Dog Details

Don’t let his cloudy eyes fool you—Gandalf sees the world with his heart, and it’s one of the sweetest hearts you’ll ever meet.

This darling Yorkie is completely blind in his left eye and has very limited vision in his right due to cataracts. While he’ll need a family willing to make a few thoughtful accommodations, caring for Gandalf is surprisingly easy. Once he learns his surroundings, he confidently navigates his world with patience, curiosity, and quiet determination.

Gandalf is adorable and the absolute easiest dog I have ever cared for. Since his dental and learning the layout of the house and backyard, he is absolutely THRIVING! It is so much fun to watch. He is loving and lovable.

It took him about two weeks to figure out the house and yard layout. Another week or two after that, he stopped peeing in the belly bands I had been keeping him in while he was in the house. He completely surprised his foster family by being housebroken! He just needed about three weeks to figure out how and where the door was.

Now, when he wants to go outside, he quietly stands by his foster families patio door and sometimes scratches at it.

He no longer sleeps in his crate. He loves sleeping in his foster families bed! He doesn’t hog the bed or steal the blankets. He just curls up and quietly falls asleep.

He is a good eater, too. I feed him in his crate because my dogs will absolutely steal his food. All of the dogs eat in their crates at this house, so he fits right in.

He is also a very good pooper—very reliably pooping when he goes outside in the morning.

And then there is his one great nemesis: THE VACUUM CLEANER.

Even though he can’t really see it, he dives right in and tries to bite it whenever it is turned on. Apparently, blindness is no obstacle when you have strong feelings about household appliances.

Watching this little guy figure everything out and become more confident and comfortable has been such a joy. He is really, truly thriving. ❤️

He’s also a curious little explorer. He loves wandering through the house in search of hidden treats, chewing on bones and small stuffed toys, stretching out for sunny naps, and investigating anything new at his own pace. He’s a wonderful eater, is doing great with pooping outside on a schedule, and continues to make progress with house training. He currently wears a belly band indoors while learning that peeing outside is just as rewarding. Because of his vision loss, rewarding him without eye contact takes a little extra patience, but he’s making steady progress.

Simple verbal cues help Gandalf feel safe and confident. His foster family says “touch” before petting him and “up” before picking him up so he always knows what’s coming. Those little routines quickly become second nature and help him trust his people even more.

Gandalf could happily live as an only dog if his family is home most of the time. Because of his blindness, he thrives on companionship and would likely become lonely if left alone for long periods. A calm, dog-friendly small dog would also be a wonderful companion, though it’s not a requirement. While he doesn’t spend much time playing with other dogs, he enjoys their presence and often uses them as a point of reference. He especially loves following his foster’s white dog outside, using her like a gentle guide as they wander the yard together before relaxing side by side in the sunshine.

Gandalf would be an excellent fit for a quieter household where someone is around often to share life’s simple moments. He’s the kind of dog who doesn’t ask for much—just a little patience, a predictable routine, and someone to love.

His vision may be limited, but his capacity for love is anything but. Gandalf is proof that sometimes the dogs who see the least help us appreciate the most.

Please note that some of our dogs are obtained from shelters, surrendered to our care, or released from breeders. Each animal's bio is based on our experience of the animal within our care, an educated guess based on physical characteristics, temperament and information shared. Each dog receives basic grooming when coming into rescue, but for some dogs they have not received grooming attention until recently and grooming may be required shortly after adoption. This will be at the adopter’s expense, so we encourage you to research the breed and be prepared for grooming expenses. Underdog cannot guarantee hypoallergenic or non-shedding qualities of any dogs in our rescue. Some of the animals come from situations where they are lacking experience in a home and confidence in humans. In turn, they require another companion dog and/or a fenced in yard in their forever home in order for them to feel safe. If you are interested in a particular dog whose bio states those needs and do not currently have them, please understand that your home might not be the right fit. Please use the filter on our Adoptable Dogs page to find the perfect match for your home.