Rex

Adoption Profile

Background
Rex is an approximately 80 lb Mastiff mix with a giant head, a big personality, and an even bigger heart. Rex had spent his life living outdoors in a fenced pen alongside his mother, Cocoa, with very little exposure to the world and no formal training.

Since coming into foster care, Rex has made wonderful progress and is showing everyone what a sweet, affectionate dog he really is. He is still learning about the world and appropriate manners, but he has proven himself to be a loving, cuddly companion who enjoys being close to his people.

Description
Rex is a big, gentle brute with a soft heart. Despite his size and strength, he can still behave like an oversized puppy who is learning about boundaries and how to navigate the world appropriately.

He is an absolute suck who loves attention, cuddles, belly rubs, and being close to his people. He even sleeps in bed, spending much of the night up by his foster's pillow with his giant head right beside them. 🥹❤️

Rex can become very excited when his people come home and may jump up or tackle them in his enthusiasm. However, if his excitement is ignored, he settles down very quickly. He also likes to nibble during excited play, earning himself the nickname "the big alligator." 😂🐊

Rex will thrive with a confident, experienced handler who can provide structure, consistency, positive reinforcement, and continued training. He has already shown tremendous potential and is continuing to discover that the world can be a safe and wonderful place.

🐾 Dog Friendly
Rex has not been formally assessed with other dogs. Proper introductions and management will be important due to his size, strength, and excitement level.

🐱 Cat Friendly / Prey Drive
Rex has not been tested with cats or small animals. Due to his size, strength, and unknown prey drive, he should not be placed in a home with cats or smaller animals at this time.

👧 Kid Friendly
Untested with kids but due to his size, strength, and excitablility he may not be suited live with younger children.

🦮 Leash Skills
Rex is actually pretty good on leash and has made great progress. He will still benefit from continued practice and guidance, particularly around managing his excitement and learning appropriate manners.

🚻 House Trained
Yes!
Rex is fully house trained and has adapted very well to indoor living. This is a huge accomplishment considering he previously lived primarily outdoors.

🏠 Crate & Home Alone
Rex is crate trained and does well home alone. He has adjusted well to having a routine and living inside a home.

🍖 Food & Training
Rex is fed kibble twice daily and is not known to be picky with food.

He has no known guarding issues with food, bones, or toys.

Rex is still learning his basic manners and obedience. He does not appear to understand the concept of "sit" yet — his current strategy is generally to either stand or flop down. 😂 He will need continued positive-reinforcement training to build his confidence, manners, and communication skills.

🧸 Play & Personality
Rex LOVES tug-of-war and enjoys interactive play with his people.

He is affectionate, cuddly, and loves belly rubs. He is happiest when he can be close to his people and has quickly shown what a sweetheart he is underneath his big, goofy exterior.

When he gets excited during play, he can become mouthy and nibble, so continued work on appropriate play manners is important.

🚗 Vehicle Behaviour
Rex is generally calm during travel. During his flight from the community to Yellowknife, he experienced some nausea but was not destructive, reactive, or aggressive.

🐾 Other Behaviours to Note

• Very strong.

• Big, goofy personality with a very affectionate nature.

• Loves cuddles, belly rubs, attention, and being close to his people.

• Sleeps in bed and loves being near his foster.

• Fully house trained and crate trained.

• Does well home alone.

• Pretty good on leash.

• LOVES tug-of-war.

• No known guarding issues with food, bones, or toys.

• Can become overexcited when people return home and may jump up or tackle them.

• Settles quickly when his excitement is ignored.

• Can become mouthy/nibbly during excited play.

• Still learning basic manners and obedience.

• Has made significant progress adjusting to indoor life.

• Due to his size and strength, he needs a confident and experienced handler.

• Adult-only home required.

• No cats or small animals.

• Not suitable for apartment living.

• Requires continued structure, boundaries, positive training, and consistency.

• Best suited to someone committed to helping him continue building confidence and learning appropriate manners.

❤️ Ideal Home
Rex needs an experienced home that understands giant-breed dogs and is comfortable continuing his training and helping him navigate his big feelings and big body.

He doesn't need perfection — he needs someone patient, confident, loving, and willing to give him the structure and consistency he needs to keep growing into the wonderful dog he is becoming.

Rex is currently fostered in Victoria, BC and is looking for both a foster and forever home in Metro Vancouver, the Sea to Sky, or Vancouver Island.