Quinton

Meet Quinton, a 7-month-old Border Collie mix with the perfect balance of intelligence, goofiness, and heart. Whether he’s offering random tricks for treats, curling up next to you, or tapping into his working dog instincts during play, Quinton is the kind of dog that just makes life better.

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General Information

• Name: Quinton

• Age: 7 months

• Breed: Male, Border Collie mix

• Coat: Fluffy, medium-length black & white

• Weight: 35 lbs (Estimated adult weight: ~48 lbs)

• Height: 21″ at the shoulders, 15.5″ at the withers

• Crate size: Large (42″)

• Location: Austin, Texas

• Heartworm Status: Negative

• Altered: Yes (Neuter scheduled for March 28th, 2025)

• Activity Level: Moderate to High

• Good with Other Dogs: Yes, enjoys companionship but isn’t overly pushy. Playful and gentle with small dogs and young puppies. Shows typical Border Collie herding instincts when playing.

• Good with Cats: Yes (Interested but can ignore, can be called off and redirected)

• Good with Children: Yes, gentle and patient

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Personality

Quinton is a sweet, soft-hearted boy who thrives on human connection. He is affectionate and always seeks physical closeness, leaning into his humans, curling up for cuddles, and following them from room to room.

• Infectious Dopey Personality – Quinton is always smiling, full of life, and loves to make every moment fun. He has a goofy charm that makes him impossible not to love, spreading joy wherever he goes.

• Cautious but Curious – Quinton is a thinker! He takes his time in new environments but quickly adjusts and embraces new experiences.

• A Nose for Adventure – He is ready and willing to go anywhere and do anything with his humans.

• Unaffected by Loud Noises – Unlike many Border Collies, Quinton is pretty indifferent about thunderstorms, fireworks, gunshots, and other loud noises.

• Not Afraid to Make Friends – Once comfortable, he is social and engaging, happy to meet new people and dogs.

• Independent Yet Loyal – He enjoys spending time near his people but is also content to entertain himself with toys, bones, or relaxing independently in the yard.

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Strengths

Extremely loyal—always nearby but never underfoot

Well-mannered and polite—no jumping or pushy behavior

Gentle with people, including children

Social with other dogs but enjoys quiet time, too

Good with cats—interested but easily redirected

Easygoing and adaptable—great at home or on adventures

A soft, fluffy coat that makes him extra huggable!

Eager to learn and quick to pick up on routines

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Weaknesses

Occasionally submissive pees when meeting new people or tinkles when becoming overly excited. With continued confidence-building and maturity, this should improve.

Mild puppy humping tendency. It’s not excessive and is expected to lessen after his neuter.

Can become overly fixated on a particular dog at the dog park. He takes corrections well, but he sometimes gets too interested in one playmate and needs reminders to redirect.

Can get overly excited and hyper at times. When he gets excited (especially during play), he sometimes has a hard time settling down. A quick reset—like a break in his crate or structured play—helps him refocus.

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Health

• Currently thin after a recent leggy growth spurt—he’s still growing into his body and should put on another 15 lbs over the next few months (expected to reach ~48 lbs when fully grown).

• No known medical issues.

• Currently going through his puppy shot cycle.

• Scheduled for neutering on March 28th, 2025.

• No apparent hearing or vision issues.

• No skeletal or muscular concerns.

• No urine or bowel problems.

• No digestive issues.

• No mental health or behavioral concerns.

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Training & Manners

Housebroken – No accidents indoors

Understands how to use a dog door

Crate trained – Calm and quiet in his crate

Good recall – Improving each day

Walks well on a leash – Relaxed and responsive

Rides great in the car (Crated) – Easy travel companion

No male marking instinct – Squats to potty and maintains clean habits outdoors

Mild puppy humping tendency – Expected to lessen post-neuter

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Social

Quinton loves car rides and is calm and comfortable traveling. He is most at ease when outdoors, where he’s more confident and relaxed. He enjoys visiting fenced dog parks, where he interacts and plays well with other dogs.

While Quinton isn’t a high-energy runner, he still needs secure environments since his recall is improving but not yet fully reliable. He’s more comfortable around strangers when outside and takes his time warming up in new situations.

Quinton isn’t overly toy-driven and is still figuring out his preferences, but he enjoys interactive play and is warming up to different types of toys.

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Sport

Quinton shows herding instinct typical for his breed and is praise-motivated, which could make him a good candidate for basic obedience, trick training, or light recreational herding.

