Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Good with cats,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
If you've always wanted a Belgian Malinois, but you know you probably can't handle their legendary drive and intensity, Ulysses would be a good dog to start with. He has all the smarts and a lot of play drive, but - by Maligator standards - he's really mellow.
HISTORY
Ulysses showed up on a country road in April 2025. He was scared, stiff and bruised, and he had nasty graze on one foot. We're pretty sure he either fell off the back of a pickup or - more likely since no one was looking for him - was tossed from a moving vehicle. Our best guess is that he was the leftover pup in a backyard breeder's litter, or maybe belonged to someone who changed their mind when they realized that puppies do puppy things. In foster care he has recovered fully and is thriving.
He is located in Kennewick, Eastern Washington. If needed we will transport them to an approved adoptive home in the Pacific Northwest.
SOCIALIZATION
This boy loves everybody! He's large and clumsy, and can be mouthy, so might not be the best fit for a young child or someone who isn't steady on their feet, but he'll eagerly befriend anyone who offers him attention.
He shares his foster home with five other dogs, both large and small. He is submissive to all of them, even the Chihuahua cross, although he can be pushy in inviting play. He would do very well in a home with a tolerant, playful young dog.
The very young kitten in his foster home fascinates Ulysses. If unsupervised he would probably treat the baby as a squeaky toy, but he's shown no desire to do harm. With dog-savvy, confident cats he is respectful, but he'd likely chase a cat that ran.
He is interested in the horses and chickens at his foster home, but doesn't chase them.
GENERAL TEMPERAMENT & BEHAVIOR
Despite his rough start in life, Ulysses is a confident, happy, adventurous pup. He's active and energetic and will make a great sidekick for someone who enjoys hiking, jogging or other outdoor activities. But he knows how to chill! Given regular, daily exercise, he's pretty good at just kicking back and doing nothing.
He hasn't quite figured out toys yet. When his foster sister chases a ball Ulysses is very excited to chase her and cheer her on, but it hasn't occurred to him to retrieve. He loves chew toys and bones.
Ulysses is a good-looking guy who will win you compliments wherever you take him ... but when he's relaxed and happy he's a derpy klutzy goofball who will make you laugh. It's simply impossible not to enjoy this boy's company!
TRAINING
He is a puppy, and therefore he does puppy stuff! Please don't apply to adopt Ulysses if you're going to get bent out of shape when he steals your shoes (he loves shoes! He won't miss an opportunity to carry them off, even when your feet are still in them!) He loves dragging the blankets out of dog beds and carrying them outside, or draping them artistically around the house. He will tear up anything made of foam, including his crate mattress if it's not covered. He has been known to devour a book, and he'll shred random paper items or cardboard boxes. He will eviscerate soft toys.
All that said, even by non-Malinois puppy standards Ulysses is not especially destructive. At bottom he's a good boy who very much wants to please, and responds well to correction. Provided he's getting adequate exercise, attention and mental stimulation he's not likely to get into a lot of trouble.
He is reliably house-trained and crate-trained, and his house manners are good. He is learning not to counter-surf, jump up on people, or barge through doorways, although these are works in progress. His recall is fairly reliable and he's comfortable on a leash.
Because a brain is a terrible thing to waste, Ulysses is looking for a human partner who is committed to training. This boy doesn't have excessively high drive, but he's very capable of doing well up to an advanced level of training. But if all you're interested in is the basics he'll be fine with that, so long as your active lifestyle gives him the stimulation and learning opportunities he needs.
HEALTH STATUS
Ulysses has been vaccinated and neutered, and his rear dewclaws have been removed. On intake his muscle tone was poor, and we suspect he'd been kept in a crate or small run with limited opportunity to exercise. In his foster home he gets to run and play freely, and he is now in excellent condition.
We estimate that he was about seven or eight months before he came to us, so we have assigned him August 15, 2024 as his birthday. He looks set to be a big boy and could grow to 90 lbs.
ADOPTION
For more pictures of Ulysses, visit his Facebook album at https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=HearthfireAnimalRescueTeam&set=a.1000544628893293
To adopt Ulysses, please email HearthfireART@gmail.com and request an adoption application.
Ulysses is located in Kennewick, Eastern Washington. If necessary we will transport him to an approved adoptive home within the Pacific Northwest.
