Duchess is totally awesome with kids, even really little ones. She's got oodles of patience with them. She's also fine with cats. Her house manners are stellar. No getting up on furniture or getting into things. No accidents. She walks well on a leash, and loves to go for walks, and she rides wonderfully in the car. Duchess was spayed in June and came through the surgery like a trooper. The vet thinks she's around 8 years old. It's a guess. We don't know for sure because Duchess was dropped off at a shelter with very little information. Whatever her age, she's certainly fit and agile. Folks usually think she's much younger when they meet her. Duchess will do best in a home where she's not left alone for too long. She definitely prefers having people nearby. She might be able to live with another dog. It will depend on their temperament. Duchess is currently living peacefully with another GSD, but she tends to be overly assertive when meeting other dogs, and she definitely likes to be the alpha. Please check out our web site at www.shepherdrescue.org for more information about our dogs, our adoption process and to download an application. You must have a fully approved application on file prior to privately meeting our dogs. We do not have a facility, all our dogs are housed in private foster homes throughout MD/DC/VA areas. More information available on our web site, so please read through our web site before emailing questions, as it might save us both some time!

VGSR can only adopt dogs out in the Virginia/Maryland/DC area, no exceptions.

Although donations of all types are needed, our primary need is foster homes for our lovely dogs while they wait for their new family to find them. Fostering is an extremely rewarding experience. Vet care is paid for by our rescue, and we can even provide you with food. All YOU need to add is love and security.

The adoption process starts with the applicant filling out the adoption application. This can happen at any time during the process, before or after having met a GSD that might be the ideal companion. (It's an advantage to have a pre-approved application on file with VGSR. It should be stressed here that being pre-approved does not mean that any potential adopter can select any available dog at will and take that dog home immediately. VGSR will exercise its best judgement as to which GSD will be the best match for that specific adopter based on a number of qualifying criteria. Many GSDs that come to us are matched up with their new people very quickly because their people have been pre-approved.) The applicant then submits the application form with a non-refundable $10.00 processing fee. VGSR reviews the application, then schedules an interview and home visit during which a number of questions are asked and the home is reviewed to be sure there is a contained/safe yard, and to meet the family involved. Once the application is approved, the applicant is asked to submit a $250.00 donation to VGSR, and the adoption is completed.

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