Jasper is a confident, affectionate, energetic guy who loves being part of the action! Once he decides you're his person, he has no problem letting you know it. He's athletic, playful, social with other dogs, and surprisingly gentle with the littlest member of his foster family. Jasper is an altered, approximately 2-year-old Australian Cattle Dog/Shepherd mix weighing around 46 lbs. He's an athletic, all-black guy with plenty of personality and energy. As with all rescue dogs, his age and breed are our best educated guess. Want to see Jasper in action? Watch Jasper the Friendly Pup on YouTube, then come right back to read more! At home, Jasper is an active dog with plenty of personality. He's a good car rider, easily goes into his kennel, and enjoys being around his people. He has moderate-to-high energy and will do best with a home that gives him opportunities to run, explore, sniff, play, and use his brain. He's not really a "sleep on the couch all day and we'll see what happens" kind of dog—but after he's had the chance to burn off some energy, he's happy to hang out with his people. Jasper and kids are a particularly great combination. Jasper currently lives with a 4-year-old girl, and his foster has been able to see firsthand how thoughtfully he interacts with her. Jasper can be mouthy and jumpy when he's excited with adults, but he does not behave that way with her. He is gentle, respectful, and completely accepting of her affection. She can love on him, and he happily lets her. Considering how energetic and athletic Jasper is, the way he naturally adjusts himself around a young child is genuinely impressive. He doesn't overwhelm her, jump on her, or nibble at her. Of course, as with any dog and young child, supervision and respectful interactions are still important, but Jasper has shown that he can be an exceptionally good kid companion. With other dogs, Jasper is confident and socially savvy. He has met dogs of different sizes and personalities, including some very confident dogs, and handled himself well. He enjoys canine company, shared toys appropriately, and understands when another dog says, "That's enough." During his assessment, another dog gave him a correction after he got a little too excited, and Jasper immediately backed off without making a fuss. He recovered quickly and went right back to exploring. He would likely enjoy having a playful dog around, particularly one closer to his own age and energy level. His foster has noted that he can occasionally be a little much for an older dog, so a playful, socially appropriate companion would be the better match. When it comes to cats, Jasper would do best with a dog-savvy cat with a mellow personality. During his assessment, he was able to share space with a cat without showing aggression. The cat was nervous and chose to move away, and Jasper eventually lost interest and left him alone. After some time, they both were comfortable in each other's space. Because the interaction was fairly limited, we think Jasper would need a thoughtful, in-home cat introduction to determine whether he is truly comfortable living with one. A confident, dog-savvy cat who won't run from him may be a better match than a timid cat. Jasper's leash manners are still a work in progress. When he sees another dog he'd like to meet, he can bark and pull toward them, and if he doesn't agree with a leash correction, he'll sometimes dig in his heels. He's a social guy who thinks meeting everyone should be on the agenda! Continued loose-leash work, impulse control, exercise, and positive reinforcement will help him learn that not every dog needs to be his new best friend. Mealtimes are something his future family should approach thoughtfully. His foster reports that Jasper may growl if someone approaches him while he's eating. Interestingly, during his behavior assessment, we were able to pet him while he ate and move his food bowl without any guarding behavior. Because his behavior is different in the foster environment, adopters should still respect his space around meals and plan to feed him separately and allow him to eat without interruption. One thing Jasper takes very seriously is his person. He forms strong attachments and can struggle when separated from the person he's bonded with. During his assessment, when his handler stepped outside, Jasper immediately ran to the door, barking and trying to find her. He eventually settled when distracted by the other dogs, but adopters should be prepared to work gradually on his independence and alone-time skills. His loyalty is a wonderful quality—it just means he'll need help learning that his person leaving the room isn't the end of the world. Jasper can be somewhat reserved when meeting unfamiliar people, especially when it comes to hands-on handling. He did best with slower introductions and was initially stiff and avoidant during some touch testing, particularly around his hindquarters, legs, and tail. He isn't looking for a confrontation when uncomfortable; he'd much rather avoid the situation. Once he feels secure, his affectionate side comes out much more naturally. Medical handling is an area where Jasper needs some extra consideration. He is comfortable with affection and everyday handling from people he trusts, but he can become uncomfortable with more invasive or unfamiliar handling. His future family should be prepared to work with their veterinarian on low-stress handling and continue building his comfort and trust around these situations. Jasper would love an active home with people who want their dog involved in everyday life, preferably with a yard and plenty of opportunities for exercise and enrichment. A playful canine companion could be a great bonus, and a family with children could be an excellent fit. His people should be willing to continue working on leash skills and separation independence while giving him the structure and outlets that an athletic cattle dog mix needs. Jasper isn't a perfectly polished dog—and that's okay. He's a big, energetic, affectionate personality who is still learning how to channel all that enthusiasm. What makes him special is that underneath the jumping, excitement, and occasional mouthiness is a dog who knows how to be remarkably gentle when it matters. He can read other dogs, respect their boundaries, and, perhaps most impressively, he knows how to be careful with a four-year-old. If you're looking for an active, affectionate companion with plenty of personality, excellent dog skills, and a surprisingly tender side, Jasper might be your guy! He's ready for someone who will appreciate the whole package and help him keep growing into the wonderful dog he's already becoming! To apply, please complete an adoption application and contact the adoption coordinator with any questions! Apply Here: Questions? Email kristin@threelittlepittiesrescue.org We facilitate adoptions nationwide using our rescue run USDA certified transport system, ensuring every pet travels safely and comfortably with 24/7 care. Our transport includes drop off locations, in WA, UT, OR, ID, VA, PA, OH, NY, CT, VT, TN, KY, WI, MN, IL, WI and Canada (pick up in Bellingham, WA, Buffalo, NY or Brattleboro, VT for for Canadian adopters). You will have the opportunity to track their journey in real time, see photo updates, learn fun facts, connect with fellow adopters and fosters through our private Facebook event page! Before the adoption is finalized, you will meet your pet through a video call, creating a fun and personalized experience! The adoption fee is $1,000 and includes all vetting (DAPP with booster, Bordetella, Rabies vaccine, multiple broad spectrum deworming treatments, spay/neuter, flea prevention, a 12 month heartworm preventative injectable, heartworm test and treatment if needed, a microchip with free lifetime registration, a high quality nylon Martingale collar, a health certificate deeming the pup healthy for travel, cost of trans...