Pepper is a charming, fun and affectionate boy. He bonds quickly and is very devoted to his people. He has an easy to care for coat. He would love to be part of a family where he would get lots of attention, a good daily walk and play times. Pepper is a young adult dog approximately 1 – 2 years old and weighs 20 lbs.
If you are looking for a loyal companion to stay by your side and snuggle with you at night then Pepper is for you. Pepper will lie under your table while you are working, sit by your side on the couch and snuggle with you looking for kisses occassionally so he knows you are close by. He does not want to be very far from your side and will follow you around the house not letting you out of his sight. Pepper has a lot of energy and likes to use it up going on long walks. He likes to get undivided attention and although he gets along with other dogs, there are some larger dogs that he feels threatened by and will become defensive and overprotective. Pepper would respond well to someone who can give him the love he desires and yet be firm enough to give him the training to build his confidence up and not be as jealous around other dogs.
Pepper is a very social dog with people, often jumping up on them to get a friendly rub behind the ears and pat on the head. Pepper is very eager to recieve attention and love. Pepper does not show any preferences to gender but he does get attached to his main caregiver and will follow them around from room to room and lay at their feet.
Pepper initially was crated when we were out of the house but is left out of the crate when we are out of the house now. He is very excited to see us upon our return but showed no signs of destructive behaviours while we were gone. Pepper does not appear to be afraid of any passing cars or loud sounds. He actually stays close by while someone is vacuuming as if very curious as to what it is.
Pepper loves to go for walks and does need to get a walk daily. He is a real couch potatoe as long as he is able to get out for a long walk and lots of outside time in the day. Pepper only barks when someone comes to the door or the other dogs start to bark. If on his own he would bark very little.
Pepper knows a number of commands; sit, down, and come when you add his name to the command. Pepper is house trained and is able to let you know he has to go out by heading to the door during the day and at night he will sit by the bedroom door or by your bedside until you wake up and let him out. (He sleeps soundly all night and if he has to go out he will wake up and wait until you notice he is awake to let him out.) Pepper travels fine in a car. Pepper loves to go for walks and is fine on a leash. He tends to pull at first because he is raring to get out for a walk. Once walking for a while he settles down and will walk along side of you. Pepper is fine in the house. He will cuddle with you on the couch and follow you around as soon as you get up to move to another room. Pepper does not try to escape from the yard. As a matter of fact the gate was accidentally left wide open and not realizing this, Pepper and another household dog were let out and they never left the yard.
Pepper has a healthy, shiny black coat. Pepper loves to eat and will tend to try to eat things off the sidewalk and off easily accessible places which then cause him to have a loose stool. A caution, to be watchful while on walks or when leaving food out on easy to access places like coffee tables so that he is not tempted to do this. I believe with a bit of training this tendency can easily be eliminated. Pepper is closer to a year or older because he tends to pick up quickly on learning new tricks although he still exhibits the clumsiness of a puppy. With a bit more training he will be a very obedient, loyal companion.
Pepper would be a wonderful family dog in a household with older children (not tested with younger children) where he will get the love and attention that he desires and the exercise he needs. He would also benefit from a puppy school or an adult who is able to give him some training to add to the commands he has already learned and to eliminate or prevent bad habits he may acquire if not given firm direction. Although he has been exposed to other dogs in the household I believe he would thrive best being the only one receiving all the attention.
If you think Pepper would be a good addition to your family, please go to our website at http://uglymutts.com and submit an application for consideration.
