This is good information, but for the most part I think dysplasia hysteria about large dog breeds is generally overblown. I think if you take care of your large dog, and are active with it like taking walks and/or playing ball or fetch with it daily that is the best medicine for it. Several of my family dogs throughout my lifetime have had dysplasia, and it was generally because we weren't active enough for it. But vets will say, you don't overfeed large breeds as puppies for this very reason (which your article points out). Dysplasia is of course also a product of bad breeding practices, but unfortunately with a rescue you have no way of knowing one way or the other how the dog was bred.
I have many, many animal lovers on my FB and I'm going to post this up. It's worked 3 times in the past year finding a pup a home. I'd come pick the pup up if I do find it a home as I work on the east side. I swear if I didn't have 3 dogs already this pup would have a new home today. I've always wanted a GS.
Thanks! German Shepherds are a unique breed in looks and mannerisms. They can also be hardheaded because they are extremely smart - but the more you work with them the better the dog they are. Either way, they are about the most loyal breed you'll ever see.
Awesome. Thanks for being there to help. If you need any additional info from me just hit my email from the link given in my original post.
Have you thought about fostering puppies and dogs? My mom fosters a few dogs from BARC every year. She is fostering an Australian cattle dog now that is about 6 months old. Previously she had a boxer mix that was about six months old that was actually adopted by a girl from Boston. Usually she fosters for only 2-3 months before it is adopted. It is a pretty great process, and it saves the dogs as BARC has to kill over 10,000 a year (they are still a great place). BARC covers all medical expenses and medications while you foster, you just foot the bill for food (although they can help with that too). I'd foster myself, but since I travel so much it isn't an option. It is tough enough with my two dogs.
Thanks for the help everyone. I have a couple of people who have already contacted me about the pup but just in case, please help me continue to spread the word. Thanks again. Go Rockets!
