Moobli suggested in my intro thread that I should post some pics in this section, so I am.... This is Shilah, he is 2 years old and is a rescue. He was found tied to a tree weighing only 18kg :-( He was in rescue for a while and then trialled with Belmarsh prison but they returned him because he was limping. When I got him he was very lame but I think it was due to having absolutely no muscle mass. He was still very thin and had spent a lot of his life tied up on a travellers site. He loves playing frisbee and is now happy and healthy and able to run about till his hearts content. Kofi is my first working line GSD and I have had him from a puppy. He is 12 months old and is everything I could ever want in a GSD. Being my first WL shepherd and having some strong dogs in his pedigree I worried a bit that I would be able to handle him, but so far he has been a total dream. Loves his ball, loves to work and is a cuddle monster The boys together... And because I don't like to leave them out, here are my bridge boys, Coin and Starsky. Starsky had HD and died when he was 11 and Coin (on the left) died 2 years ago at the age of 15. I miss them every day. Would love to see everyone else's shepherds! Also, Kofi is my first sable, do you think he will get much darker as he gets older? I hear that sables do but just wondering people's experience. Thanks for looking.
They are really lovely looking dogs and I'm glad that things worked out for Shilah. OT but are the Italians fairly relaxed about dogs on beaches? I know many of the beaches are in private hands, wasn't sure of the rules?
FANTASTIC photos of all your wonderful boys I just love looking at your photos, the dogs are sooooo stunning and the scenery always so beautiful. I can't wait for Helena54 to see your photos Fiona, she will be in raptures I will add some pics of my sheps tomorrow, as I have to take my lot out for their last wee now.
Thank you, I love all my boys muchly. The Italian are generally not very relaxed about GSDs full stop! They seem fairly terrified of mine and in shock that I would take them out in public, but thats because mostly they are just used as guard dogs here. The beaches are off limits to dogs in the summer but in the winter all of them (even the private bits) pack up and then dogs are allowed. I have only been to the beach once here and it wasn't that nice as they are really built up and touristy. That photo of my previous shepherds was taken in the Outer Hebrides.
Lovely pics and what a fab place to live! As soon as I saw the pic of Coin & Starsky, I thought 'I've seen that gorgeous pic before' - just remembered where (another forum!). Beautiful dogs
Thanks for your reply, I couldn't remember seeing dogs on beaches (and they are generally massively overdeveloped and commercialised unfortunately) - was just wondering in case we take our dog over there at some point. I'm surprised your GSDs are feared as they are quite a popular dog in Italy though perhaps more in the South. In Milan and Rome, there seems to be a preference for small n' yappy, probably as most people live in apartments. In the South there are a lot of GSD style heinz types, some of which are semi-feral and I've known a few Italians with GSDs although they are often yard dogs (not specfically guard dogs), again in Sardinia and Campania. Anyhow both of yours are beautiful dogs so I'm sure the locals will be won over in time and you might start a trend!
Hello! I love Casper. When I worked in boarding kennels my favourite dog was a white GSD called Duke and Casper reminds me so much of him!
Awwwwwwwwwww my favourites......... Shilah is just gorgeous - what a lovely life he has now - with his mate I'm sure life couldn't get much better for him out there in the sun and on the beaches. We are in Southern Spain and whilst the campo brigade love their Sheps in the towns they are often terrified of them.
As Kirsty has said, I'm absolutely dumbstruck here, I keep going back and looking, and looking, and looooooking at your beauties!!! As if it wasn't bad enough seeing Kirsty's gorgeous shepherds in her idyllic background scenery, now you go and do this to me!!! I'm absolutely green with envy and admiration here!!! Now excuse the naff scenery in MY background lol, but my youngster who is also 2 years old bears quite a resemblance to your gorgeous Shilah, here she is, this is Zena Here's my old boy, this is Georgie, he now 12! Zena again, almost as gorgeous as your Shilah! I hope you don't mind me asking, but how do you two know each other? Did you Google "people with gorgeous shepherds living in paradise" Lol!
I knew you'd love Fiona's dogs :grin We "met" a very long time ago on a dog rescue forum but love your google comment
Thank you for the compliments! Your two are Zena really does look like Shilah! Maybe they are related! I am also jealous that your orbee is still intact! Kofi managed to break the rope and tear off all the planets on his within 30 minutes!
Lovely pics scout -both dogs and the scenery. Were you searching for a dog on BigG before you moved out there? I seem to remember someone looking for a dog but some rescues weren't interested as you were moving overseas (if it was you). Just posted some pics of mine with some rambling commentry here.
Yes probably. I got Shilah from there in the end, but I did (understandably) have problems with some rescues not wanting to rehome to someone taking the dog abroad. Loved the pics and stories of your dogs.