Shandy Vizsla & Chocolate Labrador Retriever Mix Cincinnati, OH

Meet Shandy—explorer, moth huntress, and spirited sidekick-to-be for some lucky family. Vizsla mix is our best guess, maybe with a dash of lab. She’s around 20# at the time of this writing, but growing by the minute. Outgoing, confident and friendly with humans and dogs alike, Shandy is a full-speed ahead, no-fear kind of girl, always anticipating her next adventure.

At a mere 8 weeks old (est. birth 5/26), Shandy was surrendered to a high-kill shelter. Fortunately she caught a one-way bus to STAF, where she has impressed us with her spunky ways, curious nature and--when she can be bothered to stay still long enough--her silly, sloppy sit.

Shandy has spent time in a foster home, figuring out what it means to be a well-mannered house guest. She is one smart cookie, quickly learning that counters are not for surfing ... that sits get better results than jumping up … and that pee happens outside. (OK, so we’re still working on that last one.) She would excel at obedience and/or agility training. With stamina and attentiveness, she will make a great hiking companion and (when she is old enough) a biking/running partner.

She is a fine little fetcher. (Tip: Keep two toys in play at all times.) She’s also a real champ when it comes to doing quiet time in her crate. (Especially when every once in a while she finds an extra-special treat waiting in there for her.) Give her a full day of romping and wrestling, and she’ll give you a solid night's sleep. Good puppy!

She’s up for some snuggling when sufficiently tuckered, but a couch potato she is most definitely NOT. Shandy is eager to get out and explore, and is currently accepting applications for active, adventurous human cohorts. Here’s what else is on her wish list:

OTHER DOGS. Ooo yes, please! She would do best with a big brother or sister that shares her spirited playstyle … one who will help teach her limits, model behavior and work off her abundant puppy energy.

ROOM TO RUN. Shandy definitely needs daily opportunities for the all-out kind of play that comes with a securely fenced yard. She is a great lover of the outdoors and is happiest exploring, rolling in the grass, stalking moths, and wrestling with her dog pals.

FOOD! A slow-feed bowl is an absolute necessity. Even better, a rotation of food-dispensing toys so that meal time doubles as a mental workout. A snuffle mat works especially well. And the little smarty pants is a wiz at puzzle-type games.

KIDS? Shandy loves whooping it up with kids—but only those mature enough to understand how to react properly when she crosses the line and gets overly mouthy/nippy. She’s gotten much better, but still has a spell or two a day when she is very hard to discourage. Until her persistent mouthiness can be curbed, she is not a good match with young kids.

If you have room in your family and time in your schedule for this fabulous, fun-loving pup, we’d love to introduce you. We don't want her forever home to miss out on her prime, precious puppy months ... she is ready and willing to learn, grow and go-go-go with you! Please visit www.STAF.org for visiting hours, a downloadable application, and additional information.

• All of our animals are spayed/neutered and current on shots.
• We do not do same-day adoptions; we ask that you return for a follow-up visit before taking an animal home.
• You must be 21 years or older to adopt from STAF.
• We require a 4-foot-tall physical fence for homes with children under the age of 11. We also may require a physical fence for specific dogs on a case-by-case basis, depending on each dog’s behavior and exercise needs.
• Due in part to increasing coyote activity/incidents in the area and the difficulty of predicting how a dog will respond to invisible fence training, we can not adopt to homes with invisible fences.
• We do request vet and personal references.
• We can facilitate adoptions within a 75-mile radius of our Cincinnati-based shelter.