One suggestion on a shepherd, look for a true German or “work” shepherd with lower rear hips than front shoulders. Our akc bred shepherds to have higher rear hips. Most all pure bred AKCs will get hip dysplasia around 8-10 years old. On the Rotts, they don’t seem to age well and do not tolerate our heat outside. Never been around Dobermans.
Also on the Shepherds get em young, they are mostly a one family / owner dog and take a lot of attention if gotten at an older age.
Every Man owes it to himself to have a good dog or three.
German Shepherds are smart dogs. Mom and stepdad had one. Stepdad(and mom) were overseas working and left shepherd under the care of garage apt. tenant. Thunderstorm came up and dog left home. Was spotted hanging out at local airport most of the next day(stepdad was a pilot) and then the next evening found her way to our home across town in Walterboro. No notice or call from apartment tenant whose care she was under. She knew her way around. She stayed with us for the duration of her pop’s overseas work.
Hip dysplasia kicked in around eleven or twelve.
If you are buying a AkC dog you should only buy one that has had its hips, eyes etc certified. It’s parents that is. Not a 100 percent but fairly accurate. My border collie is American Border Collie Association certified. They only breed for intelligence and health and will decertify any dog entered into a beauty contest. The Aussie was akc but was hip and health certified. Her parents were herding and diving competition dogs.
Our first pair, Roscoe and Amelia, parents were ABCA certified and had papers that showed lineage to Scotland. Hip dysplasia and Collie Eye Anomaly are the two of the biggest genetic concerns.
Lost Roscoe to cancer at 12. Amelia survived liver cancer and lived to 16 1/2. Smartest dogs we ever had. Amelia was highly athletic.
Lost Skye to autoimmune mediated polyarthritis (or treatment) at age 5.
Australian Shepherds are prone to hemangiosarcoma. It took Logan’s life at about 4.
Coco is a local rescue from a bad situation. Noticed an odd skip to her back right leg early on. X-rays show early hip dysplasia/arthritis. Either genetics or could have been poor nourishment at an early age.
Not sure if this is the right place but didn’t know if you might know someone in your area that would be interested in a pair of Aussies up for adoption in Ridgeland.
and
Not much information on the dogs regarding age, weight, papers, etc. Their owner became ill and unable to care for them. Hate to see a pair that lived together get broken up and adopted out separately. I’d take them both in, but I might be stretching my ability right now with my pair and my wife’s disability. No one in my circle of friends can take them on right now. They’re at Lovable Paws Rescue , 2144 Grays Hwy, Ridgeland. Only open on Saturdays.
Hey Fred. Thanks. Just a shot in the dark on my part. The description says that they’re good with other dogs. Your guess seems pretty good just from appearances. I wasn’t sure if B in Beaufort was still around after being dismissively rebuffed earlier. I think I may revisit my client list for prospective adopters. I’ve got to go into the office tomorrow. I may have thought of one or two just now. Not sure how much longer I’ll be around here. Take care.
Rebuffed about what Fripp ? Are you trying to start some crap or something ? I`ve been dealing with a death and funeral in my family. I saw this post last night on the way back from Aiken. I WTF are you talking about being rebuffed earlier ? Good riddance.
Saw this last night about the Aussies. My wife is going to ask people at the two hospitals she covers and Ill ask around as well. Its tempting to get two more but I don`t know. If they are there for too long I might try to bring them home and at least foster until they can find a more permanent home .
My reference was to your inquiry to EF’s behavior earlier in the thread while he was haranguing Fred and you had taken him to task for his behavior as a moderator. EF replied to you that he didn’t have time to answer your question and seemed to be indifferent towards your assessment. I thought that his reply to you seemed somewhat dismissive. I sincerely didn’t know if his attitude had caused you to stay away. Not trying to start any crap. I felt that your assessment was well worded and prescient. My apologies to you if you took what I said to Fred in a negative way. That was certainly not my intention. My sympathies or understandings are with what you stated earlier insofar as to a moderator’s function. I was only trying to see if I could keep those two dogs together since I’m not able to at this time. So sorry for your loss and my sincere condolences. I just came back from a friend’s funeral Thursday. Take care.