Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Not good with kids,
Needs experienced adopter,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Ralphie is a darling black Affenpinscher mix being fostered in Linden, Virginia. His birthdate is December 7, 2013, and he weighs about 14.6 pounds. He has his beautiful natural ears and tail. He is loving, house-trained, active (but not hyper), loves going places, and is very polite in public. He is incredibly incredibly intelligent and a real lovebug! However, he does show fear toward first-time visitors on his own turf and is not social If he meets new people in a neutral space, he is outgoing and a true gentleman, but is leery of new people on his own property. Most of all, he is a total character and will keep you entertained like a court jester!
Ralphie knows all his basic commands and wants nothing more than to please you. One hiccup is that he cannot be placed in a home with other male dogs, but with female dogs, he is their best friend. Ralphie deserves to be the center of attention with a loving family and maybe a sister or two (or just him). Ralphie will do best in an active, adult only home with few hours alone. He is very athletic and needs regular exercise (whether that be a fenced-in yard in which to catch balls or a brisk walk). He loves to run off leash, in a contained area (please no dog parks). Ralphie will “play” with cats, he does have a tendency to chase them, but stops on command. He must have a fenced-in yard as opposed to an apartment or condo living situation. Ralphie's intelligence is over the moon, and he can easily climb a 4-foot chain link, so a higher fence (not any type fence he can get his feet into places to climb) will need to be in place for his safety.
He must always be securely harnessed and leashed when outside a fenced area and crated or seat belted in the back seat when in a vehicle. He will do best with someone who works from home so he can get to know you and go outside often. He is healthy, neutered, UTD on vaccinations, microchipped, heart worm negative, active and healthy.
We prefer to place Ralphie within 2 hours (120 miles) driving distance of his foster home . A “meet and greet” would be ideal at the potential adopter's home and will be required before an adoption can be finalized. Our dogs may never be shipped in cargo and we do not transport them to adoptive homes. They are never placed in homes with invisible (electric) fencing or with intact dogs. Doggy doors are OK as long as they are secured at night and when you are gone. Ralphie is small enough to be attacked by a coyote or other predator so may never be left outside alone. Affenpinschers are sensitive to extreme heat and cold, so care must be taken when you are outside with him on very hot and very cold days.
Are you the special person who will give Ralphie the loving forever home he is waiting for?
