About Ellie

Ellie is a 1.5 year old Heeler/Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix weighing about 40 pounds, and she may be one of the happiest little dogs you'll ever meet. She is short, sturdy, always wagging her tail, and absolutely delighted to meet new people, especially if those people happen to have snacks. Ellie has never met a stranger she didn't like, and she is very generous with her kisses once she decides you're her friend. Ellie is confident, outgoing, affectionate, but also wonderfully independent too. She is the kind of dog who wakes up ready to take on the day and fully intends to be involved in everything happening around her. She is also incredibly smart and picks up on new things quickly. One thing to know about Ellie's is her very important job: management. Her Heeler instincts are strong, and Ellie takes it upon herself to control situations and herd anything she thinks needs moving on. If children are running through the house or playing too exuberantly, her instincts can kick in and she may try to grab or redirect them. When another dog isn't doing what she thinks they should be doing or is in a spot she doesnt want them in, she may attempt to move them too. Ellie doesn't have a mean bone in her body and is not intentionally trying to hurt anyone. She is simply a bit mouthy, determined little herder with more enthusiasm than self-control when her inner manager takes over. Because of this, Ellie needs a home without young children and without small dogs. She previously attended dog parks, but her attempts to herd and control other dogs often caused them to become uncomfortable or upset. She would do best with an adopter who understands that Heelers don't always know when their job is over and is willing to continue teaching Ellie appropriate outlets for those instincts and self control. The good news is that Ellie is exceptionally smart, eager to learn, and very responsive to training. She is house trained, crate trained, and leash trained. She is still working on her leash manners and can pull initially for a walk, but once she gets going, she stops pulling and settle into the walk. Consistent training and daily exercise will be important for helping her channel all that Heeler energy in productive ways. And exercise is something Ellie genuinely enjoys. She loves going for walks and would be thrilled to have someone who wants to make daily walks part of their routine. Hiking or even camping would be even better. Ellie would make an excellent hiking companion for someone looking for a dog who can keep up on the trail and then come home ready to relax with her person. Despite her strong opinions about how everyone else should behave, Ellie is actually a pretty easygoing and independent girl. She doesn't need constant entertainment, but she does want to be included, loved, and given a purpose. She is affectionate, loves giving kisses, and has an enormous amount of personality packed into her short and stocky body. Ellie is a really good girl who simply needs the right person. She needs someone who understands Heelers, appreciates their intelligence and instincts, and knows that a dog who was bred to manage livestock may occasionally decide the household needs managing too. With the right structure, training, exercise, and guidance, Ellie has all the potential to be an incredible companion. If you're looking for a happy, smart, adventurous, food-motivated hiking buddy who will keep you laughing and occasionally remind you that you're doing everything wrong, Ellie might be exactly the manager you never knew you needed. Est DOB 2/25/26

Contact

Hope Ranch Animal Sanctuary
Riverside County
Anza, California 92539

Kelly Johnson 951-838-6557 ;Kathy Haley 951-515-4077

Email