Breed:
German shepherd dog
Commands/Behaviors:
Heel
Down
Sit
Stay
Stand
Come
Go to
target/Go out
Stop on
recall / at a distance
Speak
Retrieve:
Good
Swimming:
Good
Water
Retrieving: Fair to Good
Mel is a
semi-retired search and rescue dog. Due to a spinal
injury, she is not able to perform the many very athletic
activities and flamboyant tricks she once enjoyed. She can
still walk and trot relatively normally. Mel is most
suitable for still work, or roles with which her mild
handicap would be compatible. While she has a gray frost
on her muzzle, she appears much younger than her
age, is clear-eyed and alert, and physically vigorous.
Photographs are from February and November 2004. Mel
works well with other animals, and is friendly with all
people. Even people who are afraid of German shepherds
find her expression engaging and sweet.
Mel takes
spontaneous direction extremely well. She can be trained
to perform virtually anything she is physically capable of
if specifics are provided before the job.
A segment
from Animal Planet's "K-9-to-5" featuring Mel is available
for review.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
