09/02/2026
Meet Sundance!
Some dogs survive. Sundance chose to trust.
Sundance is an approximately 8-month-old, 62-pound Doberman girl with natural ears and tail. She was found after she and another dog were abandoned near Placitas, New Mexico. While her companion was rescued quickly, Sundance spent a week on her own, frightened and in survival mode.
Volunteers from CMM Lost Pet Recovery and Humane Trapping and Doberman Rescue of New Mexico worked together to safely capture her. Sundance became comfortable entering the humane trap to eat surprisingly quickly, but she was finding food elsewhere and often wasn’t hungry enough to go inside when the trap was set.
Then hunger finally won out. Sundance calmly walked into the trap for dinner. When the door closed behind her, she simply glanced at it, finished eating, curled up, and fell asleep.
That single moment revealed the dog she’d been all along.
When Sundance arrived at her foster home, her tail was wagging so hard it thumped against the sides of the trap. As soon as she was released, she greeted everyone with wiggles, nuzzles, and gentle kisses.
Since then, we’ve learned a lot more about her. For an eight-month-old Doberman, Sundance is surprisingly mellow. She’s affectionate and very much a typical “Velcro Dobe” who likes to be close to her people, but she’s also able to settle nicely in the house on her blanket. Her foster describes her as sweet, smart, and remarkably good for her young age.
Sundance is completely house-trained, has never had an accident in her foster home, and knows how to use a doggy door. She knows sit and wait for her meals and is food motivated. She hasn’t shown any destructive behavior. She has also been quiet and comfortable when left alone in a safe area of her foster home.
Like many young dogs, Sundance still has some training ahead of her. Leash walking is currently her biggest challenge, so her adopter should be prepared to work with her on her leash manners. She’s young, smart, and food motivated, which should help.
Sundance enjoys playing with her foster’s senior Doberman whenever he is willing. She does watch the foster’s small poodle rather intently, so we would use caution with small dogs. Her behavior around cats is unknown, so a home with cats would require careful introductions and supervision.
Sundance hasn’t been evaluated around children and has shown no aggression in any situation. However, she is an enthusiastic 62-pound puppy who could easily knock over a small child without meaning to, so a home with older children only is recommended.
Her energy level is fairly moderate for her age. She’s capable of plenty of play but also settles well in the house. She rides well in the car when safely tethered.
And Sundance apparently still has a few things to learn about being a puppy. Her foster offered her a stuffed toy, and she didn’t seem to know what to do with it. We suspect there are quite a few ordinary dog pleasures she hasn’t discovered yet.
Sundance is spayed, vaccinated, microchipped, and heart worm negative.
After a rough beginning, Sundance is ready for a permanent home with people who will love her, continue her training, and give this young dog the stability she deserves. If you think you could be the person who gives Sundance the safe, loving home she has been waiting for, we’d love to hear from you.
Sundance’s adoption fee is $300. Think Sundance might belong with you? Please complete an application at dobermanrescuenm.org!
