They say good things come in small packages, but it turns out they also come in big packages! Or in this case, really, REALLY big packages. It’s Jeff!

This jumbo-sized hunk was sadly surrendered after the human baby in his family developed a severe allergy to dogs. And Jeff can relate, as he also suffers from severe environmental allergies that cause him terribly itchy skin. He also has a history of ear infections, which is par for the course with our allergy pups. Fortunately, we’ve gotten his itchies largely under control with weekly medicated baths, monthly Cytopoint shots, and a special limited-ingredient diet. Jeff’s new family will need to continue this regimen, and be prepared for occasional flare-ups. “I promise I’m worth it!” says Jeff.

Jeff also arrived into FBRN’s care with some of the worst breathing we’ve ever heard. He tired out quickly, and his snoring sounded like a semi-truck downshifting on the interstate. Luckily, with the financial help of our wonderful donors, Jeff had nares and palate surgery, and his breathing has improved exponentially (and will only get better as he heals!) That said, Jeff must still be monitored for overheating, and it is essential that wears a harness when taken for walks—no collars for him, and definitely no choke chains.

Perhaps the most important thing to know about Jeff is that those pink, freckly bat ears are purely decorative—he is completely deaf. But Jeff doesn’t let a little ol’ thing like hearing impairment slow him down one bit. He is remarkably intuitive, and picks up on other dogs’ energy and body language. He is also one smart Christmas cookie, and is making great progress with learning hand signals. Once you get his attention—through eye contact, rather than calling his name—Jeff is very focused and eager to please. In fact, foster mom reports he is a better “listener” than any of her hearing dogs! Continued hand signal training would greatly benefit Jeff, and provide a wonderful opportunity for him to bond with his forever people.

His foster mom describes Jeff as a “cool kid;” a chill, confident guy who can adapt to just about any situation. He adores his people and is happiest when he’s with them, but he also understands that it may be difficult to have 38 pounds of Frenchie on your lap when you’re in a Zoom meeting. In that case, he’s content to lay down frog-style at your feet, or busy himself with a chew toy. Stuffed animals are another favorite, although he destroys them beyond recognition within a few hours (and seems very proud of himself for doing so). He is a joy to take on a walk, and the best snuggle buddy imaginable when you’re curled up on the couch with some eggnog and a Hallmark movie.

Jeff is such a happy, laid back dog that it’s easy to forget about his hearing impairment. But deaf dogs require extra patience and care, and Jeff is no different. Since he can’t hear you call his name, his recall is extremely limited, and it’s essential that he be on a leash every time he steps outdoors (unless he is surrounded by a secure fence). Care must also be taken not to startle Jeff, as he may not be able to sense a person drawing near. For this reason, any children in Jeff’s new home must be older and dog-savvy, and able to understand the importance of letting Jeff see them approach.

Jeff, for his part, loves kids. And teenagers, and twenty-somethings, and Millennials, and aging Gen X-ers, and seniors, and just about every member of the human species. He gets overexcited when he meets people for the first time, but continued training should help in this regard. Jeff also gets along with dogs of all shapes and sizes, and completely ignores the resident guinea pig. Unfortunately, as he’s never been tested with cats, we have to place him in a kitty-free home.

The perfect home for Jeff is one where he gets the maximum amount of attention from his people. Jeff is crate-trained and can be left alone for short periods of time, but he’s not the type of dog who can be left home alone all day—he’s just too much of a lover to be away from his humans for that long. A canine companion or two would be fantastic, but Jeff would also be happy as the sole king of all he surveys. And while a home with a securely fenced yard would be ideal, Jeff can also get exercise on his daily constitutionals, so long as great care is taken to ensure he doesn’t get off leash. Most of all, Jeff’s new family must have the patience and resources to provide lifelong care for a deaf dog with severe allergies. And did we mention love? It’s all you need, or so they say.

Jeff’s foster mom loves her blue-eyed boy to no end, and tells us: “Jeff is a cool, confident dude that I adore. He’s like the star athlete with the most humble attitude. There’s just this special kind of connection with him because eye contact is so important to communicating with him. He loves to be with you but waits for you to invite him up, although lately he’s started ‘fussing’ at me if I don’t invite him up fast enough. It is absolutely the cutest sound ever and makes me giggle! He’s always in the room with you, but it feels less velcro frenchie and more bestie to look out for you. Jeff will do best in a family that has someone around most of the time and wants to chill with him or chase him when he shows you the cool toy he found. Someone is going to be so lucky to get this studmuffin. He is special.”

If you think you have the perfect home for this special boy, then fill out an application and tell us why. Just be prepared to travel—Jeff is enjoying the holiday season in the Nevada desert, and will not be shipped.

FBRN dogs are in foster care in people’s private homes. For the foster families’ safety, we do not disclose specific locations, and we don’t set up meet and greets prior to applications. For detailed information about the dogs in our care, please read the extensive bios on each dog.