ANGUS: 4 years 5 mos. • Male • 85 approx. (exact weight pending) • Airedale Mix (Airedale - Shepherd) • Neutered • No good with crates • House trained w/caveats (read details) • Loving/Affectionate • Good with All Dogs • Good with Cats • Good with Kids • Microchipped • Good on a leash
Background: Angus initially came in to TART in January 2023. The submitting family had taken him in when he was an 11 month old puppy from a family member who was planning on taking him to the shelter because she didn’t have time for him. The new family had several dogs already, and one of them became increasingly aggressive towards Angus. Fearing he was going to get injured, they surrendered Angus to TART and he was fostered in San Antonio.
Angus was adopted by his current owner (CO) who has had him now for 2 ½ years. Angus lives in a rural area where his home is on a large 2 acre tract. His current family has 2 boys (now 10 and 14), 2 other largish dogs and 2 cats. In many ways, Angus is the perfect family dog but he has lingering training needs and with a busy life, CO does not feel she has the time or expertise to refine/correct his behaviors and has decided to surrender Angus back to TART in an attempt to find him someone who can give him the personal attention he needs.
The biggest issue driving the surrender is Angus having pee accidents about once or twice a week. CO says in many regards he is “housebroken” and will bark and let you know he needs to go out BUT, they will wake up on occasion some mornings to accidents and have come home from outings to find accidents as well. CO noted Angus drinks a lot of water and believes he would do well in a home with a doggie door. CO also stated Angus has been left for up to 8 hours with NO accidents. He NEVER has "#2" accidents. (TART notes that excessive drinking and accidents could be a sign of a UTI or other underlying condition and will pay to have him evaluated in this regard.)
Angus is also a notorious counter-surfer and quickly devours any unattended food. With two boys snacking and eating nearly non-stop in his current home, if the opportunity presents itself, Angus takes advantage of the situation. CO and family also have to empty their kitchen trash when they leave the house lest he succumb to that temptation. This is a area of training Angus could improve upon but not the reason for the surrender.
CO does not have the time or expertise to work with and train Angus. She is quick to note that he is VERY SMART and eager to please, and would no doubt be a quick study with the right person patiently interacting with him.
Overall Personality: Aside from the training needs outlined above, CO describes Angus as a pure, delightful SWEETHEART and the perfect dog for a family or couple. He is crazy-happy, friendly to everyone and is good with cats and dogs of all ages and sizes. He LOVES his people and wants to be close. He loves to travel and accompanied his current family on many trips.
Angus is good on a leash and friendly to everyone he meets. He is popular wherever he goes. He loves to run around in the yard and swim in the pool with his family. He is active and playful, but once he has had a bit of exercise, Angus is happy to lay around…but close to everyone.
Angus has a bit of separation anxiety and does not like fireworks or the sound of the boy’s nerf guns…but he is fine with thunderstorms. He does not chew furniture, but if he is anxious he might tear up a stuffed animal or nibble on a Pokemon card.
Angus is a gentle, loving soul. One of his canine brothers resource guards food and when he gets in a fight with the other canine brother, Angus quickly retreats as far away from the conflict as he can. He is also gentle when he takes treats from your hand.
Angus is good with the family cats. They play and even take naps together.
Angus does not do well with crates. When the family is out, Angus and the other two dogs and cats have free reign of the house. Angus also sleeps wherever he wants at night which is usually in one of two big bean bags or a loveseat.
ANGUS’ FAVORITE THINGS: Angus loves getting attention and food/treats are his love language. He enjoys playing and running around the yard, swimming and going on family outings. He is happy just to lay near you.
A typical day for Angus: The minute he hears someone moving he is gets excited and barks for a backyard pee break. He has breakfast then spends the rest of the day in and out. When he’s outside, Angus usually plays with the other 2 dogs. Inside, he’s generally a lazy lump. About twice a week Angus gets a walk to the park where he is always popular and happily laps up all the attention. Angus is SO GOOD on outings that the family can take him to soccer games off-leash and he stays close to them while simultaneously enjoying all the rock-star attention he gets from all the children.
Angus loves children but he might be too much for very small ones because his tail wags and he initially gets excited meeting new people.
Angus is fine with grooming and baths (CO does his grooming herself). CO states Angus’ hair is wiry like an Airedale but soft after a trim and the he IS hypoallergenic!
ANGUS’ LEAST FAVORITE: For the most part, Angus is an easy-going guy and up for everything except crates, getting in trouble, and being put outside by himself.
Although Angus is good with cats, dogs and even leaves the family chickens alone…he will chase squirrels and hunt for moles which are plentiful on the rural property. Angus and his canine brothers have been known to dig, but only going after moles. They don’t dig to dig or to breach a fence. Angus’ current home enclosure is a 6ft iron fence.
Angus knows “sit”, “stay”, “shake” and “get down”. Angus has not had professional dog training because of the rural location of his current home.
NEW ADOPTER’S BIGGEST CHALLENGES WITH ANGUS: CO stated that a bit personalized training, plenty of pee breaks and keeping your kitchen clear of food and trash is really all ANGUS needs.
WHAT A NEW ADOPTER WILL LOVE ABOUT ANGUS: Angus is so, so easy to love and he loves you right back. He is the sweetest boy who is happy, gentle and affectionate. He is fun and funny and constantly entertains by sleeping in weird “typical Airedale” positions. Oh…and did we mention he’s an incredibly handsome devil??
ANGUS’ IDEAL NEXT HOME: Angus would do best with a dog experienced owner who is home a great deal and is willing to patiently work with him. Angus needs an ample yard with a dog buddy to play with or a committed owner to walk him or provide other daily exercise opportunities. A doggie door would be a plus (CO believes this might be all Angus needs to eliminate his ocassional accidents). Angus would be great addition in a variety of home situations as long as he gets the love, attention, exercise and guidance.
(Note: TART is willing to work with a potential adopter to have him physically evaluated and assure he gets training he needs. We are open to a foster situation for him but would prefer a foster-to-adopt scenarios since he has already been displaced so much in the past.)
