General

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Update 03/05/08:

General has a unique coloring to his coat. He is what is called a “sable” colored Springer. Many years ago a few sable-colored puppies would show up in litters. It is relatively uncommon these days since, according to the AKC guidelines, sable is not one of the accepted colors for English Springer spaniels. General is the first sable his foster mom has seen after dealing with hundreds of Springers.

Very quickly General has developed a true love of being an indoor dog. He has adjusted remarkably well to all the sounds and sights of life inside a home. He has marked a couple of times in his foster home but is quickly learning that is not acceptable. He is crate-trained and does not get on the furniture – although his family thinks he would if invited.

If you have an eye for a standout in looks as well as personality, ask about this fine boy. General is going to be one terrific companion for a lucky family!!!

Original:

General was turned into a shelter in western Pennsylvania when his family said that they had no time to care for him. They had told the shelter that he was mostly kept outdoors, and that with the cold winter months upon them, they thought he was better off in the shelter. But, the shelter was out of room, so they called MAESSR.

General is a large-framed, strikingly handsome tri-colored male. He rode quietly in a crate on the way to his foster home. General is not used to being inside of a house and is a little afraid of everyday household noises like the vacuum cleaner and garbage disposal. He must not have had to use steps in his outdoor life and was very leery about using them in a house; in fact, he would not go near them initially.

General loves being petted and loved on, and quickly rolls over to get his belly rubbed. He was good letting his foster mom brush out his coat and cut the mats away from his ears. While always on a lead line or in a fenced yard, General demonstrated his ability to come quickly on recall and sit at his foster mom’s feet when he was called. He knows sit and down but does not know the finer skills that he will need to know to live indoors. He is not fully housebroken, and does like to see what is on the counter. General will also need some work to learn to walk on a leash, but he is very smart and very anxious to please so his foster mom thinks he will be a quick learner.

General is good with the resident dogs in his foster home. He does not bother with their food bowls although he likes to eat and is slightly underweight. This senior boy has lots of energy and loves to retrieve tennis balls or anything else that is thrown in his direction.

General would do well in most home settings, but mostly needs a home that will patiently transition him from being an outdoor dog to an indoor dog.