Benson
MALE | BORN APPROX JUNE 2019 | ROTTI X MASTIFF
LOCATED IN AUCKLAND
Meet Benson
Looking for a gentle giant whose idea of a perfect day is sunshine, a good walk and being close to his people? Meet Benson.
Benson is our beautiful, mostly blind foster boy, and quite simply, he is an absolute sweetheart. He may have low vision, but he certainly doesn’t let it stop him from enjoying life.
He’s settled into his foster home amazingly quickly. Within just a few days, he had mapped out where all FIVE water bowls were, learned to navigate his surroundings with fewer bumps, and started picking up verbal cues like “step up”, “step down”, “careful” and “it’s okay.”
On walks, Benson follows the jingle of his foster sister Leeloo’s collar and listens to gentle guidance from his “seeing-eye human”. He walks beautifully on lead once the initial excitement wears off and is learning that even those big, noisy trucks are nothing to worry about.
🐻 Benson’s report card
Friendly bear: 10/10
Toilet trips: 10/10
Dog friendly: 9/10
Big deep bark: 10/10
Wolf impression: 7/10
Eyesight: 3/10
Soft fur: 8/10
Big paws: 11/10
Snores: 5/10
Benson enjoys playing and making friends, but he’s equally happy doing absolutely nothing at all. Give him a sunny spot, plenty of pats and someone to lean against, and he’s in heaven.
He does well with calm, older dogs but would prefer not to share his home with young, bouncy dogs who might be a little too much for him.
Benson already knows sit, down, paw, crate and walkies, is toilet trained and loves being part of the family. We suspect he was once a very loved and well-trained boy before an unfortunate change in circumstances brought him into our care.
💛 Benson’s user manual
Because Benson can’t see you approaching well, he needs his humans to help him feel safe. Say his name or speak gently before reaching out to touch him so he knows you’re there.
Once he does?
Expect that tail to start wagging.
Benson is looking for a calm, relaxed home that will understand his low vision and give him the guidance he needs - along with plenty of sunshine, cuddles and companionship.
He doesn’t need anyone to feel sorry for him.
He just needs someone to be his eyes when he needs them, his safe place when the world gets noisy, and his favourite person to lean against in the sun.
Further Info
Good with dogs: Older calmer dogs
Good with cats: Might be okay with a confident cat
Good with other animals: Untested
Good with kids: No
Energy Levels: Low
Home Experience Level: Some experience needed
Health: Mostly blind but otherwise healthy
Weight: Large
A Note on Training and Adopting Our Dogs
Our dogs are wonderful, and we invest a great deal of time and effort into their training and preparation. However, no dog is “perfectly trained” or ready to adopt without any ongoing work.
All dogs go through normal life stages and changes — puppyhood, adolescence, adulthood, aging, moving homes, and adapting to new environments. Any of these can lead to stress, uncertainty, or moments of testing boundaries.
Because of this, ongoing training is essential. Training isn’t a one-off task; it’s a continual process that helps you understand your dog’s needs, support them through transitions, and set everyone up for long-term success.
We would expect adopters to maintain the training we’ve started and seek further guidance if needed. We’re always happy to help with information and recommendations for trainers, and provide advice during the trial and adoption process also.
Can't adopt <dogsname>? You can still help.
Although we charge a small adoption fee, this doesn't generally cover the costs of us getting our dogs ready for adoption. Desexing, grooms, vet care, vaccinations, registration, training and variety of other things can go into these dogs. If you'd like to help either on a one off or regular basis we would be grateful for your donation.
