Zena is 2 years old. Currently unspayed but had a season in June so could be done this month. She is vaccinated and microchipped. Needs an experienced and confident home.

This is what our volunteer had to say about her:

“Zena is in excellent condition, coat is clean and glossy with no signs of sores matting etc. Nails are good not broken or over long. Teeth appear in good condition, she showed me all of them on numerous occasions but I wasn’t about to inspect too closely!

I took her for a 15 minute walk and she has obviously been trained, she pulled strongly at first, but then she was worked up, once she settled she walked nicely to heel, she sat and lay down for me. We did not meet any people or other dogs on the walk but did have traffic pass us and she did not react.

When we got back to the house I got her to “stay” in the garden whilst I walked into the house a distance of about 50 feet. She sat beautifully until I called her in and then she ran in and lunged at me barking excessively and growling.

This brings us on to Zena’s “problem”, she is overly protective of the house and her current owners. I had asked that she was muzzled before I entered and from the moment I entered she was lunging at me, bashing into me, growling and barking excessively. There was also an element of fear involved as well because she would back right off refusing to come near me hiding behind her owners leg, but still barking, then if I gestured towards her owners or changed my sitting position to look at them she would rush forward again lunging and barking.

I tried treats, pulling her to me and then stroking her, taking her for a walk etc. Whilst I was stroking her and walking her she was absolutely fine but as soon as I let her go she started “protecting” again. Even though I was there for 90 minutes the behaviour did not change or ease off at all in the house and it was only as I was leaving that she seemed to relax. I am not sure if she would have actually bitten me but I was not prepared to take the chance, so the muzzle stayed on throughout my visit. Although I have encountered more aggressive dogs than Zena this is the first time that I have met one who would not clam down after a period of time.

Zena does live with a cat, but it is a confident cat who stands up to her.

There is no doubt that if the issue of protecting/guarding can be overcome that this girl has real potential and she would really suit and enjoy obedience or agility work.

I am told she is good with other dogs she meets but she has never lived with another dog.

Would not recommend rehoming with children at this stage.”

Zena has been taken in by another rescue who have visitors for her.

Location:

Hertfordshire

Sex:

Female

Age:

2 years

Neutered:

No

Good with children:

No

Good with other dogs:

Yes

Good with cats:

OK in Home