Ayuqi aka Yuqi (20241001-02) German Shepherd Dog Mix Niagara on the Lake, ON

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OUT-OF-TOWN Dogs with NDR refer to dogs we have saved that have yet to make their journey to Ontario. These dogs are currently in our care with the help of our partners in the area. These dogs will all travel to the Niagara Region once an appropriate adopter or local foster is found.

This dog is currently located in: Texas

Name: Ayuqi aka Yuqi (20241001-02)
Weight: 51 lbs
Age: 1 year
Gender: female
Spayed/Neutered: yes
Breed: German Shepherd mix
Colour: fawn with black nose, mouth, eyeliner, and ear tips

Neck size (for collar): 19.5"
Height (from top of head): 30"
Length (from nose to base of tail): 40"
Crate size recommended: 42"

Good with adults: yes
Good with kids: yes, but older due to her size
Good with other dogs: yes
Good with cats: yes
House trained: yes
Crate trained: yes
Energy level: medium
Barker: no
Flight risk: yes, can be skittish. Martingale recommended.
Food aggressive: no
Walks on leash: still learning, turns around to look at you if you stop moving when she pulls
Rides well in car: yes, but a bit anxious.
Destructive: no, but needs appropriate chew items
Needs a home with a yard: yes
Needs a home with another dog: either way, she loves dogs! But can get on their nerves if they don't want to play
Can live in an apartment: no, needs a yard to zoom around in

Foster insights/story: Have you ever wanted the intelligence of a German Shepherd without any of the intimidation factor? Then smart, soft girl Ayuqi is the dog for you! She is a velcro dog who had to learn to trust again. She was a stray in East Texas who was never claimed: she was likely abandoned, as she wandered and appeared lost. She took up residence in a park and followed many dog-walkers from a distance, but would never come close enough to catch. Local animal control snared her so she could be taken to safety. She was scared and shut down the first few days, but with patience and letting her take things at her pace, she began to open up. At first, she loved her foster brother dog but would not come up to her fosters. After a while, she would approach her fosters and became the most sweet, loving, cuddly dog. She went from cowering if we looked at her too directly, or held any objects in our hands, to jumping up on us for cuddles and nuzzling her nose into an armpit! She happily will chase a flirt pole or ball (doesn't bring it back though).
She is very smart and learns new training tricks quickly once she has formed a bond with a handler, but is very soft about being scolded. She has typical shepherd clinginess and protectiveness (not in an aggressive way though, just has to always check on and watch over her people). She isn't very vocal, but occasionally grumbles or whines a bit (also very shepherd-y!). Her radar dish ears are so expressive and alert: she is known to do an adorable head tilt when she is listening to people or dogs.
She has never once had a potty accident even without any explicit potty training procedures. She loves to keep busy by eating from puzzle toys and is very good at amusing herself zooming around in the back yard with a ball or rope. She is good with cats: at best she ignores them, and at the most she follows them to sniff the first few times meeting them. She's great with other playful dogs: she never barks or lunges at dogs on walks, but does show signs of wanting to greet and play. She can be shy and slow to warm up to new people, but if they are sitting down and let them come to her, she will eventually ask for pets. She is great with children also, but I would recommend older (8+) due to her size. It can take a while for Ayuqi to trust you, but once she does, you'll feel so blessed for it: she is so gentle and cuddly. She has a silly playful side and gets the zoomies, but she would be just as happy sleeping next to (or on top of) you as anything!