Vanessa, a Adoptable Saint Bernard in Terra Cotta, ON image 1/6

Vanessa, a Adoptable Saint Bernard in Terra Cotta, ON image 2/6

Vanessa, a Adoptable Saint Bernard in Terra Cotta, ON image 3/6

Vanessa, a Adoptable Saint Bernard in Terra Cotta, ON image 4/6

Vanessa

Adult
Female
Extra Large

Saint Bernard

About Vanessa

Terra Cotta, ON

Breed

Saint Bernard

Physical Traits

Adult

(3-8 years)

Female

Extra Large

(101+ lbs lbs)

Coat: Short

Brown / Chocolate, White / Cream

Behavior

Personality

Affectionate, Dignified, Independent, Quiet, Couch

House-trained: Yes

Health

Spayed/Neutered:

Yes

Vaccinated:

Yes

Vanessa’s Compatibility

Petfinder recommends that you should always take reasonable security steps before making online payments.

Vanessa's Story

Vanessa is a 6.5 year old 130 lb easy going house guest with a strong yet consistent temperament that endears her to everyone she meets. Also endearing is her choice to be near you, on top of you, leaning on you, or pushing into you. While she may be standoffish for a moment (and give a deep hufffff) on meeting new people, she soon warms up and ingratiates herself to them. For an extra large, older girl she is quite youthful and also athletic (for short spurts), play bowing and getting the zoomies on extra cold mornings. Ready to go for a ramble when you are/ready for downtime when you are, Big Girl can go for one walk a day or three and yet maintain the same zen energy when in the house. Vanessa is a matriarch with a bit of old sea captain mixed in. It isn't so much that she is a top female, but she has most likely been the lead dog in her previous life where she was free roaming in the country with her adult pups. This lifestyle ended with her and two of her offspring being relinquished to animal control and from there, into the Northern Dogs Project. She understands the hierarchy of the dogs in her foster home and knows where she fits - she can't pass Alphie if he's lying in the doorway but she can get up on the couch with Paddington even if he's been there first. This gorgeous girl is secure and confident and has an air of wisdom and intelligence that comes from her age and previous lifestyle. Vanessa is open about her affection for her people and will show it in tactile ways. This means lying on the couch if they are on the couch, lying on the bed if they are on the bed (pressed against them), lying near the chair they are in, putting her head in their lap, and even being in their lap. She is very affectionate and she likes to be physically touching her people and having her people physically touching her. This is not something that Vanessa is going to do immediately with her new people but when she is ready, this girl is all about demonstrating affection. When she knows you, she enjoys being patted, cuddled and hugged and will make groaning noises to express her contentment. Vanessa very much likes access to the outside and she goes from inside to outside into the yard, pounding on the door to go out and to come back in. She is trustworthy and happy when she is free roaming versus in the yard and sticks close to the house while still liking to check out all the sniffs around. She really likes her offleash walks and this winter weather is suiting her just fine as she makes snow angels and explores. Vanessa will thrive with a guardian who is experienced with extra large breeds and who wants to get to know a very interesting being. Vanessa can be intimidating to people not used to extra large, free thinking dogs with a vocal repertoire that includes barks, huffs, purrs and growls. Vanessa is a strong extra large breed with her own mind and sense of self and she is able to make what she wants happen.... happen. She is 130 lbs after all! Vanessa is best suited to a country environment where she can continue to be herself and exercise her sense of freedom. She is fostering with male and female, big and very small dogs and she gets along with all of them. She is trustworthy with cats and has experience with horses though she does bark at them. Vanessa is adored by her foster family. She has been waiting for her spay and entropian surgery so she has had time to fully decompress and transition comfortably into their lives. Getting to know Vanessa is to love her. Vanessa is up to date on vaccinations, spayed, dewormed, and microchipped. Her adoption fee $750. Adoption process includes application, virtual home visit, phone interview, reference check, meet & greet, adoption contract and $750 adoption fee. ***Fill out the ADOPTION APPLICATION at: https://signup.ifaw.org/en-ca/northern-dogs-adoption-application-form

How To Adopt

Vanessa was listed as Adoptable by Northern Dogs Project

How can I adopt Vanessa?

Click the Start Your Inquiry button, and share some preliminary details with Northern Dogs Project. They may then ask for more details or an official application prior to an adoption. If you're a match, they'll reach out with next steps and timing.

How can I find out if Vanessa is a good fit for me?

Click the "See How You Match" button, answer a few simple questions, and see how you match up! It takes less than a minute to complete. You can also reach out directly to Northern Dogs Project for details on the pet.

When can I meet Vanessa?

If you've submitted an inquiry, Northern Dogs Project will review your information and may ask you to fill out an official application. If you're a good fit for Vanessa, they'll reach out to set up a meeting.

What if I have more questions about the adoption process?

Just reach out directly to Northern Dogs Project, and they'll be happy to help!

Northern Dogs Project's Adoption Policy

Northern dogs are not a breed but a lifestyle. Until recently most dogs were free roaming but communities are now making changes to how they want to coexist with dogs and many are now tying. Dogs are all identified by Animal Care and are adopted to families in the south as family members only. Northern dogs are smart, experienced, dog social, have been handled by kids, feel safe with women, and are slightly unsure of men at first. Dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated (core vaccines DAPP and rabies), microchipped and dewormed.

Our Mission

The Northern Dogs Project works with Canadian First Nations to support communities who have historically worked to develop dog management programs to address the root causes of their dog/people problems. The objective is to keep dogs with their owners in the community however dogs who are not wanted or who require medical a...