toward other dogs who get too close, but he does very well playing off-leash at a dog park.
In a previous foster home Heath lived with cats, and he treated them with respect. If a cat were to run he would probably chase, but we believe he would be safe sharing his home with a confident, dog-savvy cat.
TEMPERAMENT AND BEHAVIOR
Heath is fairly confident, provided he's with someone he trusts. He's not one to rush into a new situation, but will rather stop and analyze it before moving forward.
This boy is a lover! He's not needy, but if you settle down on the couch, expect him to jump up beside you and rest his head on your lap - in other words, he's exactly what you're looking for as we head toward winter!
Heath's ideal home has a fenced yard big enough to play in, and a friendly, playful canine companion of compatible size to help him work off his energy. He is not an especially high energy dog - he happily spends hours on end just kicking back somewhere comfortable and keeping his human company - but he's not a couch potato. This boy needs several daily walks or play sessions, and would make an excellent hiking or jogging companion.
That said, he adapted well to apartment life. Given plenty of exercise and stimulation, and provided the complex is designed to minimize crowding, he'll be a good fit for an active person who works mostly from home.
Heath isn't greatly interested in balls, but he enjoys having a good chew and he LOVES figuring out how to get a treat out of a puzzle toy.
He loves car rides - he knows they usually end in something fun, and he will also wait quietly if left in the car for a short while.
Heath is naturally protective, and will bark when strangers approach the property. He is generally more comfortable with women, but most men have to be approved by his foster mom and pay an entry fee of one treat before they come through the gate.
TRAINING
Heath's house manners are good. He is reliably potty trained and crate trained, and he doesn't steal food or counter-surf. When left alone in his crate he may bark for a little while but quickly settles down with something to chew. He also thinks YouTube dog videos are a great way to pass the time!
His adopters put him through a course with an online trainer and he learned a lot. Commands he knows include "touch", "look at me", "sit" and "down", and he's working on "stay" and "leave it". This is a smart boy who enjoys pleasing his people, will eagerly work for treats, and loves learning new skills.
His recall needs work - he might keep you waiting if he's busy with something interesting - but he's quick to come running if he sees you're getting ready to leave the place you're visiting.
He knows how to walk well on a leash, but he does tend to pull and needs frequent corrections. When on leash if he sees humans approaching he's inclined to freeze and stare, and he can be reactive (lunging and barking) when he sees other dogs. We are working with him on these behaviors and he's making progress.
HEALTH STATUS
Based on their teeth and the fact that they could barely lap water, we estimated that the Cocoapups were maybe six weeks old when we took them in. We have assigned them July 23, 2023 as their birthday.
Heath has been neutered, fully vaccinated, treated for internal and external parasites, and microchipped. His full vet records will be provided to his adopter. He weighs around 75 lbs and appears to be in excellent health.
ADOPTION INFORMATION
Heath is living in a private home in Kennewick, 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. Heath's adoption fee is $300.
For more pictures of Heath, please see his Facebook album at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.633912432223183&type=3