"Zeppelin"

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Arrived in NZCR care: 26/01/2021 

DOB: 04/01/2017 

Sex: Male 

Breed: Chihuahua x Papillion 

De-Sexed: Yes. 

Micro-chipped: Yes. 

Registered with NZCAR: Yes. 

Vaccinated: Yes. 

DogsNZ (NZKC): No 

Council Registered: Yes - Christchurch City Council (21/22 membership).      

Cat Friendly: TBC.

Child Friendly: 10 years and older. 

Human Sociable: With support, wary with strangers, needs time to adjust. 

Dog Sociable: See below. 

* TBC = "To be confirmed"  

Background: 

Zeppelin has the typical Papillion personality. He was a private surrender and originally came into care with the trust from the North Island on 26/01/2021. Zeppelin was finding it difficult to cope in a busy home with very young children, there are no further details to be provided. 

Zeppelin's first trial did not work out as the Adopters asked too much of him, too soon. Zeppelin needs time and space to decompress, and if you overwhelm him, you'll get poor behavior. They introduced too many strangers too soon and disclosed that they would try to pick him up when he was sleeping.

Zeppelin was adopted on 06/05/2021. However, Zeppelin's former adopter unfortunately now does not feel that they have the canine-training knowledge required to manage his behaviors. Zeppelin also does not like their 2 year old dog that attempts to play with him and "harrassed" him.

Please read Zeppelin's profile and adopter requirements carefully before deciding to submit an application for him. It is difficult for dogs to leave and re-enter care and he has done so twice now! These adopters have not been committed to Zeppelin so we want to ensure that his next home is his forever home. Zeppelin has had a really difficult run in life and he needs someone patient, loving and caring who will not overwhelm him, or ask too much of him. Zeppelin is a true rescue dog, a diamond in the rough. We are struggling at the moment to find sensible, dog knowledgeable adopters and have all of these similar needs level dogs in care. Adopting a rescue is far different to taking home a puppy.

Personality: 

Zeppelin's former owner describes him as "a very loyal, smart dog, who is very protective of his owner".
 

Zeppelin's former foster mum says that, “Zeppelin is beautiful and fluffy and quirky. He loves to sit up on his bottom - like a meerkat and have his tummy scratched. Zeppelin is a sweet, clever little dog when he knows you. He is toilet trained and loves to sleep on the end of your bed or in the lounge. Zeppelin loves to play with toys (alone) and go for walks on his lead. He is great on the lead.”

Zeppelin is toilet-trained and sleeps in his crate. He would sleep on the bed or lounge if you wanted him to - but we feel it is important to keep his crating routine.

Zeppelin will quite happily lie in the sun minding his own business, or on the couch next to you and is happy provided someone is home and around. 

Zeppelin will do zoomies and grab a toy to celebrate your return home! He can be a loud player = growling, chucking toys around and even "mouthing" on your hands, but if you tell him NO, or STOP, he listens.

When it comes to interactions with people

• Zeppelin should be ignored initially when meeting new people. He needs to be left to come in his own time. He may sniff and come over, but that doesn't mean he's ready to be touched.
• He is OK with strangers in the home or around him, as long as they DO NOT try to touch him and do not try to lean down and/or pat him. He will let them know by hopping up on them if/when he wants attention and contact. This can be overwhelming for a dog that doesn’t know you. 
• Zeppelin can become nippy if he is overwhelmed by strangers so this needs to be managed and his boundary must be respected.
• Zeppelin needs a very "firm" owner - he needs rules and boundaries to follow or he'll be naughty. Tell him when you don't like his behavior and he will stop. Love and cuddles needs to come SECOND to boundaries and rules with Zeppelin - if you give an inch, he'll take a mile. If you remain in control and tell him what you want from him, he'll deliver. 
• Zeppelin would probably LOVE a male owner or a male couple. He tends to bond closer to males and quite quickly too.
• Zeppelin does not like to be touched or moved when sleeping.
  Zeppelin just needs someone who will respect his personality quirks, be patient, kind and loving and not overwhelm him with strangers or too much socially. He is a home body and loyal companion who likes to go on the occasional drive or walk on a lead.
• Once he trusts you, Zeppelin will be loving and loyal and likes to be near his person.
• Zeppelin bit prone to anxiety, he will run around and bark if you leave sometimes. We ignore this, do not reinforce it by trying to soothe or coddle him. 
• We think if his owner was around all of the time, this would exacerbate his separation anxiety. So he needs a balance between someone being home enough for him - but not full time so that he begins to rely on that and become anxious without it. 
• Zeppelin needs a patient owner who is supportive and able to quietly integrate him into their home. 
• Zeppelin's Adopter will need to be experienced with dogs and have sound dog knowledge. The key to making him comfortable is leaving him be, to come to you in his own time and being patient. 

In terms of other pets:

• Zeppelin's former owner states that he is not good with cats. But this has not been tested in care as his foster does not have any. 
• Zeppelin ignores most other dogs. 
• He would be fine as a solo dog in the home, or with one or two other, low-energy (and perhaps older) dog(s) present. 
• Zeppelin is not suited as a companion for a young, energetic dog, as that type of personality would annoy him. He doesn’t play with other dogs, but happily co-exists if they do not annoy him.
• Zeppelin hates the dog park, too many excited, loud dogs for him.

