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 Veteran
Posts: 222
Location: Texas | So a few months ago I was "inspired" by whomever posted the agility topic to finally enroll in a class like I've wanted to do for several years. I am using my Doberman X ( 7 yrs old) who Loves it! For the last few weeks I have been kicking around the idea of getting another younger dog to start bring along. After going through all the breeds I decided on a Dutch Shepard as "the" dog. I had not discussed any of this with my trainer. Last night I had a private lesson ( and we conquered the A Frame!!) and my trainer asked if I had thought about getting another dog so I could start bringing it along. I confessed I had been looking and had decided that I wanted a DS but had noticed the main breeder in Texas wasn't breeding and I had been kinda looking around at shelters but hadn't found anything as it's a pretty rare breed. Well low and behold SHE was fostering a 7 month old female that she's trying to adopt out. Of course she's the beautiful dark brindle and just a wild ball of crazy energy. So who here has had experience with this breed? I've been doing my research and wanted to take a few days to really think about it before I commited. And wanted to hear anyone else's opinion on the breeds temperament, health, stability etc. thanks! Oh and her name is Karma :)
Edited by Married2Rodeo 2014-03-20 10:20 PM
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  Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
  
Location: In a happy place | My sister trained agility until she had the bad hip transplant. I just know that she said for the dog to be successful it had to be a ball of energy. Hyper even. So it sounds to me like this one would be perfect. |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | I would say it's meant to be. Those dogs are high drive/high energy types, so she should be awesome in agility. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2236
Location: Sherman, TX | I have a Dutchie I adopted from The North American Dutch Shepherd Rescue. Love her they are high energy dogs much like the Malinois who are known as "German Shepherds on crack." Chose this breed because they are not very common so they have not yet been as overbred as the German Shepherds so little history of bad hips etc. They love water and will make anything a pool, including their water dish or stock tank. They have high ball drive, most like mine are obsessed with balls. She keeps her ball with her constantly and loves to take it swimming with her. Will wake you up to let her back outside if she left it outside. Not uncommon to be awakened at 2 am to find her trying to put the ball in my hand lol. They are very smart and learn very fast, would be perfect for agility. When I mean high energy, I mean high energy. She can swim, bring in the horses(they will herd) and you can throw the ball until your arms fall off, she might take a 10 minute power nap at most and be ready to go again. They NEVER tire out! Another plus is they don't shed like the German Shepherds do. Not a dog for everyone, you have to be committed to burning their energy off. This is why they end up in rescues. Check out the North American Dutch Shepherd Rescue on Facebook and also Outlaw K-9 on Facebook, they always have Dutchies available.
Edited by newbie 2014-03-14 8:13 AM
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Veteran
Posts: 222
Location: Texas | Thanks guys for all the tips! I'm super excited about her. I'm going to pick her up next week at class. I can't wait to get her home and take pictures!! Glad to know they like water! ( 30 acres and three stock tanks she should be in hog heaven) She will have so much fun swimming in the tanks and bringing up the horses with our other dog. I know I can start basic contact training refining obedience and playing. I'm also going to really really socialize her. Anything else I can do so she's ready to start agility when she's old enough? I know weaves and jumps are out until she's at least a year. |
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Expert
Posts: 2236
Location: Sherman, TX | I think as long as her basic obedience is good she will do awesome. Yes she is going to love being on your place! You should try dock diving too, just started doing that with mine and she loves it. |
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Veteran
Posts: 222
Location: Texas | Behavior test went great with our two dogs and Karma! She gets to come home tmrw! Here's a picture of her. Excuse the crazy chewbacabra eyes LOL
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Expert
Posts: 2236
Location: Sherman, TX | Awesome! Good luck with her! She looks just like mine.....(and they do kind of resemble chupacabras lol) |
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | Pretty girl! Good luck! |
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 Crazy Chicken Chick
Posts: 36132
| She is beautiful! Good luck with her! |
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Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Love her color and her demonic eyes. LOL have fun with her! |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | How exciting! |
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Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
Location: In a happy place | She is so pretty.  |
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