Location: Sylvan Lake, AB //
Age: Approx 2 years old //
Sex: Spayed Female //
Size: 43lbs //
Energy level: Medium //
Dogs: Not at this time //
Cats: Untested - likely no //
Kids: Yes //
Nellie is a beautiful 2-year-old Husky Shepherd mix weighing approximately 43 lbs, and she may just be the perfect size for someone who loves the look and personality of a Husky without wanting a giant dog!
Nellie is a sweet, friendly and surprisingly calm girl who has settled into her foster home incredibly quickly. She enjoys her walks and getting outside, but she isn't constantly on the go. Once she's had some exercise and a chance to sniff and explore, she's quite happy to settle nearby and watch the world go by. She's the kind of dog who can enjoy an adventure with you and then happily relax while you work from home.
She's also a very smart girl—and food motivated! Nellie has already learned that treats sometimes magically appear from her favourite treat ball, and she absolutely loves working out how to get them. Meals and treats are definitely high on her list of favourite things, making her eager to learn with the right motivation.
Nellie walks nicely on leash for the most part and enjoys several walks throughout the day. She would do best with a moderately active family who can provide her with daily exercise, enrichment and opportunities to explore. A fenced yard would be wonderful, but an active home without one could also be a great fit.
She's comfortable meeting new people and has been friendly with both men and women. She can occasionally be a little unsure when someone approaches too quickly, but a treat quickly helps her warm up. She has also had a lovely interaction with children around 810 years old and was calm and friendly with them, so we would consider a home with respectful children over the age of 8.
Nellie is currently looking for a home where she can be the **only dog**. She appears very interested in other dogs and can become quite excited when she sees them, but she is still learning how to appropriately interact with canine friends. Her adopter should be willing to continue working patiently and appropriately on her dog-to-dog skills, ideally with the support of a qualified trainer. Because she has not been tested with cats, we are also recommending a cat-free home.
When Nellie first arrived in her foster home, she had a bit of a Husky-style habit of using her mouth when she wanted to play, grabbing at hands, arms or legs. Her foster family has worked on redirecting her to appropriate toys, and she has improved **dramatically**—she now rarely does it. Her adopter should simply be prepared to continue that training and understand that a little regression is possible while she adjusts to a new home.
Inside the home, Nellie has been a very good girl. She is house trained for the most part, although she's still learning how to clearly signal when she needs to go outside. She is comfortable in her kennel, sleeps well through the night, and will sometimes choose to go into her kennel on her own during the day. She isn't particularly vocal, although she may bark when she's trying to convince you that it's time to play!
Nellie is fully vetted and ready to find her forever family.
If you're looking for a **calm, sweet, intelligent young dog** who enjoys getting outside but is also perfectly happy to settle beside you, Nellie might be your girl.
**Nellie's ideal home:**
Adult home or a family with respectful children 8+
No other dogs
No cats
Moderately active family committed to daily exercise
Willingness to continue working on her interactions with other dogs
A securely fenced yard would be a bonus, but isn't essential for the right active home
Husky experience would be an asset
If you're interested in learning more about Nellie, please complete an application on our website: https://www.ruffstartanimalrescue.com/dog-application-form
LUNA
Irish Wolfhound, Mixed Breed
🇨🇦
Didsbury, Alberta
female, medium, young
Irish Wolfhound, Mixed Breed
Didsbury, Alberta
