Riggs

This is what Riggs foster dad had to say

So here we have our beautiful boy, Riggs.  Riggs is just 12 months old and has been in rehabilitation with me since 12th of August.

As with most of the beauties we see, Riggs has had a very rough start, he was kept in a crate for the first 6 months of his life, when he came to me his joints displayed the lack of of development that you would expect from such restriction, but no more so than his mind.

In the last 9 weeks, Riggs has undergone a very intensive baptism of fire, both physically and mentally and has done exceptionally! 

My full assessment is below and includes my recommendation for suitable personality type to provide Riggs’s with the best leadership and forever home.

He truly is a beautiful boy, very playful and affectionate.   His recall is, for the most part, good. He can still get a little distracted now and then, but this is largely down to him being very much a puppy still.  His impulse control is good, but he needs a strong character, as he is a wilful dog.  

This impulse control extends to food also, as long as he has someone who can provide strong leadership.  

Riggs has proven good with children, although can be a little boisterous due to his young age.

Riggs has a strong dominant streak, that he shows little interest in curtailing, due to this I would suggest that he not live with another male dog.  Having said that, he would be well suited to live with a female, as he is very sociable and playful.

Riggs physical condition has improved dramatically since coming to me, he no longer walks with his elbows together and his knees no longer turnout to unnatural angles. 

He is still building muscle and endurance, so still has occasional tremors in his back legs, but this is only periodic now, where as before, it was almost constant and the tremors in his front legs have ceased completely.  Muscle development is slow, as due to his start in life and lack of exercise, I am even more aware of joint damage occurring, than I would already be with a puppy who’d had normal development.  But there is no rush and his favourite thing to do whilst out walking is to sniff and mark, so this doesn’t lend itself to over exercising. 

He will most definitely need neutering at 2 yrs old, as he has only one testicle that has come down so that needs to be sorted.

Traveling in the car, Riggs is great, no issues keeps himself quiet. 

One point to note here is that Riggs gets bored easily at the moment, again this is common with his age, so keep some toys in the back with him, or else he WILL find something to chew.

Riggs’s walks well on a slip lead and is pleasant to walk almost no pulling at all and if he does, it’s more just a gentle pressure, where he’s moved past me because he’s forgotten to check in with me and is getting carried away with the walk.  He soon corrects with a little back pressure on the leash.

Whilst he’s not had direct or prolonged contact with cats, I’ve seen no indication that he has any bad intent to cats or any other animal for that matter.

Although caution and a calm introduction to other animals is advised and I would think, should go without question.

Finally I’ll add that well experienced GSD owners are necessary that are capable with setting and holding rules, boundaries and limitations, as he demands strong leadership.  As long as you are able to be firm and know how to be pack leader he will give you no issues and you will have a truly wonderful furry family member, I will truly miss this wonderful boy.