Chow Chow, American Eskimo Dog [Mix]

This dapper gentleman is Max, an earnest and wonderful guy. He stands in a classic Chow pose with his elegant plumed tail arched proudly above his back, and his tongue is a glorious purple; but we sincerely suspect there is more to Max's ancestry than Chow lineage. He is quite small and compact for one thing, and his soft coat has a bit of a silky wave. Additionally, although certainly Max has poise and dignity appropriate to any Chow Chow, and twinkling merriness in his eyes, he has quite surprised us with his agility - comparable to a tiny dancing bear in a Russian circus - as well as his extraordinary mastery of "fetch".

His lithe movements, his balance and spring on his back legs, and his superb retrieving skills do make us wonder if Max might be mixed with Eskimo dog.

Max by any breed would be as sweet. He is a dog who is capable of deep devotion and he yearns for a bonded relationship with all his heart. The first time we met him, Max bounded into our arms, with his proud tail wagging madly. He delivered kisses ardently, and tried in every way he knew to express that he was a good dog.

Physically, Max is very beautiful. He has an open and warm expression, and a gentle demeanor. Fastidiously house-trained, Max is extremely well mannered. He is fluent in graceful "downs", in which he swoops down lightly in a cloud of fluff. He sits and stays (briefly); in every spirited (and tireless) game of fetch, he is considerate enough to return the ball to his teammate's hand.

Max's impressive repertoire includes two more tricks, both of which reveal another side to Max, namely, he is truly a ham. He cannot be unaware of how cute he is when he sits up for treats, but his best trick, which he has recently improved upon, is rolling over. Max evidently felt there was room to milk this wonderful trick, which he does with adorable flourish, and now he executes his roll-overs as punctuation to the command "come". As soon as Max hears his name called, he responds by racing to his caregiver, and diving into a graceful roll, which he finishes neatly at her feet, smiling up at her with his happy and proud face.

Max walks well on lead, and rivals the Queen Mother for comportment when riding in a car. He loves to be brushed, and when his ruff and back and pantaloons are suitably groomed, he rolls to the ground and offers his belly for further attentions. He is very soft mouthed when offered a treat.

Max's back story is brief in comparison to his wonderful resume, all of which he has developed in foster care! He was left at the Animal Warden's in rural West Virginia by a man who said he had too many dogs. We were contacted by the Warden directly, as a surrendered dog does not even merit a 5 day hold in small, beleaguered rural compound, and it took only one moment to perceive the delightful creature housed there.

Max has been fully vetted, and has charmed his foster care provider with his amazing focus and ability to learn. He is a touchingly devoted dog, and although he plays appropriately with two of the dogs in his foster home, and is tolerant (in a rather superior way) of his canine foster brother, it is very evident that he yearns to be a devoted companion and friend to a human. His adopter(s) can probably expect him to be selective in his canine associates, but absolutely gracious and kind to all human ones.

Max is truly a great dog, and quite a character. He will offer extraordinary companionship and a loving and jolly fellowship to his adoptive home.

Because Max was an adult when we met him, with no known history with children, we believe it prudent to place Max in a home with adults, or a family with older children. This is nothing against Max (or against little children), but Max is a purposeful chap who would do better with older children who would be willing to play fetch, rather than with younger children who might want to dress him up in hats or clothing or take him for a ride as a passenger on their Big Wheel.