Quirk
Quirk is a 6 year old mixed breed (according to his DNA test, more than 6 breeds!) He has an endearing expression and a sweet personality. He is pretty shy with people, especially men, but clearly wants to be involved with them. His ideal home would be a quiet and patient single person who would let him snuggle on the bed and go hiking, but would not expect him to be a social butterfly with strangers. He is fine with cats with a proper introduction. Oh, and did we mention the cutest ears? Quirk is neutered and current on vaccinations.
Thomas
Thomas is a border collie/corgi mix. He is about 6 years old. He is a character but probably needs an experienced and firm home as he will push limits when permitted.
Dallas
Dallas is a 8 year old Australian Shepherd/Border Collie/Cattledog mix. He is super affectionate with his owner and likes to sleep under the covers when its cold out. Dallas tends to make questionable decisions in ambiguous situations and needs a handler with a quiet lifestyle and good management skills.
Wrigley
Wrigley is a neutered 11 year old Australian Shepherd with a tail. He's had a tough past and will need a patient person who is willing to accept his quirks. He can be very loving and is a handsome boy. He does have high anxiety and a few behaviors such as pulling on a leash and not tolerating grooming well.
Opie
Opie – DOB August 12, 2014 – Male Border Collie/Australian Shepherd mix
Opie came to HeRD from a family in Utah very skinny and heavy with attitude. This was not a good place or time in Opie’s life. He has come a long way from that situation. He has been fostered by HeRD since March 2018. He is currently living with 2 other dogs and 2 cats. Sally, our pyr/BC and he used to get into it when he first came here but they do well now. He and Jim, our BC, do well together primarily due to Jim’s absolute absence of aggression. They will chase the same ball, but defer to the one that got there first.
He loves Frisbee, chukker ball, and rope ball outside and enjoys ‘bumpy’ ball and ‘holey’ ball inside. He will do flying flips when tossed the ball inside – he is very athletic! He sometimes porpoises the ball to make it fly instead of catching it. The balls are his security blanket. If he gets upset he often gets a ball and ‘resets’ himself. He often goes to his corner by himself to decompress. He will set a ball on your chair just before you sit down. This way he gets you to get up to throw it off!
He loves going on hikes with his canine friends and people and does well when meeting other people and dogs on the trails. He has been on a number of pack walks with up to 10 other dogs and does fine – just keep moving. He does not chase horses, cows, or deer. He often accompanies Chris and the other dogs to the volunteer fire department and knows all of the guys, who play ball with him. He is not much of a barker unless there is a strange car/person, or if he wants inside. He will know that there is thunderstorm coming before the weatherman and will bark to come in, or try to escape the fenced area. If he does escape, he hasn’t run off, sticks around. It would be cruel to leave him outside in a thunderstorm. He doesn’t like gunshot or fireworks.
Opie is really smart. He will understand commands before you realize you have given one. I swear he understands conversation. He does not need a shock collar, a loud bang will get him back in no time! Ha ha! He has been through basic obedience and did very well. We feel that he has huge potential.
Opie has calmed down around his meal time. We feed our other dogs first, in a separate area, and then put Opie’s food down. If he does growl, make him back off-sit-wait, put food down, tell him ‘go eat’. His most favorite treats are lamb and cow lungs (send with you).
He has weird quirks. He doesn’t like to be told to ‘take it nicely’ for treats, for some reason that brings out anger in the guy. He may take a treat by grabbing it, but not always. He does not like to have treats from an open hand. Make a game of giving him treats by tossing them for him to catch, he seems to like that. And it keeps him away from your hands! He doesn’t like to be pointed at. He can go from being a petted dog to a growling dog in a second. Don’t pet him while he is lying down anywhere, generally does not like this, and frankly, he doesn’t even like to be looked at or acknowledged when he is lying down. He is allowed on our furniture, bed, anywhere he feels comfortable. You can sense his ‘dark’ moods even if he isn’t growling. He gets real still, his pupils get large. I will talk lightly, hey buddy! When he growls, just leave him alone. He has his dark moods usually in the evening inside of the house. He needs a dark place that you call ‘corner’ so when he does act up, tell him – ‘go to your corner’. Sometimes we distract him by asking him to get his bumpy ball and that diffuses the mood, sometimes.
