Tess Australian Cattle Dog / Blue Heeler & Australian Shepherd Mix Bethel, CT

Meet Tess! She’s a five-year-old, 38lb. Australian Cattle Dog mix that has been loved on since she was adopted at nine weeks old. Sadly the owners home life has changed and they can no longer provide Tess with the life she deserves. She is urgently seeking a new family.

Tess loves being outside in all weather (raised in the Northeast, she’s not afraid of snow). Like her breed, Tess is a protector and worker. She’ll patrol her property all day if you let her - warding off wild critters (squirrels) and barking at anyone who approaches her home (for friends the barks are met with a wagging tail, strangers she’ll look to her humans as to whether or not they need her “help”). She loves the freedom to run freely and that’s our hope for her new home. The current owners also want to find a person(s) that’s home often to allow her outdoor freedom as well as companionship.  

She has taken her humans to obedience school where she got A+’s while her humans got a D- for providing little follow through afterward. Tess has the basics down (sit, come, down, stay) but we know she would excel if someone took the time to work with her. She’s a fast learner and to her, it’s a job (and she LOVES a job - especially if the pay is a training treat like string cheese).

What would NOT work for Tess: being cooped up alone for extended periods of time. She’s housebroken and not a crate pup. She should also NOT be placed in a household with kids younger than teenagers AND other pets (including dogs and cats). Tess needs to be your one and only pet. While she’s been great with their kids (now teens), was raised with a crabby cat, and has a few dog friends in the neighborhood, she’s too unpredictable and despite the family's efforts, not well socialized. They know her lunging after dogs or snipping when startled by active kiddos is her response to being a protector. Could she be trained otherwise? Maybe but the current owners want to avoid any harm or heartache if placed in the wrong home.

Tess is a sweet girl when she feels safe and secure and will do anything for her people. Her adoption fee is $400 and she’s UTD on all her vaccinations and recently had her annual physical. She is given her monthly heartworm and flea/tick treatments, and other than needing her anal glands expressed by the vet 3-4 times a year, she’s in excellent health!

If you are interested in giving Tess a chance at a wonderful new life, please submit an application at https://form.jotform.com/200883908893166. For questions, please call the current owner Emily at (203) 885-3918.