German Shepherd dogs, as well as the other herding breeds that we have in rescue, are highly active, energetic, working breeds. They require considerable vetting, exercise, socialization, training, leadership and mental stimuli in order to be well-adjusted, well-balanced, and well-mannered dogs. Even if you exercise and play with your dog daily in your fenced yard, you MUST still take your dog out on daily walks and outings in order to work on his/her leash skills, manners, and social skills. These breeds make great additions to active families who will pamper them, but who will also work with them, as they are smart dogs who need leadership, structure, plenty of activity and mental stimulation. 

If you are new to German Shepherds (and other herding breeds), please research the breed to make sure this is the dog for you. We ask that you consider the time and financial commitment that your German Shepherd (or other herding breed) dog will require before applying for one. Please review the section on our website (www.heartlandgsrescue.org) "Is a HUGS Dog Right for You?" for additional information.

Live, love, laugh? More like live, love, SASS when Leila's around! This little lady is smart and ready to learn, but oh boy will you hear her opinions along the way!

Leila is a 16 week German Shepherd Dog puppy who has already figured out potty training, crate training, sit, and down, and she's ready to keep expanding her repertoire! Right now at the top of her agenda is figuring out how to beat her 100 pound foster brother at wrestling - no one tell her that it's going to be awhile before she's in his weight class!!!

Leila is a pretty amazing puppy - her first night in her foster home, her foster dad was asking foster mom, “can we keep her?” (Foster mom says no more dogs for him!) She wraps new people around her little paw in just a few moments! She's an absolutely adorable mix of puppy zoomies and snuggles, so there's something for everyone!

Leila is incredibly confident and curious, and would love a home that continues her socialization to keep that social nature! She currently lives in a home with four GSD foster siblings, and would absolutely love another dog in her forever home, particularly a confident, tolerant adult to put up with her puppy antics and show her the ropes. Leila would also do best with adopters with GSD experience, as she will need structure and consistency to continue her training as she grows up.

The adoption fee for Leila is $475, all of which goes back into offsetting our high-cost vetting expenses and rescuing more dogs. We are a 100% volunteer-run rescue group and rely on adoption fees and donations to continue saving lives. Adoption fees include spay/neuter, age-appropriate vaccinations, fecal, deworming, flea/tick and heartworm preventative, heartworm tested if old enough (and treated if positive), and microchipped. 

Please visit http://heartlandgsrescue.rescuegroups.org/info/adoption for more information about our adoption process and requirements, and to apply. Like all GSDs, Leila will need positive reinforcement training, consistency, boundaries, activity and socialization. Leila's ideal home will be a household with good routines, prior GSD (or similar herding breed) experience, and a friendly doggy sibling to help teach her the ropes. Like any of our dogs, Leila will make a great addition to an active home that will provide the love, structure, activity and mental stimulation that her breed requires. Even if you exercise and play with your dog daily in your fenced yard, please remember that you MUST still take your dog out on daily walks and outings, in order to provide sufficient stimulation, ward off boredom, and work on leash skills and manners.