Buddy

Buddy is a “get stopped on the street by strangers” kind of handsome – which is good because this young brindle boy loves every person and hound he meets. He loves to go for rides and does great in the car, loading in and out like a pro. Buddy has done well on walks around the neighborhood and for the weekly Pack Walk with lots of hounds. He’s been sociable and easy-going. We are using a harness on him.
Buddy integrated easily into our pack and is currently living peacefully with four other hounds – both males and females ranging in age from three to nine. Buddy is fully house trained and only had one accident early on and no marking. He loves to go, so his forever family will need to continue caution around open doors and keep working on staying “back, back” from the door; his forever home will need to put up secure gates while he continues to learn. Buddy’s main area for improvement on his three-week performance review is that he is an unapologetic thief – a master, sneaky stealer of things, especially counter surfing for food. He will grab shoes, blankets, and pillows, but so far doesn’t destroy anything. Once he’s in a home where lots of toys can be left out, he will likely know what he can have as his own as he is a quick learner.

Buddy hasn’t been small animal tested here with us, but on walks and in the yard, he does exhibit a high prey drive when he sees birds, kitties, and small dogs. Buddy will do best living on a quiet street with a yard with a tall fence or wall that he can’t see through as here at his foster home he can get highly stimulated by watching workers at a house being constructed, sirens going by, and dog walkers in the neighborhood. He isn’t much for barking at what he sees, just visibly on “high alert” and not his normal chillaxed self. Although he doesn’t bark much, he is an avid member of the hound choir. He chatters in anticipation of things he likes.

Buddy hasn’t had much alone time yet so we are unsure of how he will do left for long periods without supervision. During the day, he is pretty “Velcro” around his people. He will crate to go to bed at night in the master bedroom but wants out of it before morning, more content sleeping in a dog bed in the room. Buddy has “FOMO” so it seems that is why he doesn’t want to be locked away in a crate for long (or behind a closed door when things like vacuuming are happening). Buddy is a great eater which is good as he could gain a few more pounds and fill out. He is learning to be patient while the other dogs finish their meals, but he has a way to go on that front.

Although he still has some puppy energy and is about to turn three, one nice walk a day and a little time to play in the yard is all he has been wanting – and like any greyt hound, he knows how to relax. He loves to settle in and watch a good game or movie with the family, resting peacefully. As social as he is with other hounds, he is also a lover of his people and is very affectionate, a big leaner, and seeker of pets.

He hasn’t been around young children here, but his Australian bio mentions he did well with them and we can believe it as he hasn’t shown an ounce of negative behavior around space, food, or other handling. Buddy did well at his Vet appointment (no fear) as well as with his nail clipping – he was much more concerned with the peanut butter on the lick mat, than anything going on with his feet. He also loves a good zoom groom, but he doesn’t shed much at all and has THE softest bunny fur.

Buddy still has a lot to learn about freedom and homelife and when he does, we can tell he will be one of those exceptional “heart hounds of a lifetime” making someone very lucky.