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.

Irie is a gorgeous 5.5 y.o. black and tan German Shepherd girl, who came to HUGS with poorly managed Perianal Fistulas (PF). PF presents as lesions around the dog's anus, and when untreated (or during a flare up), dogs can experience pain when defecating; constipation/diarrhea; mucus or blood in stools; restlessness and crying out when about to have a bowel movement. When Irie arrived she was very uncomfortable and had been suffering symptoms for years.  Luckily, with good routine, care, and diet, her fistulas have healed, and she is back to being a regular, active dog, with a great quality of life. PF is a lifelong condition but very manageable. Irie is doing fabulous with her current management plan, which includes some occasional extra care and meds if flare ups occur, a special diet (this is more costly than a regular diet), as well as follow-up as needed at the vet. It is especially important to not feed her cooked bones or anything else that could splinter and further irritate her bowels. An antler is an acceptable chew item as she can’t really break pieces off. She loves her antlers! Because of her perianal fistula diagnosis, she would do best with an adopter who is able to come home at lunch time and provide a potty break.

Irie is a very sweet, playful, and beautiful, sassy girl! She likes to be rewarded with an ice cube (or a small treat) and will sit in front of the fridge to let you know it’s time for an ice cube treat. She is a highly active dog and LOVES to be chased by the other dogs in her foster home. She will favor a game of chase over fetch any day. She loves to go on runs most of all and also loves going on walks. She will do best with a family that is active and who will stimulate her mind and teach her new things. She is still learning to play fetch and we are currently working on her leash manners. She is very nurturing and motherly to puppies and gets along with other dogs with a proper introduction. In the past months, she has picked up the good behaviors of the other dogs in her foster home. She knows sit, lay down, stay, wait, ok, high five, lets go for a walk, heel, and is very treat driven with these commands. Even though she will let you know that she is hungry by talking to you, she is very good about sitting and waiting for her bowl of food!

Irie loves the company of other dogs and would LOVE to be in a home with other playful dogs, because of her drive to play, but would still be her best self in an active, single dog home. She loves people including kids. Her foster parents tell us that "she does not need to be in a crate during the day as she is potty-trained and very well-behaved. She will occasionally hide a shoe but doesn’t chew on anything and will stuff our shirts or pants in the cushions or pillows of our couch or bed. She is a silly, sassy, VERY loving girl and will make a great companion for an active family. She loves to give her humans and dog friends kisses and loves a good belly scratch. Irie does very well during car rides and we recently gave her a bath outside which she LOVED! She loves playing in the shower or with the garden hose!"

Like any of our dogs, this sweetheart 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, Irie's ideal owner will have prior GSD, or other herding breed experience. 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.

Irie'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.