Australian Shepherd and Retriever Dogs Available for Adoption

LUKE is a gorgeous boy at a nice size around 45 lbs and looks to be an Australian Shepherd mix of some kind. He was just returned to us after several years because the owner does not have any other dogs and recently lost their roommate, so he's spending a lot more time crated and he seems bored and anxious without another dog. He LOVES other dogs and enjoys going to daycare but is not able to go enough. His other big love is the outside and he would be out as much as he can - so for that reason would prefer a fenced-in yard to play with his doggy sibling in. He is more of an independent dog as opposed to some dogs who we call velcro dogs who need to be touching their owners at all times. Luke enjoys a snuggle here and there, but is overall a little less clingy dog than some. He's fully vetted, 6 years old, housetrained, crate-trained and enjoys walks - and belly rubs when he decides it's time! Luke does well with school-aged kids, too. (also, adoption fees have not been showing up on PF recently, so we'll add it here, his adoption fee is $375)

Adoption fee INCLUDES: all vetting to age (including deworming, flea & tick etc), spay/neuter and microchip (if the dog is under 6 months, alter and chip will occur after they're 6 months, covered in full at our clinic or reimbursed partially at a vet of your choosing). If the dog is older than 6 months and not yet altered, we will schedule ASAP (normally within 30 days) at our clinic . We also provide as an incentive a $60 rebate for completion of positive-based training classes. Adoption also includes lifetime support of the rescue.

Please go to www.secondhanddogrescue.com/apply to apply!

APPLICATION PROCESSING: We do most application processing virtually and dog meets will be individually by appointment with ONLY APPROVED APPLICANTS. We are not a shelter and are completely volunteer foster-based, so there is no central place to come see all of the dogs available.

IMPORTANT NOTES: ** Housetraining with rescues is sometimes a work in progress and even if a dog is 100% in a foster's home, it should be expected there will be an adjustment period as a dog adapts to a new environment. This is even more true if the dog has not by chance had their altering appointment at time of adoption. ** Also, we highly recommend some form of 2-week shutdown and decompression for dogs going to a new home for best results. --> Lastly, breed guesses in rescue are just that (GUESSES!!) 99.9% of the time. We do not do DNA testing and our breed guesses are based on appearance and sometimes other traits, but we know the dog breed guessing game is a fool's errand even for those with LOTS of experience.

ADOPTION AREA: several hour radius of Rochester, NY (Canada within 3 hours IS allowed, except that young puppies need to be old enough to have gotten their rabies vaccination to cross the border - usually around 16 weeks)

The Australian Shepherd is a highly intelligent and energetic herding dog known for its loyalty and work ethic. Originating in the United States, despite its name, this breed is prized for its agility, trainability, and versatility in various dog sports and activities. Australian Shepherds have a distinctive medium length coat that comes in different colors, often with unique merle patterns. With proper training, socialization, and exercise, these dogs make excellent companions for active families and individuals seeking a devoted and playful four legged friend.

The retriever is a beloved dog breed known for its friendly demeanor, intelligence, and exceptional ability to retrieve objects. With a loyal and gentle nature, retrievers make excellent family pets and are popular choices for service and therapy work. These dogs excel in obedience training and activities such as agility and hunting. Recognized for their shiny coats and moderate size, retrievers come in various colors including golden, Labrador, and Chesapeake Bay. Their overall versatility and affectionate personalities make them cherished companions in many households.

The SHDR is a 501c3 and works to help find the right forever home for each dog we rescue. We...