Facebook page.Greetings fellow DS lovers. It was totally by accident that I stumbled upon this group but I'm glad I did. I've owned my DS since 2007 when I rescued him off a major highway in rush hour. I already owned 2 large dogs at the time so I had planned to save him and find his owners. When the newspaper ads and flyers garnered no response I set out to find a rescue organization to help him find a home while I fostered him. 5 years later he is a part of the family and we would have it no other way.
I named him "Happy" and from the first time I called him by his new name he answered. It is amazing how his name is such a perfect match for him. He is a very happy and loving dog with a great big heart. He is a wonderful guard dog, avid chaser of Kongs, loving family member and great clown with our other dog.
The one thing that made me fall in love with him more than any other trait is how unbelievably gentle he is with our young daughter who came along after he had been with us over a year. Happy has even laid in the lap of my 6'3" son when he was 18 years old and being 'taken to task' by my husband. He is not the type of dog that is overly cuddly (he had no idea what affection was or even what my dogs wanted when they tried to engage him in play) so when he climbed into my sons lap as he sat on the floor looking up at my husband listening it made me pause. Happy gave my husband a look to say "That. Is. Enough." His loyalty cannot be doubted - when our 3 year old squeals in delight or shock he barks and comes running and follows her doggedly as she plays. No one can harass "his" little girl.
Happy has been a great ambassador for the DS breed and we've enjoyed sharing our story with others as no one seems to know what a Dutch Shepherd is.
I'm sure you all know what I am talking about and see much of my own dog in yours. This breed is amazing and beyond loyal. I think that he is most likely a DS/GSD cross but I'd love feed back from those of you who have more experience with the breed. He seems too big/robust to be a full blooded DS weighing in at almost 100 pounds before we had to slim him down due to arthritis in his hips.
Aside from my wonderful dogs I work in the horse industry. I hope to learn a lot from this board and maybe find our next DS!
Greetings from the Pacific Northwest
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Happy_Dog
- Just Whelped
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:28 pm
- Tell us about yourself: Rescued my DS in 2007 off a 6 lane highway in rush hour, he has been the best & most amazing family dog. He was someones throwaway, which I will never understandt. He has sold us on the DS and we could not imagine life without him. What a kind, funny, gentle, protective and loving dog! He loves everyone in the family and would sacrifice his life for any of us he clearly feels my husband is 'his' person. We also own a 12 yo GSD mix who was someones back yard breeding 'bank'. I got her at 6 weeks and her eyes were still blue (she was my first dog and I did not know that was too early to take her when the breeder sent her home w/me). She is loyal and utterly devoted to me alone. We are always keeping our eyes open for DS and GSD rescues that may need new homes. Because the DS isn't a well known breed we are forever educating people about the merits and joys of owning one. Very glad to have found a place where they are appreciated!
- Location: Where it's green when it's warm and white when it's not.
- Contact:
Greetings from the Pacific Northwest
Krista
http://leapoffaithtx.com
If I can be 1/2 the person I see reflected in the eyes of the animals whose lives I share, then I will be twice the person of anyone I know.
http://leapoffaithtx.com
If I can be 1/2 the person I see reflected in the eyes of the animals whose lives I share, then I will be twice the person of anyone I know.
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Christie M
- Global Moderator
- Posts: 1279
- Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2010 10:03 pm
- Tell us about yourself: Love my striped beasts.
Re: Greetings from the Pacific Northwest
Hello!!
Welcome to the group.
If you have a moment, can you visit the User Control Panel and create a signature including your name? That helps us keep track.
Happy's story seems familiar to me?? Did you, by chance, contact the North American Dutch Shepherd Rescue when you found him. I don't know why, but I really have a sense of De ja vu (sp??) with him.
Welcome to the group.
If you have a moment, can you visit the User Control Panel and create a signature including your name? That helps us keep track.
Happy's story seems familiar to me?? Did you, by chance, contact the North American Dutch Shepherd Rescue when you found him. I don't know why, but I really have a sense of De ja vu (sp??) with him.
