Ducati

SPECIAL NEEDS

Ducati aka "Duke" is a good-sized, handsome black and tan longcoat male. He is around 5 years old and weighs in at about 70 pounds. He was an owner surrender to a Sacramento shelter when his family no longer could afford him.

Duke is crate-trained, housebroken and rides nicely in the car. He may whine for a short time if kenneled, but then settles down. He knows some basic commands such as Sit, Down, and Come and walks fairly well on leash.

Duke has pannus, a disease common to German Shepherds. Pannus is a plaque build-up on his corneas causing him to be visually impared, but that doesn't slow him down much. He is now on medication to help clear the build-up, his eyesight is improving but it is unknown how much of it will return. He will need inexpensive eyedrops the rest of his life to keep the plaque from getting worse.

While he occasionally runs into still objects that are narrow (a pole for instance), and is a little unsure of stairs and steep or uneven terrain, he has no trouble navigating around the house or his yard. When Duke is unsure of something (going up or down a flight of stairs) he will whine and fuss, but with patience can be coaxed to do the things he is unsure of, and will quickly be able to do it on his own.  Duke is able to see shadows, and enjoys chasing them.  Because he tends to obsess over them, this drive and focus needs to be turned into something more productive.  Hopefully if his sight improves enough, he will be able to play ball or find another game or job that will be more rewarding for him.

This very sweet boy gets along with the other large dogs in his foster home so far. He has appropriately greeted small dogs, so may be able to live with one under careful supervision. Although Duke likes other dogs, he is very people-oriented. This boy just wants to be loved. He would probably be ok as an only dog or with another one for company.

NO CATS.

This is a Level 3 Dog. Please be sure you understand what a dog of this Level requires.

Added January 2012

 

Shelter pictures from January 2012.