Have you ever seen a brindle  Shepherd before?  No?  Me either!  But look at Altima!  Wow, what a show stopper he is!!!  I thought he was un unusually colored German Shepherd until I received an e-mail from Megan who recognized him as a Dutch Shepherd, a very rare breed.  Altima is very sweet, very handsome and able to jump a six foot fence! You have simply GOT to come meet him.  You'll be glad you did!

 

Update 06/27/10: Altima was adopted by a single guy and did well in the home for about a year..he was recently returned because when left alone he was becoming destructive. He has lived with someone home about 95% of the time and when their schedule changed,  Altima was not very happy being left alone for long hours! So we're looking for a home where someone is home often and when not home willing and able to crate him in a reinforced steel crate to prevent break outs!

7/31 Volunteer Update:
Altima would do best as an only pet in a home.  He is rather dominant with other dogs and cats.... well, he prefers his cats with a side of mango chutney.  Great with people but, well, let's just skip the other pets, shall we?  :~)

ccording to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the Dutch Shepherd is remarkably similar to their Belgian cousins - the Belgian Shepherds, but with perhaps more German Shepher Dog blood in its ancestry. In fact the Dutch Shepherds and the Belgian Shepherds are judged by the same standard requirements except for color. Curiously, while the related Belgian shepherds have become well known in the United States and northern Europe, this excellent service dog has not attracted a following outside the Netherlands. Even there numbers are limited, with only around 400 dogs registered each year. Almost unknown outside Holland, the Dutch Shepherd is valued there for its ability as a herder and for its quick reflexes. Originally an all-purpose farm guard, herder, cart-puller, guard, police and security dog. This breed, in its various coat textures, evolved in the early 1800's in the southern part of the Netherlands, especially the province of Brabant, and in neighboring Belgium, which was then part of the Netherlands. Division by coat texture occurred when dog shows began 100 years ago. Puppies with short tails and white markings are frequently born but are not favorable to show people.

The Dutch Shepherds are among the most competent of all shepherd dogs at such tasks as agility, catch, obedience competitions, guard work, hearding,  field trailing and companionship. Attached to its territory, and an enthusiastic worker. These affectionate, happy to be around dogs are obedient, sober and very loyal to its handler and family. Friendly, loving, playful and highly energetic. A very happy dog. Cunningly smart. Provided children are seen as pack leaders, they can also be good friends with them. Unwanted visitors will be stopped in their tracks, while known family friends will be greeted enthusiastically. Dutch Shepherds enjoy the company of their own kind and get along fine with other animals. Intelligent, easy to obedience train and eager to learn - they learn new commands quite easily. This breed makes an excellent watch and guard dog. Active, lively and alert. The short-haired variety is the most common sort for defense/police dog trials. It needs little care and can withstand fatigue and bad weather. The objective in training this dog is to achieve a pack leader status.