Luther

Luther, aka Big Luther, is a handsome, affectionate sighthound mix, estimated to be born in 2020. A DNA test revealed that he’s 76% greyhound, 10% Polish greyhound, 6% borzoi, 3% Scottish deerhound, 2% whippet, 2% Magyar Agár, and 1% Irish wolfhound. The borzoi peeks out playfully in his white face, round, widely spaced dark eyes, and Romanesque nose. The heavy hunting breeds are also well represented – he is a big boy weighing in around 75 lbs. He has a short, dense, creamy coat in a bright shade of caramel and white. On his back, he sports a patch of wavy fur that hints at his shaggy-coated DNA.

Luther came to GALT as a stray, possibly a coyote hunter, with an untreated, healed fracture of his right hock. He has had three surgeries on the leg and extensive rehabilitation. All that work has paid off. Today, his gait is close to normal. He runs, leaps through the dog door, plays with his friends, can handle stairs and enjoys walks up to a mile around the neighborhood. He’s excited to get out the door and then quickly slips into a close, calm stride.

His favorite thing to do is collapse into your arms on the couch and sleep through a movie. He is loving and affectionate and thinks all humans are wonderful. He gives kisses, greets the lawn guy and the handy man with affection, and his face melts when a stranger comes into my home. Your bad day is officially over when he climbs into your lap or lays his big ol’ head on your shoulder.

Big Luther is playful and goofy. He loves squeaky toys and other small things he can pick up and carry. He’s unafraid of thunder, fireworks, and holiday gunfire. He crates for meals and for short periods when there are no humans at home. He sleeps through the night in my bedroom.

Like many hounds brought in as strays who were forced to survive under trying circumstances, Luther is clever, collaborative, adaptable, and learns new skills quickly. All that brain power can add up to a dog who will evaluate and sometimes challenge your leadership skills. He knows how to open doors with lever handles, so caution is needed to make sure doors are locked or a safety mechanism is in place.

Luther needs to have humans at home to live his best life. When I leave the house for a few hours, he has the company of other large dogs and two small dogs. Luther is active and can be vocal, so would not be a good fit for apartments. He can climb stairs. He enjoys wading pools. He is gentle with my little dogs. He has not been tested with cats. He likes children, and because of his size, weight, and playfulness, 14 years old and up would be the best fit for him.

Luther’s ideal home is with an experienced sighthound family that will establish a routine and work on enrichment activities to keep him focused. A dog door would be perfect to ensure he gets plenty of exercise if you get busy.