Welcome Ferris! Ferris is one of the Turkish dogs who came to the U.S. with 16 others on April 28, 2017. A healthy, approximately 3-year-old, neutered, male, purebred Golden Retriever, Ferris is 63 pounds with a beautiful, silky coat - a mixture of cream and golden colors. His head is stocky, but his body quite lean. He also has quite big paws. He was found in Ankara, Turkey (the capital city, population 4.5 million people) in an overcrowded animal shelter. He's now fostered in Ashby, Minnesota.

Ferris in Turkey

Ferris has had his wellness exam and is up to date with all his vaccinations and preventatives. He tested negative for all the routine tests. We did learn something important about him - he has had a nearly crushed trachea, possibly due to a tight or jerked collar, with tense muscles all along his upper backbone. For this reason, he needs to wear a harness rather than a regular collar. Neither his movements nor his activities are limited because of this previous injury.

Ferris is a delightfully sweet dog who has settled in and seems to really enjoy the rural area. He loves being outside, walking and exploring about. He loves his people, coming up for frequent pets and going wherever they go. He will fetch his favorite ball, but not always bring it back to you. We find that he likes to carry around your socks and bring them to you, or at least near you.

Of course, he had to begin learning English. He now recognizes his name and responds fairly consistently to "come" and "sit", especially when a treat is involved. We're working on "stay" and "down" currently, and he's heard the "no" command a few times.

Here are some things we think Ferris will need in his forever home:

• a home with not too much activity as he tires easily on longer walks.
• a place without too much commotion as new things spook him, causing him to bark a lot and pant in nervousness/excitement. He has not been kid-tested, but he's good around all adults, though he would probably knock down a smaller child. He has jumped up on people.
• a home that will be patient with his barking at squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks, and he definitely doesn't like cats.
• a home that will tolerate some counter-surfing.
• a home which will work with him on some separation anxiety. We are home most all the time as retirees. But he whines whenever FD (Foster Dad) goes out to the garage.
• a home where he has free roam as he doesn't like the dog cage.
• people that will go a lot and take him along on their car rides.
• a home with one other dog or none. We have weekended with another dog in our home, and they got along well. He gets along fine with all dogs he's met.
• a dog bed where he can lay his head at night in his people's bedroom.

If you think Ferris would be a good fit in your home, please submit an "Inquiry for Application" form. If you have already filled out an "Inquiry for Application" form, please send an email to applicationragom [dot] org with the dog's name, RAGOM number, the name you submitted the Inquiry for Application form under and a sentence or two why you feel you'd be a good match.