Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Not good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Good with cats,
Story
**$225 in pledges to any rescue that may pull!**
*New playgroup note added*
Lexi ACCT-A-251434 is currently considered urgent and at risk of euthanasia due to length of stay and lack of space for incoming dogs. Lexi must have confirmed placement with a RESCUE PARTNER or EXPERIENCED ADOPTER by MONDAY, JUNE 22ND at 10AM. Should Lexi's medical or behavioral status change, her urgency and timeline for placement may also change.
Lexi is a six-year-old Mastiff who came to ACCT Philly as an owner surrender on May 28th. At first glance she can appear a bit reserved in new situations, but once she has a moment to take things in, her soft, steady personality begins to shine through in a really lovely way. She builds trust gradually, responds very well to kindness, and is highly food-motivated and eager to learn, already making meaningful progress with handling and basic cues. She’ll lean in for pets once comfortable, offers a sit for treats, and walks nicely on a loose leash. She can be vocal at times with a classic Mastiff-style alarm bark, but she is easily redirected and settles quickly when she understands what’s being asked of her. Lexi has met other dogs in the shelter and previously lived in a home with four other dogs, who she was very nurturing toward, as well as a cat she had no issues with.
Staff have noted that Lexi is a pretty awesome representation of her breed in a lot of ways. Because of this, she will do best in an adult-only home with someone experienced with Mastiffs or similar guardian breeds. Her ideal placement will be able to provide a calm, structured environment and continue building her confidence through patient, positive reinforcement. Due to her length of stay, Lexi is urgently seeking placement with a rescue partner or experienced adopter who can help her continue to thrive outside of the shelter setting.
VIDEOS:
Diamond and Lexi fence meet: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ANuARfqZ_rc
Lexi and Lucas:
https://youtu.be/qy-fhnKwb1A?si=hQlJoHv-sPN0i0Ah
https://youtu.be/x-ND5fcDqkM?si=h6OLYSqTopUWu0pv
https://youtu.be/KYcfiFF7rPU?si=ORPJT8FcNC1VQWD7
https://youtu.be/iUmlQTLpqlU?si=pmIX4cQy-Q_2HNFW
Cold Club Playgroup 6/9: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcnvoGYrJkIa5t4RiKIf-bQjRrt-PnNCP
Lexi sits for treats: https://youtube.com/shorts/2uDcCUMFlz8?si=Q0Ukqq19s7UwPyQ2
Pets for Lexi: https://youtube.com/shorts/qEJ4S0q7n7c?si=BmZ2-tyTR4jWEtZg
Lexi knows sit and down: https://youtube.com/shorts/TjPBiyjbpnQ?si=EpH9rPe872EPqmQP
BEHAVIOR NOTES:
**NEW** 6/19: she entered the playgroup yard today, gave a small correction to Druid, and then was romping and playing, tail middle to high, loose body, moving around the yard comfortably. Barked at some people that came to the fence to watch, in true Mastiff fashion.
Per volunteer 6/16: Low energy. Loves butt pets. Good through fence with male dog Larnold.
Per staff 6/13: Updating pathway to be available for adoption, in kennel she does a typical mastiff bark, just one or two good loud barks to let you know she’s there, if you offer her any treats or show her the leash she stops vocalizing and is easy to handle. Walked on a loose leash to the pen, peed and pooped outside. When I sat down and offered her treats, she offered me her butt and her side body for pets and scratches. Knows sit and can easily be lured into a lay down for a treat.
Went outside she will run away when she hears loud noises on the street and seems more comfortable if you’re sitting rather than standing and walking directly towards her. Again, food is the way to this dog‘s heart and she is consistently showing that what her owner notes say about her being naturally, wary is accurate, and not escalating beyond that.
Not for first time, dog owner, ideally home would have breed experience to understand, natural breed tendencies of wariness to strangers. Home should be prepared to manage her interactions, using things like baby gates, crates, and lots of positive reinforcement with food when introducing her to newcomers.
Per volunteer 6/14: Low energy. Mildly shy. Photoshoot.
Per staff 6/12: Low energy.
Per volunteer 6/10: Low energy.
Per staff 6/10: Low energy. Very skittish/friendly, she is just very unsure of handler, please introduce yourself.
Per volunteer 6/9:
Lexi was sleeping on her bed and got up very calmly and stood nicely for me to leash her. She gave me no issues walking past the crated dogs. She has an easy walking pace as we left the shelter, and does a lot of ground sniffing. She's very skinny, so might be searching for treats. And she looks to be a former mama. She drooled a lot and kept an eye on the activity in the parking lot, though there wasn't much going on there.
She initially flinched when I stroked her backside, but later when I started petting her again, she leaned against my hand. She even allowed pets under her chin. She perked up when she heard a squeaker toy in the other yard, but when I showed her one, she didn't have much interest. She had no interest in balls or other toys, but she did sniff them, then moved away.
When Diesel, a husky, approached the fence, she ran to the fence, barked a little, then was interested and cordial. She will sit when asked, and is surprisingly gentle taking treats. Later, when she just heard the sound of the treat bag, she sat right down and looked at me, expecting, and knowing I would give her a treat.
