Buddy Smoosh Town Favorite

Buddy feels like the kind of dog who should come with a porch, a couple acres, and a standing invitation to be included in absolutely everything. Big ol' smoosh-face energy, a giant-hearted best friend, enthusiastic walking buddy, couch snuggler, toy collector, and daycare socialite – he somehow manages to be both a "let's go do stuff!" dog and a perfectly content "melting into the couch beside you" dog all at once.

At just about a year old and already 87 lbs, Buddy is a young dog with growing and learning still to do, but what shines through immediately is just how social, affectionate, and genuinely good-natured he is. Rescue rules apply, so breed and age are our best guess, but we suspect some Anatolian/Pyrenees/Lab type magic in the mix. Go watch Buddy Big Smoosh on YouTube, then come right back to read more about this lovable galumph of a dog who genuinely seems appreciative and delighted to be part of the world.

Buddy is currently fostered in a loving home with two resident dogs, and according to his foster, he slid into family life like he had always belonged there. After a thoughtful introduction period, he now spends his days playing, lounging, sharing space, and generally enjoying life alongside his dog friends. He has also attended daycare with dogs of all sizes and continues to show himself to be social, playful, and appropriately communicative with other dogs. One of the things we really loved seeing during our time with him outside of his foster home was how nicely he reads the room with other dogs. He enjoys play, absolutely, but he also takes breaks, respects dogs that are not interested, and recovers quickly from moments of stress without overreacting.

People? Buddy thinks people are excellent. He was loving and confident with everyone he met, happily accepted handling, rolled over for affection, and handled new environments, noises, and activity with an easygoing attitude. When we spent the afternoon with him, he was surrounded by new people and he soaked up attention from strangers like it was his full-time job. He especially gives off that "big friendly dog at the brewery patio hoping someone shares fries" kind of charm.

His foster lovingly calls him Smoosh Face because one of his favorite activities is snuggling up on the couch beside his people. Despite his size and playful side, he settles beautifully in the home. He enjoys chew toys, rotates through the toy basket, happily entertains himself, and is very capable of winding down after exercise or play. His foster describes him as smart, eager, and quick to learn, and he already kennels on command at home. He rides well in the car too, calmly hopping in and relaxing for the trip.

Ideal Home

Buddy would thrive with an adopter who understands large breed dogs and has room in both their home and lifestyle for a young dog who still needs continued guidance and structure. What we are seeing right now is a well-socialized, stable young dog, with likely livestock guardian genetics, so adopters should be thoughtful of this as he matures. Right now he is wonderfully social and easygoing, and continued positive exposure, leadership, and appropriate boundaries will help him continue growing into the best version of himself.

He could potentially live in a larger apartment with an active adopter committed to daily outings and exercise, but truthfully, Buddy would probably be happiest with space to stretch his legs, a yard to roam, and people who enjoy including their dog in everyday life. He has done well around cats in controlled settings, though we would recommend dog-savvy cats and thoughtful introductions. Older kids or teens would likely be a lovely fit given his size and youthful enthusiasm.

Ongoing Health

Buddy is up-to-date on all vetting, which includes DAPP with booster, Bordetella, Rabies vaccine, multiple broad spectrum deworming treatments, spay/neuter, flea prevention, and a 12-month heartworm preventative injectable. He has also had a heartworm test and any necessary treatment.

Training & Support

Now, Buddy is still a young, large dog, and occasionally that youthful enthusiasm shows up in the form of "I would very much like to play RIGHT NOW." His foster notes that he can sometimes be a little slow to pick up on their older dogs' "leave me alone" signals, not in a concerning way, just in that lovable young-dog way where the brain occasionally takes a second to catch up to the body. Overall though, his social skills are genuinely very nice.

Application Details:

• Applications start by contacting us through Wags.
• The adoption fee is $1200.
• Texas adopters must pick up from the Houston area.

Transportation

We facilitate adoptions nationwide using our rescue-run USDA-certified transport system, ensuring every pet travels safely and comfortably with 24/7 care. Our transport includes drop-off locations in WA, UT, OR, ID, VA, PA, OH, NY, CT, VT, TN, KY, WI, MN, IL, WI and Canada (pick up in Bellingham, WA, Buffalo, NY or Brattleboro, VT for Canadian adopters). You will have the opportunity to track their journey in real time, see photo updates, learn fun facts, and connect with fellow adopters and fosters through our private Facebook event page!

Buddy is currently located in Texas.