Next up, Theo the chonky sausage roll! Theo is a four-year-old black lab who came to MUTTS as an owner surrender through no fault of his own. This big guy is always looking for someone to hang with and is even more tickled if they’re willing to share a snack! He is the perfect pal to lounge in the yard with and he can’t wait to kick off the summer with his new family!

Theo loves the following, in no particular order: breakfast, dinner, treats, playing fetch, sunbathing and being allowed on the couch! He knows the key to life is remembering to stop and smell the flowers (literally – Theo loves to embrace the flora and fauna!) and that it’s even more enjoyable with your favourite pal alongside for the ride. Theo is a very loyal guy who thrives when he’s with his people. He’d be a great match for a family who spends a lot of time at home and who doesn’t mind a very large shadow! Bonus points are awarded to a family who is happy to let the dog join them on the couch or bed. He’s working on these boundaries but it’s hard when he knows those are the best locations for a) a nap and b) close proximity to his humans! The need to be close is partly the result of anxiety: Theo does not like being separated from his primary caregiver and can be pushy. On the flip side, he also has moments of being completely chilled out, so with time and consistency, the goal is to help Theo achieve a happy medium!

Theo’s perfect weekend is a simple combination of playing fetch, curling up on the couch with a great show, and a slow walk around the ‘hood so he can catch up on the local news via sniffing. At 114lbs, Theo is a big guy and is working on dropping a few pounds. Right now his walks are shorter (he’s a bit of a puller and prefers to walk on his handler’s right side), but as he loses weight he will likely require more exercise. Theo believes this is totally unfair - it’s not his fault he’s hungry all the time (classic lab)! In fact, even though he promptly rings his dinner bell at 3pm each day (by barking), his fosters refuse to serve his dinner until 5pm! His love of food means he’s often crated while his family eats, which leads to some protesting. Speaking of the crate, Theo isn’t a fan but will enter if his foster hides kibble inside (are we surprised?)!

Theo would be the perfect family dog since he loves being around his people! When meeting new humans, he’s eager to sniff and check them out but is quickly distracted by other activities. Same goes for his interactions with children, although he has been tempted to jump up with excitement. Given his big size, this could be troublesome for smaller kids so his adoptive family will want to continue working on his manners! With other dogs, Theo is fairly indifferent, favouring humans to canines. We think he would be fine to live in a condo or one-story home, provided there is enough space. Theo really enjoys curling up in the sun on a warm day and sniffing the air, so regular access to an outdoor space is key.

Theo is neutered, microchipped and up to date with his vaccines. He’s 100% potty trained and will either bark or paw at the door when he needs a bathroom break. Theo is currently taking thyroid meds twice daily, which will potentially be a long term commitment. He’s also on a hydrolyzed protein food to test for possible allergies. Theo’s adoptive family will need to continue with these, as well as committing to helping Theo lose some weight.

There’s no better way to kick off the summer season than with a best pal by your side and we know Theo’s the perfect guy for the job!

SOCIABILITY: Humans (adults and kids) and dogs; not cat tested
ENERGY: Low-medium
QUIRKS: He loves to herd his foster family – he will move behind them to try and redirect you toward his desired location!
TRAINING NEEDS: Continued leash skills, continued basic obedience, prey drive
MEDICAL NEEDS: Theo takes thyroid meds twice daily (potentially long term); currently on hydrolyzed protein food to test for possible allergies; would benefit from losing weight
WEIGHT: 114lbs
FOSTER LOCATION: Keswick