GRREAT DOGS
LOOKING FOR NEW HOMES
  Last updated on Tuesday July 27, 2010

These are some of the dogs we have available for adoption.  There is no guarantee as to how long each dog will remain available, but the list is typical of the dogs normally available. We have dogs coming into the rescue and being adopted out every week, so it is impossible to keep this list absolutely accurate.  Although we have scheduled Adoption Days each month, most dogs are matched with new families in between these public events.  If you are going to attend an Adoption Day, be sure you have your application submitted at least four weeks prior.  We cannot approve adoption applications on the spot because GRREAT policy requires a home visit before applications approval to be sure we find the best possible match between dog and family. 

Adoptions are made to qualified candidates within the geographic area serviced by GRREAT. If you are interested in any of these dogs you must submit an application. You can download adoption information and an application right here.  Completed applications, however,  must be snail-mailed back to us because original signatures are required.

In order to adopt a GRREAT dog, you must live within our service area--which is limited to Maryland, Virginia (north of Richmond), the District of Columbia, Delaware, and south central Pennsylvania and adjacent portions of West Virginia.  Please note:  Submit your adoption application at least four weeks before a scheduled Adoption Day.  We cannot approve adoption applications on the spot during these events.  Why does it take so long to process applications?

You'll notice that some of our dogs have the "No Kids" symbol.  This means that these dogs have histories, behaviors, or personalities that make them a better fit for "adult only" families or families with kids over the age of 14. 

Special Needs Goldens Who Need Your Support - - From time to time, GRREAT has Golden Retrievers that have special conditions or issues above and beyond most of the dogs that are more easily re-homed. Even so, once GRREAT commits to a Golden Retriever in need, we endeavor to overcome any obstacle--medical or behavioral--in order to help them find their Forever Home. This kind of care can become very expensive and your support is needed.

UPDATED!  KALEB (06-137) is a sweet 8 year old, very healthy 74lb. golden boy who loves to be right by your side as much as possible - and he deserves it! He enjoys all the attention he can get whether you are brushing him, petting him, taking a care ride or just spending time with him, he enjoys it all. Kaleb requires moderate exercise and enjoys long walks and seems years younger than he is. He needs a forever home where his people if possible, or at least another calm dog, is home all day or part time. If you are looking for a snuggle sweetie with excellent behavior, Kaleb is your boy. See these two great videos of this wonderful boy!  Kaleb Fetches, and Kaleb is a Good Boy!  Kaleb shows little interest in cats and he is good with other dogs and children.

SANDY (09-063) Cute, sweet, and calm little blonde female golden mix, about 60 pounds, estimated to be around 8 years old. Sandy was found as a stray along with her 3 black puppies (the pups went to an all breed rescue). After coming into golden rescue, Sandy was spayed and had a molar extracted. She later underwent additional procedures and was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Although she loves people of all ages, because she was a stray and her background is unknown, her forever home cannot have small children in residence. Having been a stray and because she can be apprehensive around unexpected noises or situations, a conventional (not electric) fence is required. She is housebroken and crate trained but may have occasional accidents due to her IBD. She gets along well with other dogs. Cats are unknown. She loves going to the park and exploring new sights and smells. She has nice leash manners, although she may pull when excited. Like many Goldens, Sandy has an underactive thyroid and takes easy, inexpensive medication to correct this. Her teeth need to be examined at least once a year by a dental specialist. Even with some medical challenges, Sandy is a very sweet and loving girl. After a rough start, now it's her time to be spoiled and treated as she always should have been. Her ideal home is one where someone is home most of the day, would take her for the daily walks she so loves, and give her the tummy rubs she craves. Since Sandy has an unknown background with children, only families with kids 14 years and older will be considered.  This may change if the foster family is able to observe her with younger children in several situations.

