My name is Rowdy!

UPDATE - Rowdy has come a long way since being in his foster home! He is now a lovely dog to live with and is fully housetrained and has manners. Rowdy is still the fun loving, super affectionate, friend to all living creatures that we came to love early on, he just has some sense about him now and is a much easier dog handle. Rowdy is attending obedience school and is doing quite well. He attracts a lot of attention wherever we go and we hear all the time "now that is a fantastic looking dog!" Rowdy is stunning. He is jet black and shiny and muscular but he always, always has a happy grin on his face. Rowdy would still prefer a home with space to run, and preferably another playful dog to live with, but he would also be ok being the only dog if he had regular play times with other dogs. He is very athletic and amazes us with his jumping ability; he would excel at agility and we would love it if he found a family that would train him to participate in dog sports. But if that's not in the cards then he would need an active family that will exercise him well and give his the opportunity to run and play. Rowdy has turned into such a good boy, he will be a fantastic dog for anyone wanting a big, goofy and loveable mutt.

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Hey everyone, this is Rowdy! He is a 1yr old goofy Lab/Rottweiler who is a gorgeous dog with an even lovelier temperament. Rowdy has all of the Lab’s happiness, friendliness and energy in an 85lb Rottweiler’s athletic and muscular body. Rowdy is a handful but boy is he a lot of fun. Rowdy has never met a person or animal that he hasn’t liked and he thinks every new person or animal is his next best friend! If you are looking for a big, loveable goof of a dog, then Rowdy may be the one for you.

Rowdy came to us from the pound where he was an unclaimed stray. He was a very intimidating sight in his kennel as he is big and dark black and has small, beady eyes. But the moment we took him out he was a complete clown and we knew there was nothing scary about this big boy at all. Rowdy is a lot of dog and his first week with us was very interesting as he had little training and, well, there’s no way around it…he’s not the brightest dog out there!!! It’s a good thing he’s so good looking !! Rowdy needs an experienced handler who has patience and can continue to work with him and take over the training from where we leave off. He eventually catches on to what you want, it just takes time and repetition and consistency. He will look at you with his huge grin and lolling tongue and you can’t help but smile at him. Rowdy will frustrate you at times but makes up with it with overt friendliness and joy. He continues to make wonderful progress in his foster home and his 'Joie de vivre' is contagious!

Rowdy is being fostered with other dogs and he loves all of them. We would recommend Rowdy go to a home with another large, young and playful dog. Rowdy has a lot of energy for his size and we find running and wrestling dog play is the best way to tire him out. He loves chasing other dogs, wrestling, and playing tug. Anyone interested in Rowdy has to be aware of his energy level and must make sure that he gets the exercise he needs to be a happy dog. Walks are not enough for this guy. He needs running play and he also needs the space to be able to run and play. He definitely has the energy of a young Lab, but it just happens to be in a Rottweiler’s body. We have also found out that Rowdy loves water, another Lab trait, and swimming would also be another great way to exercise him. Rowdy has met horses and other farm animals in his foster home and has been well behaved with all. He would be a great dog around the farm should that be an opportunity for him. Rowdy is also being fostered with cats and he finds them enthralling. We will only consider sending him to a home with a cat if the cat is completely comfortable with dogs. Rowdy has never shown any aggression to our cats, but he follows them everywhere and likes to get in for close up sniffs, and will chase them if given the chance. Our cats play along with him and they race through the house, but most cats would not appreciate this. Our one cat will wait for Rowdy to walk up and then swat him a few times in the face in play and then take off with Rowdy right behind. Its hilarious to see the two of them play and Rowdy just sits there with his silly grin as the cat is swatting him. HE still hasn’t learned to back up a step!! Rowdy is not being fostered with children and we feel with his size and strength he would be best in an adult only home or one with kids over 12yrs of age. He is a big dog who has no concept of his size and he could easily knock over younger kids without even meaning to.

Rowdy is being taught rules, discipline and obedience in his foster home. He came to us a dog that had no manners and he would try to bulldoze his way by us to be first out the door. We are teaching him that he has to wait at doorways for us to enter first. He needs occasional reminders till but is getting it. He also wasn’t housetrained and that has been a challenge but we have figured out what works for Rowdy and we have been accident free now for the last while. He needs constant supervision as his cues for having to go out are very subtle. We also found that taking him out regularly and after eating, playing, sleeping, chewing toys, or any other break in activity works for him. We basically treat him like he’s a puppy and that works. He very much has a puppy brain! The nice thing is that Rowdy is perfectly crate trained. He will go in and not make a fuss and rests quietly until let out. We crate him every time we leave the house as he is not trustworthy to be left unattended in the house. He is very much a big puppy and we wouldn’t want to know the mischief he could get up to if left on his own. Rowdy sleeps in his crate at night and you don’t hear a peep out of him. He in fact rarely barks at all. He’s a pretty quiet dog. Rowdy was terrible on leash when we got him and would use all of his power to pull you wherever he wanted to go. A Gentle Leader head halter has put a stop to that and he has gotten used to it and does very well on it. He is a joy to walk with his head halter on and he prances at your side. Rowdy now knows some basic obedience as well and is learning more all the time. He is a work in progress but he’s fun to work with and just such a happy dog that he makes you happy to have him around.

Rowdy’s perfect home will be a house with a large fenced yard. The fence needs to be 6ft as he is athletic enough to jump anything shorter and he will jump if given the chance. Rowdy does not like being left out in the yard without you, he really wants to be with his family. The yard needs to be large so that he has room to run. He needs a family willing to exercise him daily and make sure he gets the play and running he needs. He likes to play fetch in the yard. Rowdy would do best with a dog buddy to play with and to learn off of. Rowdy lives peacefully with other dogs and we feel he would benefit from a dog buddy. He needs owners who are experienced not only with large dogs, but are confident trainers and handlers of large, goofy dogs. He is not a dog for a first time dog owner. Rowdy needs consistency and firm but fair direction. Rowdy travels well in the car and loves to be with his family wherever you go. He is VERY loyal and devoted to his family. He loves his people so much and wants to be included in family activities. He is not a dog that can be left in the yard all day. He needs to be with you and to be involved. Rowdy is very affectionate and loving and has just the best temperament. He needs a family to continue his training and socialization so that he remains this way. He needs to get out and meet people and experience the world and show everyone that big, black, powerful dogs aren’t scary. Rowdy is a fabulous dog in the making. He’s learned a lot in our care and we are looking for an excellent family to continue on with him. Rowdy needs a forever home now. He will never leave your side and wants the same commitment from his family. Rowdy is they type of dog that will be your very best friend and loyal companion. Will you be his?

All Pound Dog Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, heartworm tested, de-wormed (if required), and microchipped prior to adoption. The adoption donation of $400 is applied to assist in the costs of veterinary care and the overall care of the dog. For more information and adoption applications please consult our website at www.pounddog.ca.