Luka (was Lucky)

Our ruggedly handsome Luka (born c. 2015, 24kg) is a clever partially-sighted chap who’s also very affectionate. His Norfolk foster-mum would love to keep him, but she knows Luka needs a stronger owner, and suspects also he would like a man about the house!

Before early 2025, Luka lived his whole life on the end of a chain in a yard in Bosnia, acting - supposedly - as a guard dog. His scarred face and broken teeth suggest he had been attacked by other dogs whilst left to fend for himself. Finally, when Luka’s owner wished to relocate, he was going to dump Luka in the woods. Luckily our rescuer found out and saved him.

Since coming to the UK, Luka has really come to life. His foster Mum thinks he’s younger than the estimated age on his passport. He is stronger and has a higher stamina level than when he was the sad old chap of his previous existence. That said, he is not hyper and restless, he is the quiet controlled type with lots of invisible determination.

Luka is strong on the lead. Also, because of his partial sight, he can glimpse potential threats in the distance and react strongly. He can be jittery out and about and wants someone to look after him who gives him firm routines, firm boundaries, straightforward commands, and good exercise. He needs a strong presence who makes him feel protected.

Luka is super intelligent and quick to learn - he has several commands down pat. He would enjoy intensive training such as parkour, playing football, ‘yomping over hills’ or just long walks.

Luka’s fosterer says he would love a family with teenagers, a couple or a single man. This gender-bias is simply based on observation: Luka seems to really like men!

Luka is good with dogs but like many with restricted sight, he doesn’t want to be taken by surprise and prefers to make relationships slowly. He isn’t massively bothered by the company of other dogs generally, but he was instantly reassured by the other (older male) dog in his foster home, and they are good friends. Luka could also be an only dog as long as he can really bond with his person or people.

He lives with a cat in his current home. He is a bit scared of the cat, actually.

At home, Luka is relaxed. He sleeps through the night, is crate-trained, fully house-trained and can be left alone (he initially experienced some separation anxiety but in the 4 months he has been with his fosterer, this has been overcome).  He doesn’t love going in the car and will need a dog guard or crate to travel. Although this is improving slowly.

Luka is very affectionate, enjoying sitting by his fosterer and making his soft expressive chatty noises. He bonds with his humans strongly. This sweet, chunky boy with an awful past life is very easy to fall in love with.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POpxnkeFjH0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8b6hDgnPBc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r17Jhrwnyjw

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Oh6Xeivl1gA