Harlow was born to a Labrador retriever who had an inadvertent mating with an Australian shepherd mix, we believe.

She was adopted at 9 weeks by a family who wanted a puppy who would grow up with the two children, ages, 2 and 5. They all loved and played with Harlow. She was quickly housebroken, and crate trained but that was as far as her training got. Shortly after getting Harlow, the family was expecting a third child. As Harlow grew and became less easy to handle, she was relegated to her crate more and more. Her increasing size and energy at the same time as a pregnancy in the family, meant Harlow was crated and not trained or exposed to people and other dogs. When Harlow was 13 months, the father’s parents, who live in The Villages, offered to take Harlow, out of pity for a young,  smart dog spending way too much time in a crate. That was Aug 7.

They quickly learned Harlow has a quick mind, has a lot of playful puppy energy, is good natured with people and animals (she greets all with play bows and tail wagging). Their 12 year old Lab was less interested in playing with Harlow but sought out her company despite the pup’s pawing and jumping on her. Harlow’s reaction to the elderly dog’s unwillingness to play is to paw at her and bark. Harlow also wanted their cat to play and although she was interested in the cat, it was playful interest.

After the wife injured her left hand in a fall, caring for Harlow became the husband’s responsibility. As a consultant, he even took Harlow along on a 10 day business trip. She travels well in the car in her crate. Larry and Harlow bonded during this trip. He taught her to walk nicely on a “Gentle leader” collar, which made walking her much easier. She heels much of the time but is still learning to control her lunging. She loves to retrieve and is learning to “drop it” when she brings it back. Often she won’t drop it until you turn and start to walk away.  She is not a chow hound, she sometimes waits a while to eat all her food.  She loves chew toys (Kongs in different shapes and configurations), and has only chewed inappropriately when left out of her crate and alone with her same old toys, telling us that she needs different toys rotated and possibly puzzle toys to engage her brain and teeth.

This couple is only giving up Harlow because she needs more running space (a fenced yard) and more consistent time devoted to training and structure. As they both work, and have varied schedules, life is unpredictable for Harlow.  They love Harlow but found out they cannot give her what she needs, an outlet for her adolescent/puppy energy, training , and challenges for her quick mind.

Harlow is healthy, currently being treated for ear fungal infection, is spayed, current on all shots. Vet records available. She will make a great pet for a family with older children, fenced yard, possibly a pool (not that she has ever seen one), crate trained, being obedience trained.