Bear

Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement-Kennel License #2617<br/><br/>Could he do well with kids? Yes, with children around 12 years old, on a kid-by-kid basis.<br/><br/>Could he do well with other dogs? Yes, on a dog-by-dog basis.<br/><br/>Has this dog lived with cats? Yes. [The Lycoming County SPCA does not "cat test" dogs per the Association of Shelter Veterinarian's Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters.]<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>What volunteers have to say about this animal:<br/><br/>Meet Bear - Gentle Giant, Soft Eyes, Brave-in-Progress<br/><br/>Bear is a 1-year-old Spanish Mastiff-American Pit Bull Terrier mix weighing in at a very huggable 89 pounds of sweetness. He's big. He's handsome. He's sometimes a little unsure of the world. And those soft, love-me eyes? They will absolutely undo you.<br/><br/>Bear is still building confidence, and you can see it in the thoughtful way he moves through new situations. When meeting new people, he may investigate from behind first, just making sure everything checks out before stepping forward. It's not fearfulness; it's caution. And honestly, for a dog his size, that kind of awareness is pretty endearing.<br/><br/>What Bear Is Like:<br/>- Playful and toy-motivated (toys help him relax and shine!)<br/>- Gentle with his size - navigates beautifully on leash without pulling<br/>- Allowed handling, though prolonged contact made him a bit tense<br/>- Occasionally jumps up when excited during play<br/><br/>When meeting another dog, Bear came in a little enthusiastic at first, but he respected the other dog's space and showed appropriate social skills while trying to initiate play. That tells us he's learning - and learning well. He can feel uneasy with fast, unpredictable movement (like someone running around), but give him a toy and a calm vibe, and you'll see his playful side come out. Toys are his bridge to confidence.<br/><br/>Bear's Ideal Home Looks Like:<br/>- Kids around 12+, on a case-by-case basis<br/>- Other dogs, pending thoughtful meet-and-greets<br/>- Possibly cats (he has lived with them before)<br/>- A patient family who will help him continue building confidence<br/>- People who understand that bravery grows with support<br/><br/>Bear is what we lovingly call a "gallant softie." He's large and strong, but inside he's sensitive and thoughtful. He doesn't barrel through life. He tiptoes a bit, looks around, and then, when he feels safe, lets himself play.<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>Condensed Staff Assessment Notes: Bear is a playful young dog still building confidence in uncomfortable situations. He allowed handling but seemed tense with prolonged contact. While he was uneasy with my running around, he enjoyed playing with toys, which helped him engage more casually. He sometimes jumped up to retrieve toys.<br/><br/>As a larger dog, Bear showed good awareness of his size, navigating spaces well on a leash without pulling. He was initially a bit rude when approaching another dog but respected their space while trying to initiate play. He approached new people cautiously, often investigating from behind before directly engaging.

Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement-Kennel License #2617

Could he do well with kids? Yes, with children around 12 years old, on a kid-by-kid basis.

Could he do well with other dogs? Yes, on a dog-by-dog basis.

Has this dog lived with cats? Yes. [The Lycoming County SPCA does not "cat test" dogs per the Association of Shelter Veterinarian's Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters.]

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What volunteers have to say about this animal:

Meet Bear - Gentle Giant, Soft Eyes, Brave-in-Progress

Bear is a 1-year-old Spanish Mastiff-American Pit Bull Terrier mix weighing in at a very huggable 89 pounds of sweetness. He's big. He's handsome. He's sometimes a little unsure of the world. And those soft, love-me eyes? They will absolutely undo you.

Bear is still building confidence, and you can see it in the thoughtful way he moves through new situations. When meeting new people, he may investigate from behind first, just making sure everything checks out before s

Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement-Kennel License #2617

Could he do well with kids? Yes, with children around 12 years old, on a kid-by-kid basis.

Could he do well with other dogs? Yes, on a dog-by-dog basis.

Has this dog lived with cats? Yes. [The Lycoming County SPCA does not "cat test" dogs per the Association of Shelter Veterinarian's Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters.]

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What volunteers have to say about this animal:

Meet Bear - Gentle Giant, Soft Eyes, Brave-in-Progress

Bear is a 1-year-old Spanish Mastiff-American Pit Bull Terrier mix weighing in at a very huggable 89 pounds of sweetness. He's big. He's handsome. He's sometimes a little unsure of the world. And those soft, love-me eyes? They will absolutely undo you.

Bear is still building confidence, and you can see it in the thoughtful way he moves through new situations. When meeting new people, he may investigate from behind first, just making sure everything checks out before stepping forward. It's not fearfulness; it's caution. And honestly, for a dog his size, that kind of awareness is pretty endearing.

What Bear Is Like:
- Playful and toy-motivated (toys help him relax and shine!)
- Gentle with his size - navigates beautifully on leash without pulling
- Allowed handling, though prolonged contact made him a bit tense
- Occasionally jumps up wh