Dutch Shepherd Forum

I feel the same, so glad I found this group. We rescued our DS from the local shelter as an 8 week old, billed as a "lab mix". Imagine our surprise when his ear popped up and he acted decidedly not lab like! He is a lot of fun train now that we are learning more about what makes this guy tick. Attached is a picture of Benny, our DS and 9 year old Brody, our Golden Irish playing tug o war...Brody, the Golden won.

welcome !!!!!!!!!!!!

What a gorgeous dog. You both got lucky to find each other !!

Welcome to the forum. I moved your post so you have your own new member announcement.

More pictures please. And tell us how you came across the 8-week old at the shelter. Were there more like him?

What are you plans now that you know you might have a dog that needs a job?

In that picture, I don't see any lab at all, so I'm curious where the shelter would come up with that description. The shape of the head and the shape of the stripes are pointing more towards a GSD - DS mix.

Either way it sounds like you got an awesome dog.

Our shelter is a high volume, no kill many volunteer shelter so the only thing I can think of is human error. There were 3 pups total, a black with white socks, a light brindle female and our boy We thought he had some GS in him but his brindle color threw me. Once I found his breed, I've been researching, socializing him, click training. He is VERY food motivated and very in tune with our family, he has zero Bs tolerance for strangers so I've also had to train friends and neighbors that Benny doesn't care of you like him, he only cares if he likes you. To answer your question, I don't know what his job will be, if he could talk, he would say his job is to protect his pack and I would say my job is learn how to focus his drive. We walk and obedience train A LOT. It's a challenge and a big responsibility but damn it's so cool teaching him every day, I'm always looking for new ways to work with him so I'm glad I found this group to help us live up to our potential. Job suggestions?!?

The day his ears popped up 10 weeks old.

Congratulations on your new pup, I see no Dutch Shepherd Dog in him and based on the description of his litter mates you provided and his photos I am inclined to agree with Michael GSD X and probably Lab

In terms of a job, what's meant is that the dog will need consistent, long term mental stimulation beyond just exercise. Some examples would be training beyond obedience, sports (like agility, dock diving, flyball, etc.) even if competition isn't an option, or nose work.

This especially applies to a DS, but just about any of the herding breeds need this type of stimulation. Otherwise, they find their own job, and you don't really want that to happen.

Thank you Michael, I really appreciate your knowledge.

MultiPurposeK9 wrote: I see no Dutch Shepherd Dog in him and based on the description of his litter mates you provided and his photos I am inclined to agree with Michael GSD X and probably Lab

Weird...I see zero lab in him, obviously being a rescue mutt from a shelter he is not the breed standard for anything but in everything from appearance to temperament he is Dutchie, including the way he talks