Ignác

Found in Kouřim; his owner didn't want him back.

Ignác (originally called Čert) came to us as a stray, and his original owner eventually gave him up. He's a typical 'village Casanova' — he liked to roam, patrol the neighbourhood and carefully mark everything along the way. He's around 11 years old and weighs 14 kg. His thick coat makes him look bigger than he is — a bit like a bonsai Newfoundland (though a real one he certainly isn't).

Ignác doesn't yet know the magic of teamwork with a human. He'll happily take a biscuit, but he hasn't quite grasped that cooperation earns treats. He can walk on a lead as long as there aren't too many distractions around — especially other dogs. He'd love to run straight up to them and sometimes forgets he's on a lead.

He tolerates handling well — he'll let you guide him, examine him, treat him and cuddle him. He copes less well with longer restraint, for example when having his coat brushed out; the length of it makes him nervous and he tries to wriggle free.

He has scars on his neck from being kept on a chain long-term, where his fur probably won't grow back. Otherwise he's in very good health for his age. He's used to living outdoors, so indoor life is new to him and he'd have to get used to it gradually. He can't be left alone in an unsecured garden! If there's one thing he's still great at, it's climbing (he'll scale a low or medium fence like an agile cat). His matted coat has been trimmed short, so it'll take a while before it grows back and he looks his handsome self again.