Buford

Buford is a big boy with arresting eyes that pierce right through you. His shaggy dark coat and tall stature paint a beautiful picture. We think that he is likely a livestock guardian dog/herding breed mix. He is slow to warm up, but once his faith has been placed in you, it is unshakeable. He strongly prefers women but will adjust to men if given enough patience. About a year ago, Buford began showing up at his Good Samaritan's home, at this point still a puppy, and slowly allowed himself to be tamed. He spent time between two properties, making friends with dogs, children, and anyone else. However, the time for him to find his own home has come! He has spent long enough outside, with no family to call his own, and boy is he ready to claim his special someone. Buford was actually adopted out but unfortunately was not taken care of well by the adopter and had to come to the facility. In that space of time, he was also fostered and we learned a lot about him! He does great with other dogs, male and female, and is learning to listen to body language and be respectful. He is housebroken too. He can be prone to separation anxiety, but as long as he is not alone in a home, he's got perfect manners. Buford is a great example of what we call a "velcro" dog-- he cannot physically get close enough to you. Observant and loyal, he tempers his seriousness and focus on his job with lots of sheppy silliness and personality. Talkative and playful, he's so much fun to spend time with. He's also got pretty fantastic leash manners! He will play fetch but just as much prefers to romp around and wrestle. He is enthusiastic about meeting and playing with other dogs. With admirable and enduring optimism, Buford would do best with a tolerant dog, or one who is equally as playful. Buford's best home situation would be someone who is either home all of the time or has some know-how with regards to following a separation anxiety counter conditioning protocol. He is very trainable but does struggle with separation anxiety and can be destructive under stressful circumstances. His foster also felt that he showed some promise as a service dog -- he is attentive and alert to his handler and has some inherent public access manners and leash manners -- quiet, polite, doesn't pull, ignores everyone but the handler, no accidents. His aversion to older men is likely easily worked through. Prepare for this handsome guy to steal your heart, first with his good looks and then immediately afterward with his ridiculously charming and buoyant joy and goofiness.