About Calla

This is Calla (or when you're mad Calla Lilly). Calla is 8 years old and about 40 lbs. We got a doggie DNA test done and the 4 'grandparents' they listed were golden retriever, boarder collie, Australian Shepard, and Irish wolfhound mix. Just a few weeks ago she got her 3 year rabies vaccination. She is spayed. Calla is extremely loving with adults, however she cannot be in a house that has young children (10 and under). She has always been extremely anxious and untrusting around them. And while she obviously cared for and was protective of our kids, she recently bit our 3 year old when he ran into her backside. She turned around and snapped at him. I feel like it was an accident, that she didn't mean to necessarily get him with her teeth, but I can't risk it happening again. We are beyond sad at this situation as she has been with us for 8 years, but we need to set her up for success and have her in an environment where she is fully comfortable. Her ideal new family would be active and have plenty of time and or people to give her attention. She would do great in a family with mature middle schoolers or high schoolers. She is still very spritely. She loves walks, to play fetch, and recently started to enjoy running along side Nick's bike. She is an excellent listener and naturally likes to stay near her people, so she generally does fine staying in a non-fenced yard and or running off-line in a field. While she loves to be active outside, she is mostly a couch potato inside. She would love to curl up on the couch if you let her, but a dog bed works well too. She hasn't ever chewed up anything she shouldn't, though she does like bones, stuffed toys and ropes if someone is willing to play with her. She loves to be pet and have you stare lovingly at her. She will paw at you to remind you to keep petting her, which can get to be a little much, but she will listen to a firm 'no' and leave you to go lay down. She has a big scary bark for a dog of her size, but she doesn't use it frequently. Overall she is a quiet dog who just barks when someone is at the door. Occasionally she barks when she chases a squirrel up a tree. As far as other dogs are concerned, sometimes she likes them, sometimes she doesn't. And she will certainly let them know when she doesn't. On walks she just ignores other dogs and doesn't pull to go see them or bark at them. Calla is very smart and highly trainable. She knows a good number of commands - sit, stay, wait, down, stand, on your side, roll over, touch, high-five, go left�'�| We have done agility classes with her, and I am sure she would love to do more or other advanced obedience classes. She can pull on the leash when she is excited in a new location, but once she gets used to the routine she walks without pulling. Every summer/fall she does get some sort of seasonal allergy where she itches and scratches on her tummy and back legs. Neither we nor the vets were ever able to determine what was causing it. Thankfully, it has not been as bad the last few years. It usually starts in July/August and ends around the first frost. Overall Calla is a smart, beautiful, loving, devoted dog, she just can't handle children.

Poweshiek County
Grinnell, Iowa