Meet Yogi: An Energetic, Loving Companion Ready for His Perfect Home

Yogi is a stunning, sweet-natured two-year-old (born November 2022) shepherd cross with likely Rhodesian Ridgeback traits. He has been with us since he was six months old after starting his life in a pack environment in Cyprus. While we absolutely adore him and have worked hard to help him adjust to life as a pet, it has become clear that our rural, multi-dog household isn’t the best match for his needs. Yogi is a big-hearted boy who thrives on structure, focus and one-on-one attention, and we are dedicated to finding him a new home where he can truly shine.

What Makes Yogi Special

• Sweet and Eager to Please – Yogi is incredibly affectionate and loves attention. He’s happiest when showering you with kisses and soaking up belly rubs.
• Highly Trainable – He’s smart, attentive and food-driven, making training a breeze. He already knows commands like “sit,” “wait” and “here” and is quick to learn new ones.
• Great on Walks – Yogi enjoys his walks, handles well on a lead and can be let off-lead once trust is built.
• Sociable with Dogs in Neutral Settings – Yogi has successfully socialised with many dogs in group settings, including playing well with over 50 other dogs at the Red Collar Retreat in Angus.
• Crate Trained & Routine-Loving – He thrives in a structured environment, is crate trained and finds comfort in routine.
• Health & Vitality – Neutered, microchipped and in excellent health, Yogi is the picture of a robust, energetic dog ready for adventure.

Things to Know About Yogi

• High Prey Drive – Yogi has strong hunting instincts and will chase wildlife, small animals and livestock if given the opportunity. He is not suitable for a home with cats, rabbits, guinea pigs or poultry. He poses too much of a threat to our two cats and has been unable to coexist peacefully with them.
• Protective Instincts – While he is friendly and sociable, he has shown protective behaviours towards those he considers part of his pack. He needs a confident owner who can provide clear boundaries and structured training to manage this.
• Escalates Quickly – Yogi can escalate from calm to highly reactive in a short space of time when he feels threatened or overstimulated. This led to a fight with our other dog where his intensity was challenging to manage. While this behaviour aligns with his protective instincts and breed traits, it’s something a new owner must understand and be equipped to handle.
• Escape Artist – Yogi’s athleticism and intelligence mean he requires secure fencing (1.9m or static panel fencing) to keep him safe.
• Excitable and Strong – He is a big, powerful dog who can be enthusiastic when greeting people or in stimulating environments. He may unintentionally knock over small children, so a home with older children or adults would be best suited to him.
• Single Pet Preferred – While he has been friendly with other dogs in neutral settings, Yogi would be happiest as the only pet in a calm home where he can soak up undivided love and attention.

Ideal Home for Yogi

Yogi would flourish in a semi-rural home with a spacious garden where he can explore safely. A family with older children or an adult-only household would suit him best—he loves kids but may accidentally knock over smaller ones with his size and enthusiasm. His perfect home will be one where he gets plenty of physical and mental stimulation, like long walks with opportunities to explore smells and open spaces. He’s a loyal and loving companion who will repay your time and attention tenfold with his boundless affection and zest for life.

While he has shown dominance behaviours when overstimulated, these can be managed with training, clear boundaries and the right environment. Yogi is a wonderful dog with so much potential, and as he matures out of puppyhood, his eagerness to bond with his owner(s) will only grow.

Why We’re Rehoming Yogi

Making the decision to rehome Yogi has been heartbreaking. He is a cherished family member, but after a recent incident with our other dog and ongoing challenges with our two cats, it’s clear that the environment we’re providing is too stimulating for him. He is trying so hard to fit into our setting, but it’s not fair to him or our other pets. We are determined to find Yogi a home where his needs are fully met and his wonderful qualities can truly shine.

If you think you can provide Yogi with the love, structure and adventure he needs please contact the office directly on 01224 208989 or click on “Request to adopt Yogi now”.