UPDATED!  BUDDY (09-204) is a 1 year old, loving, sometimes energetic, 65 lb male, who loves to be around his people. He gets along great with other dogs and is an excellent companion. Buddy is GRREAT’s first international client. See his full story in the Jan/Feb 2010 GRREAT Newsletter available at Jan/Feb 2010 GRREAT Newsletter. The short story is that he is a diabetic and needs insulin twice a day. He could not get proper care and medication in Serbia. An employee of the US Embassy knew of GRREAT and agreed to bring him to DC and turned him over to GRREAT. Buddy had several medical issues which had to be corrected before he could be neutered and healthy enough to be adopted. Buddy is currently healthy and his only continuing problem is his diabetes. He needs two insulin shots a day. He is very good about taking his shots. Buddy loves to play (especially tug), has medium energy and will always be in the same room with you. Another true Velcro Golden. He wants to be a lap dog and sometimes does get into the recliner with us. He loves to ride in the car. Buddy needs to go to obedience training but he is getting better about following basic commands. We are looking for a home where someone is with Buddy all day to monitor him. Once his blood sugar is well controlled and you know how his sugar will remain constant, leaving him for a few hours would not be a problem. We have been able to leave him for up to 6-8 hours without any problem. Kids would be a plus as well as a family where he could get exercise and walks. Exercise would help control his diabetes. If you are willing to accept and diligently treat Buddy’s diabetes, he will make an excellent family pet and give you many years of companionship. Buddy will provide you with more love than can be described and will be a super member of your family.

UPDATED!  SUNDANCE (09-208) is a beautiful, deep red curly-coated two-year-old male. His exuberant yet affectionate nature endears him, and his soulful amber eyes seem to say “I could love you if you could love me.” Sundance is playful and is able to entertain himself with toys, but clearly prefers human interaction. He can and will turn any activity, such as picking up autumn leaves tracked in from outside, into a game. His house training is perfect, not a single accident during a full workday. But although he does well at home alone, he is naturally very active and would be happiest in a family willing and able to include him in their activities. Because he is both excitable and energetic, he would not fit well in a family with small children. Sundance knows basic commands like sit and down, although, if he is distracted or excited, he may not obey immediately; however, the offer of a treat is a reliable attention-getter. With the use of an easy-walk harness, and a gradual maturity since coming to GRREAT, Sundance has learned to walk much better on lead and has become a calmer dog in general. He used to be very reactive to passing cars, dogs, and people, but is now much less reactive on walks, especially toward pedestrians without any dogs in tow. And he is able to calm himself more quickly once the stimulus has come and gone. With continued maturity, training, and an experienced dog-savvy person to guide him, Sundance will keep improving on his walks. Sundance is a “top dog” kind of guy, and needs to be the only dog in his forever home. Sundance loves car rides but also loves attention, so he needs to be kept contained in the backseat while going with you on an adventure. Sundance needs a safely fenced yard in order to have lots of fun, off-lead playtime. He’s an amazing companion, full of joy that he wants to share with his people.

SIMBA (10-025) is 55 pounds of adorable. This adaptable 6-year-old male mix, with lovely light brown eyes and a curled tail, very much wants a forever home. Simba has not had formal training that we know of, but he is learning to respond to come (indoors), sit, down, and stay/wait. Outdoor training is recommended as he is just learning to walk calmly on a harness. Although he has lived well with other dogs, Simba would probably also thrive as an only pet that can be the center of attention. He loves riding quietly in cars, running around outside, chasing squirrels (and cats and ducks), chewing his toys, being petted, and watching anything that moves or makes an unusual noise such as airplanes or geese flying by. He also likes to race around with other dogs at the dog park. While active and very alert outside, he is generally calm indoors and enjoys an afternoon snooze on the deck and “sleeping in.” He is cute, loving (but not clingy), healthy, and easy to live with. The ideal home would have a large fenced yard, no small children, someone home much of the day who would love, run, and play with him, but he can adjust to many living situations. He does not like loud noises such as thunder and raised voices, so calm/positive training works best. Simba has been a big hit with everyone who has met him since coming to his foster home!

DUNCAN (10-032) is an approximately 2 1/2 year old sweetheart. He was rescued as a stray in the middle of this past winter and eventually came to GRREAT quite skinny and scared, and heartworm positive. We are happy to report that he has finished his treatment and is now healthy and doing well. Duncan is beautiful. He weighs about 59 pounds now, but could probably stand to gain a few more. He has come a long way from the skittish lad we met in March. He is still a little hesitant in new situations but adapts quickly. He was the heart throb of the vet's office when he was there for treatments. Love sponge does not begin to describe his insatiable appetite for attention. He actually groans in pleasure when you scratch his head and has melted into a puddle of fur on the floor if you keep scratching behind his ears. He has learned 'house rules' pretty easily and walks on a leash without a problem. Duncan does have a tendency to mouth a bit and he has some issues with food. Both behaviors have improved with us but obedience training will be required in his new home. Duncan has gotten along with other dogs he has met, but cats are a big unknown. We find that he is rather mellow (as 2 year olds go) with our adult household, then he gets wound up like a little kid when we have visitors. He is crate trained and is slowly earning some free time in the house when we are gone. He is making big strides from his humble beginnings and needs a forever home to help him come the rest of the way to perfect.

