by Lee Juslin

Donegal was little more than a puppy when he was found wandering the mean streets by a local rescue. Looking at his coloring and size, they thought he was a cairn and so called Col. Potter Cairn Rescue.

Thinking that he really wasn’t a Cairn, Col. Potter had him tested, and it turns out that Donegal is one half American Staffordshire Bull Terrier and one half Maltese. “He has a Basset shape,” said his foster mom, Cheryl, “and Poodle-like hair. I call him the ‘Accidental Designer Dog’.”

Donegal

If it weren’t for the fact that he is not a Cairn, he would be an easy placement, but since most–if not all–of the group’s applicants come to them looking for a Cairn, placing Donegal will be difficult. However, with his perpetual smiling look, his happy-go-lucky attitude and no health problems, he will be a plum for some lucky family.

Clearly he was cared for at one time as he is crate-trained, pretty much housebroken, uses a doggy door and knows Sit. Donegal is a dog that needs to be kept busy and chew toys need to be big and sturdy. Cheryl says, “At only twenty-five pounds, he’s big dog attitude in a small dog’s body, but he is very smart.” He does, however, have a rubber fetish!

Donegal loves kids and women but is shy with men, and this is something a new owner would have to work on. Currently, Cheryl has him in a training class to curb his exuberant personality and learn to walk on a leash, because he’s surprisingly strong and does pull when walking.

At home, Donegal is not an alpha dog. When Cheryl’s little twelve pound Cairn gives him attitude, he shrinks away from her and cries. He tends to be clingy and attached to his person whom he likes to keep in sight.

At just two years old, Donegal has a lot of puppy in him, so a good home would include a fenced in yard and a doggy pal to play with as he loves other dogs. In addition, he might be all right with an established cat in the home. He would also benefit from an active family with dog experience. He would be happiest with someone who works from home or has a part-time job, but he does well in his crate with treats and a chew toy. Donegal is a dog who needs a regular meal regimen as he tends to overeat if food is left out.

Donegal would also like a family with older children who could tussle with him and take him for walks, and he would need a family dedicated to continuing his training.

Donegal may not be a cairn, but he does have some terrier-tude and would make a great family member, so Cheryl and the other volunteers at Col. Potter hope the right adopter will come along soon.

If you would like to learn more about Col. Potter Cairn Terrier Rescue to donate, foster, volunteer, or apply to adopt sweet Donegal, visit their website or like them on Facebook page or their Facebook profile.

Check out more animal rescue & therapy animal stories in our Pets section.

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Lee Juslin is a free lance copywriter living in North Carolina with her husband, Scott, and her band of misfits: Tarquin, a Wheaten Scottish Terrier, and three handicapped cats. They can be seen on their website: Hampshire Hooligans. She owns I B Dog Gone, a small embroidery business and is the author of the Nurse Frosty books for children and Frosty’s Story: Tales of a Therapy Dog. She supports a number of national and regional terrier rescue organizations.