Rio is a sweet, gentle boy who has already experienced both love and loss in his life. He originally came to us a few months ago after his owner sadly became homeless and could no longer keep him. He was briefly adopted but returned to our care, as his strong lead skills and occasional reactivity to other dogs proved challenging for his adopter to manage.

Despite these setbacks, Rio remains the affectionate, devoted companion he’s always been. He enjoys his walks and loves adventures, though he can be vocal at times when meeting other dogs and he can pull on the lead when excited. He does respond well to corrrection though so this is encouraging. He’s a gentleman in every other way, relaxing quietly in his kennel, snuggling into his cosy bed, and showing just how gentle and trusting he can be. Volunteers are happy to take him out because he is such a good boy and well-behaved on walks. He knows commands like sit, paw, and wait, so he’s very well-mannered. He’s kennel clean almost all the time.

Rio would thrive with adopters who have experience with dogs that can be reactive and are willing to work patiently with him. He could be homed as an only dog if given plenty of attention and companionship, or with another kind, laid-back dog. He is not suitable for a home with cats or small furries.

Having lived in a home before, Rio is likely familiar with house training, though he will need a little time to settle back into home life. He had come to us slightly overweight and had some weakness in his back legs, so gentle exercise and a balanced diet has helped him return to a healthier weight but we are still monitoring this. He is taking Yumove to support his joints, and losing weight should bring him even more comfort in his golden years.

It is heartbreaking to think that Rio has spent much of his life in a home and now finds himself in rescue at his age. Yet, he remains a loving, gentle soul, patiently waiting for a family to open their hearts to him. With love, care, and understanding, Rio will make a devoted and affectionate companion, bringing warmth and loyalty to the lucky family who welcomes him home.

Can live with other dogs

This dog can be homed with a resident dog.