Dog Details

Spam is a small Chiweenie with a big personality and an even bigger bark—at least for the first few minutes. He may sound like a tough guy when he’s nervous, but it’s all fear, not aggression. Once he realizes you’re safe, he softens instantly and becomes a sweet, affectionate little companion who reaches out with his paw and looks right into your eyes as if to say, “Okay… I trust you now.”

Spam is still adjusting to the world. New people, new environments, and especially kennels can be scary for him. His initial greeting can be intense—deep barking, growling, and lots of bravado—but once he’s out of the kennel and has a moment to settle, he’s a completely different dog: gentle, loving, and eager to be near his person. He often curls up under his foster’s desk while she works and loves sleeping in bed with people and the other dogs.

He came from a home with many dogs, so he’s used to canine company and may prefer having another dog around, though he doesn’t get along with every dog and has had a few spats. He and his brother Meatloaf were rescued together and are very bonded. Spam does great when Meatloaf is around and if it's possible, they'd do great if they were adopted together. He’s doing surprisingly well with Minnesota cold weather for a Southern boy and loves running around the yard. Because he’s fearful and not leash trained, he must have a secure fenced yard (3 ft minimum) and should not be considered for apartment living—his bark is loud and frequent, especially when alerting to noises or reacting to his own reflection.

Spam is almost potty trained and does well on a schedule. He’ll either make it through the night or bark to let you know he needs to go out. He still marks occasionally but is improving quickly. Crate training is still a work in progress; he’s not comfortable going into a crate on his own, but he and his buddy Meatloaf sleep well overnight in a kennel with the door open and an X‑pen around it.

He can be skittish about being picked up—sometimes unsure, sometimes asking for it—but with patience and consistency, he’s already showing signs of becoming braver and more confident. He’s affectionate, playful, and full of potential once he feels secure.

Spam is a spicy little guy with a tender heart underneath. With a patient adopter who understands fearful dogs and can give him time to settle, he will blossom into a loyal, loving companion who just needed someone to believe in him.

Please note that some of our dogs are obtained from shelters, surrendered to our care, or released from breeders. Each animal's bio is based on our experience of the animal within our care, an educated guess based on physical characteristics, temperament and information shared. Each dog receives basic grooming when coming into rescue, but for some dogs they have not received grooming attention until recently and grooming may be required shortly after adoption. This will be at the adopter’s expense, so we encourage you to research the breed and be prepared for grooming expenses. Underdog cannot guarantee hypoallergenic or non-shedding qualities of any dogs in our rescue. Some of the animals come from situations where they are lacking experience in a home and confidence in humans. In turn, they require another companion dog and/or a fenced in yard in their forever home in order for them to feel safe. If you are interested in a particular dog whose bio states those needs and do not currently have them, please understand that your home might not be the right fit. Please use the filter on our Adoptable Dogs page to find the perfect match for your home.   

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