Christie Meyer
http://www.northwoodsk9.com
http://www.dutchshepherdrescue.org
http://www.thunderhawkcanine.com
Be proud of the things that you have taught your dog. Be humbled and grateful for all of the things that your dog has taught you. - Unknown
http://www.northwoodsk9.com
http://www.dutchshepherdrescue.org
http://www.thunderhawkcanine.com
Be proud of the things that you have taught your dog. Be humbled and grateful for all of the things that your dog has taught you. - Unknown
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ZodiacT
- Green Dog
- Posts: 117
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2010 2:50 pm
- Tell us about yourself: I was introduced to the Dutch Shepherd breed during my time as an Army veterinary technician working with Military Working Dogs. I fell in love with the breed and by pure chance happened to meet a DS in a local rescue who was a police K9 washout and was up for adoption. We adopted Zodiac right away and she has been an important part of our family ever since. We currently compete in Rally-Obedience and participate in Agility.
- Location: Andrews Air Force Base, MD
Re: Greetings from the Pacific Northwest
Welcome to the forum! Do you have any pictures of Happy you could share?
Hayley St.Pierre-Thomas and Zodiac RL1-AOE, RL2-AOE, CGC
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kchristy
- Training Dog
- Posts: 539
- Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2011 3:07 pm
- Tell us about yourself: My name is Katrina, I have 1 dutch shepherd name Merlin. He is a handful and keeps things in our house very interesting and fun :)
- Location: McCurtain, Ok
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Happy_Dog
- Just Whelped
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:28 pm
- Tell us about yourself: Rescued my DS in 2007 off a 6 lane highway in rush hour, he has been the best & most amazing family dog. He was someones throwaway, which I will never understandt. He has sold us on the DS and we could not imagine life without him. What a kind, funny, gentle, protective and loving dog! He loves everyone in the family and would sacrifice his life for any of us he clearly feels my husband is 'his' person. We also own a 12 yo GSD mix who was someones back yard breeding 'bank'. I got her at 6 weeks and her eyes were still blue (she was my first dog and I did not know that was too early to take her when the breeder sent her home w/me). She is loyal and utterly devoted to me alone. We are always keeping our eyes open for DS and GSD rescues that may need new homes. Because the DS isn't a well known breed we are forever educating people about the merits and joys of owning one. Very glad to have found a place where they are appreciated!
- Location: Where it's green when it's warm and white when it's not.
- Contact:
Re: Greetings from the Pacific Northwest
Thanks for the welcome guys. It's great to be able to chat with knowledgeable owners/breeders and others who love and enjoy this breed as much as I do!
Christie, I think I only contacted a GSD rescue but it's possible I contacted you too. I was in TX at the time. I'd never heard of (or seen) a DS before rescuing Happy. There are a lot of them in the area because of the military base though. When I found him he was between 4-6 years old (best guess by vet) an in tact male who weighed in at 35 lbs, and had heart worms so severe the Dr. said the treatment would probably kill him. He was also suffering from major elephantitis in his ears from chronic untreated ear infections. Several of his teeth were chipped from chewing on rocks and it was very clear he had never lived in a house or been allowed to interact with other dogs. Happy did not know what dog food was and would not drink or eat from a bowl. When my dogs tried to engage him in play he would just get out of their way and try to make himself invisible so he wasn't 'in the way'. It was pretty clear he had been living on the streets finding food wherever he could.
He came into the home of 2 spayed females and was as kind and polite to them as you could ask any dog to be. Despite having his testes he never took a step out of line with them or us. The first photo below was taken on the 2nd or 3rd day following his rescue (he weighed less than 45 lbs in this photo) the last was taken after he'd been with us for a year. He is seated on a swing (which he enjoyed swinging on) next to my GSD mix and weighing in at close to 100 lbs.
Christie, I think I only contacted a GSD rescue but it's possible I contacted you too. I was in TX at the time. I'd never heard of (or seen) a DS before rescuing Happy. There are a lot of them in the area because of the military base though. When I found him he was between 4-6 years old (best guess by vet) an in tact male who weighed in at 35 lbs, and had heart worms so severe the Dr. said the treatment would probably kill him. He was also suffering from major elephantitis in his ears from chronic untreated ear infections. Several of his teeth were chipped from chewing on rocks and it was very clear he had never lived in a house or been allowed to interact with other dogs. Happy did not know what dog food was and would not drink or eat from a bowl. When my dogs tried to engage him in play he would just get out of their way and try to make himself invisible so he wasn't 'in the way'. It was pretty clear he had been living on the streets finding food wherever he could.
