I've been approved by a local no-kill shelter/rescue to adopt a dog! She is my *first* dog and I plan to train her in schutzhund. I'm not sure if she'll go far but even if she's not suited to the protection phase we can still work on the other phases; it'll be great practice for me.

My first dog is a Dutch shepherd!
http://west.petfinder.com/fotos/FL27/FL27.8742858-1-x.jpg
http://west.petfinder.com/fotos/FL27/FL27.8742858-3-x.jpg

I am *very* excited. I've only met with her for a short time but she's a very neat dog. Fetched for me right away, already showed some breed-typical ADD, and had pretty decent focus *in my eyes* if I was holding and squeaking a cuz. I see potential there, I just hope I'm good enough to bring it out. We'll see where the path takes us! Her name right now is Crystal, but I do believe I'll be changing that. Somehow, Crystal just doesn't seem to fit.

I'm surprised she was in the shelter. Oh well, I guess I'm really not, people are a$$holes. She looks really nice, I'm glad she got a good home with someone who will appreciate her.

Wow, she is beautiful. Love that brindle (is that what it's called?) coloring on her. Good luck!

Yup, she's brindle. I'm not really surprised anymore with what comes through in shelters. I've seen dogs that obviously cost a pretty penny from a breeder end up in a shelter. If you look long enough, you will find a gem. I guess she was tossed because the owner couldn't handle her energy anymore. I'm hoping that that bodes well.

The photos don't do her justice. They must have a mediocre camera because she is STUNNING in person! Her black is very deep and her orange positively glows. She's a pretty little tiger dog.

Good find Diana. I only missed her by about 60 miles. I hope she works out for you. She is very good looking and appears quite confident for a pound puppy.

Howard

You and I were probably equidistant to her, I'm about 40 minutes west of you if you go down 192! Had to drive all the way to 95 then scoot on south. Yes, she was VERY confident. Loved big, solid "slaps" on her side when being petted, didn't seem phased by much of anything, eager to explore and play, I just wish I could have tested her ability in protection. I know less than nothing in that department! But she didn't have issues with me or my fiance, she was dog reactive but took corrections very well. My fiance and I both ran with her to see how she did on a leash and yes, she likes to pull, but she will also look over at you and respond to light correction and lots of praise. When she got distracted by scent, she followed the trails with her nose down. I really hope there is some tracking potential there.

I even found two vets in the area that deal with working and police dogs, accept minimal vax protocols, and one even is okay with the raw diet; if they have raw-fed boarders, they will feed that diet! I hope the clinic I chose is as good as it sounds.

Well Diana, I guess you have gone batty.....but, in a good way!

Wow! She is beautiful!! Best of luck with your new found treasure.

People truly are amazing, nothing surprises me anymore.

Congratulations & good luck with your new girl! It always amazes that people will take good animals from a breeder to a shelter. I'm between dogs, but I got my well-socialized, bomb-proof siamese from the pound. They'd been there for 3 weeks before I saw them.

Hey Diana,

She is an absolute beauty and of obvious high intelligence....she found you; didn't she? Do you know how old she is? Any ideas for a new name? Best of luck!

There are GREAT animals in shelters. I've seen cats that were absolutely fantastic, same with dogs. I used to volunteer at the main humane society in Milwaukee and we got in some very cool animals. One was an exceptionally well trained rottie. This guy had FOCUS. When I put him in a down, he firmly planted himself into position, then locked his eyes on mine and watched me as I moved about the room. Someone obviously spent a great deal of time on him, I still have no idea why he was there, but he left in short order. At the same shelter there was an elkhound that was pretty matted so I decided to see what I can do about his coat. I spent TWO HOURS brushing him and making his coat all nice again, and he laid there the whole time and allowed me to turn him over to get each side and the poor guy soaked up every second. On another forum I'm on, someone adopted a skin-and-bones, fearful red and white husky. If you see photos of the dog now, you literally see a husky that could have been entered in Westminster AND the dog is highly titled in agility. Yes, there are some amazing jewels that come through the shelters.

I'll keep you folks posted on her, I'm very curious to see what her true colors are! Sheila, I don't know about that, we're both a bit ADD... it's going to be funny around here but I think we'll be a good match. She is 17 months old according to the shelter workers. I wish she were younger but it's still a good age.