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rable 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 (.heartlandgsrescue) "Is a HUGS Dog Right for You?" for additional information.
At just 11 months old, Harrison is all German Shepherd puppy... packed into a much bigger body! His previous family was in the military and, after receiving new orders, made the incredibly difficult decision to surrender him when they realized they wouldn't be able to meet his needs. Harrison came to us as an emergency intake, needing a safe place to land. Now he's ready to find the family who will help him become the amazing dog he's meant to be.
Affectionately known as "HareBear" by his foster mom, Harrison is equal parts sweetheart, comedian, and enthusiastic wrecking ball. Because he missed out on some important puppy socialization, he's basically a 4-month-old Shepherd in an 11-month-old body—which means he approaches life with boundless excitement and absolutely zero concern for personal space.
This boy is up for ALL the adventures! Whether you're exploring hiking trails, strolling through town, or hanging out at a dog-friendly patio, Harrison is a surprisingly well-mannered gentleman in public. Once he's home, though? It's game on! Wrestling, zoomies, and conducting rigorous "quality control testing" on every toy labeled indestructible are among his favorite hobbies. (Spoiler alert: the toys usually lose.)
Harrison is potty trained, knows his basic obedience commands, and is proving just how eager he is to learn. He's incredibly food-motivated and praise-motivated, making him an absolute joy to train. In fact, it took only three meals for him to figure out that dinner is served in his crate—and now he happily races there on cue! Like any young, high-drive Shepherd, he's still learning impulse control, but his willingness to work makes his potential truly exciting.
And then there's the water...
If swimming were an Olympic sport for dogs, Harrison would already be training for gold. Lakes? Yes. Creeks? Absolutely. Kiddie pools? Don't mind if he does. The tiny four-foot pond in his foster home's yard has actually been barricaded because otherwise he'd happily cannonball into it multiple times a day. Dry dog? That's simply not part of Harrison's life plan.
Like most teenage German Shepherds, Harrison will thrive with an experienced GSD home that understands this challenging (and often hilarious!) stage of life. The occasional bulldozing, selective impulse control, and "I have an idea!" moments aren't unusual—they're part of growing up for many adolescent Shepherds. Harrison is incredibly smart and eager to please, but he'll absolutely benefit from a family that can provide the structure, consistency, and boundaries that help young GSDs mature into exceptional adult dogs. With the right guidance, he's the kind of dog who will make you proud every single day.
Harrison would do best with confident, tolerant canine companions who can handle his exuberant puppy antics while helping teach him good dog manners.
Harrison is still growing into the incredible dog he's destined to become. He's goofy, affectionate, endlessly entertaining, and has a heart as big as his paws. If you're looking for a loyal adventure buddy who will make you laugh every single day—and you have the experience to help him channel all that Shepherd brilliance—Harrison is waiting to dive headfirst into your life... and probably your nearest body of water, too.
Harrison's adoption fee is $395, all of which goes back into offseting 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, current on age-appropriate vaccinations, fecal, deworming, flea/tick and heartworm preventative, heartworm tested if old enough (and treated if positive), and microchipped. Please visit heartlandgsrescue.rescuegroups/info/adoption for more information about our adoption process and requirements, and to apply.
Please review the information in the "About Us", "Important Considerations" and "Adopt" sections on our website menu, as it contains useful information about the breed, adoption fees, the adoption process and our requirements, and how meeting the dogs works.