He came into the home of 2 spayed females and was as kind and polite to them as you could ask any dog to be. Despite having his testes he never took a step out of line with them or us. The first photo below was taken on the 2nd or 3rd day following his rescue (he weighed less than 45 lbs in this photo) the last was taken after he'd been with us for a year. He is seated on a swing (which he enjoyed swinging on) next to my GSD mix and weighing in at close to 100 lbs.
Krista
http://leapoffaithtx.com
If I can be 1/2 the person I see reflected in the eyes of the animals whose lives I share, then I will be twice the person of anyone I know.
http://leapoffaithtx.com
If I can be 1/2 the person I see reflected in the eyes of the animals whose lives I share, then I will be twice the person of anyone I know.
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Jan
- Training Dog
- Posts: 405
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2010 2:58 pm
- Tell us about yourself: I like Dutch Shepherddogs, especially the roughcoat. At the moment we have three dogs, two DS (one female who is 10 years and one male who is six months) and one male Laekenois at the age of three. We live in the north of The Netherlands.
- Location: Zoutkamp, NL
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alspyce
- Working Dog
- Posts: 1222
- Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2011 5:51 pm
- Tell us about yourself: I am in New York State. Got my first DS about 14 years ago (more or less as a rescue- lost her in Nov.). After years of GSD's, and a few dogs of other breeds (Rotti/Beauceron/Ger. Shorthaired Pointer/ Yorkie and my current Jack Russell) I now have another DS, 4mo female, no name yet, tho I have a few in mind.
Also have a horse-old quarter horse mare-32.
Can't wait for all the snow to get gone! Spring is coming too slow this year! - Location: Corinth, New York
Re: Greetings from the Pacific Northwest
Welcome
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." Anatole France
Chris Carlton/Lyric
Chris Carlton/Lyric
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CaroleBoaz
- Training Dog
- Posts: 592
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2011 2:52 am
- Tell us about yourself: I am currently the Secretary and Treasurer of the Dutch Shepherd Club of North America. We are the national breed club for Dutch Shepherds, and have the support of the Nederlandse Herdershonden Club in our endeavours to record the Dutch Shepherd breed in the United States and Canada through the American Kennel Club. dscna.com Join us on Facebook.
- Contact:
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Schlussdibusti
- Working Dog
- Posts: 1040
- Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:25 pm
- Tell us about yourself: I adopted a DS
Re: Greetings from the Pacific Northwest
welcome 
and great rescue story
and great rescue story
Eva & Marco BH
Jupiter, Florida
Jupiter, Florida
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Lauren
- Training Dog
- Posts: 540
- Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2011 11:29 pm
- Tell us about yourself: I am a wife, mother of 2 kids, 3 cats, 1 Standard Poodle (10 yrs) and Xena, a Dutch Shepherd Puppy.
Re: Greetings from the Pacific Northwest
Welcome. What a great story and great name! 
Lauren from Western NC
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Happy_Dog
- Just Whelped
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:28 pm
- Tell us about yourself: Rescued my DS in 2007 off a 6 lane highway in rush hour, he has been the best & most amazing family dog. He was someones throwaway, which I will never understandt. He has sold us on the DS and we could not imagine life without him. What a kind, funny, gentle, protective and loving dog! He loves everyone in the family and would sacrifice his life for any of us he clearly feels my husband is 'his' person. We also own a 12 yo GSD mix who was someones back yard breeding 'bank'. I got her at 6 weeks and her eyes were still blue (she was my first dog and I did not know that was too early to take her when the breeder sent her home w/me). She is loyal and utterly devoted to me alone. We are always keeping our eyes open for DS and GSD rescues that may need new homes. Because the DS isn't a well known breed we are forever educating people about the merits and joys of owning one. Very glad to have found a place where they are appreciated!
- Location: Where it's green when it's warm and white when it's not.
- Contact:
Re: Greetings from the Pacific Northwest
Thank you all! Does anyone have feed back regarding his breeding. Do you all think that he could be a pure bred or is he likely a cross due to his size/bone? He has a thick coat like a GSD, not a fine coat like the other DS's I've seen. I know they come in long hair too but I've not seen a long hair in person so I cannot comment as to the similarity of his coat to those.
My husband and I are on the look out for a DS or GSD that may need a home or foster care so if something comes up please keep us in mind. Since we have a coming 4 yo child and 2 other dogs (and cats around the barn) we do need a dog that is good in those situations. Sex does not matter and we are happy to train or work with 'problem children' as we've rescued those before.
