Lady Bouvier des Flandres & Dutch Shepherd Mix Scarborough, ON

Lady joined Mattie's Place in early April, when it was discovered she was living at an abandoned home, on the end of a large chain, with a neighbour coming to feed her a couple times per week.

She was surrendered to Mattie's Place by the neighbour that could no longer keep up with the visits to her.

Lady is a young dog, maybe 1.5 years old. Despite the life she's led, she loves people and is a really wonderful dog.

Lady comes in at the 80 pound mark, though she doesn't look like she weighs that much as she's smaller framed and not a tall dog. But she does have a big alarm bark to strangers approaching her yard, that makes you think she's 100+ pounds! The bark can be off-putting to many, and that is her only negative quality.

I was told she is a Bouvier (Bouvier lines)/Dutch Shepherd X by the neighbour, but I can't confirm that at all.

Lady LOVES to play fetch and could chase a ball all day. She enjoys being outside as it's all she's known, but she has also found a love for being an indoor dog and adjusted beautifully.

Lady would do best in a home with a large fenced backyard or a country property so she could have the space she needs to be happy.

Lady is great with dogs and humans she meets. She will chase a rabbit in the backyard, so likely not a good fit for a cat or small dog home.

She is still working on her leash training and can be an excited puller, so an adopter that is willing to put the work in on leash training and there are a couple different halti's we're going to try to see if that improves her leash skills.

Due to her strength, she'll need an adopter that has good mobility that can handle a big dog.

Lady doesn't exhibit separation anxiety, but would do best as a dog that loves her people so much, to have someone home most often vs. away for 8-10 hour days/5 days a week.

Lady is just a great dog that overcame a really crappy beginning to life and is ready to become the best companion friend you could hope for.


FROM THE FOSTER:

Lady is the sweetest, most affectionate girl! She could give kisses all day long.

She is a big girl and sometimes doesn't know her own strength....so if you call her be prepared to get out of her way or be bowled over with love! As far as training goes, she does come when called, and knows sit and down (treats help). What she loves most is to chase the ball in the yard. She brings it back to you, but doesn't want to drop it....just rolls over on her back for belly rubs and wants you to wrestle the ball away from her. We are training her to “drop” the ball. It's hit and miss! She does tend to mouth you when she plays, and we are working on correcting/stopping this behaviour.

In the house, she is very calm. LOVES to be near people. If you leave the room, she follows wherever you go and just lies at your feet. Many times, I've almost tripped on her when I turn around, not realizing she is right behind me. She has never counter surfed or begged for food at the table, but she does lie down right behind or beside your chair while you're eating....again just to be near you. When she is fed, she doesn't mind you taking away her dinner...so resource guarding is not a concern.

She has never chewed or destroyed any items in the house....only got into the bathroom waste basket and tore up some kleenex once. This was when she was left alone for a couple hours at home....so she was bored.

She is not crate trained. She sleeps on the main floor on her bed in the living room (or on the hardwood floor). She sleeps through the night until we get up in the morning. She has never messed in the house. She goes out for bathroom breaks 3-4 times a day....and lets you know when she wants out by pacing indoors or staring at you as if she wants something.

Her leash walking has improved greatly. She is very good walking in the yard. But outside the yard, she is more distracted. Still a work in progress. She is smart and catches on quickly. She hasn't pooped during walks yet (prefers the yard) but has started to pee on walks on occasion.

Lady is a very vocal girl. She will bark at people or dogs walking by the house, or if anyone comes to the porch or the front door. She is getting used to the neighbours and doesn't bark as much at them. But she makes her presence known to strangers.....the bark is sometimes accompanied by a little growl, but it's not out of aggression....she just wants you to know that SHE knows you're there! Once she greets new people coming in the house, she is fine and becomes affectionate and kissy with them. Her tail is constantly wagging, even when she is being vocal...she is just a happy girl.


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Since Covid, our process has changed to keep adopters and volunteers safe.

All paperwork to be completed online, virtual home visits, meet and greets in person, but outside.

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To note: the above description is relevant to this dog in his current & previous setting. Home changes & adopter personalities can bring out different behaviours not previously seen. We also do not claim, endorse, suggest or hint at, that any of our dogs are hypoallergenic, low shed or no-shed.

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Adoption fee includes: spay/neuter, deworming, flea/tick prevention, vaccinations, food, nose to tail health exam, toys, leash|collar, go home preventative based on season, custom dog tag. Successful adopter will have all included items noted in the adoption contract as items are periodically subject to change.