Heathcliff

Meet Heathcliff

One of four siblings who arrived as adorable puppies, quite frankly, we’re beginning to wonder why nobody has fallen head over heels for his particular brand of charm. Unlike his literary namesake, this Heathcliff is far more interested in people than brooding on the moors - he’s a confident, clever boy who picks up instructions quickly, especially when there are treats involved. Give him a little time and he’ll soon know exactly where the goodies are kept!

Heathcliff loves to play, chase toys and generally make the most of every opportunity for fun. He shares his pen with his brother Bandit (one ear up, one ear down…) and several other high-energy Malinois mixes, so there is rarely a dull moment - and sometimes it’s almost impossible to tell the brothers apart as they race around playing and chasing each other. But once the initial excitement settles, Heathcliff reveals his favourite role: professional cuddler. If there’s a rival for your attention, he will quite shamelessly barge them out of the way and tell them, in perfectly clear dog language, that it’s his turn now (and always). For those few precious moments, you are quite simply the most important human on the planet.

Getting out for walkies is also high on Heathcliff´s list of favourite pastimes - he´s fairly good on the lead, although he can pull a little when the excitement gets the better of him - he’s still young, after all, and there is a whole outside world he is desperate to explore. He has never experienced life outside the shelter, so his new family will need to be prepared for a learning curve as he discovers that the rules in the real world are somewhat more extensive than ‘sit for a treat’. He will need plenty of patient, consistent training to help him understand boundaries and learn how to behave appropriately in all those new situations - meeting strangers, encountering other dogs, visiting new places, travelling, and all the other everyday experiences that most dogs gradually learn about as they grow up. He is a bright boy who wants to learn though, and with the right guidance we think he will relish having someone to teach him all about this mysterious thing we call normal life.

What Heathcliff really deserves is a companion who will enjoy being part of that process - someone ready for the energy, enthusiasm and occasional youthful chaos, but who can also see the wonderfully affectionate, clever dog underneath it all. Give him time, patience, boundaries and plenty of positive reinforcement, and we suspect this particular Heathcliff could become very attached indeed. He may have a rather dramatic name, but what he really wants is surprisingly simple: someone to love, someone to learn from, and someone who will agree that when it comes to cuddles, he should probably be first in line.