Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Good with dogs,
Good with cats,
Needs experienced adopter,
House-trained,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Max was discovered alone, on a remote road on the Navajo reservation at about 8 weeks of age, waiting to be a coyote meal. The great folks at RezRoads Rescue took him in, and he was then transferred to BLC.
Max has been raised and is cared for in every way possible to set him up for a long, healthy, happy life. He started on a complete raw food diet as a baby and continues today. He gets a daily raw beef neck bone and as a result his teeth are immaculate. He has not been neutered but instead has had a vasectomy to maintain his sex hormones, as we know these are key for proper musculoskeletal development and a healthy life. Max gets daily exercise which includes off-leash treks in the desert and at the river, as well as formal leash walks around town. He weighs 70 lbs, is fit, very athletic, and a competent swimmer. Max has been vaccinated for parvovirus, distemper, canine hepatitis, and has received a thimerosal-free rabies vaccination. He has been titer tested for parvovirus and distemper. He has never worn a flea collar or been given any flea or tick products.
Max is a sweetheart and not only adores his people but loves his dog pals. He doesn't have a bad bone in his body. He is very attached to his people and will always make sure he is in the same room or at least very close. He can be taken anywhere in public spaces and he'll be a complete gentleman. He is not bothered by high traffic, crowds, or loud noises. Thunder and fireworks are meaningless to him. Hes been around highly reactive, aggressive dogs and maintains a calm state. He has great house manners; no counter surfing and no resource guarding. As much as he enjoys eating, he knows to never bother another dog's bowl of food, even if the other dog has not finished eating and left. He has never been in a crate, rather he has been taught to have proper manners in the house. He's been around livestock and does not bother them.
Max has had a DNA test for both breeds and health. The health results show he has one variant of gene ATP7B, which is not uncommon in Labrador Retrievers, and which may put him at a higher risk of copper accumulation in the liver. He is not fed any food which has added synthetic copper or foods naturally high in copper such as beef liver, shellfish, or supplements with added copper. The test for possible liver issues due to excess copper storage is a simple liver blood panel. A rise in ALT is a possible indicator of excess copper accumulation. Max had his liver markers tested in February, and they were all normal. Feeding him for this genetic variant will be easy for anyone who already feeds a species appropriate diet (real food, no synthetics/fillers).
Here is what he would like in his perfect world:
A family seasoned in caring for every aspect of a dog's well-being, including providing training, structure, rules, consistency, rewards, and corrections.
A family that incorporates him into as many life activities as possible. He would like to go everywhere with his people.
As a youngster he still has a lot of play in him and another young dog in the family as a playmate would be ideal.
His family will be ecstatic at the opportunity to adopt a healthy, unneutered rescue dog since they understand the importance of sex hormones for both healthspan and lifespan.
His family will be dialed into a proper canine diet as well as the truths and myths of vaccinations/immunity. BLC is a follower of the many immunology studies and science of Dr. Ronald Schultz and the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine's Department of Pathobiological Sciences.
Its very important to him to be able to snuggle with his people while sleeping at night.
The screening process may include an online application, telephone discussion, meeting the dog, references checked, and home check. If you are interested in learning more about Max, please send an email to bigluckclub@gmail.com to introduce yourself.