Keeper is a 50 pound, healthy, active, 13 ½ year old, male, who needs a new home. His people need to move into a senior, assisted living situation that will not allow them to bring Keeper with them. He has been in his current (and third) home for 6 years.
He is your classic cattle dog - an incredibly smart, devoted, perceptive, curious, thinking dog with a strong sense of right and wrong, and lot of personality. He is very human in many ways. Although Keeper is 13 ½ years old, he is still a moderate energy dog, who needs exercise and attention. He currently goes on several walks, totaling 1.5 hours of walking, each day. Keeper is a wonderful companion, and a velcro dog, who loves interacting and being with his people. He keeps busy throughout the day, following his mom around the house, or singing (howling) along with the accordion she plays, or alerting her when it’s time to start dinner, etc. At 6:00 PM, he finally begins to tire, and it’s his time to join his mom on the sofa and snuggle with her until bedtime.
He is curious about and friendly with people he meets while on walks, and is patient when petted and poked by small children and adults. Keeper meets most dogs well, and is well socialized by regular visits to a doggie daycare and boarding facility. However, he is fearful of big dogs, especially German Shepherds and Boxers. He is also a bit intimidated by cats, and will avoid them. Although, Keeper is fine meeting other dogs, he should be an only dog, or possibly with a quiet dog. He does not know how to play with other dogs or toys. Playing dogs make him nervous and he will eventually try to stop other dogs from playing. He needs a very quiet and peaceful home environment, and seem more comfortable with women. In recent weeks, as his people have altered their daily routines, in preparation for moving, Keeper has observed changes and has become a bit uneasy and worried. When nervous he will lick his paws.
Keeper is very alert and likes routine and to have a purpose. He has decided that one of his jobs is to remind you of the expected daily routines, if you fail to follow them. When his people are not home, he sits vigilantly at the window waiting for their return and keeps an eye on things. Keeper feels that another of his jobs is, from his window, trying to bark away the mailman, all delivery vans, and the landscaper with the blower and mower.
Although Keeper is 13 ½, he is still a very quick learner and is very eager to please. He loves treats and training is a breeze if a cookie is in hand. When off leash, he has a good recall, and responds quickly to “Keeper Come.” He has resisted crate training, preferring to sleep on the bed with his people. Keeper is completely house broken and takes himself out the dog door to pee in the yard. Poos happen only on walks.
Keeper walks well on leash, and generally does not pull. He does often changes sides, to sniff or meet people. Keeper also likes to decide which route to walk and can sometimes be single minded about going in a certain direction. He does not chase bicycles, squirrels. He hates white vans and will chase them if off leash.
In his home, Keeper has shown a bit of herding instinct. If visitors turn their backs and walk briskly away from him, he may lightly nip (NOT bite) the heels of visitors. His herding nip is so light and controlled, that it feels as if a small pebble lightly tapped the back of your shoe. When friends visit his home, he stays close to his person and will curl up under her feet as long as the visitor is there.
He loves getting into the car, and will ride quietly. He will ride happily in the car, as long recognizes where he is going. If the route is unfamiliar, or he is unsure of where he is being taken, he will hunker down and look worried. On the return trip home, he is clearly a happy dog. During a drive, he will bark if he sees other dogs as you pass them.
His health is good, although he has developed cataracts in both eyes, full in the right, partial in the left. It has not seemed to slow him much, but interferes with his accuracy in tracking the ball when you throw it.
If you have questions or may be interested in Keeper, please first complete our adoption questionnaire (online form or download a hard copy), at our website. Click on the Adopt tab near the top of the page, and scroll down to find the online Adoption Form. For more information about Keeper, please contact Lou or Jan Toepfer 510-865-3163.