Additional information

• Is your pet comfortable around other dogs?
• No
• Is your pet comfortable around other cats?
• Unsure
• Winston has stayed around cats before and has been curious, however I would monitor early interactions.
• Is your pet comfortable around children?
• Comfortable with babies and children of all ages
• Why are you looking to rehome this pet?
• Winston lives with our other dog, Charlie. They have been together for many years, but they are very different dogs and have become increasingly incompatible living together. There is now a level of tension between them that neither seems able to fully switch off from. We've put a huge amount of work into managing their relationship over the years, including professional behavioural support, but we're now exploring whether Winston might actually be happier spending more time as an only dog. What has really led us to this point is seeing just how different both dogs are when they're apart. When Winston is away from Charlie, he becomes a particularly happy, playful and relaxed version of himself — almost puppy-like. Charlie is also much more relaxed and able to simply go about his day when Winston isn't around. We've had Winston for over 10 years and he and his adopted brother Charlie came over from Australia with us, so this is an incredibly difficult thing for us to consider. There is no immediate decision to rehome Winston and we aren't committed to a particular outcome. We're exploring whether there might be an arrangement that gives Winston a happier life, while also allowing Charlie to relax in his own home. This could potentially be occasional visits, regular days, weekends, longer stays, a semi-permanent sharing arrangement, or ultimately something more permanent if that genuinely proved to be the right thing for Winston. We'd want to take things very slowly, with multiple visits and plenty of time for everyone to get to know each other before deciding whether any particular arrangement is right. We're looking for the right person first, rather than a particular outcome.
• Ideal home
• Experienced pet owner
• Does your pet require a secure outdoor space?
• Yes

Description

Winston is a nearly 12-year-old Collie x Kelpie x Blue Heeler cross — but don't let his age fool you! He is still a very active, playful and energetic dog who loves getting out and about. He absolutely adores people. He's affectionate, funny, very food motivated and loves doing tricks. His favourite things include long walks, playing ball, exploring and generally being involved in whatever is happening. He still enjoys a couple of hours of exercise and enrichment each day. Winston is generally a very well-behaved boy. He has excellent recall, knows his basic commands and is very responsive to his people. He's an incredibly loving and fun companion with a huge personality. His main challenge is that he is sensitive and anxious around other dogs. He can react defensively towards unfamiliar dogs, so he needs to be an only dog and isn't suited to busy off-lead dog environments. Despite being nearly 12, Winston hasn't realised he's supposed to slow down with age! He loves playing ball and will happily bring his teddy back for you to throw again and again. He has been thriving on a nutritionally complete plant-based diet for several years, which we would ideally like to continue. We're deliberately open-minded about what Winston's future might look like. This is an incredibly difficult decision for us and we're not looking for a quick or straightforward rehoming. We're open to different possibilities, from regular days or weekends to longer stays, a semi-permanent sharing arrangement, or potentially something more permanent if that ultimately proved to be the right thing for Winston. Our priority is finding the right person and seeing what works for Winston, rather than deciding in advance what the arrangement has to be. We'd want to take things slowly, with multiple visits and plenty of time for everyone to get to know each other.