When Opie is outside, you can brush him, usually. Clipping toenails is at his mood’s discretion. Sometimes good, sometimes not. We have not bathed him but he loves, loves, loves his puppy pools and water that he can flop in, usually after a good round of play. He is not a belly-rub dog, and does not like to be cuddled. You know you have his heart when he comes to you and kisses you on the lips. We have not been super strict with Opie when he jumps up to show excitement or affection because he’s not a cuddly dog, so when he does this he is showing his affection.
Best way to bond with Opie – take him places, play Frisbee and throw the ball. Treat him fairly, no head games with him. He’s been through a lot in his life. This last year has been his best year. Love him for who he is and work with his issues.
Oreo
Oreo is a 5 year old neutered male border collie. Oreo came in with some touch sensitivity, which has greatly improved. He is now a very cuddly boy, but because of this history, we are recommending no homes with children under 13. Oreo likes to fetch and would probably also be a good running buddy. He would do best in a home without cats.
Foxy
Foxy is a sweet German Shepherd/Collie mix. She is great with cats, likes to play with playful dogs, and is good with people. She weighs about 70 lbs. and is 7 years old. She likes to hike on leash or romp in the yard.
Verkin
Verkin is a 6 year old Australian Shepherd. He is curretnly about 47 lbs. He will need an experienced home, but is a lovely, snuggly boy. He has plenty of energy, but can also have an off-switch. Verkin is not a candidate for a home that has children under the age of 12. Verkin tends to bother the kitties, so needs a home with no cats. He would do fabulously as an only dog or in a home with the right personality of dogs.
Yens
From Yens' current home: Yens is a 4-year old neutered border collie mix. He currently lives with other animal companions - a 7 year-old neutered Catahoula mix male and a cat.
Yens is smart and strong. He has tons of energy and needs a lot of stimulation through physical activity and problem solving. He's happiest when he's out and about in nature with a person who challenges him with tricks or tasks. His favorite game is fetch and he loves chew toys. He has never been trained to work, but demonstrates an interest and he would most enjoy a family who was dedicated to teaching him new skills. Yens is great with cats - gentle and respectful.
He is awkward with other dogs because he often tries to control them, but he can learn to be friendly with help and guidance.
Yen's greatest frustration is not getting enough exercise or attention. He is happy-go-lucky when he has enough of those things, but he is nervous and barks excessively when he does not.
Yens would be most comfortable in a home without very young kids where people are respectful of his space when he is resting.
He likes to stay close and attentive to his primary person and would like a lot of attention from an active adult.
Zorra
Lady
Zorra is a 9-12 month old border collie cross. She is super happy ALL the time and is a giant bundle of fluff, so be prepared for a lifetime of grooming. She has never met a stranger!! She is slightly more selective about her doggie friends. She gets along stellar with my older male border collie and most other dogs but has been known to pick a fight with other dominant females. Zorra is not aggressive, she just wants to be the female in charge so will need some managing in this area. A meet and greet will be a must for any homes with another dog. Zorra is not for the first-time dog owner, nor is she really cut out to be just a family pet. This dog has energy to burn and will need as much mental stimulation as she does physical activity. She is toy obsessed, with anything round being the center of her universe. ALL toys in the house MUST be hidden and are brought out only for training. She will need an owner that understands over the top OCD behaviors and how to manage them. She will make an amazing trick, obedience or rally dog. She might even do well in scent or agility once she gets a grasp on self-control. Zorra is pretty much an open slate that already knows sit, down, spins to her right and has an okay recall when bunnies are not involved. Probably not the best dog for a home with self-moving squeaky toys (cats). I would recommend older kids due to her lack of self-control. She will barrel through anything standing between her and her obsession which could be disastrous for someone too little to stand their ground or who can’t out of the way fast enough. With a structured household and management of her OCD, Zorra has a pretty good off switch and super fun to train. She is kennel trained, house broke, doesn’t chew on people things and is a total love bug of affection.
Lady is a mixed breed dog. She is smaller, about 35 lbs. She is an active girl who loves to play with toys. She can be protective of her home and needs a person who is good at managing introductions to new people.
Hobbs
Bandit
Sadie, Santiago, Sanchez, Silvia
Honey
Honey is a sweet girl. She is currently scared of leash walks so needs a patient home where she can hang out with her people and enjoy the back yard and then gradually learn that leashes are good things.
