Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with dogs,
Good with cats,
Needs special attention,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Banjo is being fostered in VA.
Banjo is progressing with housebreaking skills.
In January 2025, Banjo came to his Virginia foster home from Texas. His Texas family (who breed toy poodles) gave him to BDRA to rehome because an elderly person was worried she may trip over him.
Banjo is a sweet 6 pound, 20-month-old poodle. Banjo’s coat is black except for a touch of grey on his back and then about two-thirds of his tail is grey too. Very distinctive and beautiful! He recently went to the groomers and she said he behaved very well!
Banjo is very loving with his foster parents. He follows his foster mom around the house and loves to get attention. He especially loves ear rubs and is starting to enjoy “sofatime” in the evening with his foster mom and the other dogs. When he is going to be picked up, it helps him when his foster parents first let him smell their hands and also to hear their voices so he does not get startled by a touch he is not expecting. Once he knows who it is, he is excited and happy!
Banjo likes the three other dogs in the foster home and enjoys sharing a bed with them - when they will allow it! When Banjo is out in the yard first, he immediately walks up to the other dogs when it is their turn to be outside. There is a cat in the foster home too. Banjo was very alert to the cat when he first arrived (he did not have cats in his former home) but now does not seem to notice her.
Banjo lost his vision around the time of his birth but his hearing is good and so is his sense of smell. Within a couple weeks of being in his foster home, he learned his way around. He can be a high energy little guy, and anyone interested in adopting Banjo needs to be prepared for some activity! Remember, he is still a young dog and, while he is full-grown, he still some has puppy energy and can get so excited! At times, he will walk in circles; his foster mom guesses he has energy to burn so finds a safe circle to move around in (a safe circle since he has no vision) and then starts moving. But when he wants to, he can walk carefully in any direction he chooses. And, as he continues to settle into his foster home, he spends more time relaxing and less time on the go. When he is moving, he does a very good job at avoiding obstacles, including the other dogs, only occasionally gently bumping into them. He is even doing a bit of climbing (for example, from a dog bed to the top of a low dog crate that’s next to the bed). He is smart and is figuring things out! He has just started showing interest in playing with toys too.
Banjo is very alert to sounds, especially new sounds, and he may growl or bark at times when he hears something new or unexpected. He also may join in the chorus of barking with the other three dogs who live in his foster home. Generally, though, he is quiet, including when he sleeps in his indoor pen at night. However, when he hears his foster parents getting up in the morning, he may bark a bit as if to say “come get me!”
Banjo enjoys being outside. Like many dogs, he prefers mild, dry weather and, when the weather is good, he may walk all over the yard. There are times, though, when he is not interested in walking around (regardless of the weather) and so will stand still, waiting to be carried inside. While Banjo could likely learn to go up and down a step or two, Banjo would not be safe at this time going up and down a flight of steps on his own. Anyone interested in adopting Banjo needs to be prepared to carry him up and down steps.
When Banjo arrived at his foster home, he was not housetrained so his foster parents have been working hard on this. He is making nice progress but still will have accidents. Anyone interested in adopting Banjo must be ready and willing to continue to work on housetraining with Banjo.
Banjo loves to eat! When he first arrived at his foster home, he did not finish his food and turned his head at treats. Not anymore! He is thrilled at mealtime and cleans his bowl, and he loves to get a treat!
Banjo was wonderful at his first vet visit, charming all the vet staff. The vet enjoyed holding Banjo in his lap while examining him. While Banjo was nervous when his blood was drawn, he never got snappy (nor has he ever been snappy at his foster home). He is a healthy dog and is on no medication. He is scheduled for a dental at the end of February to clean some tarter off his teeth and to investigate his eyes/eye sockets as there is some drainage. Once he is under anesthesia, the vet will be able to thoroughly check his eyes/eye sockets and make a decision about what needs to be done. After this surgery, it is expected Banjo will be ready to be adopted! :)
Banjo is looking for a very special home. A home where his family understands he is still learning and where his family is willing to work with him as he continues to mature. Banjo is a sweet boy but would not be a good fit in a home with young children because young children tend to move quickly and unpredictably, and this would likely be startling for Banjo.
If you believe you can provide Banjo with the loving, supportive, nurturing environment he deserves and can give Banjo the time he needs as he continues to learn and develop, please fill out an adoption application. More information will be provided to potential adopters after he has his surgery at the end of February. And remember the Blind Dog Rescue can work out a transport to get Banjo to you (within a reasonable distance).
BDRA has voted against the use of electrical fencing effective immediately.
