Hoss, STAR #2107

Hoss has a new family! Star Alum family, the Talbots, have welcomed Hoss into their home and Jenny, STAR #1307 ’17 is ready to show him the ropes. Thank you, Angela for fostering this big, gentle boy until Patti found him a wonderful home with a STAR Alum family.

Say hello to gentle, beautiful Hoss. This calm and empathetic 67-lb 8-year-old black tri has a gorgeous white collar that goes nearly all the way around his neck. He also has two beautiful dark copper eyes. Hoss wants to be with his people as much as possible but not in an annoying or intense way. He exudes warmth and tranquility. He just wants to lie at your feet if you are at rest and accompany you to your next task if you are on the move. He is eager for a good walk as well. And he loves to go in the car where he just lies down in the back seat and waits patiently to get to the next destination. Really whatever you want to do is fine with him as long as he is included.

Hoss does not seem very interested in toys or balls – what he craves is belly rubs and hugs. He will roughhouse on the floor some. He is very physical in a snuggly, loving way. He will try to bury that big, beautiful head of his all the way into your heart! He has been allowed to jump on people in the past but with consistency we were able to train him not to jump on us quite quickly. He can be a bit clumsy and forgets how big he is when he is super excited, but he is so eager to please that he rolls over and makes himself small at the first sign of displeasure at his exuberance. It’s positively adorable!

Hoss is on the submissive side with people, very sensitive to both praise and correction, and is live and let live with other animals who let him be. He does not chase our cat in the house or our chickens in the yard. He is free range indoors night and day with my much smaller dogs with no aggression whatsoever as long as they mind their own business. He will gently but firmly stand up for himself to other dogs who harass him though, and he is also a bit sensitive to screaming babies and toddlers. I think it is his empathy getting concerned for their well-being but I’m just not sure how he would be with having his ears or hair pulled by a young child considering he does not appreciate my mini-Aussie getting up in his face. He has been around older children and teenagers and is completely calm with them. He is also equally comfortable with male or female dogs—even those much smaller than himself—and from what I can tell he likes both men and women equally well.

Hoss is crate trained, completely house trained, and does not get car sick. He is leash trained to some degree, but he does not yet heel. He is great off leash in protected open areas, and he stays right with his person as they walk around even in very large, fenced areas. He seems to know the commands ‘sit’ and ‘stay’ to some degree. His recall to his name is prompt and very consistent. He has never ignored anyone calling him – he turns on a dime at the sound of his name even from a long distance.

Hoss does not show any reactivity to loud bangs or thunder. He barks very little at my house (and only to greet me after an extended absence), even when my other dogs start a chorus of yaps. He is interested in the goings on out the window but will only issue a low half rumble if concerned about something outside. He is curious and friendly to visitors without demanding to be the center of attention. He is very polite in public (such as at an outdoor cafe or passing neighbors out walking).

While Hoss is accustomed to and can tolerate long periods alone either loose in the house or in a crate, he may get lonely and a bit anxious until he learns your patterns. But once he is confident you will return to him, he is fine with being by himself. I believe Hoss would be happiest in a home with at least one other dog as he has always had other dog companions and having them with him comforts him. As far as I can tell he has never met another dog or person he didn’t want to be friends with. He would be equally happy in an adult only home or a home with adults and older children.

Hoss is currently residing in the West Lake Hills in Austin, and he can also be visited in the Dripping Springs and Johnson City area by appointment (especially on the weekends). He was just neutered and fully vaccinated at the end of April. He is heartworm negative and on preventative. He seems to be in very good health.

Hoss is truly an exceptionally gentle, calm, and well-behaved dog! To meet him is to love him. He deserves a stable family who will see him through his final years. Your loyalty will be paid back a hundredfold with the love and devotion of this obliging soul.

Meet Hoss, our newest gentle giant.  Hoss is an 8-year old black tri male and weighs 67 pounds.  He is extremely well behaved and gets along with the resident cats and dogs.  Hoss will be evaluated and vetted in the Austin area and should be ready for adoption mid-May.