Bernard is a wonderfully sweet and expressive Shar-Pei x Pug who has finally learned how to be a dog, and he's loving every minute of it. This big softie is incredibly affectionate - if you let him, he'll gently kiss your face like it's his life mission. He loves greeting his person with pure joy, sometimes so excited he forgets about going outside and instead insists on getting all his welcome-home pets first. Thanks to Embark, we did a DNA test to confirm her is 89%% Shar Pei and 11%% pug!

He's a happy, goofy boy who can match your energy perfectly. If you're excited, he's excited; if you're calm, he'll flop down and relax beside you - ideally in his chair, which he has very proudly claimed. He gets along great with cats and lets them do their thing, and he's also made excellent progress with the other dogs in the home. He'll even share gentle licks with them.

Bernard listens well when treats are involved and knows how to sit, but recall is not his strong suit - especially around small critters. Given the chance, he will bolt, and the squirrels of the world definitely get a bark or two. He walks decently on leash but needs secure handling and careful door-watching.

He's still learning how to tell his person when he needs to go outside, so monitoring his water intake is important. While he has never pooped inside, he may pee if he drinks too much too quickly without a trip out. He also has a love for paper - any paper - and will happily snack on whatever he can reach, including toilet paper. Outdoors he enjoys eating grass and plants, so supervision is a must.

Bernard enjoys soft toys and doesn't destroy them. He loves chews too, but once they get narrow he'll snap them and swallow the pieces, so those need supervision. You can absolutely be silly and playful with him - he thrives on that goofy connection.

He may bark sometimes when left home alone, and while he'll occasionally sleep with the rest of the household, he still gets a bit nervous around one of the other Shar-Pei. Even so, they've made great progress together.

Bernard is a genuinely great dog - affectionate, silly, eager to bond, and full of personality. If his foster could keep another animal, he'd never be leaving. He's more than ready to love someone wholeheartedly and make coming home the best part of your day.

Please note that some of our dogs are obtained from shelters, surrendered to our care, or released from breeders. Each animal's bio is based on our experience of the animal within our care, an educated guess based on physical characteristics, temperament and information shared. Each dog receives basic grooming when coming into rescue, but for some dogs they have not received grooming attention until recently and grooming may be required shortly after adoption. This will be at the adopter's expense, so we encourage you to research the breed and be prepared for grooming expenses. Underdog cannot guarantee hypoallergenic or non-shedding qualities of any dogs in our rescue. Some of the animals come from situations where they are lacking experience in a home and confidence in humans. In turn, they require another companion dog and/or a fenced in yard in their forever home in order for them to feel safe. If you are interested in a particular dog whose bio states those needs and do not currently have them, please understand that your home might not be the right fit. Please use the filter on our Adoptable Dogs page to find the perfect match for your home.


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