Dove is an adorable, intelligent, and deeply observant 4-year-old Mini Australian Shepherd who truly embodies so many of the traits people love about Aussies. She takes her role as household “supervisor” very seriously—always watching, learning, and keeping an eye on both her people and her dog friends.
Dove came from a small backyard breeder, and because of her past, the world can still feel overwhelming and unfamiliar. She is a more sensitive, fearful dog who will need a very patient and understanding home—but despite her challenges, Dove is genuinely a
happy
girl. Her little tail is almost always wagging, and she clearly finds joy in being part of a home and a routine.
While she may not show affection in traditional ways, Dove bonds deeply in her own quiet way. She likes to stay within eyesight of her person, wags when spoken to, and settles nearby just to be close. Her love is subtle, gentle, and incredibly special.
Dove absolutely adores small dogs and will require another small, confident dog in her home. She looks to them for comfort and companionship and truly lights up around them, often adjusting her energy to match theirs in a very sweet, intuitive way.
Because of her sensitive nature, Dove can feel overwhelmed in loud or busy environments and will thrive in a calm, structured home that understands and respects her boundaries.
She is still learning that she is safe, and her adopter will need to meet her where she is without rushing the process. Human touch is still very scary for her, and she is not currently able to be handled, though she has made small, meaningful progress. Because of this, she is a high flight risk and will need extremely secure handling and containment. A secure, fenced yard is strongly preferred, as leash work is currently very challenging for her.
Dove also cannot do stairs or jumping, so a single-level home where she can move around comfortably or a home where stairs are not required to go in and out would be beneficial. Due to her handling sensitivities and current setup, she is not yet potty trained and will need continued patience and support in this area. She also shows signs of kennel trauma and cannot be crated or confined, but she does very well when left loose in the home and typically settles quickly to rest.
Despite everything, Dove is incredibly smart, curious, and playful. Her little brain is always working, and she loves toys, puzzles, and especially “collecting” treasures around the house—anything from socks to towels to boxes. Her adopter should be prepared for a bit of dog-proofing to keep her safe and set up for success.
Medically, Dove has a fat sensitivity and will need to remain on a prescription low-fat diet long-term, along with using a slow feeder bowl.
Dove will be a great companion for someone who understands and is willing to give her the time and space she needs, she is truly something special. Watching her slowly build trust, feel safe, and begin to experience life with confidence is an incredibly rewarding journey.
If you have the patience, heart, and environment Dove needs, she will absolutely be worth it!
Please note that some of our dogs are obtained from shelters, surrendered to our care, or released from breeders. Each animal's bio is based on our experience of the animal within our care, an educated guess based on physical characteristics, temperament and information shared. Each dog receives basic grooming when coming into rescue, but for some dogs they have not received grooming attention until recently and grooming may be required shortly after adoption. This will be at the adopter’s expense, so we encourage you to research the breed and be prepared for grooming expenses. Underdog cannot guarantee hypoallergenic or non-shedding qualities of any dogs in our rescue. Some of the animals come from situations where they are lacking experience in a home and confidence in humans. In turn, they require another companion dog and/or a fenced in yard in their forever home in order for them to feel safe. If you are interested in a particular dog whose bio states those needs and do not currently have them, please understand that your home might not be the right fit. Please use the filter on our Adoptable Dogs page to find the perfect match for your home.
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