Quirk
Quirk is a 4 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 5-6 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 7 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 10 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
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.
Petunia
Hello!! My name is Petunia, and I am a spayed 3 year old Border Collie mix. I am so happy in your interest to meet me! I am a shy girl, but if you let me come to you first, I feel more safe and I know you are friendly. My favorite things are chew toys, bones, and cuddling on the couch. My foster parents are doing the best they can to acclimate me to having a harness on, going on walks, and going on car rides. I have had apprehension on those activities in the past, but I am coming to find that they are good and I enjoy them, especially when I am rewarded with yummy treats and loving encouragement. I am a playful girl, and I enjoy the company of other dogs, especially my foster brother and sister. We wrestle and run around, it's my favorite part of the day. I am not sure how I do with cats, however. I show interest in fetching toys if you throw them, but I’m not sure if I want to get them and bring them back all the time. I sleep well at night in my kennel, which is an area that I feel the most safe. I am a good girl and eat all of my food and use the bathroom outside through my foster parents’ doggie door. I can’t wait to meet you! I will come to you, sit down, and greet you at your feet with a wagging tail and big smile!!
Oreo
Oreo is a 3 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 60 lbs. and is 6 years old. She likes to hike on leash or romp in the yard.
Viola
Carly
Viola is approximately 2 years old. She is a sweet, but very shy dog. She does well with nice or playful dogs. She is okay with cats, but might be frightened by rambunctious children.
Hi, I'm Carly! I am very sweet and super smart, about 60lbs, and 1.5 years old. I am friendly with people and dogs and I am interested in cats, but once I get a good sniff I treat it like a dog. I am a very playful pup and love to play and romp. I do prefer a home with adults only. Because I'm so smart, I get bored easily and will start to chew out of boredom. I also go to my crate when asked and will generally calm down there, especially for bedtime! I am an active dog too and would love for someone to take me for hikes, long walks, or running (I love running, but I am still working on leash manners). I am also a good girl at doggie daycare.
Star
Star is a spayed 1.5 year old Husky/Border Collie type mix. She is a bit on the shy side at first, but loves affection once she gets to know you. Men may be a bit more scary for her than women, but she promises to give you a shot if you are willing to take the time to get to know her. She loves to play with other dogs and loves to play in her wading pool.
Jessie
Jessie is a 1 year old red/white Australian Shepherd. She is about 34 lbs, so a nice compact size. She is super cute and great with other dogs (although a tad pushy, as herding breeds can be). Speaking of herding, we think this girl would love a home where she could work sheep or cows and work with a herding trainer. She would also excel at agility. She definitely needs something to keep her mind and body busy.
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.
Choteau
This 2 year old handsome & energetic boy needs a new loving home with an experienced Australian Cattle Dog person. He’s deaf, but you would never know it, and he’s as eager to play, train, and learn, as any hearing dog around! He knows some American Sign Language commands, has lots of food and toy drive, and is ready to work! He’s also great on-leash and loves to walk, hike, trail run, swim, & camp. His perfect furrever home would be a performance/dog sport home, or active pet home, with a person that really understands the breed and his special needs. Like most young cattle dogs, he does best with a strong leader that can give him the guidance he needs, but he’s a devoted and loving companion. He’s always ready to play & train to help keep active, healthy, happy, and safe in a bustling world of hearing dogs and people. When it’s time to relax and have some quiet time, he has a great “off- switch”. He travels great, and is house trained, crate trained, and gets along well with other dogs that love to play. He has lived with another (very small) dog in the home, without issue, but is a little interested in giving chase to cats, so a non-cat home might suit him best. He is neutered, microchipped, and weighs about 45lbs.
Missy
This beautiful long-legged girl is Missy, a border collie mix (possibly mixed with great Dane?) of about 2 years old. Missy weighs about 45 lbs and is a high energy dog. Missy gets along great with people and dogs. She is used to being around cats. Missy has a high prey drive and needs regular exercise in the forms of hikes, walks, play time and other activities. She is a great running partner as well! Missy’s ideal home has a fenced yard in a small town or rural area (since the big city sounds are overwhelming to her.) and at least one other dog to play with. She has already completed a basic obedience class. She loves to play fetch and her recall is good. Missy also loves to play with toys: her favorites are her pink stuffed pig, tennis balls, and chew toys. At night, she sleeps in a crate without any problems. Missy is a terrific, loving and active companion.
Neko
Neko is a neutered 1 year old miniature Australian Shepherd. He is a sweet boy. He weighs about 26 lbs. Everyone comments on his blue eyes! Neko is generally good with other dogs, but doesnt like to share his food and has the potential (as most aussies do) to become possessive of his people. Neko has an underbite, but people say it just adds character ;) We are told Neko does fine with cats. Neko is active and would love a home that would take him hiking or let him play agility.
Luna
Luna is a 2 year old Border Collie (possible mix but don’t tell her, she thinks she is 100% BC). She has had very little training or exercise in her two years but is very eager to learn. Luna is house broke and is learning a new command every day. She loves to go on walks and runs and bike rides. She is high energy and high drive so she will require an experienced BC handler. She is sleek and athletic and would make a great agility dog. She has moves that would make a Ninja jealous. She has a great need to be with her person/people. She is very loving and she would be a very faithful friend to the right person/people.
Mickey and Blitz
Bard
Luna is a 2 year old Border Collie (possible mix but don’t tell her, she thinks she is 100% BC). She has had very little training or exercise in her two years but is very eager to learn. Luna is house broke and is learning a new command every day. She loves to go on walks and runs and bike rides. She is high energy and high drive so she will require an experienced BC handler. She is sleek and athletic and would make a great agility dog. She has moves that would make a Ninja jealous. She has a great need to be with her person/people. She is very loving and she would be a very faithful friend to the right person/people.
