Rocky - 5 Year Old Cattle Dog X Shepherd

Meet the handsome Rocky, a five year old male Cattle x Shepherd who would love 
to be your new best friend. He is going to make the perfect companion-come-
security system for one lucky family!

Whilst Rocky would like you to think he’s just a big, brave guard dog who will be a 
menace to intruders, the reality is that he’s a real softie at heart. It’s true that he is 
fiercely loyal and will want to protect you from harm from approaching strangers, 
however what he doesn’t want you to know is that after a few minutes he will be 
putty in their hands, smothering them with kisses and requesting endless hand
 holding. He’ll lie on his fluffy pink blanky looking not at all manly, awaiting belly rubs
and strokes. Just don’t tell him we told you his secrets.


Rocky weighs in at 30kg, but don’t let his looks or size fool you - he is very politely
 mannered and craves affection. He loves nothing more than spending time with you 
just chilling out, playing, sunbathing, or cuddling. His favourite game is to play catch
 with his much-loved ball. He also enjoys fetch and playing tug with his rope toy, but 
his forte is jumping up to catch a ball mid air, a skill he loves to show off.

He is very well behaved; a calm boy who is fully house trained. He has good recall
 and knows how to sit, stay, lie down and shake paws, and is very gentle when taking 
treats. He has shown no food or toy aggression with his foster carers and is happy
for you to snuggle on his bed with him.

He gets very excited when it’s time for his 
walks. He still needs some help when walking on the leash and with recognising that
 bikes are not just for chasing. He is quickly learning that it’s not always necessary to
sing along to a passing ambulance or when the neighbourhood dogs bark!

He loves 
his treats so will be easy to train further.
 Because Rocky doesn’t like to be left alone (he gets lonely and anxious that you
 might not come home, although he is getting much better in this regard), we think he 
really would like another dog in the house for company. If his humans are around 
most of the time that would also be fine.

We think he would be well suited to another medium to large, calm dog; someone he can bond and play with that will keep him 
company but who will not be too full on for his chilled out nature and his love of a 
good snooze.

He would prefer it if his humans are around a lot, but another doggo
 for company should go a long way to helping with this.

He needs to be allowed inside the home and to join in with family activities, becoming an integral part of the family.
 He will repay you with endless love and loyalty. And kisses. Lots of kisses.


Whilst Rocky has not tried to jump or dig from his foster carer’s garden, he can get
 overly interested by passing people, dogs and bikes, so good fencing of a decent
 height is required.

He is learning how to trust, but can still be nervous and nippy
 around new people if they are overbearing or if he sees them as a threat to his
 humans, so slow introductions are necessary, on his terms. Once he’s comfortable 
with you, you won’t be able to avoid his kisses or to stop him from asking to hold
hands! For this reason he is not suited to young children, but dog-savvy children
 over the age of 12 would be considered. He hasn’t been tested with cats or pocket
pets but we think these are best avoided.


MEDICAL NEEDS
Rocky is currently recovering well from TPLO surgery to sort out an old cruciate
ligament (knee) injury. He is being a very good, very brave boy and, for the most
part, is being the perfect patient. He is just becoming more excitable as he starts to
feel much better, which needs to be controlled until the vet gives him the all-clear!


Due to his ongoing recovery, he is available for foster-to-adopt, meaning medical bills relating to his TPLO surgery are covered. All going to plan, he should be fully
 recovered by early/mid December, when he is due to have X-rays to confirm his
recovery is complete.

Until this time, he unfortunately isn’t allowed to play with other dogs, to race/jump around, or to climb stairs. He will therefore need to be in an only
dog household until given the all-clear by the vets.

He would be happy to meet his 
potential forever family whilst he recovers and would love to see out the remaining
few weeks of his recovery in his new home, if you can provide a calm environment, 
ideally with no stairs. Once he has been given the all-clear by the vets, he will be
allowed to play with other dogs and to live his life to the max, which he cannot wait to
do!

If you think this easy-going snuggle bug might be the perfect companion for you (and
your own furry friend if you have one), please get in touch with any questions, or
complete an application form to meet him.

Rocky is in foster care in Woy Woy, NSW. Due to his ongoing surgery recovery, he
is not available for adoption interstate
. His adoption fee is $
350
and he is desexed,
 vaccinated, treated for fleas and worms, and microchipped.

To apply to meet Rocky, please fill out our Adoption Questionnaire
https://tinyurl.com/drnadopt

If you have any questions about Rocky you can send an email to
 dogrescuenewcastle.amy@gmail.com

You can see all our available dogs at www.dogrescuenewcastle.com.au