Posting for a friend - loving home needed!

Billie from Albany

Breed
Ziggy is an unusual but beautiful mix of Border collie, Staffy, Kelpie and Whippet. To look at him, you would think he was a Doberman or Huntaway...but he runs with Whippet speed, and circles like a Border Collie.


His situation

He is coming up to 3 years old, and is of medium height. He has no significant health issues and has been in two consecutive homes where the partners have separated, so he has always been well treated and loved. I am very sad to pass him on but am not in a position to keep him (due to my frightened cats - but he has lived comfortably with a cat before).



What he needs next

His next home needs to be his forever home, preferably with kids - but not essential, and preferably on some land/life style block - but again not essential (wild rabbits would be a bonus!) Because of the changes he has had to go through, he needs to attach, bond and settle with someone who is calm and reassuring.



His character

His ‘whippetness’ makes him an energetic, enthusiastic dog. On a leash, he has a very strong pull. This is the one area that no-one has been able to master with him, so he would need some training to heel properly. He loves other dog's company, but always has his eye on a stick to chase. Whoever adopts Ziggy will need to be prepared to do a lot of stick throwing! Ziggy has a reputation of exercising all the other dogs, they run after him in a long line, and he's out the front, fast as a bullet and is very proud of himself about that! He also loves the sea and will swim out to retrieve sticks. He is not good at returning or 'dropping' sticks though..!



Once Ziggy knows his new owner, he will stay within sight. He won't run off completely, so taking him to new places (like Meola Reef) is stress free. He will always circle back to you.



Ziggy is friends with everyone. He sometimes scares people by running too fast towards them, but gives them a wide enough berth once arrived. He mixes well with all kinds of dogs and is capable of defending himself when he needs to with a fierce bark. He has a curious obsession with reflections, usually made by mobile phones and will snub his nose at spots of light (and snap at flys!)



At home he settles easily. He is a softy, loves cuddles, ear stroking and tummy scratching. He is not at all an annoying or pestering kind of dog. He will ask for what he needs but otherwise is happy to chill and go with the flow. He lived with a cat in his first home, but unfortunately with my cats we missed the window to introduce them properly, so they haven't been able to mix successfully. My rescued cats are hyper vigilant which hasn't helped. He sleeps inside on his own mattress, or sometimes on a bed that is part of his 'territory'.



In summary, his next owner needs to have energy, be strong on the lead with him, be calm and routined, committed, and prepared to throw lots of sticks!



Contact

Please contact Jill on 021 439 122 to find out more, and if interested in meeting Ziggy.



More photos available on request.

Free