Acquired: Rescue / shelter organization
Gender: Male
Training: Books
We found Hank on the street at 12 weeks. We had mange, fleas and was otherwise a mess.We took him in because no one else would. He was a very average looking dog, and we were convinced he would not be adopted.
Hank is unbelievably smart. In fact it is uncanny how smart he his. He will open doors for other dogs in the family, get toys he left outside days ago and lead us to where our cats are hiding outside.
If Hank had been the only male dog, I think he would have been a great addition. But since he was a rescue, and we already had 2 other dogs, there was a constant fight for status once Hank reached about 18 months. Fighting between the male dogs was vicious. Everyone had training, but it was not enough.
Ultimately, we had to give him away to a no kill shelter. It was tough for us since we rescued him.