Dutch Shepherd Forum

I introduced myself about a year ago with my girl Ellie. I adopted her at about 5 months and she was a terror. Since then she has worked on becoming a good citizen. I recently started coming back to the board because I think Dutchies are awesome. I still can't believe that a purebred Dutch Shepherd would ever wind up on the street with parvo, but you never know. I tell people she is a shepherd mix (because you can never give people too much motivation to adopt) but my heart warms when someone says, "Look at the Dutchie!"

We're currently taking circus classes and enjoying every minute of it - its really a lot of place work more than anything. Much better than a tricks only class.

She hasn't lost her puppyish looks yet, but she looks like a tiny Dutch to me. She's 44 pounds and lean. It's strange how much I like looking at dogs that look like my dog. That must be what causes people to get multiples of a breed huh?

Here she is a couple months ago:

Circus classes eh? How fun! It is fun to look at dogs that look like yours, sometimes I come on the boards just to look at the pictures. I love the picture of her sitting up, very cute!

Welcome back! It is amazing how attached you become to these little wild animals. What a beautiful girl!!!

Welcome back!! I remember reading the story of your pup.

Circus classes? Can you elaborate more in detail or pictures? Interesting.

welcome back

Yes of course! The trainer is a really interesting guy - he does mostly private training and ringsport work, but holds canine circus classes (and I believe acting classes as well). Ellie just passed into the more advanced circus class - its a lot of posing and trick work all working towards working through commands at a distance from the handler. During the sessions the dogs all remain on their respective boxes and really just go through the paces. Francis (the trainer) really works them on props - for instance we had a ball balancing workshop last week where he had balls of varying sizes, apples, etc and the dogs had to learn to balance them all on their muzzles. He also challenges them while in a stay and brings out "scary" props - things that are abnormal looking or sounding and they have to maintain their stay. Ellie is crazy fast at picking up tricks - I think I just slow her down. The hot dogs help though.

It all really gets their heads working - he tries to have them do routines and boy, does he love a photo shoot.
I sadly don't have too many pictures - he keeps us busy while we're there. If anyone lives in the SF Bay Area I totally recommend his classes - way too much fun.

http://www.friendsofthefamily.info/Site/Welcome.html
I think his site links to video. They're all hilarious. Here is a picture of Ellie and I from her Circus Level I graduation - again, he loves having us pose.

Ha ha so cute!!

I'm green with envy over that class! Sounds like a blast.

Welcome back to you and your gorgeous girl...

I love that pose! (though I am not sure what beautifully carved background prop I am looking at?)

vneerland wrote:I love that pose! (though I am not sure what beautifully carved background prop I am looking at?)

It was a very ornate throne-ish chair. Thanks guys - I'm trying to get more good pics of her new skills.