Meet Bear.

Amherst, MA · 3 years 5 months · Great Pyrenees / Golden Retriever / Mixed (long coat)

Listed since Aug 17, 2026. Listing dates do not establish shelter intake or continuous availability.

First seen by Goodmorph Oct 30, 2026.

Rescue last updated: Aug 24, 2026

In the shelter’s words

Meet Bear! A spirited three-year-old Great Pyrenees mix currently in Youngsville, NC, whose essence is a lovable goofball wrapped in a fluffy white coat and paired with the instincts of a devoted guardian. At about 70 pounds, Bear takes his security duties seriously. Strangers and unexpected visitors make him uneasy, and workers arriving at the home are especially stressful. Bear needs slow, thoughtful introductions to new people, but he can make new friends. Once you earn membership in Bear’s trusted circle, his softer side appears. He rolls over for belly rubs, proudly shows off his toys, enjoys a good bully stick, and happily settles into constant-companion mode! This smart boy knows sit, down, stay, leave it, drop it, and touch. He comes when called, likes car rides, enjoys outdoor fun, and has medium energy. He is house-trained, neutered, microchipped, and up to date on vaccinations. Bear also sheds generously, so regular brushing comes with the fluffy territory. Chicken may be an allergy trigger, and he receives behavioral medication to help manage anxiety. Bear has been evaluated through NC State’s Veterinary Behavior Program. His fear-based reactivity requires knowledgeable, careful management. He has nipped a housekeeper when frightened and has a bite history involving redirection when he felt pressured by strangers. These known triggers mean Bear needs an experienced pet parent committed to behavior modification, positive reinforcement, and controlled introductions. Crates are not suitable for Bear because confinement causes significant distress. He does well alone for short periods when he can remain uncrated. A quieter, adult-only home with a fenced yard and limited visitor traffic would suit him well. Bear has reacted to children and needs a home without them. He is selective with dogs, getting along with some but not others, and his compatibility with cats is unknown. For the right experienced family, Bear offers intelligence, loyalty, playfulness, impressive fluff, and truly enthusiastic belly-rub appreciation. Could your calm, structured home be the place where this big, goofy guardian can build trust and share his playful side? To learn more about adopting Bear, contact adopt@joyfulpets.com! Content Notice: This pet is represented by Joyful Pets. All photos, descriptions, and behavioral summaries are proprietary and may not be republished, altered, or used by third-party platforms. Any unapproved aggregation or rewriting of this listing is strictly prohibited.

RescueGroups record ID: 22715501

What this home needs

• Other dogs

  Mentioned by the shelter

  “Feed checkbox: Yes”

  Not a verified observation — ask staff about the context. A positive shelter report may support search results; it remains unverified and needs confirmation.

  Shelter statement ↗
• Children

  Mentioned by the shelter

  “A quieter, adult-only home with a fenced yard and limited visitor traffic would suit him well.”

  Not a verified observation — ask staff about the context. A positive shelter report may support search results; it remains unverified and needs confirmation.

  Shelter statement ↗
• Still to ask the shelter

  cats · housing and stairs · medical and care. These details are not documented here; unknown does not mean no.

Roster last seen: Nov 2, 2026, 6:21 AM UTC
Goodmorph last synced: Nov 2, 2026, 6:21 AM UTC
Availability confirmed by a person: Not confirmed

Shelter staff and authorized volunteers: add a dated observation

This shared profile remains available for up to 90 days after it leaves the source roster, unless removal is requested sooner. Adoptions and applications are handled by the shelter.