Ralphie American Staffordshire Terrier & Dutch Shepherd Mix Charlottesville, VA

Ralphie is one of the most.....uhhhh....unique (YEA, that's it!) boys we have ever met!
Not having any history except that he was a hot mess physically, mentally, and obviously not socialized much at all, after getting to know him we can assume he was dumped as a puppy and lived outside until picked up.
We think he is around 1.5 or 2.

He was very elusive when he arrived...and his brain did not stop. All he could focus on was a ball...he had to have a ball to play his own game of soccer or just carry it around.... but as soon as he had a few weeks of structure, asking things of him (lots of patience) we started to see him become more engaging....then we saw him start to explore more instead of just focusing on a ball (big, small...it didn't matter!) ....then we noticed him wanting to be with us a little more while not being his crazy, squirmy self. ....THEN he wanted us to play with him.... Before it was just come up and be obnoxious then go back to his....ball.

Now, Ralphie is a ....somewhat....changed dog! We have learned he can be affectionate, he's so smart it's almost scary...he can read energy and picks up on moods better than most people! And he DOES want to please.

The hardest task for Ralphie was, and still is but getting better daily, his house training....another reason we felt he had never lived anywhere but roaming outside his whole life.

Ralphie's DNA came back 73% Am. Staffordshire Terrier...and 23% Dutch Shephard. Well, the Dutch Shephard is the most prominent in this boy's behavior! We were pretty sure, somewhere in there was Jack Russel or Rat Terrier...but when we learned his DNA, it all made sense!

His favorite game is...soccer ....he LOVES his person to literally play soccer with him...he's good, very, very good but lets you win sometimes.

We also think he would be a great Dock Diving candidate! He LOVES the water!

He's a rough player with dogs but is getting better about when to quit when he hears our voice... if being too obnoxious.

He will need a family or person who can give him the exercise and engagement he needs...he will never be a couch potato....not for a while anyway. ...only when he is tired after a very, busy day.

We don't think little children or cats would be a good idea...because of his energy... we are still continuing our work for his excitement jumping up...he is WAY better!
So with all this said and possibly some thinking "he sounds ...unique!". He sure is but is easy to fall madly in love with. He is truly a special boy!

Come meet Ralphie, and if you have questions, feel free to email melissa@dogsdeservebetter.org or megan@dogsdeservebetter.org . They will tell you all you want to know about our boy!