About Sophie

Sophie would do best with one person and as the only dog in the home---someone who has a lot of time and energy to give her. Sophie was found in June of 2024 in Houston, extremely malnourished and showed signs of having been neglected/abuses. I took her in with the intention to foster only- get her healthy and then help her to find her forever home. She is small for the breed (probably from malnourishment) but is now physically very healthy at 50lbs. Now - here is the completely honest breakdown of Sophie: Because of her history, Sophie is often anxious, fearful and can be aggressive toward strangers, children, and other dogs/animals. Sophie is still learning manners, being social, and household rules and to not be resource aggressive (food, people, attention, etc.). She sometimes communicates by nipping, which is a Mal trait (shepherds do this) when trying to get your attention this way. She is house trained, kennel trained (although she has anxiety in the kennel). She is food driven and will get into trash or on countertops if food or food wrappers/trash are within sight/scent. Sophie is very smart and wants to please. She is very dominant dog so she would do best as the only dog in the home. Her aggression seems to come out more when she feels she is competing for attention, food, resources, etc. She is also dog and other animal aggressive and child aggressive. Sophie would do best with one person and as the only dog in the home. She needs lots of mental stimulation, 1:1 attention and exercise or she will create her own and get into trouble. Sophie needs a lot of aggressive-chewer toys to keep her occupied. When she has these, she usually does not bother household items, shoes, furniture, etc. BUT- she has boredom chewed some things. She cannot be given normal dog toys (plushies, small plastic toys, etc.) because she destroys normal dog toys and swallows them. Sophie would be a great life-partner for a single owner with no other pets, who understands and has experience with this breed, and is willing to put the time and attention into her training. Sophie shows great potential as a scent dog - but would take someone who can also socialize her slowly with animals, dogs, and kids, to remove her stranger/animal fear and aggression. Sophie can be very sweet and affectionate to her people but has to be allowed to initiate the affection. She genuinely wants to please.

Wise County
Bridgeport, Texas