GONZALEZ'S BIO
BREED : JACK RUSSELL X POTCAKE MALE 7 YEARS OLD (30 LB)
Suitable for which type of housing?
House
Townhome
Additional to add for housing
Best in a home with separate entrances and a fenced backyard for off-leash time. He can be persistently barky outdoors if not watched properly. He may also bark if cornered in a shared entrance.
Is your dog good with other dogs?
Yes
Additional to add for dog interactions
He is currently living with three other large-breed dogs and can be very energetic when he wants to play. He will also settle in his own space if given the opportunity. He may try to hump other dogs, which some dogs may not appreciate, so interactions should be supervised. He is reactive on leash, but with an experienced handler he can be redirected.
Is your dog good with cats?
Untested
Additional to add for cat interactions
Untested – most likely would be ok but he will bark at them initially and the barking may not quickly subside.
Is your dog good with kids?
Untested
Additional to add for kids interaction
12+ years preferred. He may not be comfortable if kids approach him too quickly.
Is your dog house trained?
Yes
Is your dog crate trained?
Yes
Additional to add for crate training
Excellent in the crate and respectful of crate routines.
Does your dog have any special needs?
He would do best with an experienced and calm handler familiar with dog reactivity and barking. A quieter neighbourhood (not dense urban) and a backyard are highly recommended so he can explore safely without always being on leash.
Gonzalez had a superficial crown fracture on lower right canine.
Gonzalez has a small mass which the vet believes is likely a non-cancerous tumour; however, it is recommended to be monitored.
Does your dog display any aggression (toys, food, people)?
No resource guarding noted. However, his leash reactivity toward other dogs on leash can appear like aggression, so he needs an experienced handler who understands reactive dogs. He doesn't like it when he feels like he is trapped into an interaction with strangers and new unfamiliar dogs.
Is your dog playful?
Yes. He loves puzzle toys, fetch, and tug-of-war. He can be quite vocal when he wants the human's attention to play and go outside; however, he has been fairly quiet with the dogs chasing in the backyard.
Does your dog like to snuggle?
Yes. He will come to you when he wants pets and cuddles, but he is also content relaxing on his dog bed or the couch.
Does your dog know basic commands? (e.g., Sit, Stay)
Sit in French and English
Does your dog know any special tricks?
N/A
Does your dog like to go on walks?
Yes, he loves walks. However, he gets cold easily and his paws can become irritated by road salt. He can be reactive on leash, especially if he perceives that he is being forced into an interaction with strangers or unfamiliar dogs, and may bark. He will do well with an experienced and calm handler who can redirect him consistently.
Does your dog have any fears?
None noted in the current foster home. However, if he senses that the handler is not confident managing his reactivity around unfamiliar people or dogs approaching on leash (when he cannot move away), he may bark and lunge out of fear.
Does your dog have any unique traits (personality or physical)?
He looks like Dobby from Harry Potter. He is the perfect size (around 30 lb) — not too big and not too small — and makes a great couch snuggle buddy when he wants to be.
What are the first three words that come to mind when you think of your dog?
Sensitive, sweet, talkative.
In a short paragraph, please provide any other details or a brief overview of your foster dog.
Gonzalez is a sensitive, sweet, and talkative 7-year-old Jack Russell Terrier x Potcake (about 30 lb) who bonds closely with his people and enjoys both playtime and relaxing at home. He loves puzzle toys, fetch, and tug-of-war, and can be quite vocal when he gets excited. While he enjoys snuggling when he’s in the mood, he is also happy lounging on his dog bed or couch nearby. He currently lives with other large-breed dogs and does well with them, though his play style can be energetic and should be supervised. On leash, he can be reactive toward unfamiliar dogs and may bark if he feels cornered by new people or dogs because he feels like he is being forced into an interaction. He would do best with an experienced, calm handler who understands dog reactivity. A quieter home with a fenced yard in a low-traffic neighbourhood would suit him best so he can safely explore and burn off energy. He knows basic commands in both French and English and is both house and crate trained, making him a wonderful companion for the right home.
