Nikita Spitz Mix Neosho, MO

Say hello to Nikita, new kid on the block!

Although she's a fresh face at FFAA, Nikita is actually a transfer from Carthage Humane Society where her total number of days equaled over 500! We agreed to take her on during their time of need; we are hopeful that new scenery will give her the visibility needed to find her forever home.

She is a 4-5 year old long-haired stunner, likely a Spitz* mix. Her coloring is reminiscent of many shepherd mixes, but her blocky, rounded facial features and stocky, short frame indicate something closer to a Chow Chow or even a Norwegian Elkhound mix.

As described by a manager at her previous facility, Nikita is a gorgeous girl whose lack of interest is shocking! We were told she walks well on a leash and that she is not only spunky and smart but gentle too. She loves toys and is not opposed to making doggy friends! She prefers a buddy that will chill with her because she doesn't enjoy rough or hyper play.

She tends towards body sensitivity - her beautiful coat is not low-maintenance, so to avoid matting or coat impaction, her future home should be prepared to either regularly employ a professional groomer or to work hard on some co-operative care strategies as well as desensitizing and counterconditioning her discomfited responses to brushing/grooming.

We haven't had the pleasure of knowing Nikita for long, but we're already enchanted by her large, expressive eyes, her quiet, peaceful demeanor, and the playful little mannerisms slipping through her initially stoic front. Nikita's ideal home would be child-free with one-two adults for her to focus on and who will play with her for as long as he wants!

*Spitz is an umbrella category for many dog breeds that share common traits such as pricked ears, a double coat, a tail that curves over their back, almond shaped eyes, and a pointed muzzle. Most are Arctic or Siberian in origin. Examples of more well-known Spitz breeds are Huskies, Malamutes, Samoyeds, Akitas, Shiba Inus, Pomeranians, Shar Peis, Chow Chows, Akitas, Norwegian Elkhounds, Schipperkes, Alaskan Klee Klais - between 50-70+ dog breeds could be placed in the Spitz category.