Description
Meet Zoya: A Clever, Affectionate Adventure Companion
Zoya is a gorgeous five-year-old Romanian rescue who has been living with her family in Scotland since she was six months old. A mix of Collie, Romanian Shepherd, Terrier and Lurcher, she is incredibly intelligent, full of personality and has so much heart. She is very people-oriented, forming strong bonds with her favourite humans, and once you get to know her, it is hard not to fall in love with her unique character and quirks.
Zoya loves the simple things in life: food, friends, the outdoors and a good cuddle on the sofa. She has plenty of energy for running and playing, but after a big walk she is generally happy to spend the rest of the day snoozing, often with a little snore. She is crate-trained and sleeps happily in her crate at night, although she is equally partial to a cosy sofa cuddle with her people.
Zoya is an experienced walking and hiking companion who particularly loves forests, rivers and beaches. She adores water and will happily play fetch from a riverbank or shoreline for hours. She travels brilliantly in the car and enjoys opportunities to explore, sniff and run. Once she has bonded with you, her recall is strong, and she loves staying close to her person. She is also extremely food-motivated, making her a rewarding training companion with lots of potential to keep learning.
THE HOME ZOYA NEEDS
Zoya is affectionate and welcoming with people, enjoying visitors to the house, belly rubs, ear scratches, kisses and even having her paw held. She is a clever, observant girl who is always watching and listening, and she responds well to consistent guidance and food rewards. She enjoys playing with familiar dog friends and has been attending regular pack walks, where she travels with a group of dogs and happily plays and socialises in the park.
Zoya does, however, need an adopter who understands her anxieties and can help her feel safe. At home, she can guard food and finds sharing her space with other dogs difficult, so she would benefit from careful management and a home where she can have her own space. She can also bark at people and vehicles passing the house. On walks, she sometimes becomes anxious and reactive towards certain dogs, particularly larger dogs and those with particular physical features. With patient, consistent training and an owner who understands her triggers, she has real potential to continue building confidence and developing her skills.
Zoya also finds some handling uncomfortable, particularly grooming, teeth cleaning and having her paws touched. She needs someone who will respect her boundaries, work at her pace and use positive reinforcement to help her feel more comfortable. She has some hip pain and may make warning sounds if touched around her hips, so her physical comfort and signals need to be respected.
NEXT STEPS
Sadly, Zoya’s family are facing a significant change in circumstances following a family separation and insecure housing, and are devastated that they can no longer provide the stable home she deserves. This has not been an easy decision. After six years of adventures, companionship and love, they want to find Zoya a home where she can continue to thrive.
Zoya is 100% a good girl with so much love to give. She needs the right person: someone who appreciates her intelligence and quirks, understands her anxieties, and can offer the patience, consistency and enrichment she needs to feel secure. In return, you will have a devoted companion for countryside adventures, riverside games, training sessions and long, sleepy evenings on the sofa.
Zoya is spayed, vaccinated and ready to find her next home. She has so much to offer the right person and is waiting for someone who will give her the freedom, understanding and love to simply be herself.
ZOYA AT A GLANCE
- Five-year-old Collie, Romanian Shepherd, Terrier and Lurcher cross
- Female, approximately 24kg
- Originally from Romania; in Scotland since six months old
- Spayed and vaccinations up to date
- Fully house-trained
- Crate-trained for sleeping
- Affectionate and welcoming with people
- Enjoys socialising and playing with familiar dogs
- Needs careful management around food and other dogs at home
- Can be reactive towards certain dogs on lead
- Benefits from continued positive-reinforcement training
- Loves walking, hiking, forests, rivers, beaches and swimming
- Excellent car traveller
- Highly food-motivated and intelligent
- Finds grooming, teeth cleaning and paw handling difficult
- Has some hip discomfort and needs respectful handling
- Currently in Scotland; transport can be arranged for the right home
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