Adopted
| Breed | Foxhound |
| Color | |
| Age | Young |
| Gender | Male |
| Size | Large |
| Coat Length | - |
| Adoption Fee | - |
Characteristics
Health
House-trained
Good in a home with
For all his beauty and elegance, what strikes people about Bentley, other than his comically long ears, is his earnest and loving personality. He is a dog with a most wonderful and affectionate outlook, and a most sincere desire to please his humans.
Regular care, feeding and attention are luxuries for this dear fellow, who was a rural stray. He literally "surrendered" himself to a resident in town by jumping her fence INTO her back yard, so hopeful was he for a handout and some help. A local gentleman in the area, long known for his efforts on behalf of dogs, was notified; this gentleman contacted Hedgesville Hounds, and with some assistance from the Hampshire County Humane, Bentley finally made it into foster care.
Beside himself with joy, Bentley now finds himself thrilled by the mere sight of his foster mom. He is truly a dog who has sought friendship and relationship, and now that he has found these things, he revels in them. Consequently, he is very curiously involved in all aspects of household life - whether the plan for the day is gardening or relaxing on the couch - there's Bentley, ready to lend a helping paw and his ardent, devoted presence.
His once thin frame has filled out, and although it is doubtful that he will ever grow into those long ol' ears, Bentley is a classically beautiful foxhound. He has good muscle, and his movement style is elegant and graceful - well, most of the time. Sometimes Bentley is just so happy that he cavorts and clumps around like a puppy again, which is part of his endearing nature. This same ardent and endearing nature does not extend to cats, who are Bentley's archenemies. Although we have tried to convince him that cats are his friends, Bentley has made it clear that his dislike for them is unwavering and lifelong. (He clearly thinks we are hopelessly naive and putting ourselves in grave danger by trusting all creatures feline.)
Many things commend Bentley besides his wonderfully affectionate and jovial demeanor. When it suits him, he is just bursting with desire to learn commands, and in fact, in his efforts to concentrate and understand, he tilts his head and studies his foster mom with warm and open admiration. When he is more interested in doing other things, there is a small "time delay" before Bentley will acknowledge a command -- he is so entranced with whatever is holding his attention. Those of you who are familiar with hounds are familiar with that 15-second interval between the time you give a command and the time that your otherwise-occupied hound responds.
He quickly mastered housetraining and he is familiar with a host of other commands.
Bentley is not presumtuous, and so he is humbly shy and hopeful when first introduced to new people or dogs, but his inexhaustibly affectionate and playful nature soon follows, and he quickly interacts joyously with everyone he meets. He is extremely excited to have his own toys, a dinner bowl, and a blanket next to his foster parents' bed; one could say that Bentley has a very grateful personality.
He loves to be petted and loved, although he still ducks a little from quick hand movements, as if he may have been rebuked in his past. Otherwise, Bentley is a very tactile dog. He will be a joy to train, so eager is he to please, and so devastated by the slightest correction.
Bentley is striving to master leash work, and rides with happy interest in a car, peering out the windows with his native curiousity. Indeed, Bentley's world these days is a rich and wondrous place. The adopter(s) who offers Bentley a permanent home will be bonding with a dog who will offer himself to his humans, his home and its canine occupants with all his heart and soul.
