Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with dogs,
Not good with cats,
Needs experienced adopter,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
"Gretchen" is a beautiful, 50-lb, 3-yo spayed female Norwegian Elkhound/GSD who is super-energetic, super-affectionate, and--typical of the Elkhound breed--fairly stubborn. Gretchen is much smaller than a typical GSD, but she's stocky and strong.
Gretchen loves everyone she meets. She's wiggly and cuddly and sometimes gets a little too physical--like jumping on top of me in bed. She would likely be fine with young children, though she'd have to improve on her ability to "settle down" when she gets all fired up.
Gretchen is great with other large dogs, and very playful. She loves to play hard, so if paired with another dog, it should be one who also likes to play hard. A larger dog would be fine, as she fits right in with the GSDs at GSRSV's rescue facility. Gretchen would likely not do well with small dogs.
Gretchen has a tremendously strong prey drive (always hunting for rodents), so a home without cats is a must for her.
Gretchen is fully housetrained and has yet to have an "accident" inside. She has not destroyed anything in the house, but she has always had the companionship of other dogs since I rescued her; not sure how'd she do if left alone by herself. Gretchen makes a real fuss when crated.
Gretchen does not appear to have received much obedience training. I have not had her on leash much, but she does have fairly good off-leash recall. Again, Gretchen is fairly stubborn--much more independent-thinking than a GSD. It would serve one well to read up on the Norwegian Elkhound breed before considering adopting Gretchen.
Gretchen LOVES to run and play. She would really do well with a very active person or at least with somebody who has a very active dog. She loves all forms of water, including biting the water stream from a hose. She enjoys car rides and rides well in a vehicle.
GSRSV rescued Gretchen from the East County Shelter in Dublin, CA, on 1-18-25. At the time, Gretchen had a soft cast on her right front leg, which suffered a minor fracture when she was hit by a car. She had already been in a cast for several weeks when I rescued her.
Gretchen's right front leg has healed well, but occasionally she still has a slight limp on the leg. However, this in no way hinders her mobility as she plays constantly and runs at full speed often at GSRSV's rescue ranch.
Gretchen is located in Pleasant Grove. Her adoption fee is $300.