IZZY (10-044) is a very pretty 6 yr old, 75 lb female with a beautiful golden coat. Izzy was an unsocialized puppy mill breeding dog for most of her life until the facility burned down, then she was tied outside in the snow in February for 3-4 weeks until coming into the rescue. She still finds the world a scary place and needs a calm, gentle, patient home, one which will work with her to help her understand the world can be fun. She's very affectionate to people once she gets to know they won't hurt her. She tends to initially trust women more so than men, but over time warms up to those who treat her gently. She continues to be scared of children, so she will need an adult home with no children, including children who visit often. She is ok with most other dogs, particularly submissive ones. She occasionally wants to run and play with the other dog in the family but neither really knows how to play with another dog so they seem at a loss after they start running together. Cats are unknown but she is very prey driven and, given her past, it may be best if no cats (or any other small animals, including small dogs) are in the home. Izzy's ideal home would be one who has either worked with puppy mill dogs in the past, or with insecure, shy, scared dogs. She is mostly housebroken but has accidents if left too long, most likely not because she can't hold it, but because she currently becomes very nervous when left more than 3-4 hours. Her adoptive home must teach her new things slowly to give her time to adjust without overwhelming her. A conventionally (not electrically) fenced yard is required as she will be nervous around new people and will not come to them until she learns they can be trusted. Izzy will be a wonderful sweet loving companion, but needs time to adjust to life outside of a breeding facility.

SABRINA (10-047) is a sweetheart. Laid back and easy going, this 6 year old likes everyone she meets including adults, children and other dogs. She is housetrained and will go into a crate but we don’t think she needs one. Seemingly lazy at times, her energy peaks anytime a tennis ball is involved. She not only chases it, she actually brings it back and gives it to you for round after round of her favorite pastime. Sabrina also loves belly rubs and hugs and enjoys being groomed (which is a daily requirement given her luxurious coat). Sabrina was an owner give-up and came in with another golden and so would do well with another dog in the house. She has no experience with cats. She is smart and minds well but will chase critters and so a fenced yard is required.

STANLEY (10-061) is a very sweet, affectionate, gentle 8 year old, medium-sized boy. Stanley was picked up wandering the streets. His past is a mystery, but he has a very bright future! He is mostly Golden Retriever; he has lots of energy, but can settle down quickly and he is super smart and wants to please you, making him very trainable. Stanley loves to go for hikes and play fetch in the backyard. He is very curious about anything he hasn't seen before and everything must be thoroughly investigated - because of this a fully fenced yard is necessary. Stanley is housebroken and is trusted to have run of the house, although he is also fine being confined if he needs to stay put for a short time. Stanley is very friendly with other dogs, although he can sometimes be a little exuberant. He hasn't had any contact with cats while he's been with his foster family, so how he feels about them is unknown. He understands basic commands - sit, stay, "enough" (quit doing what you're doing) and "off" (works for drop it). Stanley has a concept of leash manners - he enthusiastically pulls at first, but once the initial excitement dies down he is very good about walking on a loose lead. Stanley will make an excellent best friend to the family that is willing to give him the time and attention he truly deserves.

NEW!  JAMESON (10-070) is 3 1/2 years old. He came to GRREAT as a stray from a shelter, so we don't know his history before that. He is very healthy and is on the slender side, weighing in at around 60 lbs. We're not sure where he got the scar on his nose, but we think it gives him character! Jameson is a very smart and charming boy who will be an excellent companion for the right family. Charming as he is, he is a bit of a diamond in the rough. He can be pushy when he wants attention and is very protective of his house and yard. He also tends to jump up when excited. All of these behavior issues are manageable and he is making great progress. Because of Jameson's special needs, he must go to a home with assertive owners who have experience in dealing with behavioral issues. A formal obedience course will be required of his adopters in order to establish a good relationship. Otherwise, Jameson is completely housebroken and has excellent house manners. He goes into a crate willingly and settles down in it nicely. He knows "Sit" and "Down", rides well in the car, and walks nicely on leash. He loves to be brushed, and doesn't mind having his nails trimmed. He loves to crunch ice cubes and will eat any food offered, including fruit and veggies! He is happiest when following his people around and generally being involved in anything going on. A calm and structured adult household with no cats would be perfect for him. While he is living successfully with two other dogs now, he could adapt to being an only dog as long as he got enough attention from his people. Since Jameson has an unknown history, only families with kids over 14 will be considered.

