Dexter

Dexter is an adoptable male Mastiff looking for a home at Los Angeles County - Lancaster in Lancaster, California. He is fully grown and medium in size. He is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list and today is the last day, listed due to lack of space. Adopting Dexter, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

A5802932 DEXTER- BEHAVIORALLY OK FOR PUBLIC ADOPTION, ADULTS ONLY (REQUIRED) ' HANDLING ASSESSMENT ONLY DUE TO URI DEXTER Animal Location: Lancaster - L435 ANIMAL ID: A5802932 DATE ADMITTED TO COUNTY CARE: 2026-09-26 ANIMAL TYPE: DOG AVAILABILITY STATUS: Ready to go home PRIMARY BREED: MASTIFF PRIMARY COLOR: BR BRINDLE SEX: Male SIZE: X-LRG WEIGHT: 85 AGE: 1 years 6 months Assessment BEHAVIOR ASSESSMENT DISCLAIMER This assessment reflects the animal's most currently observed behavior and available history at the time of evaluation. This assessment should be considered a snapshot in time that will require updating as new information or behaviors emerge. It should not be relied upon to predict future behavior or as a statement of overall temperament. For additional information about an animal's behavior, please contact the animal care center. EVALUATION DATE: 2026-10-06 UPDATED THE LEGEND: ADULTS ONLY (REC) i SMALL DOG SOCIAL \"OVERALL SCORE\": NEEDS ASSESSMENT i ENERGY LEVEL: MEDIUM i TRAINING RECOMMENDATION: CONFIDENCE BUILDING i EVALUATION COMMENTS: 'The behaviors described today reflect the dog's responses in an Animal Care Center environment and during assessment. A dog's behavior in an Animal Care Center may differ significantly from how they behave in a home. Stress, confinement, and unfamiliar surroundings can cause dogs to act out or suppress behaviors that may emerge later. A dog's behavior may change based on surroundings, training, medical, socialization, and life experiences.' He greeted the handler at the kennel gate. When the handler opened the kennel gate, he retreated to the back, had concerned eyes and lowered his head. The handler entered the kennel. He allowed the handler to loop leash him, but he remained fearful. The handling assessment was done inside the kennel, due to him being on treatment for URI. The handler knelt and began to verbally coax him, but he did not approach. The handler remained kneeling and moved closer to him. He allowed the handler to pet his head, but he was head shy and needs a go-slow approach. He allowed the handler to check his teeth with no reaction. He allowed the handler to check his ears with no reaction. He allowed the handler to touch and lift all his paws with no reaction. He allowed the handler to touch his tail without issue. Although he allowed all areas to be touched, he was fearful and needed a very go-slow approach. He was returned to his kennel without issue. He appears under socialized around people and he needs someone that will go at his pace and build trust. Due to these factors, he would do best in an adult only home. October 06, 2026 BE26-096576 Animal ID: Eval Type: A5802932 Play Style: HANDLING Sociability: Kids: Large Dogs: ADULTS ONLY (REC) Eval Location: LANCASTR Reactive: Small Dogs: NEEDS ASSESSMENT Eval Date: 10/06/2026 Ken Handling: FEARFUL FROZEN Energy Level: MEDIUM Review Date: Training: CONFIDENCE BUILDING Eval Comments: \"The behaviors described today reflect the dog's responses in an Animal Care Center environment and during assessment. A dog's behavior in an Animal Care Center may differ significantly from how they behave in a home. Stress, confinement, and unfamiliar surroundings can cause dogs to act out or suppress behaviors that may emerge later. A dog's behaviormay change based on swroundings, training, medical, socialization, and life experiences.\" He greeted the handler at the kennel gate. When the handler opened the kennel gate, he retreated to the back, had concerned eyes and lowered his head. The handler entered the kennel He allowed the handler to loop leash him, but he remained fearful. The handling assessment was done inside the kennel, due to him being on treatment for URI. The handler knelt and began to verbally coax him, but he didnot approach. The handler remained kneeling and moved closer to him. He allowed the handler to pet his head, but he was head shy and needs a go-slow approach. He allowed the handler to check his teeth with no reaction. He allowed the handler to check his ears with no reaction. He allowed the handler to touch and lift all his paws with no reaction. He allowed the handler to touch his tail without issue. Although he allowed all areas to be touched, he was fearful and needed a very go-slow approach. He was retumed to his kennel without issue. He appears under socialized around people and he needs someone that will go at his pace and build trust. Due to these factors, he would do best in an adult only home.