Shadow - Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier Dog for Adoption in San Antonio, Texas

Shadow is available for adoption through Austin Pets Alive ID APA-A-187035

Estimated to be 8 years old with ideal weight around 50#
She has the livelihood of a young dog with a lot of life ahead of her.
Heartworm negative, UTD on vaccines, and spayed.

She was a long stay shelter dog and had been passed up time and time again because of her breed, color, and need for structure in the home.
Right when her time was up, a foster stepped in to save her life, but she's still waiting there after almost an additional year and all she wants is something permanent.

IF YOU ARE READY TO BE SERIOUS ABOUT A DOG, IM HERE TO BE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS ONE WITH YOU! She will be supported by us for life.

Shadow is currently in foster in San Antonio and working with a behavioral trainer to help her with her anxiety and reactivity.

Notes from trainer:
Shadow had a bite history before she came to me. She has a prey drive for small dogs and was off leash when she injured one - also minorly injuring the handler who tried to break up the fight. She also fought off an off-leash dog who charged her. Based on these stories, I knew both situations were preventable by any responsible handler. She seems to trust all strangers and has been kid tested (prior to being with me) and was said to love kids.

Often marketed as a bulldog/boxer mix to entice more handlers to consider her, I am here to market her as a "pittie mix", because I know true pittie handlers will find her EASY to handle. She is VERY easily redirected in all recent dog tests. She has been tested within 4' distance of other large dogs with a physical barrier between them and did well considering her shelter notes and restrictions. She quickly trusts her handlers when on leash and always ready to avoid trouble if given the chance.

This is not a dog that wants to go to the dog park. This is not a dog that wants to greet another dog on leash. She wants you. And that just makes her easier to please.

She loves enrichment toys and is very food motivated given the right snacks (like cheese, dehydrated treats, and hackberry leaves lol)

The shelter has given her trazadone to work through her anxiety, but is being trained drug-free so she can use her brain to its full potential to learn how to self-soothe and relax. She does really well if she gets the chance to work through her anxiety via leash work, enrichment, and other jobs. She will need a handler that is confident so that her anxiety is not reinforced, but instead, navigated through.

In sum, even after just one day evaluating her, I could tell this is just a standard pittie princess that prefers being the only dog. If put in the right situations with someone who understands dog body language, she's truly a piece of cake.

If adopted, adopter will have lifetime access to talk with Shadow's trainer so she is set up for success. Trainer is also a pit bull rescuer and certified nutritionist that will offer advice on healing her from the inside out. She comes FULLY supported.

If interested or you have more questions, you can reach out here and I can connect you with her foster dad or to the shelter if you are ready to inquire there.

The American Staffordshire Terrier, also known as the Amstaff, is a medium sized, muscular breed known for its loyalty and courage. Developed in the United States, they are intelligent and affectionate dogs, making them great family companions. With a distinctive short coat and strong build, American Staffordshire Terriers are often misunderstood due to their past as fighting dogs, but they are actually loving and playful pets when raised in a nurturing environment. They thrive on human interaction and are eager to please their owners.

The Pit Bull Terrier is a resilient and loyal breed known for its muscular build and loving nature. Originally bred for bull baiting and later dog fighting, Pit Bulls today are beloved family pets cherished for their gentle temperament and playful personality. With proper training and socialization, Pit Bull Terriers make affectionate companions that thrive on human interaction. Recognized for their strength and agility, these dogs require regular exercise and mental stimulation to channel their energy positively, reinforcing their reputation as devoted and trainable pets.

At Last Centurion Pit Bull Rescue, we work hard to find homes for those who waited.