DECEASED APPROX. 2017-2018.  BITTEN BY A SCORPION WHILE IN ARIZONA, AND NO ONE RECOGNIZED IT SOON ENOUGH.  FAMILY WAS HEARTBROKEN.   (Info from Sue's daughter, Nicole, who notifed us of her mom's passing August 2021)


IVAN is a beautiful bi-color German Shepherd who weighs 78 lbs and ADORES attention and play!  He's a very affectionate boy and always seems to be cheerful - he has a perpetual smile on his face and bright, happy eyes that look at you as if to say "Wanta play, run, walk?" 

He's also smart, sensitive, strong-willed, responsive, full of energy and an escape artist! 

Originally from a small Kansas pound, Ivan lived for a time with a family who has both a city home and a farm home.  He LOVED the farm and was good as gold there - for instance, he always came when called no matter how far away he'd gotten.  But in the city he kept trying to get out the door or window, often slipped his collar, went for "neighborhood visits" and would not come when called.  So he's now back with us looking for a home where he'll have room to run and preferably acreage to play on.  He also needs a large or medium sized doggie buddy to play with (he's a big boy and he plays hard/rough). 

Ivan is not hyperactive, but he is certainly energetic  He's also so smart that he gets bored easily - so he definitely needs both room to run and a good-sized brother/sister to play with. 

Ivan is both smart and sensitive.  He knows a number of commands and when corrected, he responds quickly.  Yet if he thinks you're mad at him he gets very quiet, and obviously wants to please you.  We think he may have a small amount of husky in him and we see the combination of both breeds in his personality:  very smart, alert, loves the outdoors, loves a good run. is semi-independent yet also very social and loving, is energetic but not hyperactive, loves being around his people, and absolutely needs daily  mental and physical stimulation.  He's too smart for his own good and gets bored easily. 

He seems to love being part of a doggie group, though he requires proper introductions and some supervision while he integrates into the pack.  He tends to play rough and try to be semi-dominant at first, and needs a firm leader to let him know who's really in charge and that his attempts at dominance are not acceptable.  When he knows the rules he responds well:  when he's playing too rough with the other dogs, his foster mom can often just point a finger and, without a word, Ivan will stop.  In his current foster home, Ivan has doggie company and has not shown a big inclination to run away, or hesitation to come back in the house, as long he's with the other dogs. 

We haven't seen Ivan around small dogs and are not sure how he would do, that would have to be tested.  However, because he's big, clutzy, energetic, doesn't know his own strength, and tries to sometimes dominate, we recommend that he live with medium or larger size dogs.

IVAN MUST HAVE AT LEAST A 6 FT FENCED YARD, AND PREFERABLY HIGHER.  His former family reported he escaped from a 6 ft privacy fence numerous times, and on his first morning at his foster home he jumped the foster's 6 ft privacy fence when freaked out by high winds.  But remember how smart he is:  though he'd only been in the foster home less than 24 hours, he came back shortly and seemed desperate to get in.  For now, Ivan cannot be left alone in a yard unless the fence is higher than 6 ft.   His foster home makes sure he's supervised at all times when he's outdoors in their 6 ft privacy fence.

Ivan would be a great companion for a modern farm family who want an indoor pet with access to acreage, or for a country home with acreage as well.  He still needs a solidly fenced area at least 6 ft high.  He could potentially also be a great running buddy for a runner.

Overall Ivan is a social guy with lots of cheerful energy who LOVES to play and romp, but tends to play rought and needs to know you're in charge.  He requires daily mental and physical stimulation and must have an active family with room to run.  Yet he also loves to curl up near you when he's had his play time, and settles down nicely with a firm "lie down".  He loves being petted, having his ears and rump scratched, and even giving kisses while you're cuddling.  He's very social and clearly wants to be loved. 
 
His former family say Ivan is good with cats - he didn't live with them but has been around them. He will chase them in an effort to play so needs continued training and leadership if he lives with a cat. .  He's good with most dogs, with a slight tendency to want to be top dog, and should be properly introduced and appropriately supervised at first - he's a big energetic boy, is kind of a clutz, gets rambunctious too quickly, and will try at first to be top dog. 

