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.

Snapdragon is an adorable puppy whose personality is coming out more and more every day! Like his siblings, he originally came from the streets of Oklahoma, where he was wandering around with his puppy family until he was caught and brought into rescue. He has adjusted so well to the comforts of home as well as his daily routine. He's very smart and learned how to do stairs very quickly. He likes to follow his pack and he is a great puppy. Snapdragon currently lives in a foster home with a cat and two dogs (one large and one small). He loves to snuggle, be held, and carried around in a puppy bjorn. Snapdragon is getting better every day at his crate training, as well as potty training, but of course, he is very young, so it's still a work in progress. While he has a lot puppy energy, he will also plant himself in the yard or middle of our floor with the cutest little “sit” any chance he gets, and is pretty mellow for a puppy! Snapdragon is learning to play with toys (he has LOTS of them!), but his favorites are those of his German Shepherd foster brother, which are much too big for little Snapdragon (not that it stops him). In true German Shepherd fashion, he can be pretty vocal at times, mostly when he’s in the kennel and can’t see you, and when he wants to play. He is an adorable, smart little guy, and he will make a fantastic addition to a very lucky home!

The adoption fee for the puppies in the Flower Litter is $395, 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, these puppies would make a great addition to an active home that will provide the love, structure, good leadership, activity and mental stimulation that their breed needs. Because of that, their ideal owners 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.