She is not jumpy or mouthy.
On the walk back to the shelter, she pulled which surprised me because she was so easy walking out of the shelter. She gave me no issues returning to her kennel and unleashing her. She is a true gentle giant.
Per staff 6/9, playgroup: Low tail, ears back, wide eyes at the fence. Steerable 3/5 with water, did not test with can due to fearfulness. Greeted Luca, sniffed and tolerated being sniffed. Corrected with an air snap when Luca tried to mount then moved away.
Per volunteer 6/8: Low energy. Ok leaving shelter, pulls to return. Good through fence with Diesel. Knows sit, gentle with treats. Skittish. Flinches when pet on back.
Per staff 6/4: Low energy. Mildly shy.
Per volunteer 6/3: Low energy. Slightly shy. Sweet girl, very treat motivated. She solicited some butt scratches — does startle easily. Lots of sniffing in the yard.
Per volunteer 6/2: Low energy. Slightly shy. Allows touching all over.
Per staff conversation with owner 5/31: Owner obtained Lexi from a breeder in Virginia approximately three months ago. The breeder reportedly told the owner that Lexi had been heavily bred and had previously lived in a home with approximately ten other dogs, as well as with an individual who was allegedly abusive, which led to her fearful behavior. Owner believes Lexi was significantly overbred and reports that the breeder told her the last litter Lexi had consisted of 16 puppies. When Lexi first arrived to the owner, she was extremely thin, fearful, guarded, and easily startled. Since then, she has gained some weight (owner acknowledged that she is still thin), become more comfortable, and bonded very quickly with the French Bulldog in the home, whom she reportedly treated like her own puppy.
Lexi lived successfully with four other dogs and a cat in the home, including a French Bulldog, a Micro Bully, and an XL Bully. Owner stated that Lexi was very nurturing toward the other dogs. She also had no issues with the resident cat.
Owner noted that Lexi may be fearful and also may growl at times but attributes this behavior to her past experiences and trauma. Overall, she describes Lexi as fearful and insecure rather than aggressive. Owner reports that Lexi has generally displayed good behavior. She described Lexi as a "barker" and stated that she is "all bark and no bite." Lexi will alert bark at unfamiliar people but quickly becomes fearful if they approach her.
Owner reports that Lexi previously had stomach cancer and what sounded like two episodes of GDV. Owner was feeding her kibble, waiting 30 minutes, and then giving her water. Since this routine, she has not had the same stomach issues.
Per staff 5/31:
Kennel Presentation: At the front of the kennel with wide eyes, ears forward, nub down, not moving. Readily took a treat through the bars.
Leash Skills: Need a treat lure to leash up. Slowly came out of kennel. Eyes darting, nub down and ears forward. Mildly pulled on leash. Exit searching outside.
Sociability: Asocial. Moved away when I attempted to pet. Skin crawled when I gently touched her side.
Dog Interaction: Met Lucas. Tolerant and avoidant.
Return to Kennel: Went right into kennel and I was able to remove leash with hand.
Color Level: Blue
Per staff 5/30: Met two dogs thru the fence. Sniffed then began mostly exit searching. In the pen with me, avoidant with some exit searching, using food helped with bonding and decreasing flight response.
Per staff 5/30: Started out well but got anxious over time and could not finish vaccinations.
Per staff 5/30: Sitting quietly in kennel with wide eyes and ears to the side. Ate treats intensely and fast, used treats to lure head into the leash. Nub pasted down, eyes darting, walks hunched, indicating fear. Flinched when touched initially. Able to bond using food and touch on back and sides, and take off choke chain that was on snugly. Passed off to staff to complete intake exam on dog intake room. Staff indicated she relaxed with him touching her and remained apprehensive when the nurse also kept approaching to touch her. Muzzled out of an abundance of caution.
Per staff 5/28: Owner didn't have much time and she had no choice but to surrender the dog. Dog is very sweet and walked on leash nicely.
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Due to being significantly overcapacity with animals and higher than usual intake, extensions are unlikely to be granted. If you are interested in an animal please contact ACCT Philly immediately.
Due to limited space, timestamps may also be proceeded with early so it is imperative to let us know if you are considering adopting or tagging an animal.
ACCT Philly is located at 111 West Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia. We are open for adoptions 7 days a week. Please visit www.acctphilly.org/adopt for details.
If you are a rescue interested in pulling this animal, please email our lifesaving team, or visit here if you are not currently a rescue partner: https://acctphilly.org/acct-philly-love-local-partnership-program/
Confirmed placement is considered a confirmation of an actual rescue pull. Possible placement, interested parties, and other "TBD" statuses are not considered confirmed and do not indicate an animal is no longer urgent.
All animals at ACCT Philly are from Philadelphia, as the only open-intake animal shelter in Philadelphia, we are not able to accept animals from outside of Philadelphia. ACCT Philly's Pennsylvania kennel license number is 08313.