He's also great with kids - he was wonderful with his family's child.  In fact he was often the object of an 8 year old girl's games of "Dress Up" and was wonderfully tolerant the whole time.  He was alos great with his original foster's grandchildren.   original foster's small grand children and with his family's child.  In fact he was often the object of an 8 year old girl's game of "Dress Up" and was superbly tolerant the whole time.

Ivan is house trained, and is also kennel trained though he doesn't necessarily like to go in the kennel.  All it takes is a firm voice command and he goes right in.  He's used to  sleeping beside your bed at night and being loose in the house during the day.  He doesn't disturb anything and is well behaved.
 
Ivan definitely needs a 6 ft or higher fence as he's an escape artist in the city, That doesn't seem to be much of a problem if he has a doggie buddy to play with and keep him entertained.  It seems to be when he's bored that his mind turns to wandering.  He knows commands such as sit, down, wait and a few others.  He has good house manners has good house manners - he's trained not to eat table scraps and is not a "grazer", doesn't get into the trash, and is so good he won't even bother a snack you leave on the coffee table.  What's more he's not a barker and is a quiet dog - except of course when he gently whines for attention or to go play!

Ivan loves water - he especially likes jumping off the dock into the farm pond - and would be delighted to have a pond or doggie pool to play in.  He also loves car rides and walks, and is generally good on them.  He can be a bit of a clutz with his size and enthusiasm, and he's not fond of loud noises such as fireworks, storms or high winds.
 
Overall IVAN is a great boy with lots of good energy, who just needs room and buddies to run and romp.  He seems especially well suited to a home with acreage, such as a country or farm setting.  He has a happy disposition, smiles a lot and always seem cheerful.  He'd love to have a doggie play buddy with good energy, and/or an energetic young human to play with him!!!  A non-dominant doggie buddy is recommended as he doesn't like it when other dogs try to dominate him.  He gets along with all people, is easily approached by strangers, and loves kids.  He's also responsive to commands, and is being made to sit and wait for the release command before even leaving the bedroom in the morning.  Like all GSDs, he needs a family who understand and practice excellent canine leadership.

Ivan is a young man who's a treasure for the right family!  Give him acreage or loads of room to run, an energetic buddy (doggie or human), and watch him blossom!!   He would also make a great runny buddy for a runner, and we're guessing he'd do well at agility or even frisbee/flyball.

IVAN's ADOPTION FEE:  $250
This fee covers a portion of the vet and boarding expenses for the dogs we save.  It includes the dog's spay/neuter, heartworm test, heartworm treatment if needed, rabies, distemper/parvo and bordatella vaccinations, deworming and microchip.

INTERESTED IN ADOPTING IVAN? 
Complete an Adoption Application Now!

STOP!! READ THIS BEFORE YOU GO ANY FURTHER!

1. We're picky about our adopters. 
2. Are you sure you're up to having a GSD?  They're not for everyone.  They take a lot of time, effort, training.  They shed year round.  They're big.  They scare lots of people.  They "mouth" and herd.  They're usually strong-willed and stubborn.  You have to have references and a home visit.  If you're not willing or able to deal with any of this, please don't waste your time or ours applying.  
   
3. Will the dog be an inside family pet? We do not adopt to outdoor-only homes. All dogs must be indoor dogs.
4. Do you leave your dog outdoors when you're not home?   We do not adopt to homes that leave their animals outside when they're gone.  You must put your dogs indoors when you're gone.  A 3 yr old adopted MOGS dog died when the owners went to run errands, left her outdoors, the gate was somehow opened, and she was hit by a car.  Tragic and 100% preventable. Even privacy fences get broken into.  Gates are opened.  Thieves steal dogs. Never leave your dog outdoors when you're not home!!
   
5. What's your plan for unexpected events and major changes?  New baby? Divorce?  Moving?   How you will provide for your dog if your family breaks up? 
   
6. Will you make a lifetime commitment?  It's your responsibility to keep your dog safe, loved and cared for FOR LIFE.
7.  Do you understand we expect you to keep that lifetime commitment?  It's YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to stick by your family member -- no matter what.
8. Are you unable or unwilling to make a lifetime commitment? Do not apply.

Have Questions? Email us at mogsrescue@gmail.com