Snowy is a beautiful spayed female dog, a mix of German Shepherd and Swiss Shepherd, looking for her forever home. Born in 2022, this young and energetic Pet Snowy weighs around 60 pounds and is currently in a loving foster home, eager to find a family to call her own. While Snowy isn’t suited for first-time dog owners, her intelligence and potential shine brightly, promising a rewarding companionship for the right person.
Snowy’s Potential and Needs: Is She the Right Pet for You?
Snowy is an athletic and intelligent dog who could excel in activities like agility or other dog sports. She embodies the spirited nature of her breed and requires an active family to match her energy levels. While she appreciates downtime and cuddles on the couch, Snowy needs consistent exercise to thrive. A home with a securely fenced yard, at least 6 feet high, is essential for her safety. Snowy’s adventurous spirit means she might be able to overcome lower fences, and electric fences are unlikely to contain her. As she was found as a stray, ensuring she stays safe and doesn’t get lost again is a top priority for her rescuers. Alternatively, highly active individuals, such as runners or hikers, who are committed to daily leash walks year-round could also be considered.
Playing with toys in the yard and going for walks are some of Snowy’s favorite activities. However, it’s important to note that Snowy has a high prey drive. This means she can be strong on leash when she spots smaller animals, requiring an owner who is physically capable of managing her pull.
Understanding Snowy’s Personality: Building Trust and Affection
Snowy can be initially wary of new people, exhibiting shyness and standoffish behavior. However, her love for food is a great way to win her over! Treats are excellent for positive reinforcement and building trust. It’s not uncommon for Snowy to bark or growl when she sees strangers, especially during walks or when people are visible through the yard fence. This behavior can be variable; sometimes she is perfectly at ease. Despite her initial hesitation, Snowy has shown positive interactions with veterinary staff and rescue volunteers at adoption events. Once she feels comfortable, Snowy transforms into an affectionate and playful companion. Calm, slow introductions with positive reinforcement, like treats, are key to helping her feel secure. While her initial reactions might seem intimidating, Snowy is often wagging her tail and displays no signs of aggression.
Considerations for Families and Other Pets: Setting Snowy Up for Success
For families with children, it is recommended that kids be aged 12 years and older. Snowy’s enthusiastic nature can lead to jumping and excited clawing, which could unintentionally topple younger children. Her foster mom has experienced a few minor scrapes and bruises due to Snowy’s exuberance.
Regarding other pets, Snowy is recommended to be the only dog in the household for now. She tends to become overly excited and overstimulated around other dogs, leading to hyper-arousal. While not aggressive, her intense excitement causes her to ignore cues from her foster mom and other dogs. Snowy’s attempts to mount other dogs, even when they signal discomfort, highlight the need for her to be the sole canine focus. This behavior can potentially escalate, which is why she is currently kept separate from other dogs in her foster home. Snowy is working on calming down when she encounters other dogs, and while progress is being made, she can still become challenging to manage on leash if another dog barks at her directly. Due to her high prey drive, a home without cats is strongly recommended.
A Smart and Trainable Pet: Unlocking Snowy’s Full Potential
Snowy is a highly intelligent girl with significant potential with consistent training and a dedicated owner. She already knows some tricks and is eager to learn more. Snowy is fully housebroken and trustworthy in the house when left unsupervised, aside from a playful habit of stealing underwear from laundry baskets! She loves cuddling on the couch or bed, playing with toys, going for walks, and car rides. Snowy is spayed, up to date on her core vaccinations, and in excellent health.
Ready to Welcome Snowy into Your Life?
Adopting Snowy is a wonderful opportunity to bring a loving and energetic pet into your home. The rescue organization offers a trial adoption period to ensure Snowy is the right fit for your family. If you believe you can provide Snowy with the experienced, active, and understanding home she needs, please fill out an adoption application. Snowy’s foster mom is also happy to answer any questions you may have. Take the first step towards meeting Snowy and potentially welcoming this special pet into your life!
View a short video of Snowy: Snowy on YouTube
If you have any questions, please email: [email protected]
Ready to apply? Click here: Adoption Application
