Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with cats,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Meet Skippy! Equal parts loyal gentleman, neighborhood explorer, and quiet comedian, Skippy is the kind of dog who takes his job of loving his people very seriously.
Skippy loves long walks, rolling dramatically down hills at the park (and occasionally hiking right back to the top so he can do it again), soaking up the sunshine, and using the backyard azalea bushes as his personal back-scratching station. He's not a Velcro dog, but he absolutely wants to be part of whatever the family is doing. And if he needs something? He'll tell you. Skippy has an impressive vocabulary of barks—one for potty breaks, one for dinner, and a very specific one reserved exclusively for squirrels, whom he considers sworn enemies.
Despite what his Beagle DNA might suggest, Skippy is a hilariously terrible scent hound. His foster family once scattered treats around the yard for him to find, but instead of sniffing, Skippy simply pointed at the ones he could see and waited for someone else to retrieve them. His pointing skills came in handy again when a giant deer bounded over the backyard fence before he could properly introduce himself. Skippy dutifully trotted over and pointed in the direction she'd gone, just in case everyone else had missed it. His social life has proven to be just as entertaining. His foster parents initially thought he was chasing the resident cat, only to realize she was actually seeking him out so they could race up and down the hallway together. She ultimately had much more stamina than Skippy, who eventually called it quits with a dramatic sploot on the floor.
Like many dogs who haven't always had stability, Skippy needs a family that understands trust is earned, not rushed. He warms up gradually, prefers women initially, and likes to feel safe before fully relaxing. Once he trusts you, he's incredibly loyal. He's housebroken, sleeps through the night, rides well in the car, and does well home alone. While he has shown some resource guarding of his foster mom toward his foster dad, it's limited to barking rather than aggression, and his foster family is making great progress helping him feel more secure.
Skippy is looking for a calm, structured home (ideally without children) that will continue building his confidence. He'd do best as the only dog, with people who enjoy walks and adventures but also appreciate a dog who's perfectly content basking in the sunshine afterward. Because he doesn't like faces getting close to his own, he'll need a family without children that respects his space and lets him set the pace for affection. He also believes that if food exists anywhere within reach, it should probably belong to him, so his future family will need to keep an eye on tempting snacks during walks and around the house. The good news? Despite his enthusiastic appetite, he isn't food aggressive—even when a cat helped itself to one of his treats, Skippy handled it like a gentleman.
Skippy isn't looking for perfection. He's looking for patience, understanding, and someone willing to let him become the wonderful dog we already know he is. Give him a little time, a lot of walks, and a safe place to land, and you'll gain a loyal companion who's well worth the wait.
Skippy is approximately 10 years old and 32 lbs.
Fostered in Rockville, MD
Please apply at MirisHaven.org
