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.

The adoption fee for the puppies from the Winter Litter is $450, 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, age-appropriate vaccinations, fecal, deworming, flea/tick and heartworm preventative, heartworm tested if old enough (and treated if positive), and microchipped. 

New to Huskies? Huskies are typically fun, friendly, beautiful dogs. They also tend to be strong-willed and independent (not ideal for first-time dog owners, as they can be stubborn and hard to train). Like GSDs, they require good exercise and socialization, a job to do, a good routine, and they don't like to be left alone too long. It is recommended that you crate your young Husky when you leave, and having another dog in the house as a buddy for your Husky can be helpful. Huskies can be escape artists (digging out, fence jumping) and poor recall - your Husky should always be well-supervised and on a leash when not in a securely-fenced area. Huskies have high prey drive for small animals (wildlife, sometimes cats, and at times even smaller dogs). Like GSDs, Huskies shed A LOT (good brushing, and vacuming the house will be necessary). Please do not shave them, as they need their coat: their fur provides a natural heating/cooling mechanism that keeps them from overheating, shades them from sunburn and UV rays, and provides a barrier against allergens that could aggravate skin conditions and allergies.

Please visit http://heartlandgsrescue.rescuegroups.org/info/adoption for more information about our adoption process and requirements, and to apply. The Winter Litter puppies will need positive reinforcement training, consistency, boundaries, activity and socialization. Their ideal homes will be households with good routines, prior Husky or similar breed experience, and a friendly doggy sibling to help teach them the ropes. Like any of our dogs, the Winter Litter puppies will make a great addition to active homes that will provide the love, structure, activity and mental stimulation that their breed requires. 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.