Fill out an Adoption Application

Sterling is a big, handsome, determined dog. He is house and crate trained, knows sit and down and rides well in a car. He will make you laugh, melt your heart and drive you crazy often all at the same time. Sterling has been well loved BUT he has not been well trained. With time and dedicated training, he will be the wonderful companion that every Great Dane owner dream of.

Likes: Sterling loves to have his face petted. He will melt into your hand at the slightest touch. He also likes to sit on your lap when outside and watch the world go by.  

Dislikes: cats

Personality: determined- He will get to or do whatever interests him at the moment. He has very short attention span, is not food motivated and gets bored easily so he requires a lot of direction and attention

Temperament: Sterling takes meds well, is okay with having his ears handled and his feet touched but was unsure about having his nails trimmed.  

Energy level: Tasmanian Devil to sleeping beauty, there is no in-between. He is either bouncing from toy to toy or fast asleep; preferably while laying across your lap.

Favorite activities: tearing things up- he will grab any pillow, towel, blanket or bed he can get ahold of but he will drop it if told, but if not, he will shred it.

Good with : He likes other dogs but can be pushy and does not understand personal space

Not good with: NO cats!! 

Housetrained: yes

Crate trained: yes

Challenges: Sterling requires dedicated training and manners and 6-foot fence

Any Medical issues? Recently neutered 

Sterling will thrive with a patient owner that understands and is willing to learn how to train him and give him focus. He is the sweetest, most loving dog he just does not know what to do with all of his energy. He enjoys walks and would appreciate an active family. Sterling will require a fenced yard as he jumps straight up about 6 feet but has not escaped his current foster’s fence which is 4 feet tall- we would recommend a 6-foot fence for his best safety and protection if possible. Definitely will require breed and large dog history. Sterling will challenge his new family from the start but will grow to be a great part of it will the right attention and training. 

Fostered in Washington, DC. 

Application Fees, Adoption Donations and Rescue Policy: Please know that 100% of our funds are used for rescuing the dogs.

Our rescue policy requires the following:

• Adopters must have their primary residence in one of the following states: Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and parts of North Carolina and and parts of New York.
• We will not adopt a giant breed dog to homes where the dog will have access to highly varnished hardwood steps inside the home. Any inside steps to which the dog(s) have access, must have carpeting, securely fixed stair treads, or a non-skid surface. We encourage you to remediate potential safety issues while your application is under review, prior to the home visit.
• Applications for giant breed dogs must be submitted by the property owner.
• Homes with children under 6 years of age will not be approved for adoption.
• Homes with children should have a fenced yard.
• Pets currently in the applicant's home must have a history of appropriate veterinary care. Veterinary records will be checked.
• All references must be checked before any visitation of the dog is permitted at the foster home.
• All family members must be present during the home visit to the applicant's home.
• Any dog(s) in the applicant's home must have an introductory meeting with the rescue dog being considered, before any adoption can be completed.
• Homes with intact dogs will not be approved for adoption. Exceptions to this policy can be found on the Adoptable Dog Page.

For additional information please review our FAQs or contact: mastiffstomutts@gmail.com

Application Fees, Adoption Donations and Rescue Policy:

Please know that 100% of our fees and donations pay for the costs of rescuing dogs. These include but are not limited to pull fees from shelters, veterinary examinations, vaccinations, medications and care, microchips, neuter/spay surgeries, heartworm treatments, behavior evaluations, and foster care, as needed.

Important notes before applying.

• Approved adopters must have their primary residence in one of the following states: Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and parts of North Carolina and Kentucky.

• You must be at least 21 years of age to apply and legally sign our contract for adoption.

• Applications must be completed by the homeowner. 

• We do not adopt giant breed dogs to renters.

  • If you are renting, and you are applying to adopt a dog that is not a giant breed, permission to adopt an animal must be obtained from the landlord or property owner.

• We do not adopt giant breed dogs to homes with children under 6 years of age.

  • Homes with children should have a fenced yard.

• Applications will be denied if anyone residing in the household has a record indicating drug/alcohol abuse, theft, or violence.

• Pets currently in the applicant's home must have a history of appropriate veterinary care.
• Homes with intact dogs will not be approved for adoption.  Proof of any of the following exceptions is required:
  1. The intact dog is a working member of a law enforcement, or search and rescue/recovery team.
  2. The intact dog is registered under the auspices of the American Kennel Club and is actively being shown.
  3. A veterinarian has determined the sterilization procedure would harm the intact dog. 

• We believe in Force Free Training Methods and do not approve of methods or devices using pain or force to control the dog, or to deter undesirable behavior. 

• Homes with highly varnished steps must have carpeting, securely fixed stair treads, or a non-skid surface. **We encourage you to remediate potential safety issues while your application is under review, prior to the home visit.
  • ​Any inside steps to which the dog(s) have access, must have carpeting, securely fixed stair treads, or a non-skid surface.

  • Homes with highly varnished floors must have non-slip area rugs or mats wherever your animal walks or rests frequently. 

**Puppy Adoption Policy**

To ensure proper house training and socialization, puppies will only be adopted to homes where an adult will not be away more than an hour per day, per month of age of the puppy, up to 6 months.
Certain large-breed dogs should not be sterilized prior to 12 - 18 months of age.  If you adopt an intact puppy, you will sign an adoption contract agreeing to have the dog sterilized at your expense at the time your veterinarian recommends.
Proof of sterilization must be provided to Mastiffs To Mutts Rescue as soon as the procedure is completed.  If the puppy is not sterilized as required, Mastiffs To Mutts Rescue reserves the right to claim legal ownership of the dog. 

For additional information please review our FAQs or contact mastiffstomutts@gmail.com

**Mastiffs To Mutts Rescue reserves the right to approve or deny any adoption that occurs through this organization without disclosure.  We reserve the right to make exceptions for special circumstances.

**PA Kennel License: 05845

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