Bertie
MALE | BORN APPROX SEPTEMBER 2024 | POODLE X LOWCHEN
LOCATED IN AUCKLAND
Meet Bertie, a 2-year-old Poodle x Löwchen who has places to go, dogs to meet, snacks to eat and absolutely no time to worry about the weather.
Bertie is a happy, inquisitive little guy who LOVES other dogs. Big dogs, small dogs, young dogs, old dogs... he’s not fussy. He loves a good play, but he’s equally happy just hanging out in their company. So far, he hasn’t shown any reactivity towards other dogs at all.
People are also very high on Bertie’s list of favourite things. He can take a little longer to warm up to men, but once he decides you’re alright, you’re in.
He recently had his first café outing and did really well. It took him a little while to settle because, obviously, there were approximately 4,732 things that required his immediate investigation, but that’s something we’ll keep working on.
Walks are currently less "casual neighbourhood stroll" and more "HELLO WORLD, I HAVE ARRIVED."
We’re working on loose-leash walking, but Bertie is extremely inquisitive and wants to explore everything. Interestingly, the boy who LOVES his kibble suddenly has no interest in food when there’s a whole world to inspect. Priorities.
Rain? Couldn’t care less.
Cars? Not his favourite yet, and he can be nervous getting in, but once underway he travels pretty well.
Vacuum cleaner? Absolutely suspicious. Zero stars. Would not recommend.
He already knows some basic commands including sit and come, is learning his name, and is doing really well with "place". He LOVES his bed and sleeps beautifully through the night.
The crate is still a work in progress. He takes a little while to settle, but he’s learning that it’s actually not such a terrible place to be.
Bertie also considers himself Head of Home Security and may alert you to important developments with his ridiculously cute little bark/howl. Whether those developments actually required alerting is another matter entirely.
One thing Bertie really needs is an owner who understands that love also comes with boundaries. He’s a clever little guy, and he’ll do best with someone who can give him consistency, structure and continue the training his foster home has started.
He also doesn’t need, or particularly benefit from, having someone with him 24/7. We want Bertie to continue learning that being by himself is completely okay. A home that encourages him to happily chill on his bed, settle in his crate and have some independent downtime will help him become a confident, well-rounded dog.
Bertie hasn’t been tested with cats. We think he would be better suited to a home with older, respectful children who understand when a dog needs a little space.
Bertie is fun, social, clever and curious, with a whole lot of personality packed into one fluffy little body. He’d love a home that will keep building his confidence, continue his training and give him plenty of opportunities to play, explore and be involved in life, while also teaching him that sometimes doing absolutely nothing is pretty great too.
Think Bertie might be your guy? Apply to adopt below
Further Info
Good with dogs: Yes
Good with cats: Untested
Good with other animals: Untested
Good with kids: Untested
Energy Levels: Medium
Home Experience Level: Need some experience
Health: Great
Weight: 6.3kg
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 Bertie? 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.
