Update 6/23/15  Franco has settled very nicely into our home.  He has filled out and he looks sleek and handsome.  We are still working on building up his muscles, and he enjoys his daily hikes and car rides.  We are working on his basic training and he will sit for treats and dinner.  He is good on leash and he doesn't pull.  Franco is still skittish of new people and places, but he has come a long way.  He does very well with other dogs.  He would be OK with older, quiet kids, but he shies away from quick movements or lots of noise.  He will do best in a household where he is supervised when loose in the house and crated for short periods of time when his people are gone.  He can handle up to 4 hours of crate time.  He does not need to be crated at night. 

Franco, affectionately nicknamed Little Punk, is a happy dog when he is comfortable.  He has the Malamute grin and tail wag that make me laugh and the GSD desire to be with his family.  He is a balance of both breeds.  He sheds a lot, which is a hallmark of both breeds, and he will always have a mischievous side to him that requires him to be crated when we are away from home for more than a couple of hours.  His passions in life are eating, hiking, eating, sniffing stuff, and eating. 

4/23/2015 Franco is a beautiful, smart German Shepherd/Malamute mix who is adding a lot of zest to my household.  He is 3 ½ years old and came to us as a too-skinny, shut down, big-headed dog who just wanted to find safety from a crazy world.  Happily, he is discovering that the world includes good people who can make him feel safe and loved. Now that he has more energy and feels safe, he has started to come out of his protective shell and to show us his funny, sassy, naughty (!) side.     

Franco is a big boy already, and once he gets to his ideal weight of 90+ lbs, he will be a stunner. He is recovering from his neuter and steadily putting on weight.  He is a good eater who approves of all food and treats.  He gets along well with my 3 GSDs (2 males and a female mix).  He ignored the other dogs at the shelter and a test cat in a carrier.  He did well with a dog-savvy 10-year old kid.  Franco is learning to love going for car rides and he hangs out quietly in the back of my Subaru. 

The best home for Franco will be one that has a secure fence at least 5 feet high.  He is a flight risk and should not be allowed outside without being secure in a fenced yard or on leash.  He could potentially bolt out of a door that is left open to the world, so he will need a home with a family who will value his safety as much as he does.  Franco feels quite content in our yard and doesn’t try to jump the fence or dig under it.  He still gets spooked easily, but I don’t take it personally.  Some habits are hard to shake.  I just reassure him that he is fine, and he comes to me in his time with a wagging tail and a grin. 

He doesn’t have any obedience training.  I don’t know much about his past, but I assume no one taught him the basics.  My early attempts at training have been met with a lack of interest.  This may be his Malamute side.  Since he is treat-motivated, I think he will be trainable in the right home.  He doesn’t pull on the leash, but this could change as he gets healthier and stronger.   He is not an alpha dog and he seems to like confident dogs.  He has a lot of what I call "character," meaning he is funny and naughty like a puppy.  He likes to tug the blankets off the beds and move our stuff around.  He will only be placed with someone who is committed to training and exercising him, and who understands that a bored dog is trouble. 

Interested adopters are encouraged to contact me via email at jbarbour55@gmail.com. Franco is  fostered in Frederick, MD.