Australian Shepherd Dogs Available for Adoption in Alexandria, Virginia

Fostered in Silver Spring, Maryland—Oreo is an 11-year-old blue merle Aussie, with a great personality and a beautiful, soft coat. Oreo came to ARMA as an owner surrender due to an overseas move, and he has shown himself to be an absolutely lovely dog while staying in his foster home. Oreo is neutered and has received a clean bill of health from the vet. He is up to date on shots and preventatives and ready to find his forever home.

Oreo loves attention and prefers to be very close to his person. When he wants to snuggle, he will very endearingly put both of his paws on you and look deep into your eyes. He especially loves being outside and will happily hang out in the yard while you garden or read. On walks, he is interested in other dogs and people but does not pull on the leash. He is well-behaved on car rides and was delighted to be at the vet for his check-up. Despite being older, he still gets the zoomies and loves to sprint around the backyard occasionally.
Oreo prefers not to be confined in a crate or pen, but he is incredibly respectful of house rules. He does not bother the trash can, anything on the counters/tables, or the cats (whom he ignores and does not chase). He gets along well with his foster family’s resident dog and has displayed no resource guarding behavior. Oreo is fully housebroken and has had no accidents with his foster family.
Oreo has shown very little interest in toys beyond sometimes chasing a ball around the yard, but he LOVES a snuffle mat, lick mat, or Kong. His favorite treat is peanut butter! He knows his basic commands and would be interested in learning new skills for treats, as he is very food motivated and eager to please. In general, Oreo is a handsome, spry, polite little gentleman with a wonderful temperament.

Due to being separated from his original family after 11 years, we believe Oreo would be happiest in a home where someone is around most of the time. While he doesn’t mind other dogs, he does not appear to think of them as playmates—he just really wants to be with people.

It should be noted that Oreo can be a little anxious at first, which has led to some spells of anxiety-related barking in his foster home. Redirecting with puzzle toys, lick mats, Kongs, etc. has helped, as does reassuring Oreo and having people speak in a friendly way when approaching him. He was afraid of the stairs when he came to ARMA, but he has since figured them out and does not have any difficulty if the stairs are carpeted/not slippery. Oreo seems to strongly prefer not being left alone and would love to be someone’s daily companion for walks, couch snuggles, gardening, car rides, or whatever other adventures you choose (dog friends/packmates optional).
Due to his thick and luxurious coat, Oreo will also require an owner that is willing to keep up with his grooming. Luckily, he enjoys being brushed!

If you are an approved ARMA adopter and interested in this mature gentleman, please contact the volunteer with whom you’ve been working, if you’d like to apply to adopt Oreo, please fill out an application.

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.

Aussie Rescue of the Mid-Atlantic (ARMA) is a foster-based rescue for Australian Shepherds. Our mission is to provide permanent loving...