Murphy

Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler | Passaic, NJ

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About

Meet Murphy

Location: Jay, ME.   M is for Murphy: a 1 year old Australian Cattle Dog mix who would love to climb inside your skin, curl up around your heart, and melt into a slushy cuddle-puddle. Murphy is an affectionate, responsive velcro boy who will follow your every move, and then flop down at your feet - or better yet, in your lap - when you stop moving.    M is for Mischief, and just a dash of Mayhem: Murphy will greet you like a linebacker, surf your counters, snag your favorite sweater, and keep you laughing and swearing in equal measure at his goofball antics. Go ahead and try to stay mad at him - it’s impossible. His sweetness is like Kryptonite. Besides, as Heeler-savvy folks know, the wild-child stage doesn’t last forever, and he can’t be blamed for his lack of polished manners so far. That’s where you come in: with positive training and ample daily exercise, this smart and very food motivated boy is going to mature into a dream dog. Murphy’s temperament is softer and less hard-headed than many 100% Cattle Dogs. His energy level is more moderate as well. His perfect adopter will be ready to train with fun, creativity, and the desire to build a deep bond with this happy boy. And in return, Murphy will love you: without fail, without limits, to the last beat of his big, loyal, Cattle Dog heart.    Murphy is a friend to all, people and dogs alike. (He might be a friend to cats, but I doubt it. He has a very high prey drive, and personally, I wouldn’t risk it.)  He is playful with dogs and respectful of their cues. He has displayed some mild reactivity while crated towards the large male dog in his foster home, but that behavior is resolving as he gets more comfortable in this new environment. We have seen no other signs of reactivity in Murphy. Murphy is house trained, goes willingly into his crate, and rides well in the car. He settles nicely indoors, amuses himself with toys, and absolutely loves to snuggle. He walks well on a leash and will make a great hiking companion and adventure buddy. This social, athletic pup has the potential to be a go anywhere, do anything kind of guy. As we say in Maine, he’s a Wicked Good Boy.    Murphy will make a fun family dog, as long as your kids are sturdy enough to take a solid hit from a flying 40 pound Heeler. (See linebacker comment, above.) He is breed-typically mouthy and will need you to help him redirect that instinct. Until he has learned to keep all four on the floor and his teeth to himself, he is not a good match for a household with littles.  If you are a relaxed parent with Cattle Dog experience, and are comfortable with allowing your 10+ year olds to be enthusiastically play-mauled by an overly friendly and blissfully-unaware-of-personal-space bear, we can talk.    Murphy is neutered, microchipped, and up to date on vaccines and preventatives. He is being fostered in Maine. To facilitate meet-and-greets and transportation to his new home, preference will be given to New England adopters. Questions about Murphy? Send them to  [email protected]    Adoption applications can be submitted at   https://www.acdra.org/adoption-application

Adoption Process
ADOPTION FEES All puppies and adult dogs are up-to-date on vaccinations and monthly preventatives. All adult dogs are spayed / neutered. Puppies under 1 year: $350 Puppies too young to be spayed/neutered are adopted with a Spay/Neuter Contract which includes a $50 deposit which is refunded when you submit proof of spay/neuter. Age 1 - 6: $300 Age 7 - 9: $250 Age 10+: $100 Age 7+ adopted by a person 60+: FREE (Any donation is appreciated) Need our help transporting over 3 hours from foster home to adopter: $50 - $150 depending on distance (in addition to adoption fee). NOTE! All dogs are adopted with a 2-week trial period. If you decide the dog is not a fit for your household and the dog is returned to the rescue within 2 weeks of adoption, the adoption fee will be refunded.

Contact
Australian Cattle Dog Rescue Association
[email protected]
http://www.acdra.org