NEW!  TAZ (10-072) is a 7 year old, 80 lb, medium energy male golden who is a total happy-go-lucky goofball. Don't let the name fool you, this sweet boy bears no resemblance to the Tasmanian Devil! If you've seen the movie "UP", I'm pretty sure they based the character “Dug the dog” on our boy Taz. Taz has yet to meet a creature he didn't like (except maybe for squirrels!) He gets along with other dogs, cats, and people of all kinds. That being said, Taz is a little insecure around new people or new dogs unless he has a person or other dog with him whom he trusts. He has made a lot of progress in foster care, but he definitely will take some time to settle into a new home. He needs a confident, dog savvy person that he can feel safe with, and he would also be most comfortable in a home with another, well-adjusted dog. Taz cries a little when his person leaves the house, so having a canine brother or sister will ease his anxiety. Taz LOVES to be petted and brushed and he is very tolerant about getting a bath. The only thing Taz might love more than attention and petting from his people, could be his ball. He also loves yogurt and blueberries. Taz has no serious medical issues, however, he does have persistent allergies and an underactive thyroid. Like many goldens, Taz has food allergies so he should eat a grain free diet. There are plenty of dry food options available with grain free formulas, so he won't need a personal chef. Taz also has environmental allergies, so he needs to take some allergy medication daily. Additionally, he'll need to take his inexpensive thyroid medication twice each day for the rest of his life. Taz is fully housetrained; he is comfortable in his crate but prefers to be free when left alone. Please open your heart and your home to one our favorite fosters of all time! Since Taz has an unknown history, only families with kids over 14 will be considered.

POGO (10-094) Look out, world, here comes Pogo. Pogo is an approximately 2 yr old, textbook Golden who is young, blonde, adorable, loving, active, energetic, and loves to please. She will follow you around the house, loves to be petted, and is extremely playful. Pogo was likely raised as an outside dog, but is adapting well to being part of a pack. She had a bad case of flea infestation when she came to GRREAT, but has fully recovered. She is completely housebroken, not destructive, and can be left alone all day without being crated. She will come when called; does not counter-surf; does not jump up to greet your guests; and does not get on the bed or furniture. Pogo loves to go on walks but does pull on her leash to encourage you to keep up with her! She is not much into toys or games, but will happily keep your yard free of squirrels, rabbits, deer and other wildlife. She also engages our neighbor’s dogs in animated “conversation” through the fence, but will back-off when called. Pogo is very smart and is a wonderful learner. She has already mastered sit, paw, and bad. She gets along well with her foster sister, but is reactive when she first meets other dogs. She will bark and grunt at the initial meeting, but is okay once she gets to know the other dog. Pogo has not yet been exposed to kitties and small children. Because she is young, healthy, strong, and enthusiastic about all aspects of life, Pogo will be perfect for a family with an active lifestyle. She needs people with the time to ensure continued training so she can polish her manners and be the ultimate family member that she clearly has the potential to be. Check out her website: http://home.teleport.com/~goldens Are you ready for POGO?

CRYSTAL (10-099) is a small, 58 lb, lively 9 year old. She has quickly learned how to be a house dog, and is now housebroken, walks fairly well on a leash, and has learned come, sit, wait, and lie down. Crystal is very affectionate and will follow you from room to room but will wait quietly until you are ready to leave so she can follow you somewhere else. She loves to chase tennis balls and carry around stuffed toys. Crystal is in good health and quite active for a 10 year old. She rides well in the car and can be left for a normal work day. She would fit into most any family setting as long as she can also be part of the pack.

