Size
(when grown) -
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Dog Name: Lionel Messi
Breed: Great Pyrenees mix
Sex: male
Age: ~1.5 years
Weight: 70 pounds (needs to keep gaining)
Medical Needs: He tested positive for Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis (two different tick-borne diseases). He is being treated with a round of antiobiotics that will need to be given through 8/14/2026. GRR will provide the adopter with the antibiotics. He needs to be thoroughly brushed daily to properly maintain his double coat. Grooming is just as important (if not more) for a dog’s health as it is for their aesthetics.
Housebroken: Yes.
Crate Trained: Pretty much. If we use his collar to gently lead him to it, he will go in on his own. He won’t go in on command yet, though. Once he is in, he is perfectly fine. He sleeps in his crate overnight with no issues.
Good in the Car: Yes and no. Yes because he settles down nicely in the back seat. No because he gets carsick and will vomit.
Good on a Leash: Yes.
Energy Level: Low to medium. He loves a quick romp around the yard or walk, but he also loves snuggling on the couch.
Need a Fenced-in Yard: No, it’s not a requirement. But it is a bonus. If there is no fenced-in yard, then he will need at least one, but preferably two, daily walks.
Dog Friendly: He is selective. He is not going to be any dog’s best friend instantly. He needs very slow introductions. He does not like other large male dogs even after slow intros, so he will not be placed in a home with another large male dog. He does fine with our 30-pound male French bulldog and our 60-pound female pitbull mix.
If yes, does your foster need another dog in its adoptive home? No.
Cat Friendly: No. He will try to chase and eat them.
Kid Friendly: Yes.
If yes, what's the youngest child you'd recommend they be placed with? 5 years and older with proper supervision. While he is a gentle giant most of the time, he has his moments of excitement. He will jump, wag his strong tail, and run around. He is also a leaner and will run at you and then turn at the last second to lean across your legs, which has some force to it. If there are little kids in the home, they need to be sturdy and aware of their surroundings.
*Due to his breed mix, and their proclivity for barking, he cannot live in a home with shared walls, i.e. apartments, townhomes, etc.*
Special traits that make your foster special or that we need to know about them? Lionel Messi has been incredibly sweet since the moment we got him. He really adores his humans and just wants to be touching you constantly. He is very intelligent and intuitive. I swear he understands plain English sometimes. When he arrived, his coat was in terrible condition. It took many tools and many hours to get him looking and feeling his best. He will need to be brushed daily to maintain his double coat and ensure he does not become a matted mess again. As sweet as he is with every human he’s met, he is wary of new dogs. He will need very, very slow introductions. You’re going to have to build a bond with him first, and then you’re going to have to be patient. This amazing guy is ready to be someone’s everything. Are you ready to be his?
Foster’s Location: Dover, DE
Application can be found here: https://www.grrde.org/adoption-application (If you already have an approved application on file, email GrassRootsDE@gmail.com, and ask the app team to pull your app.)
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