Unique little dog
Oliver with the Bass family (left to right): Ava, Gurgiana and Evan in front of the wood carved troll Isak Heartstone in Breckenridge, one of Oliver’s favorite mountain towns to visit.
Long legs, a fluffy tail and ears as big as his body make Oliver a unique little dog. He is a mix of seven breeds, primarily chihuahua, poodle and rat terrier. He is a very special pup to the Bass family—Evan, Gurgiana and their 8-year-old daughter Ava. “We are happy to be his parents,” said Evan.
Oliver is currently the Bass family’s only pet, though being dog owners is not new to the family. Evan previously had Cocoa, a loving Rottweiler mix, and Gurgiana had Rubio, a sweet chihuahua mix. Oliver fills the family home with his own affection and wit.
The Bass family found Oliver through a Texas rescue called Montana’s Pack. Texas faces a stray dog crisis with overcrowded shelters. Due to the high demand of adopters in Colorado, these rescues are able to connect puppies to loving Colorado homes with the help of local rescues such as Up Pup and Away Animal Rescue, the rescue that transported Oliver and his siblings.
Couch potato Oliver rests up for all-night play.
Oliver came home with the Bass family at 5 months old, although he was not their first choice. Originally Oliver’s brother was selected, as he had very similar qualities to Rubio, but Oliver’s personality was the better fit for the family, and they fell in love with his long legs and blue eyes.
Oliver is a combination of a chihuahua’s loyalty, a poodle’s smarts and a rat terrier’s high energy. He is affectionate, a cuddler and always wants to be with his family. He has a tendency of sneaking into Ava’s room at night to sleep with her or for the bedtime reading. “We love how sweet he is. He lets you snuggle him,” said Gurgiana.
By looks, Oliver mostly resembles a chihuahua with his large batlike ears but wears a subtle fluffy tail like the poodle and a longer snout from the terrier. “I like him because he has one ear up and one ear flops down,” said Ava.
Like most chihuahuas, Oliver can be anxious and nervous around new things, especially other dogs. Although he is obedient and leash trained, Oliver, at just 15 pounds, is not quite ready for the dog parks, but he does enjoy walks around his neighborhood in the Canyons and the streets of Breckenridge.
It is not uncommon for Oliver to play all night and sleep all day. To fuel his nighttime energy, Oliver enjoys snacking on all food, but most loves apples with peanut butter and the occasional Starbucks pup cup.
Oliver with his agility ball ready to play.
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of the Bass Family
