Meet Copper!

Chihuahua/Rat Terrier Mix • 1 Year Old

Those eyes. Seriously… those copper-colored eyes are enough to make you stop scrolling. And yes, that's probably how this handsome little guy got his name!

Copper came to us from Charlotte County as an owner surrender, along with his son, through absolutely no fault of their own. He's a little timid and shy when he first meets you, but give him just a little time and you'll quickly see his sweet, playful personality come shining through.

Copper is listed as a Chihuahua mix, but we have our suspicions that there's some **Rat Terrier-and maybe even a little Italian Greyhound-**mixed in there somewhere. His longer body, prancing little gait, and love of running certainly make us wonder! Whatever his recipe is, the result is one adorable little guy.

A Few Things We Know About Copper:

Sweet & gentle: Copper has the softest little head and absolutely LOVES having his ears scratched. It's a great way to win him over!
House-trained: This little guy deserves a gold star! ⭐ He hasn't had one accident since arriving at his foster home-which is pretty impressive for a dog adjusting to a whole new environment.
Crate trained: He does well in his crate, but given the choice, he'd much rather be out hanging with his people and animal friends.
Outdoor enthusiast: Copper LOVES being outside and would probably be very happy with a secure fenced-in yard where he can safely explore, sniff, and show off his zoomies.
Dog curious: He loves checking out other dogs. He may bark occasionally, but it doesn't appear to be reactivity so much as "Hey! Who are you? What are you doing? Can I come see?"
Cat friendly: Copper has done well with the cat in his foster home. However, we recommend slow, controlled introductions when meeting new cats. His foster kitty is very laid-back and accustomed to dogs, and not every cat will be quite as tolerant or comfortable with a curious little dog like Copper.
Learning the leash life: He didn't seem to have much experience with collars, harnesses, or leashes when he arrived, but he is a quick study! He has already gotten the hang of them and is coming along beautifully with his leash walking.
Picky little eater: Copper can be quite particular about his menu. Apparently, he has standards. We think he had trained his last home to feed him people food when he didn't eat, but he is learning to eat kibble and has found it's not so bad-especially when mixed with some wet food.
Toy lover: He loves toys and enjoys a good play session.
Professional burrower: Give this boy a blanket, tuck him underneath it, and he is perfectly happy to settle in for a cozy nap. He takes his burrowing duties very seriously.
Velcro-ish, but respectful: Copper likes being near his person without needing to be attached to them 24/7. He just wants to know where his people are.
Needs companionship: He would likely do best with another younger or young-at-heart dog. He doesn't particularly enjoy being alone or isolated.
NOT a fan of water: Baths? Absolutely not. Water? Also no thank you.
Squirrel patrol: If there is a squirrel in the yard, Copper considers it his personal responsibility to give chase. ️

Copper is still learning about the world and building confidence, but he is making wonderful progress. He's a sweet little guy who wants a family he can trust, a cozy blanket to burrow under, some toys to play with, and ideally a canine buddy to keep him company.

And those eyes? They're even better in person. ❤️

If you're looking for a small dog with a sweet soul, a playful side, a little bit of terrier sass, and an impressive talent for blanket burrowing, Copper may just be your guy!