Luca

Luca is an incredible boy who has come into our care from a breeder in search of a fresh start. He already knows his name very well, so it would be nice if his adopters kept his name.

Luca was previously used as a fake security dog and spent most of his life living outdoors, but beneath his impressive appearance is a real softie. He is easy to handle and genuinely enjoys human company, although he understandably found kennel life quite stressful when he first arrived and would often pace his kennel and the exercise yard, struggling to settle.

As Luca has become familiar with the routine, his surroundings and the staff at Many Tears, his confidence has grown enormously. One of the biggest changes we have seen is his newfound love of toys. For the first couple of weeks, he showed no interest in them at all, but now he absolutely adores them! His favourite game is a good game of fetch in the big yard, where he happily charges after his ball with great enthusiasm.

Like many large, playful dogs, Luca can occasionally become overexcited during play. He may jump up to catch the ball or become a little mouthy in his excitement. He is a gentle boy who simply gets carried away when he is having fun. Because of his size and strength, we are helping him learn commands such as sit, wait and drop, as well as encouraging calmer play so he can enjoy himself without becoming overstimulated. This training will be important for his future adopters to continue, as an overexcited Luca could unintentionally knock over someone who is less steady on their feet.

Although he loves chasing a ball, Luca's absolute favourite toys are cuddly toys! He delights in carrying them around and showing off his softer side, which perfectly sums up his character. He really is a big, lovable boy with a wonderfully playful personality.

For now, Luca will need to be the only dog in his home. He has not been kennelled with any other dogs while with us and currently does not mix with them. Luca has had very little basic socialisation with other dogs throughout his life, so we are putting a muzzle-training plan in place with the aim of eventually being able to carefully trial him around other dogs. Until we know more, however, he must remain an only dog and his adopters will need to understand and respect this.

When out walking, Luca can pass other dogs well when they are at a suitable distance, but if another dog barks at him or comes too close, he can become reactive and may get worked up enough to grab at the lead. His future adopters will therefore need to be confident and experienced handlers who are willing to continue his muzzle training and carefully manage his environment. We would consider homing him with dog-savvy older teenagers aged 16+.

Luca is actually very settled when he is in his kennel on his own. He happily lies down in his bed surrounded by his favourite toys and is content to relax, which is a lovely contrast to how unsettled he was when he first arrived.

Luca already walks on a lead, although he can pull initially, so this is something his adopters will need to continue working on. He is an active, intelligent boy who would love a home where he can enjoy plenty of adventures, enrichment and quality time with his people. He is also a very strong dog who can jump and even open gates, so he will need a very secure garden and confident handlers who can safely manage his strength.

As Luca has spent most of his life outdoors, he will need to learn about house training and the other basics of home life, and his adopters will need to be patient and understanding while he learns. With consistency, kindness and plenty of encouragement, we are sure he will adapt well and enjoy discovering all the comforts that a family home has to offer. He is laid-back and loves to relax, so we think he will really enjoy home life.

Luca is an affectionate, loyal and wonderfully characterful boy. Now that he has settled and his playful personality has begun to shine, it has been a joy to watch him embrace life. In the right home, with structure, ongoing training and plenty of love, Luca will make an incredibly rewarding companion.

Luca has had one tooth extracted at the time of his neuter.

Luca has a travel document.

Luca has been given the Gift of Life by Lynne Hughes