Dog's Name & Age
Angel is a Maltipoo, about 1-1/2 years old
In a Word, My Mutt Is…
Like having another child. She goes almost everywhere with us, even to work
Best Characteristics of the Breed
Intelligence, loving, friendly to strangers and communicative.
Most Challenging Characteristics of the Breed
1. often skittish when called
2. territorial to the "max" and barks a lot
When, Where and How I Got My Mixed-Breed Dog
I found "Angel" in a local shelter (on the internet) the first Monday of 2010 and I was smitten. Even behind all that hair I saw how beautiful she was. The caregiver at the shelter let me hold her and take her for a walk, and I could see her potential. I paid for her to be neutered (a requirement of the shelter) and adopted her that very day. I brought her home four days later, January 7th, the day of her surgery. The vet who first checked her told me she was healthy and about a year old. She only weighed 8 pounds when we picked her up and her haunches were skinny, but she rapidly grew to her proper weight.
I'd Describe My Dog As…
Smart, friendly and loving. It would seem that Angel has a sense of humor, and her intelligence amazes us daily. She has very little difficulty getting us to understand what she needs or wants. The Director of Canine Training at our local Humane Society said she may well be the most intelligent dog he has ever trained. He often comments that her eye contact is startling! She raced through his classes and he has now created a special class he calls "tiny tots" for the socialization of small breeds, inspired by Angel. My husband and I took Angel to an outlet mall this past spring, and I felt like "the pied piper" because for the entire afternoon she attracted hoards of both children and adults eager to pet her, hold her and learn what kind of dog she is. She tolerated everyone with her typical good-natured manner, and never seemed to tire of the attention. She was nearly housebroken when she came to us, so it didn't take long for her to let us know when she had to "do her business". She only had a couple of "accidents" when we first got her, and none since. She loves being held (by everyone) and when she looks at us with those big brown eyes and that pretty face, we just "melt". She is silver in color, and the black mascara-like markings around her eyes make them look even larger. Angel is healthy and has no medical problems.
Advice
- I think one must understand that even the brightest of canines are like two year old children and care to protect them from themselves on occasion is a consideration.
- Some mixed breeds have been "designed" to enhance certain characteristics, so it is easy to choose a pup that has been bred to be good with children.
- Growing up with dogs is good for children; however, children must be taught how to care for and treat their canine family members, and not be allowed to abuse them. Very small children do not always understand that live dogs are not stuffed animals!
