Magpie

Magpie is an old English sheepdog mix and is ready to find her perfect forever family. She is absolutely stunning to look at and is the perfect mix of affectionate and playful.

She arrived a little bit wary of the world around her after coming from a rural NSW pound, but with the help of her foster carers she has been learning to love Sydney life and is coming along in leaps and bounds. She attached herself quickly to her female foster carer and enjoys being her shadow throughout the day. She is extremely loyal and wants nothing more than to be with her person all day. She enjoys pats and a scratch, but if the attentions stops, she is equally as happy to just lie at your feet while you work. She has become a confident and happy dog and nothing much phases her.

Magpie had very little training on arrival, but is doing well on the lead, is now crate trained (sleeps in the crate each night in the foster carer's room) and is not pushy with her food. She’s completely toilet trained and will take herself outside through the doggy door to toilet. She handles the footpath and the bush tracks with ease on outings and never seems to run out of energy. She will require a home who has the time to provide her with a good amount of daily exercise - she is not a low energy dog. She is still in the juvenile stage and wants to chew things, so valuables will have to put out of reach so she can’t get to them. Time out in her crate with chew toys help!

Magpie is a superstar when it comes to socialisation. Big kids, little kids, adults or babies, although a little wary with some at first, she’s quick to warm up once she gets to know you. She would do best in an adult only home or with children over 12 as she prefers her home life to be a quieter place with less activity than young children bring. She’s not a jumper and is happy to take a treat if offered and accept a pat but isn’t persistent about wanting pats. With other dogs, she tends to observe them before approaching and seems to be able to select appropriate playmates with whom she likes to run around and rumble with. If her foster carers stop and talk to people in the park, she’s happy to just chill and lie down and wait till they get going again so would probably make a great ‘café’ dog. She will need experienced dog owners who will continue her socialisation appropriately and ensure she doesn’t become overwhelmed by pushing her too quickly in new situations.

That gorgeous scruffy cost needs regular grooming. Any prospective owners will need to consider the time and cost this involves. She will need daily grooming to keep the mats at bay and 4-6 weekly grooming for a good clean, brush and trim. She has a double coat so should never be shaved. Her coat mats easily and gets muck in it easily so new owners need to ensure they are up for the task of keeping her comfortable. She is happy to be bathed and happily jumps up on the outdoor table each morning after her walk to be brushed. She was professionally groomed this week and was a bit wary of the clippers and the blow dryer so will need continued exposure.

Magpie will need an active family familiar with herding type breeds. She has a sensitive nature and will need owners who will continue to help her to find her feet. Preferably someone that is home for at least part of the day, as she will get bored and would be destructive if left to her own devices all day every day. Although she is very dog social out and about, she is too persistent with her play to live with another dog. We will be looking for a home where she is the only dog and given opportunity to socialise with other dogs outside the home. She will need a home where she is allowed inside as part of the family and provided a warm bed inside to sleep on at night.

If you think you can provide this gorgeous girl with the active and fulfilling life she requires, fill in an adoption application form on our website detailing the type of home you can provide our scruffy girl.