Zeus is a four-year-old, black-and-tan German Shepherd with a gorgeous black face. Hes smart and loves attention and praise. He will work better for praise than for food! He learns quickly although he can be willful at times (hes only four). He is very affectionate and craves attention, but is not a pest. He has a kind spirit about him. He was mainly an outside dog but is completely house-trained and crate-trained. He was turned in to animal control for chasing horses. Zeus has had a hard life up until now. My guess is after harsh treatment didnt get the desired effect, he was banished from the house and ignored. As a result, he is fearful when he perceives anger. Its simply a trust/confidence issue that I am sure with the correct training and clear expectations he can overcome. Hes a very sweet dog. He loves people, despite his suspected poor treatment. If he had received the proper training as a pup he would be a German Shepherd poster dog. In the spirit of full disclosure I feel the need to tell you he is a counter-surfer. He also is learning all his commands - he came with no idea of any- he now knows come, sit, down, stay, drop - at least half the time, and is beginning to heel. As I said, he really wants to please. He also sits to be petted, sits for his food bowl. He does not get on the furniture but wants to be where you are. He can get excited and get careless, or fearful, but at his core he is a gentle dog. We can get annoyed with his shortcomings but not for long. Hes just so gentle and affectionate that you find yourself petting him before you even realize youre not mad at him any more! 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.

© 2025 VGSR