Adoption fee on this dog is $300.
At 122 lbs, this king-sized 5.5 year old could afford to lose 20+ lbs and will still be quite a big boy. He was an owner surrender because he could not leave the neighborhood livestock alone, and the owner was unable to provide secure fencing. Cruiser is laid back and in most other ways is a gentle giant. He looks older than his years with a gray muzzle, elbow callouses, and ears that have signs of fly strike, likely due to spending most of his life outdoors. Much of the world is new to him, but he has been learning quickly, gaining confidence, and understands basics. He is easy on leash, only giving it a good tug when he wishes to greet another dog. Cruiser knows "sit" and is housebroken.
Although Cruiser did not have a lot of human handling, he simply likes being with people. He enjoys car rides, usually claiming the spot behind the driver, and quietly lets you enjoy your coffee before taking your morning walk together. On hikes, he only occasionally ventures off to take in scents and greets new dogs with wags. Despite other pack members' rambunctious antics, his main interest is to just walk with people then relax when he returns home. Cruiser adjusted well to his indoor kennel with other dogs nearby when nobody else is there.
He takes things in stride when out and about. Cruiser was great during his first play day with several other German Shepherds. At the vet's office, he had no reaction to the various animals that came through the lobby. He did well in a foster home with 2 adult GSDs and cats, and played wonderfully with the young foster dog.
Some other situations like grooming bother him. When nervous, he trots away or rolls over and his big torso makes it difficult to address things he doesn't want, i.e., getting his toenails clipped or his ears examined. More handling by Cruiser's trusted people is helping to address this area. Continued obedience training, a diet, exercise, and more life experiences will also benefit the big guy greatly.
Cruiser let his foster sister boss him around, and if he goes to a home with another dog, a female is required for now. While he does well with the resident male outdoors and continues making gains with him inside the house, we are not quite there yet. He should also go to a home without livestock. Any other prey drive has not presented itself. In his first foster home, cats were ignored. Also, he shows no interest in chasing critters on the trail but sometimes joins the chase with his pack...until he realizes that that they're just going after another squirrel.
This dog is a Level 2. Please be sure you understand what a dog of this Level requires. Go to our GCGSR Dogs page for an explanation of the Dog Rating Levels.
For more information and to see when this dog will be attending an Adoption Day, please see our
Dogs page on our main website at
www.gcgsr.org.
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