Ander

Meet Ander

This superb-looking, young boy has one of those faces that is almost impossible to ignore - a striking brindle coat, bright brown eyes that seem to change with the light, and an intense gaze that has a habit of drawing you straight in. Add in a lovely nature, a playful streak and a serious appreciation of cuddles, and you have a pretty irresistible combination.

Ander is an alert, interested sort of chap. He likes to know what is going on, enjoys being part of the action and is always keeping an eye on the world around him. He is affectionate with people and has become a firm favourite with many of our staff and volunteers - and it's not difficult to see why. He has that lovely balance of being delighted to come over for some attention while still retaining his playful curiosity, wondering what everyone else is up to.

He also enjoys his walks, is good on the lead and loves getting out and about, particularly enjoying having a proper sniff around. There is a lot to investigate when you're a dog, after all, and Ander believes every interesting smell deserves a full and thorough inspection.

He does need a little more consistency with his training, particularly around other excitable dogs. Sometimes he can become reactive when another dog gets a little too enthusiastic, but we don't see this as aggression. It feels much more like a defensive response from a big, young dog who isn't entirely sure what to make of someone else's exuberance. With calm handling, clear guidance and continued positive training, we think this is something he can learn to manage very well.

Ander is a large dog, and that's worth taking into consideration when thinking about life with him. A Mastín-type cross can bring plenty of strength, intelligence and personality along with the obvious physical presence. He'll need an owner who is comfortable handling a powerful dog and who understands that good manners don't happen by accident. Consistent training, sensible boundaries, regular exercise and mental stimulation will all help him become the very best version of himself.

But large dogs can also make wonderfully rewarding companions. Once you've built that relationship, there's something rather special about having a big dog who chooses to be your shadow - a huge head appearing beside you, a serious-looking face asking for a cuddle, and a whole lot of dog happily settling into family life.

Ander has so much going for him. He's handsome, affectionate, playful, curious, enjoys his walks and is loved by the people who know him. He may need someone prepared to put in a little work, but we know the rewards will be enormous.

Could you be the person brave enough to take the plunge?

Come and meet Ander. Take him for a walk, spend some time getting to know him, look into those extraordinary eyes… and see if this superb boy might just be the one who steals your heart.