Ryder – ADOPTED

I’m Ryder, a 10-year-old purebred German Shorthaired Pointer. I’m a well trained dog in obedience with sit, come, and whoa. Both my mom and dad have hunted me and, in fact, I have my Junior Hunting title. I’m also crate trained although I don’t usually need a crate. I sleep there sometimes but I also sleep on a bed. And, of course, I never have accidents in the house anymore! Even though I am 10 years old and I do have some arthritis, I still want my running exercise, at least 4 or 5 times a week. And because I am a GSP with a strong prey drive, people should know that I need to have a yard with a secure 5-6 foot privacy fence. When my mom and dad aren’t at home I have the run of the house unless they are gone for more than 4 hours. Then I’m in an indoor-outdoor fenced run.

Other than outdoor, off-leash exercising and exploring smells, I love carrying my toys around. But best of all is being with my owners. My mom says I am sweet and gentle in 1 on 1 or 2 with humans although I’ve never been with children. I am very loving and want to be with my people. I’m a happy, friendly boy and get along with other dogs when I’m outside of my home but I am protective of my mom and dad in the house. I’ve had some experience being around horses and I’m very respectful of them. Cats? I’ve never been with them but I’m a GSP who has hunted so I’m assuming a cat might not be safe with me.

My family also has two other GSPs and I’ve been having trouble with the six-year-old male. Now that we are both older, I’m pretty sure we both want to be alphas and that’s always been my position in our pack. We’ve had some fights and my owners are having a really difficult time keeping us separated. That is the reason they feel I probably should have a different home of my own, without other male dogs. But I have recently been neutered. They have had me since my birth and are pretty upset about the thought of re-homing me especially because, for the most part, I am “an easy keeper.” But they want me to have lots of love from a family that can give me the time and attention that I really thrive on and provide a home that doesn’t have other dogs, especially mature males.