Goofy is 8 months old, and is the ultimate German Shepherd. If I could keep him I would: his coat is show-quality, he has the long American GSD gait, he has gorgeous gold eyes, and a very even temperament. At 45 pounds, he is pretty skinny and needs to gain some weight. He is not at all excited by my chinchillas and is curious about, but afraid of, my cats. He also plays nicely with my dog and has no dominance or aggression issues with food, toys, etc. He is very smart and learns fast - he hasn't had any formal training, but it didn't take more than a walk or two to get him to be a perfect gentleman even when walking with my hyper-active dog. He has also already learned "sit" and "come" even though he is not food-motivated - he does it purely out of his eagerness to please. House-training is catching on very fast, too, and even though for the first week he was with me, he was not fixed, he never "marked" his territory. Goofy's only shortfall is that he was deprived of adequate socialization as a puppy, and as a result is quite reactive to strange dogs by barking loud and insistently - but, he responds well to a quick spritz from the water bottle and has *never* once growled or showed his teeth at anybody or any dog. He just doesn't know when to stop barking! Goofy would do best in a home with an owner that is willing to be patient and work with him to build up his confidence around other dogs. Please check out our web site at www.shepherdrescue.org for more information about our dogs, our adoption process and to download an application. You must have a fully approved application on file prior to privately meeting our dogs. We do not have a facility, all our dogs are housed in private foster homes throughout MD/DC/VA areas. More information available on our web site, so please read through our web site before emailing questions, as it might save us both some time!

VGSR can only adopt dogs out in the Virginia/Maryland/DC area, no exceptions.

Although donations of all types are needed, our primary need is foster homes for our lovely dogs while they wait for their new family to find them. Fostering is an extremely rewarding experience. Vet care is paid for by our rescue, and we can even provide you with food. All YOU need to add is love and security.

The adoption process starts with the applicant filling out the adoption application. This can happen at any time during the process, before or after having met a GSD that might be the ideal companion. (It's an advantage to have a pre-approved application on file with VGSR. It should be stressed here that being pre-approved does not mean that any potential adopter can select any available dog at will and take that dog home immediately. VGSR will exercise its best judgement as to which GSD will be the best match for that specific adopter based on a number of qualifying criteria. Many GSDs that come to us are matched up with their new people very quickly because their people have been pre-approved.) The applicant then submits the application form with a non-refundable $10.00 processing fee. VGSR reviews the application, then schedules an interview and home visit during which a number of questions are asked and the home is reviewed to be sure there is a contained/safe yard, and to meet the family involved. Once the application is approved, the applicant is asked to submit a $250.00 donation to VGSR, and the adoption is completed.

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