About Benson

BENSON! If you are looking for a first class snuggler and intensely loving companion, look no further than Benson! Benson (named for Olivia Benson from Law & Order) has a personality as beautiful as her stunning good looks. Benson is a 2 year old, 45 lb double merle Australian Shepherd. Usually double merles (a genetic no-no) end up with blindness or deafness. Benson appears to have beat the genetic odds as she seems to have both vision and hearing, and also has that eye-catching gorgeous white coat with some merle patches. Benson was an owner surrender from New York when her person was evicted and she found herself in the safe hands of ASF. She settled in to her new foster home very quickly. Benson might not be crate trained, but she is fully housebroken and has free run of her foster home with zero problems. Benson is quiet and rarely barks. She loves riding in the car, especially if she's being taken somewhere for long walks, and walks nicely on a leash. She has moderate energy and would do just fine in a condo as well as a home with a yard. Benson was raised in a home with other dogs, but is currently the only dog in her foster home. She has shown some reactivity to unknown dogs while on walks (mainly barking and bouncing around, but no growling or teeth). We expect she can learn to happily live in a home with other dogs, but it'll just take a little time and patience for slow and careful introductions, so any potential adoptor should be prepared to work with her on this. She hasn't been cat tested. She is good with children, but would do best in a household with children 10+ only because she is an enthusiastic snuggler and likes to climb on laps, lay on top of people, and will occasionally jump up for attention (although we're working on this in her foster home). She is the definition of a Velcro dog - she will follow you everywhere, but as soon as you sit and relax, she will chill out and relax next to you. She does pant a lot, but it's mainly excitment from a desire to get your love and attention. She knows sit and down, although could use some help with stay and settle, so a basic obedience class is always a good idea. She's a smart girl who is extremely eager to please and will do anything for some pets and snuggles. She does enjoy lounging on furniture and sleeping in bed with her people, so a home that allows this would be preferable to her. Anyone adopting Benson needs to know you will have a shadow for life. She gets very attached to her people and will demonstrate her love with lots of licks and snuggles, and she won't give you a lot of personal space. If you sit in a chair, she will climb in your lap. If you lay on the couch, she will lay down on top of you. If you're working at your desk, she will snooze at your feet. She will want to be with you all the time! She has been left home alone for several hours without any problems, but will sometimes whine and occassionally bark at about the 3-4 hour mark. Benson will likely need some training to learn to settle and stay and build her confidence so she doesn't have to be glued to her people constantly. If you are willing to take home a super snuggler and intensely loving pup, Benson may be the dog for you! Benson is being fostered in Central NJ. If Benson sounds perfect for you, here is the link to our application: https://www.australianshepherdsfurever.org/adoption-application There is an additional $20 microchip fee which includes registration and transfer to her new furever family. All adoption fees are used for future rescue efforts.

Hunterdon County
Flemington, New Jersey 08822