Misty is a two year old Shepherd/Hound mix who was found as a stray in Cyprus and spent almost a year in the shelter before she found a home in the UK.
Through absolutely no fault of her own, within 24 hours she was surrendered back into our care due to a change of personal circumstances, and unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out for Misty this time either.
We’re now looking for a new home for her. Third time’s a charm, right?
Misty’s family have put a lot of time into her training and understanding her behaviour, but feel they can’t give her the type of lifestyle and home she truly needs.
Over the past few months she has developed reactivity towards strangers, which seems to be a mixture of fear and protectiveness towards her family.
The sad thing is that when Misty first arrived, she could be around anyone, anywhere. We hope that once she’s in an environment more suited to her, she’ll feel more at ease again.
With those she knows, Misty is the most wonderful, loyal and loving companion. She’s so cuddly and absolutely adores her family. When she feels safe, she is an amazing girl and there’s never any shortage of affection from her!
Misty really loves other dogs, and we think she would be best suited to a home with another resident dog.
Although she currently lives on her own and is fine, we think having a resident dog around will help her to gain confidence in new situations, around new people, and realise that there’s nothing to fear.
She’s a very sociable, playful girl, and her favourite days are when she gets to go to daycare where she be with her friends all day.
Misty is also wonderful with children of various ages. She lives with two teenagers, and during family holidays she stays with a family who have a ten year old son, who becomes her favourite person.
With adults that she doesn’t know, particularly men, her response is normally to assume they might be a threat.
She also doesn’t like strangers entering the house, and this requires environmental management (keeping her separate) or slow introductions.
Misty is very trainable. She’s super smart, very food motivated, and always keen to please. She loves pretty much any food, including vegetables.
She has also done scent work sessions which she was brilliant at, and really enjoyed. She also walks very nicely on the lead, until she sees someone she feels unsure about and then becomes reactive.
However, if the stranger has another dog she is much more comfortable and trusting.
The ideal home for Misty would be based semi-rurally with a large garden for her to run around and sniff in. She would prefer a canine companion, and would feel more relaxed in a quieter home with few comings and goings.
She would enjoy a fairly active lifestyle, and a family who recognise that her reactivity needs some work and understanding.
However, we do feel that a change of environment will really contribute to her progress. Misty has so many positive traits, and in the right home she will blossom.
How big? Medium
How old? Young adult (around 2.5 years)
Male or female? Female
Living with kids? I can live with children
Living with dogs? I can live with other dogs
Resident dog required? Yes
Living with cats? I’ve not been tested with cats
Where can I live? I’d like an active, semi-rural home with a garden
Where am I from? Cyprus, now in Bushey