It is important that if you are looking to adopt a rescue dog, you understand they have had past experiences and may have personality quirks that are ingrained in them. Please take notice of what we say about their personality and consider this carefully. Please do not assume that it can be “trained” out of them with a little patience or routine as that isn’t always the case. Sometimes dogs need people who are willing to accept they have suffered some past trauma and do not want to be “pushed”. For example, if you are a very social person looking for a dog to take around with you, Zeppelin would not be a match. Zeppelin will never be a dog that is comfortable being taken to social places (ie. cafes, bbq's etc) and pet by strangers. He does not like being in situations like dog parks either.

Zeppelin will bark and guard “his” property. So, he needs someone able to implement this training. He would perhaps benefit from a home where he cannot see out to the street from the yard. A rural (fully fenced) home would be great, or a back section. Not a deal-breaker, but you need to tell him off for barking to ensure it doesn't become a habit.
 

Health: 

Zeppelin is a larger boy, he appears as a Papillion X. we sent a DNA test off for him on 03/11/2021 out of curiosity to confirm his breed makeup. 

When he came into care, Zeppelin had his health check with our vet and was vaccinated up to date on 28/01/2021 and again on 02/11/2021 (due next: November 2022). When he came back into care, we had him re-checked with our vet (02/11/2021) and again, he passed with flying colors. The only note being, to lose weight.

Zeppelin is already de-sexed and micro-chipped, he is registered with the Council and NZCAR. Zeppelin has been flea and wormed every three months while in trust care. 
 

Zeppelin's coat is beautiful but requires some upkeep! Zeppelin was last groomed on 03/11/2021. He has a coat that requires regular grooming and of course, costs will be associated with doing so, from the Groomers. This is the case with all long coat toy breeds, please factor this into your consideration. Zeppelin doesn't like being groomed so we advise that you do not "ruin the trust" by attempting to groom him yourself and keep him with the kind, experienced groomer we took him to - Cerise of PetStock Northwood. Cerise will be able to build a relationship with Zeppelin and it will become far less stress for him.

Zeppelin needs to lose some weight as he is currently 7.3kg. We would like to see him at 6.5kg and then re-assess. We have begun his weight-loss while he is in care. He is eating Orijen Six Fish kibbles and chicken flavor WOOF at present.

Help us to Help Zeppelin! 

New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue is a New Zealand Registered Charity run completely by volunteers. Nobody is paid to participate in our Rescue and 100% of the profits go back into the dogs in our care and community dogs needing assistance. We receive no public funding or grants. Our entire income to assist these dogs is derived from kind donations, sponsorship and fundraising projects. We are always short of money and it impacts how many dogs we can assist as each dog that comes into care needs some form of medical and/or behavioral assistance!  

If you could help by donating to Zeppelin's cause, all donations, small or large, help us to help him! Please also contact us for a receipt and you can receive 33.33% of your donation back from the IRD. 

Donations can be made via: 

The New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue Westpac Trust Account: 

03-0823-0074502-000 

Ref: "Zeppy"  

By credit or debit card to our GiveALittle:

 https://givealittle.co.nz/org/nz-chihuahua-rescue-trust  

Adopter Requirements:    

 *** ZEPPELIN IS UNAVAILABLE as they are now on trial. We hope Zeppelin's trial will be successful and that he has found a forever home. If you feel you'd be a match for Zepp, please forward an application which we will hold. Please see the "Dogs in Our Care" tab to view the dogs AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION. Sorry for any inconvenience caused. We have many other lovely dogs looking for a new home! ***
 

- Zeppelin needs an owner who is experienced in dogs and has sound doggy knowledge. Someone who is ready to commit to a true rescue dog and put them first. Please ensure you've read the above under "personality" which expands upon this.

 - Preferably, Zeppelin is to be adopted within the Canterbury area, Within an hour or so, say, of Christchurch.

- No full time (out of the home) workers. Zeppelin requires an Adopter who is either working from home permanently (not just as a result of lockdowns), or part time. Zeppelin could not be taken to a busy workplace and is not suitable for doggy-daycare. 

- Zeppelin would be best as a solo dog, OR  with one or two low energy / older dogs that he could co-exist with. Not suitable as a companion for a young or energetic dog, that would annoy him.

- Must have a fully fenced back yard with no holes or gaps.  

- Zeppelin has not been cat-tested.

- Zeppelin would probably LOVE a male owner, or even a same sex male couple! He tends to bond closer to males and quite quickly too.

NOTE: Before applying for our dogs, please do read the above adopter requirements and ensure that you meet these. We are very clear about the homes we are seeking. We set the adopter requirements after consultation with the foster carers and consideration of the dogs, needs, welfare and personality. They are strict requirements - no exceptions. Please do not submit an application if you do not meet the  above, we will simply respond to confirm the application is declined. Unfortunately, at times this has been the case and we have had to disappoint prospective adopters. This is why we are clear about our requirements prior and note them above. 

Adoption Fee: $350.00 

NOTE ON THE ADOPTION FEES AND TRIALS: Our adoption fees are determined by taking into account age of the dog, overall health and funds expended to date on that particular dog. The trust uses these adoption fee funds on: desexing surgery, micro-chip and NZCAR registration, vaccines, Council registration, flea and  worm treatments, plus any other essentials dogs require such as specialist medications or food, blood-testing, orthopedic surgeries etc. and any other dog disposables required for dogs in care. Please note: sorry we do not accept payment plans, as we need to  be sure adopters are able to financially support dogs prior  to adoption - sorry, no exceptions. Please note: the deposit needs to be made to the trust account prior to the changeover date of the dog going on trial. We do not accept cash payments on the date. The full100% of all adoption fees go towards  the dogs in the care of the Trust.