ZOEY (10-100) is a youthful 12 yr old female who is trim and fit. Don’t let the gray in her face lead you to think she is a sedentary old girl. Far from it! She easily runs, plays and keeps pace with the two younger members of the pack in her foster home, both of whom are female Golden Retrievers, one four and the other eight. Cats are unknown but she is known to be good with kids. Zoey has adapted well to her foster home environment, she is completely house trained and can go a full business day without incident. She was unsure of herself on stairs at first but has adapted to them fairly quickly. Zoey is VELCRO; she is never far from your side indoors or out, and the closer to you she is, the happier she is. Zoey is compliant and eager to please and seeks your praise and encouragement. Zoey is a true companion dog and will bond strongly to the person that cares for her. If you are looking for a dog that has only one wish, to be by your side, Zoey is your girl.

JUSTICE (10-101) is a 9 year old male who was given up by a family who had too many dogs. If you are looking for a couch potato, he is your guy. He is a kind old soul who loves kids, cats, other dogs and people in general. He always has a grin on his face. He needs to go to a family who doesn't have multiple steps in their home since he has an old injury, a broken shoulder, that never healed properly. He will need a calm home as he is sensitive to loud noises, like thunderstorms and fireworks. It would be best for Justice to live in a home where people have flexible schedules that allow him to have company a good portion of the day. He has been crate trained, but doesn't need it. He has no problems on a leash, but will only make very small walks of 1/2 mile or less. He is a wonderful, huggable, and calm companion.

NEW!  SAM (10-105) is a sweet, happy 7 year old golden that has the energy of a much younger dog! At 59 lbs, he’s a little smaller than average. Sam can be very energetic and ready to go, or just as content to lie by your feet. He definitely wants to be with his people. An owner give-up, Sam has lived around children and other dogs. Since he can be very exuberant when greeting you, (think Snoopy dance!) and sometimes a little mouthy, he may be a little too energetic for small children. Sam is housebroken and knows basic commands like sit, down, paw and no, but command reliability can depend upon his excitement level. Although completely housebroken, if you're gone a standard work day, Sam really needs a midday potty break. He can jump a 4 foot fence from a standstill, so he'll need a yard with a higher fence and/or someone to walk him. Sam loves to play fetch with a ball, but can sometimes be possessive with stuffed toys around other dogs, so Sam would do fine being an only dog. Sam has a hunter's nose and drive, is curious about everything he sees, and likes to follow his nose to new scents. Given the opportunity, Sam would chase anything that moves, so cats are probably not a good idea. He pulls on his leash when he's excited, but does calm down and walks nicely with my 2 dogs. Sam will sit patiently at the door to get his leash put on. He loves to be petted, brushed and go for car rides. Once the initial excitement of greeting you passes, Sam can be a mellow fellow that just wants to be with you, wherever you are! Sam's ideal family is one that has lots of time and energy to spend with this bright, spunky boy.

MILLIE (10-106) is a sweet 8 year old female who is looking for her forever home. She is super friendly and attentive to her foster parents. She follows us around whenever she is with us, and that is almost always since we can bring her to work with us. She is good with other dogs and cats and she is good about coming when called, although, as she becomes more comfortable with us, curiosity sometimes becomes a priority. Like many Goldens, Millie pulls when on the leash. Her only vice is she that she loves people so when she hears them, she beelines to meet them. At her vet visit, it was discovered that Millie has Lymes. After just a week of meds she is feeling much better and has begun to play, trot and smile. She will need help losing a few unwanted pounds to get her figure back and increase her endurance. Right now she needs help getting into cars due to lack of activity, but that will change with increased exercise and decreased weight. Choose Millie and she will quickly take a big part of your heart and be a loving family member.

RICCO (10-108) is an absolutely gorgeous blond boy about 5 years old. He came to GRREAT because his family lost their home. As you would expect from a young adult Golden, he has perfect manners. He walks well with a harness and comes reliably when off leash. He wants nothing more than to be near his person and is always close by without being ‘clingy.’ Weighing in at about 95 lbs, he’s a big boy, house trained, and knows his basic commands. He gets along very well with his foster sisters and the house cat. Although he doesn’t try to get on the bed, he does get on the couch and then look to see if it’s okay. The park is his favorite place and he loves playing with new dogs as well as greeting their people. Ricco is a mellow guy who likes children but not sudden or loud noises or raised voices. The toy box immediately caught his attention and if you play ‘tug’ with him, he’ll gladly let you win. He’s not obsessed with the tennis ball and feels clearly that if you threw it, you should go get it! It will be a very lucky family, indeed, who shares their lives with this beautiful boy.

...and we have many more dogs in foster homes being evaluated.

Here are other Goldens available for adoption through other rescues.