Greetings, I'm new... take a sniff!

[Trio The Brindle Boy]

I write from Oklahoma, USA, and I am new to your board/breed. Well, I am not technically "your breed", but I have rescued a dog that I believe IS your breed. I have done a lot of research learning about this incredible Dutch Shepherd. What a great animal to bring you all together on one accord!

I am searching for a responsible forever home and needed help in identifying this dog to make sure I place him in the correct home. If he is in fact a Dutch Shepherd, or if he has DS in him, it is imperative that I learn as much as I can, to make sure this adoption hand over is permanent. He needs to be challenged and his characteristics need to be encouraged and nurtured to flourish. If he needs lots of high energy exercise, it would be best to pair him with an active human. You see, I want to be part of the solution in this homeless animal finding a forever home, and not part of the problem in having him returned back into the system. Knowing a breed is key to this success.

So board, will you help me figure out if he belongs in your club? I would be so grateful. He is such an INCREDIBLE dog, he deserves no less from me, than my absolute best.

So that about sums it up... hello to every one! Sniff sniff..you all smell really welcoming. I sense no aggression at all...oh wait there is that one veteran back there...giving me the eye...does he bite?

[Raven]

You haven't really said much except you are looking to re-home a dog you found/adopted or want to place a dog you are fostering.

We would need pictures and whatever information you have----age, weight, background story, and personal characteristics...things like level of drive (prey, energy, etc.), behavior around other dogs/animals/kids, strangers, response to training, etc. You get the idea.

If he needs lots of high energy exercise, it would be best to pair him with an active human.

I'm not sure what you mean by "if." Whether or not he is a DS, you would know his energy level, yes? If he is a DS, they are high-drive dogs...not for everyone, and not even for some who have had success with high-drive dogs.

I'll move this post to another section once we know a bit more about what is going on.

[Trio The Brindle Boy]

Hi Raven,

Yes you are correct. For board etiquette I was waiting for someone to invite or comment.

This dog was on the run, frantic and had lost weight, lost his home and security. So as the days pass and his weight returns, so does his personality. If you have ever rescued a dog, perhaps you know they slowly regain trust, and their bearing which allows a view into what is to come. I think he is reserved slightly, and therefore not fully known to us yet.

So far this young dog has been extremely mannerly. There is no jumping, no destruction, no chewing. He responds quickly to word command. He had followed rescue human into a building and rescue human realized it wasn't wet nose proofed, he turned to Trio and said NO NO. The dog backed out, and not once there after (ten days) has this dog needed to be reminded not to enter the building. His paws remain at the threshold of the door. He lays in wait just at the edge. Even when a treat or his toy is just within his reach. He has an intense understanding of human boundaries verses dog. Respect I should say. His eyes are always searching for Rescue human to return to the door. This could be a trait of DS or it could be a dog that was trained early on. We believe he is not yet a year.

Rescue human was gesturing in conversation, and the dog rolled. Shazaam! He gestured toward the dog again and the dog rolled again. A new trick! It was a simple wave of the hand in expression and this dog recognized it as command Roll Over. While on a leash walk he walks when you walk, stops when you stop and respects the path you take. Sit. Laydown. Stay. Well trained? Is he a DS?

This dog keeps his eyes on rescue human at all times. Transferring loyalty to his master in such a short time is nothing he was trained for, as he just met human, but an inherent trait within this breed (what ever he is) is it not?.

He is slow to warm to you, but once he does, he is faithful, loyal and loving. Isn't that a trait of DS?

His energy level has recently increased. He feels confident that food is not a luxury and is settling in. His play energy is high. But only when encouraged to let go and play. You can see agile turns on a dime high leaps, flips in the air like an acrobatic gymnast. This is a DS trait is it not?

And when rescue human must leave him for the day, he recognizes humans routine and begins a Jerry Lewis impersonation....as if to say...wait, wait...let me do a little show for you...what do you think about this trick? And this? Is this good enough to keep you here? Watch my speed...the dog takes off and runs the farthest distance on both sides of confinement at a rate of speed that is simply unimaginable. Lightning fast. Makes about 15 trips and just stops on a dime...looks up and is fully composed. No hard breathing, just begging for praise of his skill. The characteristic of the Dutch speed is evident in this skill. He is lightweight, agile, yet cunningly smart and uses speed to take out his opponent.

This dog has skill, intelligence, agility, obedience, loyalty. His eagerness to please is evident as he is just waiting...every moment to human's next wish.

What I meant in my OP, was if this dog is or has DS traits then his exercise and mental stimuli needs to be in line with what your community knows best for this breed of animal. Knowing the breed of this dog is paramount in finding and supporting his fullness of life. If he is a border collie for example, he may still have the same energy level, but he would flourish best in an environment that allowed herding and correction of the herd. Yes, he is active, but aren't all young intact males?

This dog has the stripes of a brindle. He has a length of jaw line of teeth that resemble a shepherd. His youthful face structure has a medium length snout and eyes that mirror images of animals in this family. His face is dark and imposing. His chest has a tuft of white. But his paws are brindled to the nails. His body is trim. Hind quarters more athletic meeting a slightly larger chest. Legs are lean. His ears are soft and NOT erect and at this youthful state, it is difficult for common dog lovers to see the magazine image they know to recognize a shepherd. In my research I have seen several DS dogs in uniform and in Police Service that have this dogs profile and appearance. But they all have the preferred erect ears. Some have a softer rounder less pronounces snout lengths. With in all breeds there are XL examples that truly represent all traits. I think this dog is not that example. He barks only when necessary. Dang, this is the PERFECT dog!

Thanks for the comment. I trust this helps express this dog and what we know thus far. Pictures will follow later today. Flash drive not at my reach.

[Trio The Brindle Boy]

Just read the board requirements for posting photos... will have to do some online posting elsewhere to link to it. Will return once I get that task done.

Don't you just hate the NEWBIES? : )


Raven: My first post and I realized I have already offended and the worst part is...it was you the mod.

I said..."IF YOU have ever rescued a dog"

That was out of line and completely inappropriate. But especially after reading your profile. I think you can teach me a thing or two about animal rescue and their state of mind.

Please accept my apology. I truly am sorry.