Meet Russell

Russell is a gentle, goofy giant in every sense of the word. A true lovebug who is absolutely convinced he’s about 80 pounds smaller than he actually is. He leans in, melts into affection, and always wants to be close. Touching his foster mom isn’t optional—it’s a requirement.

But here’s the important part: while Russell is incredibly soft-hearted, he is still a livestock guardian breed dog. His instincts don’t turn off just because he’s sweet, and his future adopter will need Great Pyrenees or LGD experience to truly understand him and set him up for success.

We strongly suspect Russell is what’s often referred to as a “failed” working dog—though that label couldn’t be more unfair. He repeatedly showed up on a stranger’s property, and out of concern for his safety around their own dogs, animal control was called. Sadly, this is a story we see far too often in LGD rescue.

Most “failed” LGDs aren’t failures at all. They are the result of inconsistent handling and human error. One of the most common mistakes is allowing LGD puppies to spend time playing with humans outside of their livestock environment. When that happens, the puppy bonds to people instead of livestock, often becoming what we call a “porch guardian”—a dog who chooses to guard the humans in the house rather than the animals in the field. That is never the dog’s fault.

This is what we believe happened with Russell.

He craves human connection deeply. He wants affection, closeness, and reassurance. And yet—true to his roots—he still does his rounds, checking in on his foster siblings throughout the day. Russell isn’t cut out to be a working Pyr, but he is cut out for a home that understands the breed, respects his instincts, and is committed to slow, thoughtful introductions to other pets.

Russell will thrive with adopters who appreciate both sides of who he is: the oversized cuddle bug and the instinct-driven guardian. With the right home, he will be an incredibly loyal, devoted companion.