My husband and I are on the look out for a DS or GSD that may need a home or foster care so if something comes up please keep us in mind. Since we have a coming 4 yo child and 2 other dogs (and cats around the barn) we do need a dog that is good in those situations. Sex does not matter and we are happy to train or work with 'problem children' as we've rescued those before.
Krista
http://leapoffaithtx.com
If I can be 1/2 the person I see reflected in the eyes of the animals whose lives I share, then I will be twice the person of anyone I know.
http://leapoffaithtx.com
If I can be 1/2 the person I see reflected in the eyes of the animals whose lives I share, then I will be twice the person of anyone I know.
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leih merigian
- Working Dog
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2010 3:20 pm
- Tell us about yourself: Had a GSD, am getting a DS puppy in a few weeks. Compete in agility, obedience, and cross train in tons of stuff. Found out about this site from the DS Rescue yahoo list.
Re: Greetings from the Pacific Northwest
I'm so happy that Happy found you guys! What a great story, and he sure sounds like a wonderful dog.
I think he's a DS mix, but a little hard to tell from that picture what the mix would be. Do you have any of him standing from the side?
Glad you found us!
I think he's a DS mix, but a little hard to tell from that picture what the mix would be. Do you have any of him standing from the side?
Glad you found us!
leih merigian
Vrijheid's H'Geyser
Zodiac vom Younghaus (over the bridge)
Central VA (near Charlottesville)
It's never too late to have a happy childhood...
Vrijheid's H'Geyser
Zodiac vom Younghaus (over the bridge)
Central VA (near Charlottesville)
It's never too late to have a happy childhood...
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Marjolein
- Working Dog
- Posts: 2078
- Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2010 7:17 pm
- Tell us about yourself: I'm a Dutchie myself ;-) but live in Germany with Johan and my two DS's Cobber-Dingo and Knivil (Dingo and Ivil to friends...)
- Location: Warbeyen, Germany
- Contact:
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Brindle
- Green Dog
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2010 3:03 am
- Tell us about yourself: Loving life in Oregon with some AMAZING Dutch Shepherds !
UWP Vrijheid's Force IPO3 (x5), FH2, AD, TDX, OSP, L2C, CGC, CD, APR1, TDU, NW3-C, NW3-E, NW3-V, NW3-I, NW3 Elite, ELT1, NA, NF, L3I, TG-N, TN-N, NAJ, VCD1, CSL1- F, CSL1-H, ELT2, L1E, CA, L2E, ELT3, ELT-CH, L3V, K9 Blood Donor
Vrijheid's Qahlua (Vodka) IPO3, L2I, L3C, NW3V, NW3C, NW3E. NW3I, L3E, NJP, NAP, OFP, NW3 Elite, L2V, TD
Van Kracht's Absolut Fury ( youngster in training ) - Location: Oregon
Re: Greetings from the Pacific Northwest
Welcome to the forum
Glad to see another PNW member.
I'm in Oregon but travel to WA a few times a year to attend training seminars or trial with my Dutch Shepherd 'Force' .
Happy is gorgeous !!!
How lucky for him that you came to his rescue, and lucky you for having such a great dog in your life
Hope you'll share more pictures and adventures with us.
Glad to see another PNW member.
I'm in Oregon but travel to WA a few times a year to attend training seminars or trial with my Dutch Shepherd 'Force' .
Happy is gorgeous !!!
How lucky for him that you came to his rescue, and lucky you for having such a great dog in your life
Hope you'll share more pictures and adventures with us.
UWP Vrijheid's Force IPO3,FH2,AD,TDX,OSP,L2C,CGC,CD,APR1,TDU,NA,NF,L3I,TG-N,TN-N,NAJ,VCD1,CSL1-F,CSL1-H,L1E,CA,L2E, ELT-CH,L3V
Vrijheid's Qahlua IPO3,L2I,L3CI,L3E,NJP,NAP,OFP,NW3 Elite,L2V,TD
Van Kracht's Absolut Fury ( in training )
Vrijheid's Qahlua IPO3,L2I,L3CI,L3E,NJP,NAP,OFP,NW3 Elite,L2V,TD
Van Kracht's Absolut Fury ( in training )