Biggin - male/neutered - young (1-3 years best guess) - hound mix - brown and white short coat - 68 pounds
We were struck when we met Biggin - not only by his soft, open expression, but by the happy twinkle in his eyes.
It’s hard to explain what makes Biggin so engaging, but much of it is just that he’s so darned nice.
With his fine head, searching eyes, good heart and wonderful disposition, Biggin is a great all-around dog. Additionally, he has had the good fortune to be fostered by a dedicated individual who is also a trainer, so Biggin’ has gotten some excellent schooling under his belt as well.
Stout and sturdy, Biggin got his name when he was a young country pup, and folks would say, “My, he’s a big ‘un.” He is still a big boy, so the name stuck.
Biggin came from a rural part of West Virginia; although the are is extremely under-resourced, it has produced some exceptional dogs. It is an almost iconically hardscrabble place - isolated and remote, with one dead end road leading into it. The area exists as it has for decades, inhabited by families who are independent and set in their ways.
Dogs who lived there were well-fed, and part of a generalized community in which everyone just “got along.” Biggin was not pampered, but he had his own lean-to house, and despite the fact that he lived on a very short chain for a very long time, he somehow kept both his wits and his trusting nature.
The local County Animal Control unit was routinely asked to come in and make “sweeps” of this region to round up dogs, and Biggin trotted off happily with Animal Control officers on the day they freed him from his chain, and he then marched straight into their hearts.
Because of his relaxed disposition, affectionate ways, and incredibly huggable plumpness, Biggin soon assumed a position in the front office; that position was usually lying down, unless he could interest someone in letting him lay his big head on their lap and engage them in scratching his head. Biggin is fairly irresistible, and he made the most of his corporate assignment.
When Biggin’ came into Hedgesville Hounds rescue care, he continued this same kind of relationship with his foster care provider - who counts on Biggin’s calm, understanding and supportive presence as much as Biggin’ relies on his provider, who describes their relationship in this way: “His love of attention is endless, but he is not a pestering or begging dog, so he will lie down and wait if someone is busy.” Biggin' is an extremely tactile fellow who has found the greatest bliss he ever imagined in being allowed to sleep in his foster care provider’s bed. One of the many sadnesses about being a chain-dog is the deprivation of touch, so being included and patted on his big head are privileges to Biggin, and joys he will never take for granted.
Biggin’s foster care provider undertook teaching Biggin’ with compassion and caring. Biggin’s curiosity and his deep desire to please and bond (along with a solid food motivation), made him and apt and eager student. So, Biggin’ is now fluent in a number of training cues which his foster provider will be happy to share with Biggin’s adopters. He is also impeccably house trained and fully reliable in the home.
Biggin’s care provider reports that while Biggin’ loves his fenced yard, and is very happy to bound around in his own plowing and slightly clumsy style, he does not really fit the profile of a dog park dog, and in fact seems upset when he hears even neighborhood dogs barking. It is not that he dislikes other dogs, but more that he does not seem to have a very strong play drive, and he may just not know what to do with other dogs. His care provider set up a number of “play dates” with other dogs, but mostly Biggin’ just stood around idly.
Biggin’s primary desire, and his greatest talent, is the relationship he is capable of developing with his human(s). He wants love, groceries, and a calm existence that will support his three favorite past times - sleeping on the bed, lying in the sun, and watching the yard from the porch. But none of those pursuits are anywhere near as important to Biggin’ as his desire to be of purpose and value to his human, and to demonstrate his capacity for love and loyalty.
Biggn’ does seem to have a strong prey behavior, so we do not recommend him for a home with small, furry animals, and we are requiring a fenced yard for his adoptive home.
Biggin will bring his good heart, and very loving nature to his adoptive home, and he will bond deeply and profoundly with his adopter(s).
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