Adopt a German Shepherd Dog (medium coat)

Max is a spirited 19 month old boy. He is a large shepherd, measuring about 29 inches at the shoulders.  This means he can see out any window in the house, even the small window at the top of the front door at his foster family’s house.  He is very lanky and seems to be all knees and elbows! Max has graduated from Hampton Roads Off Leash K-9 Training (THANK YOU, JESSIE!) and has proven to be a great learner who is expanding his vocabulary with new commands all the time. 

Max loves other dogs and would benefit greatly in a home with another four-legged friend to play with. We feel Max could be homed with a cat, but his desire to chase and play is very, very strong, so it would require a lot of work and supervision to reach a happy co-habitation for all. Max loves to play musical pillows with his foster sister and he shares nicely.  Since his foster sister is older and used to being in charge, he let’s her pick her pillow first. He has great manners and only has to be reminded once in awhile that couches are not for puppies.  Max likes his tennis ball time with his foster sister and has learned to only chase his ball while leaving her ball for only her.

He has a very special bond with his foster dad and loves being his constant shadow while he works out in the yard or on the cars.  He also loves his foster mom, and asks for snuggles from her all the time...even climbing in an unoccupied lap if given the chance.   He loves long walks in the woods and tracks nicely.  Max is a bit of a lush and drinks a lot.  This means he needs breaks to go out to use the potty during the day if he has access to water.  His foster family has learned to take up the water dish about an hour before his bedtime so he doesn’t have issues at night.

Max crates on command with no issues and sleeps quietly in his box.  Once he hears his foster parents alarm though, he is ready to start his day.  Max has a soft mouth at treat time and his foster family makes him sit patiently waiting for his food.  He also is being trained to sit down a few feet back from the door when he wants to go out and wait to be released to go outside.  Max knows sit, down, come, off, crate, break, and heel and does them all Off Leash with distractions! He makes a great running partner who will heel the entire time if asked.  He is even responding to a series of whistles that his foster dad is teaching him so that he can wander a bit in the woods while they walk. but still be kept close with whistle commands.  Max has begun learning hand commands for sit and down, as well.  Max is very smart and teachable; he could easily be taught to do just about anything. He is eager to please and loves being told he is a good boy, with no treats required for training.  Max will train just to have your undivided attention.  He did ask me to add that he never turns a treat down. :)

Max is constantly aware of what is going on outside and is always monitoring the situation.  However, he only barks when he thinks it is absolutely necessary or if his foster sister starts the barking.  He has even made his foster family aware of the presence of other animals in the woods without making a noise.  Max is a great dog for keeping his home safe.

Max has had a very inconsistent past and has been in many, many homes because of puppy behaviors that were never properly corrected. In the past, he has used his size along with intimidation growls and mouthiness to get his way. He has learned that he can bully a weak handler. He always apologizes, and now he recognizes, these behaviors are no longer acceptable, but for these reasons Max will not be permitted in a home with children. Max requires a strong handler, who knows the breed and will not be intimidated. The training that Max has received has been a wonderful thing for him, but he needs continued work to help him build the trust needed to take correction from his handler. Max's adoption includes a lesson from our awesome trainer at OLK9. Jessie is one of our past adopters, who gives back to SGSR by donating her time and skills to help make some of our dogs more adoptable. Thank you!!

Approved adopters please contact your Adoption Coordinator if you'd like more information about UltraMax. If you reside in VA, MD or NC, you can complete an adoption application at southeastgermanshepherdrescue.com to potentially adopt one of our dogs. Please begin with the FAQ page and adoption tabs for more information about our process. We don't adopt to areas outside of VA, MD and NC because we don't have the volunteer resources to do so. Thank you for your understanding.