Just Got a New Dog

[octongue]

This guy was dumped off on someone's property 3 weeks ago - I've had him for about a week now. Supposedly he's a Shiloh Shepherd, but I have no way of telling. He's absolutely kick-ass. Barks only if someone knocks or comes in the yard when he's out, or if another dog comes by. Once he does the ass-sniff on the other dog he's fine. He's super fxxxing skinny, though, due to neglect (he weighs 78 pounds but should be well over 100 according to the vet), and has some sparse fur issues on his back legs and tail due to neglect and/or a bad infestation of fleas or ticks. One of his ears doesn't stand up fully but the vet said that it was most likely a calcium deficiency.

He knows his commands (Sit, Lay Down, Paw, Up, Drop It, etc) already and is very docile. He follows me everywhere (even up and down the stairs). Without further adeu, I bring you Richard:

 

[hedonist]

way to go man, that is cool! nothing like a good dog.good lookin too

 

[1911]

Looks like a great dog, and sounds even better. Always makes me wonder though, what would posess someone to abuse and/or abandon a dog like that? I mean any animal really, but especially a super smart and nice one like Richard? There are some twisted people out there for sure.

 

[octongue]

You better believe it. I imagine that it was someone's dad or mom's dog, and they died, and the s*** for brains son or daughter didn't want to deal with him. He could have been malnourished as the father/mother was getting older and less able to take care of him and then they just ditched him. He really is amazing. My daughter loves him and he loves her (but he follows me around and makes her mad because he doesn't give her enough attention!)

 

[retrofive]

Cool pup nice rescue!

 

[gladly]

nice pup

 

[Tofudebeest]

Belgian malinois, possibly even a Belgian tervuren (you'll know when the dog fattens up and grows a decent coat). Shilohs are too rare. Unless you know the parents/pedigree, you have to employ Occam's Razor when it comes to breed ID.

 

[octongue]

Belgian malinois. Shilohs are too rare. Unless you know the parents/pedigree, you have to employ Occam's Razor when it comes to breed ID.

Too big to be a Belgian Malinois. I am thinking he's just a German Shepherd Dog. The person who had him on their property just said they thought he was Shiloh.

I don't really care because he's so bitchin'.

 

[octongue]

Incidentally I agree that Occam's Razor is applicable, but we really don't have any other hypotheses except the one that i've adopted from the original 'savior' of this dog. We'll have to see if more arise as he fills out.

 

[Weedhopper]

Congrats man !! If he takes to you so quickly and so well you have a winner.

 

[Cube Dweller]

Be extremely vigilant with the dog around your daughter.

 

[mattlock]

Good work! Never ceases to amaze me how some people dump really good dogs. Good for you.

 

[octongue]

Be extremely vigilant with the dog around your daughter.

Cubicle Man, I am very vigilant when around her, because he's extremely attached to me and watches every move someone makes toward me. He's actually phenomenal around her, and extremely protective of her when we are out and about.

 

[D'Animal]

The way you rescued him, he will be loyal to you and your family like you cannot imagine.

 

[octongue]

D'Animal, you are right. I just have to get him healthy again. He looks 9 but is only 2.

 

[Cube Dweller]

Cubicle Man, I am very vigilant when around her, because he's extremely attached to me and watches every move someone makes toward me. He's actually phenomenal around her, and extremely protective of her when we are out and about.

Be vigilant and trust your gut. We adopted a Golden from a rescue and I didn't trust my gut, and it cost my daughter 3 stitches in the cheek, unprovoked. My wife was 5 feet away.

Overprotective can be a sign. We adopted a dobie when I was a kid that was overprotective and later found out was abused. Nipped a kid in our neighborhood so it went.

 

[octongue]

Cubester,

I am pretty watchful of him since I don't know him very well, but I wouldn't say he's 'over protective.' He's just real loyal and protective of the property in general. That said, to reiterate, I do make sure that he's reserved with her. It's not that big of a deal, since he usually is sitting at my side and not really around her that much.