08/18/2013:

We welcomed Chief to RAGOM at our home last weekend. This guy is E-A-S-Y. Gets along with kids, cats, other dogs and all people. He has a go-with-the-flow kind of personality. Loves to play fetch and will put it back into your hand after retrieving, but is not obsessive about it. Does not have a strong prey drive. Likes to swim, play with other dogs, loves walks, quiet in the house, often lays next to your chair but not on top of you, does not get in the garbage or counter surf, does a circling happy dance when he needs to go out, sleeps next to the bed. He is very gentle and will sit and come on command. He does not require a fence.

Chief turned 8 years old in March and weighs 65 pounds. He is a retriever mix with the strong build of a Lab, but a Golden Retriever face, a big black nose and beautiful, soft copper-colored fur with a white-tipped tail. His bark is very low and slow. He is up-to-date with vaccinations and receiving preventative heartworm and flea/tick treatments. He appears to have infections in both ears, because they were dirty and swollen when he arrived at our home. He is scheduled for a wellness exam at the vet this week, and likely will receive an antibiotic for the ears. At this time, his hearing seems somewhat impaired, but this may improve once the swelling and infection are treated with antibiotics.

Chief was adopted from a shelter in the Twin Cities last March and lived with a two-year-old. The family is expecting again and moved to an apartment which does not allow pets. His family wanted to find a loving home for Chief, so surrendered him to RAGOM. Prior to the Twin Cities shelter, Chief came from Missouri and we have no more information about his background. It is obvious that he has been well-cared for (except for his ears) throughout his life to this point. We would like to find a forever family for Chief that will give him regular exercise and fun each day.

Fine with kids -- yes
Gets along with cats -- yes
Gets along with other dogs -- yes
Fence required -- no
House trained -- yes
Walk nicely with leash -- yes, use Gentle Leader
Excessive barking -- no, only when strangers approach house
Aggression, resource guard food -- no
Destructive or chew inappropriate items -- no
Where sleep -- side of bed
Get into garbage -- no
Playful -- yes, loves fetch
Like to be groomed -- yes
Crate trained -- no