Meet Merlin. He’s a bold and big-hearted senior who’s ready to barrel into your life with all the enthusiasm of a dog half his age.
Personality and Temperament: Merlin has presence. He’s not a wallflower—he’s a personality. Despite having zero formal training when he came into rescue, he picked up house routines quickly and figured out a tricky set of hardwood stairs entirely on his own. He’s smart, he’s social, and once he decides you’re his person, you’ll feel it.
Daily Life & Good Stuff: Merlin is still very much an active dog. He tears around the yard on enthusiastic sniff patrol, loves a good car ride, and is always up for more adventure. He’s food-motivated and a quick study when it comes to new routines. Give him a yak chew and a yard to explore, and he is one happy dog. He sleeps and eats in his crate comfortably and has adapted well to home life.
Other Dogs and Animals: Merlin has been a great housemate to his foster siblings and gets excited when it’s time to head outside together. He approaches other dogs calmly and has been easy to integrate into a multi-dog home.
Training & Skills: Merlin came to rescue with no prior training and didn’t even know his name, but don’t let that discourage you because he learns fast. He does best with structure and supervision indoors to help with housetraining, and since he’s deaf, visual cues and a tap for attention are his love language.
The Ideal Home for Merlin: Merlin would thrive with a somewhat active family who will laugh at his goofy personality, has a well-fenced yard, and can give him the companionship and movement he still very much craves.
Older? Sure. Slowing down? Absolutely not. Merlin is a strong, goofy, loving dog who has so much left to give—he just needs the right family to give it to. If you’re looking for a dog with gusto, personality, and a heart as big as his enthusiasm for life, Merlin is your guy.
Our adoption process begins with our adoption questionnaire: https://norcalgsprescue.org/adoption-questionnaire/
(Please note that we adopt primarily within Northern California and our minimum age for kids is 6)
If you'd like to see what Merlin’s been up to, check out his posting in the Available Foster Dogs section: https://norcalgsprescue.org/available-dogs/. That's where you'll find all the latest info about all of our available dogs.
