Buddy

Buddy is a senior GSP with a youthful spirit, a big personality, and an even bigger love of being close to his people. At 57 pounds, this sweet, affectionate guy is happiest when he’s right beside you—preferably snuggled up as close as physically possible. He gives intense little kisses, loves attention, and would happily make himself your full-time cuddle buddy.

Don’t let his senior status fool you—Buddy is active and playful. He enjoys walks, indoor ball games, and especially his stuffed toys. He enjoys 1.5-mile walks with plenty of hills, so he can keep up with an active household. He has decent leash manners, although he does pull some, and he knows or is learning sit, wait, and come.

Buddy is wonderfully easygoing with the world around him. He has done great with dogs, cats, and children and isn’t bothered by normal household noises. He lives with both an energetic dog and cats, and he simply ignores the cats—even sleeping next to them in bed. When his canine foster brother gets pushy or barky, Buddy doesn’t engage; he just carries on with his day. He’s also been great with an energetic, loud, and unpredictable 8-year-old and a calmer 10-year-old kid. He loves car rides and hasn’t shown an interest in chasing squirrels.

He’s house-trained and has done well having the run of the house while his foster family is away for up to three hours. He may howl when his people first leave or when he can see them outside, but once they’re actually gone, he settles down. He also did fine in a crate at the veterinary clinic.

Now for the important part: Buddy is loud. He has a truly impressive howl that is more beagle than GSP, and he can be quite whiny when he wants attention—especially when someone is cooking. He also likes to follow his people around the house and has a hard time settling unless he’s right next to them. Because of his vocal nature, an apartment or other close-quarters living situation probably isn’t the best fit.

Buddy doesn’t love being restrained or handled by the vet and needs sedation for nail trims. He may also growl if someone tries to take something from his mouth or give him medication, so his future family should respect his boundaries and use appropriate handling techniques. Buddy has been diagnosed with mitral valve disease/heart murmur (does not need medications) and has some age-related lumps and bumps. He recently had a dental cleaning and is all spruced up for his next home!

Overall, Buddy is a genuinely sweet, social, easygoing dog who has plenty of life and personality left in him. If you’re looking for a devoted companion who wants to participate in everything you do—and doesn’t mind providing an exceptional amount of snuggle time—Buddy may be your guy. Just be prepared for the howl!