Eddie

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While Eddie is individual with his own unique set of traits, research and an understanding of the breed will be required to have realistic expectations of whether or not Eddie would be a good fit for you as this breed is not suited to most homes and owners.

Eddie was handed in to SDR after the owner’s realised Eddie wasn't suited to city life, living in the outskirts of London.  Eddie being a livestock guardian breed, is a working dog that needs a specific environment and very experienced owners or it will not work out.  He went out on home-trial to live on a farm which very much suited him; however, during the trial there were a few teething issues, the main one being that although they had the ideal environment, he didn't suit their lifestyle due to how territorial he could be on their property towards strangers. 

He is quite a friendly boy when introductions are done calmly and nonchalant, on a lead on neutral grounds. He attracts a lot of attention on walks and has been pretty relaxed about his popularity, taking treats off someone but mostly sitting while the two chat, if he likes you a lot and you wait, he will eventually lean in for a fuss. It's especially important that introductions are repeated like this in the home and will need an owner that confidently understands how to do this properly. He is protective of his kennel (and home) and he does show territorial/aggressive behaviour towards unknown people and dogs in these areas. He is a smart dog and always remembers a face but if you are a stranger especially near a fence or in the kennel block the whole dog rescue and the village will know about it. This is not something that can be “trained” out as it is very much a genetic trait however it can be managed. 

On lead he is quite a nice walker in general for his size and currently walks in a halti and harness with a double clipped lead, however, stating the obvious can be extremely strong if he wants to be. He loves to sniff and investigate everything and checks in fairly well when needed. Occasionally will plonk to the ground and watch everything go on around him. He loves finding sticks to chew, however, will attempt to bring the whole tree back to the rescue if he can. He also loves water, playing with toys and of course is a big foodie. He likes to chew a lot so should be provided with many options. Despite being a large and heavy dog he is a very active one.  He enjoys long walks but also can struggle at times as he has bad joints. He is on a supplement to help with this. He has had many walking buddies (such as other dogs) but outside of this can be reactive towards dogs, not all the time, depending on the situation, the dog and the handler’s handling skills.

When he first came in, he was at the very start of training with his owners, being 7 months old, now he’s an adult he has a lot of catching up to do. Eddie knows his name, sits, bed/place and waits but this can be a bit hit and miss. He is fully mature which means he shows more of his breed traits than when he first arrived. One of Eddie's main issues is him getting overexcited/frustrated jumping up and mouthing, he has got better or stops more quickly but some days he reverts back. He is definitely one to test and can play up more with new people but shows it more frequently when off the lead in open spaces such as the paddock, however, he has done it on walks. 

Eddie's previous owner fed him a raw diet as they were sure he was having trouble digesting gluten/grain and were transitioning him to a fully raw diet. They said that his hernia would flare up making him uncomfortable and in pain.  Due to this he would become a bit mouthy. Eddie has now had his hernia surgery and recovered well.  He would benefit from returning to a raw diet in his new home. He has been diagnosed with hip-dysplasia where it was also discovered he had one leg shorter than the other which can be clear from his gait when walking. 

Eddie has lived with one teenager in his previous home who he was very close with and had a lot of positive interactions. He has also had interaction with young children after many introductions, however, never off the lead as he would be too boisterous.  Due to Eddie's size and better put, lack of manners he would be better suited to adults onlyas he is a large and powerful breed.  Despite being for the most part gentle, there has been incidents where he has become over excited or frustrated, he then mouths, jumps up and has knocked people over.  This can easily intimidate most, even those with lots of “large dog” experience as he is different to most dogs. Eddie is being muzzle trained due to this.

Eddie is an Anatolian shepherd which is not the easiest when it comes to owning and training and needs an experienced owner or one willing to work with a trainer that understands this breed. They can be hard, strong and not easy to manage.  This is due to the fact they have been bred to work very independently and initially for their job to protect livestock, this is still very much ingrained in them and tends to leak into unwanted behaviour.  They need stimulation and will become easily bored and destructive when not provided, which has been shown in the home. He has spent a few nights down in the staff annex and even though he was good he can be destructive and will attempt to chew and get into everything. 

Ideally the perfect person would be someone who has had a live-stock guarding breed before, however, not being a common breed, large dog experience is a must and with that said he is not like a German Shepherd or Pyrenees. Owners need to be educated on the breed and be informed on the traits/behaviour they can have. Eddie's potential owner will need to be strong, confident and active as he is a very large dog as well as a calm, gentle and confident leader when teaching and handling him.

He would be best suited to a large home in a rural location surrounded with solid fencing. This is a territorial breed and barking will be part of this and will be aimed at anything coming close to the property, which he shows quite quickly before settling in. This should be taken into consideration and wouldn't be suited at home in a terrace style or urban location as it won't be very favourable if you have neighbours.  

Eddie will require multiple visits from everyone in the household ahead of the adoption process.

The adoption fee for Eddie is £200

STOKENCHURCH DOG RESCUE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO RE-HOME A DOG WITHOUT GIVING DUE REASON