Entered: 06/30/2021
Status: Adopted
Age: 1
Color: Liver/White
Weight: 45 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Northampton, PA
Health: UTD, HW-, successfully treated for Giardia, benefiting from vet recommended prescription urinary diet and urinary supplement for elevated PH level and crystals in urine, treatment completed for infected neck lump
Temperament: Good with all people as young as 6, but could knock over little ones in his exuberance, good with other dogs, good with cats
Original: “He will play ball all day if allowed. Toss it, he’ll run to get it, catches it most of the time and will bring it right back.”
Ziggy was surrendered to MAESSR when his Pennsylvania owner realized this young fieldie had way too much energy for the family.
Ziggy is a very friendly boy, good with all he meets. He has met small children on his walks and interacted with a visiting 6 year old in the yard. Ziggy has met dogs on his walks and did very well. He also met the neighbor’s German shepherds and wanted to play. Similarly, he met the resident cat with no issues—except for trying to eat the cat’s food!
This handsome fellow is housetrained and has had no accidents at all. He will bark to be let outside to do his duties. He has learned the doggie door and will use that readily if he needs to “go”; otherwise, if door is closed, he will bark and stand by the door. Ziggy is crate trained and is crated when his foster mom has to leave. He is also crated at bedtime in the bedroom with his foster mom. Ziggy is quite aware of when it’s time to be crated and puts on his sad puppy face look. Foster mom is teaching him to “crate up.” Most times when led gently to the crate, Ziggy will walk right in.
Mr. Z’s house manners are very good. He will rarely try to counter-surf, but quickly gets down when told “down.” This behavior is subsiding. He is not a trash diver. Ziggy will jump up on the bed but will get down when told. He’ll lie on his elevated bed at times or on the rug on the floor. This love is still a pup, so there are things he’ll pick up to chew, like his foster mom’s flip flops, but they can be taken from him with no issue, to be put in a safe place.
This is one smart boy!! He knows “drop it,” “come,” “sit,” “paw,” “wait,” “down,” and “heel.” Heel works well when leash is reined in on walks. He has learned to wait at intersections for the okay to go forward. At feeding time, Ziggy eats in the kitchen; he knows to “sit” and “give paw,” and waits as foster mom puts his bowl down. He is told to wait until told okay to go eat. A true gentleman, he also takes treats very gently.
Ziggy loves to go for his walks, twice a day, sometimes three depending on the heat. He wears a harness and gets very excited when he sees his foster mom reach for the harness and leash! He loves to smell everything on his excursions out! When he sees the squirrel in the street, Ziggy will stop and stand still, until the squirrel runs; he would love to be able to chase it!
In the car, Ziggy rides well, staying in one place and looking out the window. He also likes to sit on the deck and watch the birds at the bird feeder, but will chase them if they fly in the yard. In fact, he did catch one poor bird that couldn’t fly; after a bit of convincing his foster mom was able to obtain the then deceased bird.
This lucky Springer has many toys. Some he plays with and may chew them up; if it’s stuffed, he will play with it and then de-stuff it. His ultimate favorite is the ball! He will play ball all day if allowed. Toss it, he’ll run to get it, catches it most of the time and will bring it right back. He will drop it when told or he’ll just drop it on his own in front of his foster mom to be tossed again and again and again! There is a baby pool in the yard which Ziggy loves–swimming is a must for him! With all the ball tossing, he will stop and go into the pool and lie down, at times playing with the ball in the water before bringing it back to his foster mom to continue on with the ball playing! Ziggy will rest and take a nap, but only after the ball is taken from him and “hidden!!”
Ziggy is very, VERY attached to the balls he loves. His original owner stated that he would guard his ball from other dogs. If other dogs respected that it was HIS ball, all was well and he played happily with them.
This youngster likes belly rubs, cuddling and sitting/lying close to his foster mom. He will follow her everywhere! A typical velcro Springer!!
Ziggy has not been professionally groomed yet as his hair is not long, but he fares well with brushing while wanting to play while it’s being done. He has no problem with having his ears checked, but again may want to play! His nails are short, so his foster mom has not had to clip them, but she consistently massages his paw so he’s used to and likes his paws being handled. Ziggy did well at the vet office, no issues. Thunderstorms and fireworks are of no concern for him. He just stops and listens.
As the day comes to an end, after walking, playing, ball tossing, Ziggy will sit on the deck with his foster mom and chase fireflies when he sees them–sometimes eating them. At bedtime, after he’s crated, he will sleep well, sometimes looking at the TV especially if he hears a dog bark on it. Ziggy is quiet all night, not needing to go out. When morning comes, his active day starts all over, and he looks forward to his walks and ball!
Ziggy is a great dog!! He is friendly, loving, smart and very active. This guy would love to have an active, loving family with a big, fenced in yard for play! If you are looking for a fabulous active dog to enrich your life and keep you busy and entertained, then Ziggy is the one!