Axel is a sweet and smart and admirable young soul, an 80-pound, one-year-old, neutered GSD, with potential to be the greatest companion. He is still very much the puppy, with nearly endless energy for romps in the snow or a tug-a-war with his favorite soccer ball, to be followed by long contented snoozes. He is a marshmallow who will smother you in kisses, and fall asleep in your lap. But he is also eighty pounds of taut muscle with the strength of a bull, who needs a handler with a strong and steady hand to help channel his energies. A basic understanding of dog obedience training is strongly recommended for this dogs would-be adopter. Axel heels very nicely with the proper corrections, and can walk or trot like a show dog. His few observed encounters with kids suggests he loves them but still needs a little practice on gentleness. Though he has yet to be tested with strange dogs on the street, he has melded seamlessly with a household of three dogs he visited for several days. He is housebroken and crate-trained, eats well and so far has not taken to raiding the cat box for treats. Unfortunately, he has not yet sworn off the cats themselves. He is excitable and prone to giving chase to anything that shows fear or flight. (On the other hand, he is easily put in his place by our pet rats, who go nose to nose with him.) Until he has proven himself otherwise, he should not be paired with families that include cats. Axel learns quickly and is eager to please, and little treats go a long way toward taming the rambunctious inner pup. He is not a dog for those wanting a rug ornament or a mere showpiece; he is a dog who deserves plenty of challenging play balanced with firm and loving discipline. His intelligence, energy, and curiosity would seem to make him a great candidate for search and rescue, or for farm work, or for any family having the pep in their legs and the space in their hearts for a big, new, spirited presence. He is a joyful creature who will richly reward those who return his affections. 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.