After a few days of decompression in foster care, he is showing interest in balls, ropes, and squeaker toys. He is starting to self-entertain with toys and is learning to fetch. Tugging with humans and other dogs is becoming his favorite game. Since entering foster care, he has been developing toy and food drive, laying the foundation for sports like agility, dock diving, or disc.

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Home Life

Quinton has an excellent understanding of boundaries when it comes to personal belongings—he has never chewed on anything that wasn’t his. He instinctively knows the difference between dog toys, bones, and human items. He does not tear apart his bedding or pull on his crate cover.

He sleeps through the night without issue and does not whine in his crate during the day. He respects furniture and keeps all four paws on the ground. After an indoor play session, he settles nicely into his bed or crate for a moment of quiet. He’s developing self-control around feeding time, sitting and waiting to be told to eat. Despite other dogs in his space, he exhibits no signs of anxiety or resource guarding. He allows handling while eating, lets you reach into his bowl, and remains relaxed if his food is removed.

Whether chilling by your feet in the office or gearing up for a full day of hiking, running, and playing, Quinton adapts beautifully to his environment and daily routine.

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Quinton’s Perfect Forever Home

Quinton’s ideal forever home would be:

An Active, Engaged Family or Individual – Quinton thrives on companionship and adventure. His family should be willing to involve him in daily activities, outdoor adventures, and mental enrichment like training or structured play. Whether it’s hiking, playing tug, or just keeping a routine, he will flourish with an owner who enjoys interacting with their dog rather than leaving him to entertain himself.

A Home with Another Dog (Preferred, but Not Required) – Quinton enjoys playing with other dogs, especially small dogs and puppies. While he can be an only dog, he would benefit from a confident and playful canine sibling who can help guide him and continue his socialization.

A Home That Provides Structure & Training – He is eager to learn and quick to pick up on routines, so his adopter should be consistent with training to help him continue building confidence. His puppy energy, occasional excitability, and submissive peeing should improve with positive reinforcement, routine, and maturity.

A Secure Yard or Safe Outdoor Space – While he isn’t an escape artist, he does have herding instincts and occasional fixation on other dogs. A secure space where he can safely run, sniff, and explore will help him burn energy in a controlled way.

A Patient, Loving Adopter – Quinton warms up quickly but benefits from patience in new situations. He needs someone who understands that confidence-building and continued socialization will help him reach his full potential.

A Home That Understands Herding Breeds – Quinton has light herding tendencies, so a home that understands how to positively redirect those instincts would be best. He would do well in a home that enjoys teaching tricks, engaging in light sports (like agility, disc, or dock diving), or simply providing mental enrichment to keep his intelligent mind engaged.

Not a High-Energy Maniac, but Still Needs Exercise – Quinton is not an extreme endurance athlete, but he does need regular physical activity and structured play. His ideal home will provide daily walks, training sessions, or safe off-leash play to keep him happy and balanced.

Great with Children, But Best for a Home That Understands Herding Dogs – While he is gentle and patient, an ideal home would have dog-savvy kids who understand boundaries and are respectful of a dog’s space.

What Wouldn’t Be Ideal for Quinton?

A sedentary home – He is not a couch potato and needs daily engagement, mental stimulation, and exercise.

A home that leaves him alone for long hours without stimulation – He is independent yet people-oriented, meaning he would struggle in a home where he is left alone all day without a job, training, or playtime.

A chaotic, loud environment with unpredictable energy – While he is not noise-sensitive, an environment with high-stress energy, yelling, or constant unpredictability wouldn’t be the best fit for him.

A home expecting a fully trained, perfect dog – He is still a young puppy, and while he is smart, well-mannered, and eager to please, he still needs training, confidence-building, and patience while he matures.

Why Quinton is an Amazing Dog for the Right Home

He is affectionate, loyal, and bonds deeply with his people

He is easygoing, adaptable, and well-mannered

He is playful but not over-the-top energetic

He is trainable, eager to please, and quick to learn

He gets along with dogs, cats, and kids

He is already crate-trained, house-trained, and well-socialized

Final Thoughts

Quinton is not a difficult dog, but he thrives with structure, engagement, and companionship. His forever family should be one that enjoys including their dog in everyday life, whether that’s hiking, training, snuggling on the couch, or simply providing a home filled with love and enrichment.

If you’re looking for an affectionate, fun-loving, and trainable companion who will brighten your life with his goofy personality, Quinton is your guy!

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Ready to Make Quinton Part of Your Family?