- Details
- Written by Rob Holloway
- Published: 02 December 2013
We all know how smart our German Shepherd Dogs really are.
We've all heard amazing stories about their intellectual prowess, their bravery and other great skills. But this was a first.
One of our adoption counselors in Mill Valley claims that his dog Brodie can play chess.
You read that right. A dog that plays chess!
Jim tells us that she has a mean opening gambit and uses her jaws to get to check mate in just four swift moves. She will sit by the chess board and wait patiently for her next opponent. She never drools on the game either!
We are sure you can understand that we were doubtful when we heard of Jim's and Brodie's tale. Jim sent this picture that clearly proves his point.
We'd love to hear about other smart things that your dog gets up to! Maybe there is another chess playing GSD waiting for a match?
- Details
- Written by Rob Holloway
- Published: 10 November 2013
Meet Jade - hero German Shepherd who found a newborn baby abandoned in a park in the UK. The healthy tot - who is barely a few days old - was discovered by dog-walker Roger Wilday wrapped in a towel in a plastic carrier bag by his German Shepherd on Thursday afternoon.
Hospital staff have named the baby in honour of Jade - the dog who may well have saved her life. Medics say Jade - who weighs six pounds - is "alert, happy and contented" as she continues her recovery.
West Midlands Police have released a picture of the baby and say they urgently want to reunite her with her mother.
Baby Jade was discovered by Mr Wilday at around 3pm on Thursday in Stechford Park, the West Midlands.
Mr Wilday, 68, said of his dog: "She headed to the bushes. She wouldn't come back so I had to go over and I saw the bag and then I heard a baby cry.
"I reached down to look at the bag closer and I saw a baby in a blue blanket, I was so shocked." "I dialled 999 and picked the baby up. She was warm so I don't think she had been there long."
Thanks for the story to the UK newspaper - The Daily Mirror
- Details
- Written by Rob Holloway
- Published: 07 October 2013
We are often asked about the color of rescue German Shepherd Dogs. This chart shows just how many colors are out there, thirteen right here. More confusion is added when people mistake Belgian and Dutch Shepherds as their German brothers.
The classic German Shepherd is the Black & Tan at the top of the image. Yup this is the Rin Tin Tin look. No better than the others, just the most common.
We all have our favorites and within our team you'll meet black, tan and black, red and black and sable German Shepherd dogs. One thing for sure though, we encourage everyone to focus on the temperament of the dog more than the markings.
If you look at the rescued German Shepherds that we have today you'll see white, sables and even two long haired German Shepherds that is another different version.
You can quickly see just how confusing this can all become. We would guess that it's unlikely you've seen all these different colors unless you've volunteered with a German Shepherd Rescue group like ours.
When someone next says to you that there are only three or four different colors of Shepherds, have them look at this and be surprised.
- Details
- Written by Rob Holloway
- Published: 05 October 2013
You may have adopted a German Shepherd. Many of us train our dogs, some do more advanced obedience, protection, agility, herding, nose work and much more. It's almost limitless what your dog might want to do.
But what about water?
An increasingly popular sport is dock diving. If you've ever seen your dog literally leap into water you're almost there already. The idea is that your dog races along a pathway towards you and a pool of water. At the very edge, you throw a toy that your dog leaps to get the toy. The dogs LOVE it. At many events you can see Splash Dogs. The world record is held by a Belgian Malinois called Baxter, leaping almost 30 feet!
Today we were at the Bay Area Pet Fair and there was a Splash Dogs competition. We thought you'd like another idea what you and your dog might want to try out. Here's a couple of photos.
- Details
- Written by Rob Holloway
- Published: 20 September 2013
So you've decided to adopt a German Shepherd and want to take your new dog for great hikes in the Bay Area. The challenge is that some areas are dog friendly, some are tolerant and some just plain don't want us.
Then check out this awesome site for dog lovers. It's called DogTrekker (Have Dog Will Travel). You can see the image from their site below. Click on it and you can visit DogTrekker:
Their intro says it all - "Welcome to DogTrekker.com, fun for dogs and the humans who follow. We've checked out the best places in Northern and Central California for you and your pup to stay, eat, hike, swim and play. Please explore our site, sign up for our weekly newsletter… and be sure to take us along on your next DogTrekking adventure."
DogTrekker is a guide to dog friendly places in the Bay Area with reviews of hikes, places to stay, stories and more. Co founders Roxanne and Dave Kendrick are lovely dog people and in our corner helping protect the interests of dogs in the Bay Area.
Have fun on your travels with your dogs!