Zuko

My story

For Adoption: Zuko! Please read our dog bios carefully to be sure that the dog you are applying for suits your family and lifestyle. We at PDR believe in the benefits of post-adoption training for our dogs and their families. This allows for continued socialization, learning and helps to create a well-mannered and balanced dog. Post-adoption training is a requirement in our adoption process. To apply for adoption and for more information on our process and requirements, visit our website at https://pounddog.ca/adoption-info/. This handsome sweetheart is Zuko. He’s an almost 4 year old Vizsla/ Hound mix (born May 2022) , and he’s just the bestest boy you ever did meet. Due to some very unfortunate family circumstances, Zuko was not able to stay with his previous family where he was loved very deeply. This love is so apparent to us as his fosters, because Zuko is such a super sweet and well-mannered boy. His personality is fun, curious, calm, and very loving. He already knows so much about how to be a good boy both in the house and out. Zuko is a striking boy, with his soulful brown eyes, velvety hound ears, and his lean, tall legs. Zuko is short haired with a sleek, shiny coat. He’s a large dog who doesn’t let his size stop him from being a supreme cuddle bug on the couch with you. He’s currently on a weight loss journey as he enjoys more consistent exercise, weighing about 95lbs as of writing this. His goal weight is somewhere around 85lbs and he’s already well on his way. Zuko is committed to finding someone that will help him reach his health goals, with high quality food and consistent exercise each day. Zuko is an athletic and playful boy who’s also very comfortable sharing down time with you. This makes for an exceptionally adaptable family dog. Zuko is happy to go out and hike with you all day long, or even run with you, but he’s also happy to just chill on the couch with you for hours. We want Zuko to live a long, healthy life, and this means he needs a solid routine of exercise for both his body and his brain, no matter how comfy you are just cuddling together! ;) That being said, Zuko is familiar with being left alone in the home alone for up to 4 hours at a time when needed. He will pace and doing some whining for 10 min when left alone before he settles nicely into his bed/place and awaits your return, eager to smother you with happy kisses. Zuko is such a good looking guy, and he’s learned to use that adorable sweet face to convince us to do many things, from extra snuggles to sneaking in an extra walk together. He’s a very calm, relaxed boy in our home, but ready for playtime whenever you are. He’s well mannered, and has not gotten into a single thing in our house from day one. He gets along great with our family dog, and in his previous home he grew up with kids and cats. Zuko is also adorably playful. When he wants to play he’ll often go get his Moosey (a stuffy he’s had since puppyhood) while wearing his goblin ears (what we call his ears when he pulls them back and out in a submissive way) and will prance around the house with Moosey until you can’t resist giving him some attention. Zuko’s biggest challenge is really just that he’s shy and sensitive. He’s nervous of new people and dogs, which simply means that he likes some space when meeting someone, and asks that people be patient with him. If someone he’s never met gets too close he simply moves away to create this space for himself, and looks to you to be his advocate. His preferred way of meeting people is to sniff them on his own time, without the added pressure of being pet. Once he knows you he’s very happy to be pet, and he really likes liver treats and can be won over quickly with these. Zuko is not reactive, he’s just a shy boy. Zuko is well-mannered when walking through the neighbourhood on leash, and has no issues passing people or dogs. He’s friendly with people he’s knows, and walks on by people he doesn’t know. He notices squirrels and rabbits and will watch them, but all we do is tell him to come along or leave it and he listens. We are aware though that he has a fondness for raccoons and may chase them if he encounters one. He is a hound after all! Speaking of his hound nature, Zuko is actually a quiet boy with us and rarely barks or howls. He’s only used his voice occasionally, when he’s very excited during playtime or when he’s unsure about something he smells or hears. He enjoys watching the world go by the window from the comfort of the couch. He does very much like to sniff, naturally, and thoroughly enjoys his longer bush walks where he gets the opportunity to smell all the things. He will also whine quietly when he needs something, like to go outside or if he wants to play or walk. While he’s adjusting to a new home, he’ll likely whine when he’s unsure or nervous. He responds very well to being asked to go to his place, which in our home is a designated spot for him on the couch where he can relax. Name: Zuko ID # PDR1482 Age: 4yrs Gender: male Neutered: yes UTD vaccines: yes Breed: Hound/ Vizsla Colours: black and tan Coat length: short House trained: yes Special needs: lyme + OK with kids: yes OK with cats: yes Ok with dogs: yes Status: adoptable Microchip: yes Size: large Location: Kitchener Adoption fee: $700

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Zuko, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.