Adoption information
I've been adopted!
This pet is no longer available
On Hold
About Leo
*ON TRIAL* Leo is a one of a kind Chihuahua puppy who has taken his Lionesque name and run with it. He embodies the spirit of his feline namesake with a fearless attitude to life. Leo is only small to the naked eye, at 2.4 kilos; internally he is the king of the jungle.
This tiny boi is so very cute, with his alabaster coat, tinged with coffee stained patches. He is a young boy of only eleven months old whose life has thus far dealt him a lacklustre hand.
Leo has already been through the pound system once and at the tender age of eleven months he again finds himself looking for a home. Make no mistake, Leo is not at fault here.
Tiny dogs do not always make great pets for tiny children whose motor and social skills are yet to develop, and Leo has been placed in a position where he has had to draw on his nomenclature for defence strategies. As a result, Leo can sometimes be a little defensive around small children who manhandle him.
Leo requires an adult, dog-savvy home who will be willing to implement rules and boundaries and well as be lavish with affection and love.
This kid is incredibly playful and full of personality. He loves other dogs and has no hesitation in instigating a game, but will rise to the challenge if threatened. His enthusiasm for life is contagious and it’s impossible not to love him.
When Leo came to us he would bark relentlessly at strangers, but has since learned how much fun they can be. He has become social, affectionate and playful with people but will need ongoing reinforcement to maintain his trust levels.
This pup may have a good off-switch inside but he is a young dog who craves adventure and excitement, so those who intend to indulge his needs will be prioritised.
Off-lead, this little tyke is not really trustworthy, so enclosed areas are a must for free running. As you can see from his videos, he is quite good with other dogs. In order to maintain his confidence, prospective owners should continue to offer him positive experiences with other dogs.
Leo isn’t all play and excitement. When it’s time to relax his draws on his genes and loves to sit on your lap for cuddles. Chihuahuas are an incredibly loyal breed who dote on their chosen people. Some Chihuahuas, like Leo, can push the boundaries of assertiveness with their family however, so only experienced and confident handlers need apply.
Do you have an adventurous lifestyle and a warm lap to offer this tiny critter? Are you a confident dog leader who has the experience and knowledge to continue to shape this puppy into the perfect adult dog? If so, Leo would love to meet you and is eager to shower his people his people undying love and constant, silly antics.
Please carefully follow the application instructions below to be considered.
Medical notes
Leo is a healthy little puppy.
Watch videos of Leo
Adoption details
*WARNING: If you do not follow the application instructions below, your application will be disregarded.*
Please tell us about yourself using the orange ‘enquire about this pet’ button below. We do not operate on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Instead, our aim is to find the most suitable forever home for the animals in our care.
Your application should include details about who lives at your home, both humans and animals and what their daily schedules and living arrangements are like. It should include details about your previous dogs and a thorough break down of the house rules you will have for this pet as well as what their typical day will look like.
Please tell us what your dog’s sleeping arrangements will be as well as what you plan to do with your dog if you go away on holidays.
Please provide AS MUCH detail as possible to increase your chances of a successful application.
It may take up to four weeks to process the applications. Please try to be patient. All applicants will receive a response - but it won’t be an immediate one.
If your application seems promising you will be contacted for a telephone interview. Should this be successful you will be invited to a meet and greet and asked to send photos of your property.
Should the meet and greet end favourably, you may pay the adoption fee, sign the paperwork and take the pet on a two week trial during which time you will be asked to provide regular updates.
During this trial period the pet remains the property of Onyx Rescue and adoption will only be finalised following a successful trial.
See some of our previous rescues and keep up with the status of our current rescues by joining here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/748478285317783/
AN OPEN LETTER TO APPLICANTS:
We hate to disappoint people. It’s something that really upsets us, but unfortunately it comes with the territory of what we do. So we want to take the time to explain something.
When we take on a dog, we make a commitment both to that dog and the former owners of that dog to find this fur-kid their perfect forever home. Our primary criterion in order to achieve this is whether that home is a good match for that dog. Each dog can have vastly different needs from the next and every home is different.
Sometimes well-intentioned people put their friends in touch with us, sometimes we are approached by friends or even family in relation to a particular dog. However, we have made a promise not to compromise on our commitment and we have to turn them down.
This isn’t a reflection of their dog ownership skills, nor how we feel about them personally. Our decision will always come down to whether we believe that they are a match. Not just any match - the best match.
Sometimes we are lucky to have several interested parties who would be a good match and it can be difficult to choose between them. Our ultimate decision will, however, not be influenced by our relationship with this potential adopter, be it secondary or primary, nor the number of times they have applied and missed out previously, nor whether they applied first, nor the number of times or methods used to contact us about a particular pet, but whether or not they are the BEST match available.
So if you know someone who is interested in any of the dogs at Onyx Rescue, or you are interested in one yourself, please go through the proper channels and send your application through Petrescue. Please do not take offence if you or your friends are not chosen - this only means that there was someone who was a better match. Not a better person, not a better dog owner, but a better match.
We believe there is a home for every dog and a dog for every home, so if you’ve not been chosen previously please do not give up applying - the next one may be your perfect dog.
Thank-you to everyone who supports what we do here - it means the world to us and the beautiful fur-kids seeking homes.
This pet has been adopted and found love with its new family.
The rescue group has removed this pet and it is no longer available for adoption.
The rescue group is no longer taking adoption applications for this pet.