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.

Bagheera is approx. 6 months old. He is a handsome young puppy that we rescued from a reservation in SD. Reservation dogs lead a very hard (often short) life, with no shelter, little food, and no vet care. When Bagheera first arrived, he had a severe case of mange, and was terribly itchy and covered up in scabs. After weeks of treatments and lots of TLC in his awesome foster home, Bagheera's wonderfully recovered and ready for his forever home!

Bagheera is a sweet, energetic pup who LOVES to run. He would make a really good running partner for someone. He currently runs laps around his foster brother in the back yard trying to entice him to play chase. Bagheera knows "sit" and "down" and understands that he should sit to get out of his kennel, before getting a meal or before going out of a door, but is still working on doing it consistently. Bagheera is eager to please and not highly food motivated. Toys, other dogs, people, and the environment are all more interesting than working for a treat, so it's important to keep training fun and exciting to keep his attention when training. 

Like all German Shepherd and German Shepherd mix puppies, Bagheera will need training, consistency, boundaries, and lots of activity and socialization, in order to become a well-balanced, well-behaved dog.