Stripe

**PLEASE NOTE: adopting a puppy into your home is a huge commitment, and very demanding of your time. Puppies require daily exercise, positive socialisation with other people/dogs/puppies, grooming, training, playtime and cuddles. When applying, please consider your work hours, holidays, and personal commitments as puppies will need someone who is home for most of the day with regular focused input, especially in those first six months after adoption **
NAME: Stripe

BEFORE SAFE ESPERANCE: Came to us as an owner surrender.

BREED: American Staffordshire Terrier x Kelpie x Bull Terrier
Breed Traits: American Staffordshire Terriers are quite high energy, playful, affectionate and intelligent but do require training as they can be headstrong. They are very social with adults and children and are extremely loyal but can suffer from separation anxiety if left for long periods. Their sociability with dogs is a facet that needs work from an early age.
Kelpies are high energy and intelligent, so may need to be found a 'job'. They get bored easily if their brains are not worked, so training is a must. They are loyal and very social with people and dogs. If the instinct is strong they may try to herd your children.
Bull Terriers love their people and are very affectionate and sensitive. The don't like to be left alone for long periods or can be destructive. They have high energy and love to be busy so need plenty of exercise and playtime. Their high prey drive precludes smaller pet species such as cats. They are trainable but stubborn and not for novice owners.

ENERGY LEVEL: Typical pup at the moment, plays, eats, poops and sleeps! Down the line she will need a couple of daily walks/runs. Her breed mix is medium to high energy so expect to have quite an active dog.

ASSETS: She's friendly, confident, affectionate, sweet, eager to please, active and very playful! She loves everyone and everything she meets (she can be a little excitable but she is a puppy) and is an absolute darling!

FAVOURITE THINGS: She loves to play with her sister Lottie and they often chase each other round the back yard or play tug 'o war with their toys. She also really likes to interact with her foster carer, and to run after the ball but doesn't bring it back yet! Once she's finished playing she'll happily cuddle up on the couch with her person. If left to her own devices she will dig and chew so keeping her busy and engaged is the answer.

WORKING ON: Housetraining is coming on well. She is crated at night with her sister Lottie and they will ask to go out first thing in the morning to do their business. .In her new home there may be some accidents while she's adjusting. She will also need lead and command training. She will sit for her dinner and generally when asked. She will bark to get attention and when she hears new noises.

HOME ESSENTIALS:
* Stability: An active home, where someone is around for most of the day on a permanent basis or can take her with them when they go out.
* Time: Stripe needs an owner who will put in the time to gradually expose her to new things. Puppy school and training are a must to make up for the lack of structure in her early life. She is a bright girl and loves to please and is treat responsive so training will be fun. She could live with another youngish dog but her focus is her person so if you are prepared to be her best friend she will be a happy dog.
* Space: Stripe needs a well fenced, secure yard to run around in to burn off her playful energy, with lots of grass and interesting things for her to sniff.
* Love: Stripe needs to be allowed to be inside or out as she chooses, to sleep inside at night and to be included as part of the family. She would be great with gentle children (8+) who have had a good amount of exposure to dogs throughout their childhood.

If Stripe sounds like the perfect fit for your family, please send in an enquiry and we will be in touch.