well, to us, thirteen steps seems like alot of steps to have to maneuver everytime you need to pee or poop...but, maybe this pup is up to the challenge. are they 'open backed' steps, or closed steps. i didn't see what they estimate his age at, which might make the difference too. definitely consider a ruffwear harness , so you can have a good grip on his handle as he goes up and down - that would help. let us know what you decide, he sure is handsome!

charon & spirit gayle

the only thing i was thinking was that some dogs are skiddish when they can see through the back of the steps, instead of seeing a solid riser in the back....  i know it's frustrating dealing with rescue groups - too few volunteers, too many pups and kitties, too few dollars to help, too frustrating!!!  hope you can find someone to give you some info on this guy - let us know what happens!!!

charon & spirit gayle

He's so handsome!

We have (indoor) stairs that Holly has to navigate every day - bedroom is upstairs as is my home office, where she generally hangs out during the day.  She's a front amp, 9 years old, and about 65 pounds at this point, so definitely smaller than this fella.  It was hard when she was first recovering (we didn't let her come upstairs for about a week), so at least you would get to skip that part!  Going up definitely takes more effort than it used to, and the other dogs run by her, but she just keeps going, slow and steady.  Going down is harder, but still not too bad.  Again, much slower than she used to be - she's very careful, and has learned how to stay right against the wall so that she can brace herself if she needs to.

She has definitely changed her calculation as to what is worth going up and down stairs...she used to run down when her dad got home, but now she just hangs out upstairs and thumps her tail (she knows he will come to her!), and if I go downstairs during the day she usually stays upstairs and just waits for me to come back.  Other than that, we haven't had a lot of problems....it's doable.

Ours are open-backed, which scares me to death - I'm worried that she will somehow slip and end up with a leg through the stairs (I've never seen any evidence that this might happen, it's just my own paranoia).

Overall, I would say it's definitely doable...it takes a little longer, but other than that, it's ok.  Of course, if he ended up with horribly arthritic hips or something like that, the calculation might be different.

Good luck!

Alex & Holly

I think it's great you are wanting to adopt this cute guy! 

I would highly recommend if you are seriously considering it, think about moving to the first level.  With his size, you and him are going to miserable climbing stairs.  It can be done.  But it's going to be so very, very hard if this is the only access outside.  He's a giant breed dog and probably weighs more than you according to your photo.  The shelter may not even allow you to adopt him because of that and also that you are 5 hours away.

If you can move, then I think it would work out!   We didn't use a harness either and had indoor stairs but we had a 39lb dog.  As she aged we carried her up the stairs.