Meet Rocco Rocco is a compact, athletic guy with a big personality. According to his Wisdom Panel DNA results, he is primarily Chihuahua, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Jack Russell Terrier — a mix that perfectly explains his sturdy build, sharp intelligence, and energetic spirit. Rocco currently weighs about 38 pounds, though he’s carrying a little winter weight and could comfortably lose around 3–4 pounds. The good news is that his foster has already started walking him 2 to 4 miles a day, and Rocco absolutely loves it. With that kind of activity, he’ll be fit and trim in no time. True to his name, Rocco is confident, social, and full of life. He’s a gregarious dog who enjoys meeting people and being part of the action. He’s very athletic and agile and loves to zoom around the yard or head out for a good walk with his people. When playtime is over, he’s just as happy to cuddle up and relax close by. Rocco is highly food motivated, which makes training both fun and effective. Bully sticks are one of his favorite treats. He already knows “sit” and “down,” and he comes when called… as long as he feels like it. If he’s busy sniffing something interesting, he may suddenly pretend he didn’t hear you. With his intelligence and love of treats, continued training should help sharpen those listening skills. Rocco enjoys playing with most other dogs and generally does well with canine companions. However, large dominant male dogs can make him a little nervous, so a compatible playmate or a meet-and-greet would be important. He does well with children as long as they are respectful and understand how to interact appropriately with dogs. Rocco is quite agile and has been known to clear a 4-foot fence, so a secure 6-foot fence is required if he will be spending time in a yard. Otherwise, he should be kept on leash outdoors. He also has a high prey drive and should not live with small domestic animals such as birds or rabbits. On the plus side, he takes his hunting skills seriously and is excellent at keeping outdoor areas clear of mice and voles. Rocco is a fun, affectionate, and lively companion who will thrive with an active family that enjoys walks, playtime, and having a loyal dog close by. He brings both energy and affection to a home and is ready to find a family that will appreciate his big personality in his perfectly sized body. Adoption Information Rocco’s standard adoption fee is $465. We offer a $15 discount for cash or check payments, making the fee $450. The adoption fee covers: Spay/neuter surgery (when age appropriate) at one of our participating veterinarians Age-appropriate core vaccinations Fecal testing and deworming Flea and tick preventative Microchipping To be considered for adoption, we require: A fully completed application A phone interview A meet-and-greet with your entire household Submitting an application does not commit you to adopting and does not guarantee approval — it simply begins the review process. If you are interested in adopting or would like additional information, please email adopt@safehavendogsIL.org to request an application. Please note that the breed and size listed in each dog’s biography are our best educated guesses and are not guaranteed. Safe Haven Dog Rescue reserves the right to refuse the adoption of any dog or puppy to any applicant for any reason.