Professional photography by Nat Gold ZA
A MuttMix Shadow Project Story...
Some dogs are adventurers by nature – born with courage in their bones and curiosity in their paws. Bagheera is one of those dogs.
Born around June 2019 and rescued by TEARS in December 2023, he’s an explorer, a thinker, and a deeply sensitive boy who feels life in full colour. He’s been returned three times through no fault of his own… yet each time, he gathers himself, stands up again, and continues to love with his whole heart.
He’s an affectionate sweetheart whose joy seems limitless – especially when he’s outdoors, exploring, swimming, or learning something new.
But like every great adventurer, he has boundaries:
No cats or small animals, ever.
He prefers to be the only dog in the home.
In exchange, he’ll give you loyalty, adventure, connection and a bond like no other.
Bagheera’s MuttMix DNA Results
Bagheera’s Shadow Project genetic breakdown reveals exactly why he’s the beautiful, complex, athletic boy he is:
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26% Perro de Presa Canario
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18% Staffordshire Bull Terrier
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15% Bullmastiff
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14% French Bulldog
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14% Greyhound
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13% American Staffordshire Terrier
A blend of power, intelligence, sensitivity, athleticism, and devotion.
Every percentage tells a piece of his story.
The Bagheera Behind the Breed
Bagheera is sensitive in every way – in his body, his emotions, and his understanding of the world.
His health & diet
He struggles with skin allergies, which is why he thrives on a special diet and vegan/ostrich treats. After previous returns, his stress visibly affected him – his weight dropped and his skin flared badly. With the right diet and care, he recovers beautifully… but it shows how deeply he feels things.
Three meals a day support his system, and when life gets stressful, he shows it through weight loss. His emotional world and physical world are closely tied – a sign of a deeply sensitive, deeply bonded companion.
His Intelligence Is Remarkable
Bagheera doesn’t just learn – he interprets, he applies, and he adapts.
When taught to sit in front of his handler during stressful dog encounters, he didn’t just master it…
he generalised it.
A helicopter once landed next to him during a fire.
And what did he do?
He calmly sat in front of his handler, using the same coping tools he learned for dog stress.
That’s Bagheera: intelligent, thoughtful, intuitive, and constantly trying to make the right choices.
He thrives with consistent training, gentle leadership, and mental engagement. He loves revising what he’s learned – it comforts him, grounds him, and makes him proud.
His Greyhound Side – The Prey Drive
His prey drive was once extremely strong. Strong enough that his handler had to dive into the water fully clothed once to stop him chasing a duckling.
But over time – with patience, skill, trust, and a long leash for safe swimming – he learned.
He understood.
He grew.
Now he swims peacefully, without needing to be reined in. He knows the ducks are off-limits, and he respects it.
That’s the power of Bagheera’s mind – when he trusts you, he listens with his whole heart.
His Protective Side
Bagheera loves deeply, and deeply bonded dogs can sometimes misinterpret danger. His final return happened when he protected his owners from a gardener entering the home.
But here’s the truth the TEARS team sees clearly – he can absolutely be taught what real threats are and aren’t. He’s clever, eager to learn, and joyful during one-on-one training. With confident leadership, he blossoms into a dog who can protect appropriately – not anxiously.
Who Bagheera Really Is
He’s affectionate.
He’s intelligent.
He’s loyal.
He’s sensitive.
He’s brave.
He’s goofy.
He’s soulful.
He’s a dog who wants to do right and tries every single day.
Losing bonded kennel mates has broken his heart more than once. Stress has taken a toll on his body.
But through it all, he still wags, still learns, still loves, still hopes.
Bagheera is not “a difficult dog”. He’s a misunderstood dog – waiting for the human who sees him fully.
Bagheera’s Dream Home
A family who:
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Loves outdoor adventures
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Enjoys swimming, exploring, and being active
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Has no cats or small animals
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Has no other dogs
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Values training, enrichment, and emotional connection
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Wants a protective but deeply affectionate companion
Bagheera isn’t looking for just a home – he’s looking for his person.
The Shadow Project Exists for Dogs Like Bagheera
Dogs who’ve been returned.
Dogs who carry history in their hearts.
Dogs who need a chance to be understood.
Dogs whose DNA helps explain their behaviour, needs, and brilliance.
Bagheera is a masterpiece – a blend of strength, sensitivity, intelligence, and heart.
He’s ready to leave heartbreak behind.
He’s ready to belong.
He’s ready for forever.
