Kodah

The reviews are in! Here's what my family and friends are saying about Kodah: "He’s got the best temperament of any of the dogs, you’ve fostered!", "You HAVE to adopt this one!", and more!

This is a truly limited edition dog - a one-of-a-kind that will make a single, couple or family so very happy. Kodha is possibly the sweetest, most gentle-natured boy I've ever fostered. He's playful, loyal, hilarious, well-mannered, curious, cheeky and confident. He's a very rare and balanced combination of goofy and protective. Being a mastiff cross, he's got a chilled energy, but because he's young he switches to energetic for playtime, with short bursts of zooms, chasing a ball/stick, or a gentle wrestle. He needs at least one big walk a day, or preferably two medium walks (45 mins) planned around the upcoming heat this summer.

It's quite rare for a rescue to have zero trauma responses or health/behavioural problems, but this guy is the real deal - zero aggression, trusting of people, great with dogs and kids, only barks when alerted (has been twice in my care - both times with a loud noise he thought was an intruder). He's on the small end of a big dog scale (just shy of 50kg, but he's losing some weight in foster) - the best of both worlds - a really manageable size for city living but still a "dog's dog" that can mix it up in the country or beaches. He’s equally at-home gnawing on an entire shin bone from a cow as he is cuddling up with his favourite soft toy.

He's not too fussed by kids (mastiffs can be aloof around kids' energy) but gentle around them. I'd recommend kids older than 7, but only because of his size.

He's a great combo of playful and cuddly - he LOVES LOVES LOVES touch contact and smooches, and will happily take roll of big or little spoon. He can actually rap his arm around you like a bear which is adorable. He'll take himself off for alone time when he wants, but fire up for a play or wrestle on your terms, too.

He doesn't get separation anxiety, although will whine for about the first 10 minutes after left alone before settling. I've only tested him alone for about three hours max. so far, and he's done fine but is a big goofy ball of happiness when I arrive home.

He's taken to the outdoors really well - nothing high-octane, but bush walks and swims/runs on the beach. Someone committed to taking him for little adventures beyond just regular walks would be best.

Not for nothing, he's beautiful looking. He wears a lot of shar pei in his smooshy face (that's about the only place though, and hasn't shown shar pei temperament with me) combined with a short, easy-to-clean caramel coat. He's definitely unique looking. Some strangers have been a bit anxious/put-off around him but are delighted when they see how friendly and goofy he is.

He's a gorgeous, goofy carmel meatball. He's going to be the perfect dog for someone very lucky.

MY IDEAL HOME: You rarely get to say this but Kodha would be perfect for a single, couple or family with a few caveats. He definitely prefers to be around his people/person, so wouldn't suit being left alone all day. A single who worked from home and had time to put into walks and play time would be fine (I'm a single and he and I are in a great rhythm while I work full-time from home).

Any successful applicant will need to commit to ongoing training of two simple things - "leave it" and recall. He's off-lead with me in enclosed spaces (e.g. fenced parks) but it's a game to catch him at the end of play time. He's smart and has a food drive though, so this shouldn't be tricky at all. He needs to learn "leave it" mostly because he's decided (like most dogs) he likes dead things, likes birds, mice etc.

He's good on lead, but not for a novice or someone too small to occasionally stop a 50kg dog. He's been rural with me and loses his leash manners when we see a rabbit or small birds. Someone with the experience to 1) spot these distractions in advance, 2) control a bigger dog and 3) work on distraction training for these rare occasions would be best. He can be stubborn on lead at rare times.This has been rare, but I've just been going all Budha on him and sitting down next to him. Within a couple of minutes he gets bored and realises he should just go where I want and we're on our way.

A house with a yard would be ideal, he'd be fine in an apartment with plenty of outside time. He mostly wants to be around his human/s, so as long as you're able to get him out for exercise and to meet other dogs/people, the size of your place isn't as important as the attention and love you give him.

He's taken to the outdoors really well - nothing high-octane, but bush walks and swims/runs on the beach. Someone committed to taking him for little adventures beyond just regular walks would be best.

Normally with a mastiff I'd say it's best to have big dog experience, but he's just so gorgeous and even-tempered, I think he'd be a great "starter mastiff" or big dog for anyone wanting to change up from a staffie or bully breed. His energy levels would be perfect for someone who's had high-energy staffies/fat-heads in the past but who are maturing a bit and would like a similar (to a staffie) temperament but with a bit more chill. He'd be perfect for someone who equally loves a good walk/play but also eating cookie dough on couch watching telly.

A couple or family where someone was home most of the time would also be great. As a guardian breed, he would form a very close, loyal bond with an entire family.

Being a bigger guy, someone who is knows how to exercise a dog while being mindful of leg and back health is preferred.

MY ENERGY LEVEL: 65% chill, 35% playful. His chilled time isn't always sleeping though - it's often just lazing about but he will come and nuzzle you when he wants a pat or attention! We've been doing two biggish walks a day (just while he sheds a couple kilos) and 15 minute play session (ball, tug-of-war or a wrestle) a day. This amount seems to be a sweet spot. He may be chilled, but he's young and still needs a bunch of mental and physical stimulation - chilled, but not for a lazy household.

MY SUITABILITY TO CHILDREN: Great with kids, but he's not that into them. He (and mastiffs in general) can be a bit put off by high-level (or obnoxious/un-dog-savvy or grabby) energy of kids. I recommend if you've got kids they're the better part of 10, or at least 7, with good dog manners. He wouldn't be aggressive with kids, it just wouldn't be the best fit for him.

MY SUITABILITY TO CATS AND DOGS: Definitely no cats or small animals (birds, guinea pigs etc.). He's gentle but it's in his breed/nature to go after these. He's great with dogs, although I wouldn't recommend another dog under 20kg. This could be case-by-case though.