Charlotte
Sadie and family
Charlotte is a chihuahua, maybe 7-8 lbs. She can be a bit fearful and is not recommended for homes with small children. She loves to snuggle once she gets to know people.
Bandit is about 2 yrs old. We think he is a Border collie mix or possibly an English shepherd. He is a very sweet, loveable guy. He does great with all dogs. He loves people but can be a little shy at first. He adores attention and will sit right at by your side. Bandit is medium/high energy and will need some kind of activity each day. He is not good with cats. He was surrendered to a shelter in rural Utah. Before this, he was kept outside. He is working on house training and other basic skills in his foster home. He's a bit of a 'diamond in the rough' but will make a wonderful companion for someone willing to put in a little work.
This happy mixed breed boy is Hobbs. Hobbs is a small shepherd mix about 1-2 years old. He weighs about 35 lbs but needs to gain 5-10 lbs to be at a healthy weight. Hobbs is very sweet and gentle, but a little shy and insecure in the beginning with people. He is a medium-ish energy dog looking for a home where he will get regular exercise and outdoor time. Hobbs is not sure how he would feel about living in a big and busy city, but should do fine in a less busy area or small town. He gets along very well with all the other dogs at his foster home. Hobbs is good with cats and with the house bunny. He loves to be where his people are, is affectionate and playful. Hobbs does well on a leash and doesn’t pull much. He rides well in the car. and would make a good running partner. His gait is beautiful and light, much like a fox. He likes to play with people and a variety of toys. Hobbs is working on hours training and crate training, which is both new for him. He is not picky when it comes to food and eats well. Hobbs comes when called even though he doesn’t really know his name. He will make a wonderful companion but prefers a home where he is not alone all day. He will be the happiest in a home with another dog.
Dora
From Dora's current home: We have had Dora for the last five years. She was about 4 months old when she came to us.
Dora has many very lovely qualities. She's very nurturing and always keeps an eye on her pack to make sure they are all cared for. She's been excellent with children (we have a two year old daughter), and she's very loving toward all her people.
The issue we are having is that she started attacking our other female terrier/chihuahua mix shortly before our daughter was born. We have been keeping the dogs separated for the last 3 years. In that time, Dora has lived peacefully with as many as 4 male dogs, all of various breeds, sizes, and ages. While on walks around our neighborhood, Dora is not aggressive when encountering other dogs. In fact, she prefers to avoid other dogs that she meets when we're out and about. She is crate trained, does very well on a leash, and has had some basic obedience training. She has never been exposed to cats so we don't know how she would do with them. She is up to date on all shots, has no known health issues, and just had a dental at the end of February. We think she would do very well in a home as an only dog or with male dogs only.
Finley
Dexter
Jillie
Howie
Lily
Jillie is a 4 year old sweetheart. She needs a home without kitties or chickens.
NOTE: Dexter will only be available to a very experienced/committed home or at a later date. High energy, not much of an off button
Dexter is 47 lbs but skinny. Housetraining is a work in progress. He currently tears down crates, fences, pet gates, doors, and chews through collars and leashes. He likes dogs but doesn’t know how to play, barks loudly when others play, as soon as they engage him he gets scared and runs off. A little progress. Dexter likes people but is afraid of sudden movements. If you try to restrain him (to check for ticks for example) he will freak out and fight you.
He is a flight risk. Dexter is VERY mouthy and rough--not good to have around kids or older people, as he will break skin. Very rambunctious and strong, and doesn’t respect any boundaries. He is learning about people things vs dog things, biting holes in pillows, blankets, beds, remote control, destroys toys
Loves to grab slippers or paper towel from you and run off with it. He has touch sensitivity and doesn’t like being brushed.
Dexter is Smart and just learned “sit” He is trainable but somewhat picky with treats (has to be meat based)
He plays fetch and likes tennis balls. He walks pretty good with harnass on--pulls but not too bad. He appears to do fine with cats.
Lily is 20 month old Australian Cattledog.
Trapper
Jenny
Cora
Trapper is a 3 month old Great Pyrenees mix. He will be a big dog and has a big heart to match.
Howie is a 1 year old Australian Shepherd mix. He has been described as a wild child :) and could use a bit of training. He also requires a 6 ft fence as he can jump over a 4 ft fence.
Finley
Cora
