Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Not good with cats,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Meet Fred – Big. Loud. Strong. Full of Potential.
Fred is a 70 lb German Shepherd mix, about 8 months–1 year old, and he is not for beginners. Let’s get that out of the way first.
He’s big, powerful, and strong on leash. He pulls, he’s loud, and he can be bossy. Fred has completed basic training with A Sound Beginning and passed, but here’s the truth: training only works if it’s consistently practiced. Fred needs a family committed to reinforcing those lessons and continuing his training to help him mature into the dog he can be.
Fred is currently in a foster home with small dogs that bark constantly, and yes—he’s picked up the habit. It’s not cute on a 70 lb shepherd mix, but it’s also learned behavior, not aggression. With structure, boundaries, and leadership, this is manageable.
This dog needs:
• A breed-experienced home
• Mental AND physical exercise every day
• Confident humans who understand working dogs
• Consistency, structure, and follow-through
Fred is not a couch ornament. If you want easy, keep scrolling.
Now the part that matters.
Fred is crate trained, fully house trained, and will go into his crate on command—or on his own to relax. He’s smart, food-motivated, and genuinely enjoys learning. He loves tug, toys, car rides, and being near his people. He’s loyal to a fault and wants nothing more than to belong.
Despite all this, Fred has been repeatedly overlooked. He’s had no applications, which is heartbreaking—because this dog has incredible potential. He’s not broken. He’s not bad. He just hasn’t been given a real chance yet.
With the right home, Fred could be an outstanding companion—the kind of dog people brag about once the work pays off.
If you understand the breed, respect the work, and are willing to put in the effort, Fred will give you everything he’s got.
He’s waiting.
Our standard adoption fee is $375 cash or check and $385 credit card ($10 processing fee). . It includes spay/neuter when age appropriate at our participating vets, age appropriate core vaccinations, fecal testing, deworming, flea and tick preventative,1st vet visit at one of our participating vets, and micro-chipping.
We must have an application, conduct a phone interview, and meet your entire family to approve an adoption. Applications will not be reviewed unless fully completed. An application does not commit you to adopting and does not guarantee adoption but does allow us to begin the review process.
Please email adopt@safehavendogsIL.org for an application or additional details.
Please note that the breeds and sizes posted in this biography are educated best guesses and are not guaranteed.
Safe Haven Dog Rescue reserves the right to refuse adoption of any dog or puppy to any applicant (adopter) for any reason.
