German Shepherd dogs, as well as the other herding breeds that we have in rescue, are highly active, energetic, working breeds. They require considerable vetting, exercise, socialization, training, leadership and mental stimuli in order to be well-adjusted, well-balanced, and well-mannered dogs. Even if you exercise and play with your dog daily in your fenced yard, you MUST still take your dog out on daily walks and outings in order to work on his/her leash skills, manners, and social skills. These breeds make great additions to active families who will pamper them, but who will also work with them, as they are smart dogs who need leadership, structure, plenty of activity and mental stimulation. 

If you are new to German Shepherds (and other herding breeds), please research the breed to make sure this is the dog for you. We ask that you consider the time and financial commitment that your German Shepherd (or other herding breed) dog will require before applying for one. Please review the section on our website (www.heartlandgsrescue.org) "Is a HUGS Dog Right for You?" for additional information.

Cassie is a very sweet, pretty girl, who first came into rescue at a year old, when her owner became unable to care for her. She is a little shy and timid at first, but very loving and affectionate once she knows you. Cassie found a home with one of our wonderful adopters, and lovely older gentleman who adored her and doted on her. Unfortunately, he just passed away and poor Cassie found  herself in need of our help again. She is approximately 2.5 years old and an adorable medium-sized GSD at around 52lbs. 

She likes to be around her people, and enjoys to be touching you, getting belly and back rubs, but she also knows how to entertain herself with her chew toys.  She absolutely loves to zoom around the yard: she is super fast and athletic! She’s a sweet dog and loves to play outside (even on windy, rainy or snowy days) with her humans, or by herself chasing birds and hiding her toys. She's a fabulous companion, very loyal and loving, always by your side. At nightime she sleeps quietly on her dog bed (or on yours, if you allow it). She is potty-trained, and while she does not love her crate, she does ok in it, while you are gone. She knows some basic commands like "sit" and "shake". She is very well-behaved in general around the house, and a great companion.

Cassie loves stuffed toys, as well as chew toys. She can be a bit cautious when meeting new people, but once she knows people, she enjoys being around them. She truly is a social dog, she just needs a little extra time to get to know people. She absolutely loves kids, and likes to always be around or playing with the kids in her foster home. Cassie can be pretty reactive to other dogs and needs very slow introductions over days to new dogs. Additionally, she gets a little jealous, as she LOVES to get all the attention from her humans. Because of that, we would love to find Cassie a furever home where she can be the only pet. She loves car rides, she enjoys walks (she is working on ignoring other dogs on walks, as she tends to want to be barky at them).  She is smart and eager-to-please. Cassie is a wonderfully sweet, sensitive, loving girl who will excel with active adopters who are able to provide daily walks in addition to backyard playtime, outings for socialization, and the usual training that GSD youngsters require. Because of that, Cassie's ideal owner will have some prior GSD experience.

Cassie's adoption fee is $350, all of which goes back into offseting our high-cost vetting expenses and rescuing more dogs.  We are a 100% volunteer-run rescue group and rely on adoption fees and donations to continue saving lives. Adoption fees include spay/neuter, current on age-appropriate vaccinations, fecal, deworming, flea/tick and heartworm preventative, heartworm tested if old enough (and treated if positive), and microchipped. Please visit http://heartlandgsrescue.rescuegroups.org/info/adoption for more information about our adoption process and requirements, and to apply.

Like any of our dogs, Cassie would make a great addition to an active home that will provide the love, structure, good leadership, activity and mental stimulation that her breed needs. Because of that, Cassie's ideal owner will have prior GSD, or other herding breed experience, and will have some experience with timid/fearful dogs. Even if you exercise and play with your dog daily in your fenced yard, please remember that you MUST still take your dog out on daily walks and outings, in order to provide sufficient stimulation, ward off boredom, and work on leash skills, and manners.