Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Not good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Good with cats,
House-trained,
Story
Meet Ms. Cypress! She is a 5-year-old spayed female Catahoula mix. We believe she has English Lab in the mix, though Catahoula traits are strong in her. Cypress has been with one family since she was a puppy, but divorce and military deployment forced rehoming. She loves people and is so happy for human company. She has been slowly and properly introduced to dogs and it took a little adjustment but she did well with a young easy-going male dog. She also got along with the female pitbull in her last foster home. Slow adjustments are needed. Cypress is just an unsure, submissive and rather timid dog trying to act dominant, but we feel with the right dog she would adjust fine given time. Cypress goes immediately to her foster home’s submissive female when something new happens and follows her lead. We would love to see her with a male that is fun-loving and easy-going and not dominating.
Cypress is very overweight at this point because of health issues for her last foster. She trims down with exercise and with previous owner she ran with him and lost weight quickly. According to her foster home, she has laid next to the cat, but we wouldn’t put her with a cat that is not dog experienced. When the cat is startled and runs, Cypress will chase to play but has no idea how to play with a cat, so just head butts her or nose pokes her if she stops. She will obey ” leave it” at full chase and stop immediately with tail wagging. The foster’s cat never acts like prey, so there isn’t a problem even when she hisses or smacks her with a paw.
Cypress also loves to play with the large rope toy and tug. As mentioned, she is good with smaller, easy, mellow, passive dogs, (she is NOT a candidate for Dog Parks). At the veterinarian’s she is uneasy. She snaps at the vet sometimes, so for safety’s sake she has been muzzled, but only at the vets.
Cypress loves car rides and is mannerly in the car. She is crate broke to an open wire crate and loves her "den". She will go to bed on command willingly into her crate.
There was a bite incident, provoked by a 4-year-old child, but no blood was drawn and the child interfered with her food. We do not consider this a true bite incident; however, we will say that she needs to not be with small children and correction from adults should be very moderate as she does display some fear reactivity. She has a hard time with nail trims, and she is leery of machines with heavy noises such as vacuums, lawnmowers, etc and she will go to her crate to hide out.
Cypress is housebroken. She is not a digger, nor is she a barker. She loves petting and closeness with her humans. She actually craves human affection and and thrives on it. She is motivated by food or attention. She can be very pushy when she wants attention and will shove her head under your arm or into your lap. T
Typically on leash when close to her owner, she is like many or even most Catahoulas, focused and a leash puller. This can be worked on through rescue help if need be. When she is on a long line she is great and relaxed and she is very smart on it, she even figures out how to get herself untwisted and untangled. Cypress is a good running companion if you are active.
There is nothing truly ugly about this dog, but her fear reactivity will require patient, smart, consistent work to earn her trust. She has some typical Catahoula traits and that is why we love the breed. They are unique and loyal and great dogs. SHE IS A NICE GIRL who has grieved for her past owner but is wanting her own home again. She will roll over for a belly rub if told to. She knows no, sit, go lay down, down, leave it (unless it’s food), go to your cage or bed, go up or downstairs, go outside, and get out of the kitchen. She is learning manners and is a very smart girl.
Please help us get this lovely girl into a loving home again where she can thrive and repay her family with all of the love and attention they deserve in return.
If you are interested in learning more about Cypress or would like to set up a meet-and-greet, please email the adoption team at adopt@crpca.org or call 717-242-1644 and leave a voice mail.
