ZEMA AB#IN-18-067-2

Zema (rhymes with “Emma”)

Gender: Male/Neutered

Age: approximately 2 1/2 years

Size/Weight: 50+

Color: Black with splash of white on chest and a little under his chin.  Super silky thick black coat.

Breed: English setter mix

Good with Children: There are no children in my home. We’ve walked by some on walks, but he didn’t respond to them. 

Good with Dogs: Zema doesn’t initiate play with my English Setter, but will play when invited. Once invited he can hold his own as this boy has some wheels!  He was shy upon arrival (seemed obvious he hadn’t been on stairs) and followed me wherever I went in the house.  The shyness has diminished as he feels more secure and independently goes up and down the stairs and sometimes goes to sit in his crate.

Good with Cats: There are no cats in my home.

House trained: Yes and keeps his crate clean. 

Crate trained: Yes, goes in when I walk over by it with a training treat in hand.   He goes in easily and waits for the treat.  Doesn’t cry or get excited when I walk away.  The first week or so  I slept on the sofa next to the crate with my resident setter and he settled fine.  Now he is okay by himself, but usually sleeps on my bed with my setter.

Leash trained: He walks perfectly fine on a harness leash.  I think walking on a leash in a suburban neighborhood is new to him.  He was a little cautious at first, but now he is realizing there are many new smells out there to experience. 

Activity Level: If I’m sitting at home watching TV or working on the computer he is content to lay on the floor next to me or on the couch. He can be active outside with my setter, but doesn’t usually “ask” to go out to play unless he spots a rabbit or something through the window.  He’s learning about squirrel stalking from my setter and quite enjoys it.  Although he doesn’t mind going in his crate, I think it will be optimum for him to be with someone who doesn’t leave him in there for hours at a time on a regular basis.  His life before A&B was always in a kennel, so he deserves much more than that. 

Fence: I have a standard wrought iron fence and he hasn’t challenged it. 

Medical History: Zema came into rescue from Serbia.  He is one of Sara’s (A&B) pups. He received his vaccinations in Serbia, was tested for heartworm and tickborne diseases (negative to all) and is now on hw preventative.Will need to have an annual blood test as he is from Serbia 

Foster Comments:

Zema learned to sit for a treat in two days.  He catches onto routine quickly.  He is ready in the morning to go do his business, come in for a treat and then ready for breakfast (he eats twice a day).  He eats quickly, but doesn’t devour his food.  If I tell him to “stay” with my hand out while my other setter eats (because he finishes first) he waits patiently.  He doesn’t jump on people, counter-surf, beg at the table and isn’t curious about the garbage can in the kitchen.  He will get on the couch in the family room and lounge as does my setter, but he doesn’t try to get on any other chairs in there or in the living room.  Sounds pretty perfect, huh? He likes to chew on Nylabones.  He tried chewing on a stuffed toy, but it looked like he was trying to take it apart, so I took it away.  He doesn’t seem interested in chewing anything else he isn’t supposed to.  I have not left him loose in the house when I am away. He rides fine in a car once he gets settled in but if you have him on a tether and he can't get as far as he'd like to  in the car (I have a roomy suv)he will try to chew it off.

He loves to be loved on and lets me brush him daily and even let me trim his feathers after just a few days. 

Zema doesn’t bark just to bark.  He will bark if there is another dog, or animal, someone mowing the lawn, etc., in the yard.  He doesn’t mind the vacuum or the hair dryer – SURPRISE!  But if you move a chair or object when he is standing next to it he does back up a bit.  I think in time that will go away as being in a home is new to him.  He responds to “uh uh” or “no” very well.  I prefer to use “uh uh” as that was shared with me when I got him. 

Zema is protective of me when a male approaches a room I’m in with him and will bark.  After a bit he will go into his crate where I think he feels safe.  When one on one with a male he’s fine.  I believe he’s just protecting me.  I think if he was introduced to one at the start in his forever home he would be okay.  He was a bit timid when meeting a few of my female friends for the first time.  He kept his distance at first, then slowly inched up to smell them and eventually after he was confident he let them pet him.  It didn't take long at all, maybe 15 minutes. Then he was just a big baby and would let you pet him all day long.  He's waiting for the perfect forever home to give him all of the love and attention he deserves. 

Zema is Nemanya's brother.

Adoption Fee: $300.00

Dog Location: Allen Park, MI