Adopt a German Shepherd

Below are all of our dogs that are currently available for adoption. We receive many daily requests for us to accept dogs into our rescue. Our volunteers spend hours on phones talking to owners and shelters gathering information and providing resources.

Our team is assessing dogs on a regular basis to either accept them into True North GSD Rescue or help facilitate external placements. There are always dogs waiting to be tested, fostered, and placed.

If you are looking to adopt a German Shepherd that isn’t listed below, fill out an application anyway. We often have many dogs waiting to be tested that are not listed, but may be a good fit for you and your family.

Even if there isn’t a dog below that you would like to adopt, please fill out an application. You may also consider our foster or foster-to-adopt programs. 

Once a dog has been welcomed into our rescue, we often give them a week or two to settle and get comfortable. We get to know who they are and what they need. Once our fosters have a good idea of who they are, we begin the adoption process, where we match the dog with a family that is the best fit.

Available Dogs

Previous German Shepherd or similar working breed experience required!

Gideon

Gideon is turning 2 years old on January 10th! This stunning purebred Black and Red boy continues to captivate everyone he meets with his striking looks and intelligent demeanor. His soulful eyes and confident stance turn heads wherever he goes, but it’s his sweet and playful personality that truly makes him shine.

Still very much a puppy at heart, Gideon approaches life with enthusiasm, and curiosity. Whether he’s playing with his foster brother, running around with toys, exploring new places, or learning new things, he does it all with a wagging tail and a joyful spirit. He thrives on positive attention and is always eager to please those around him.

Though he’s full of adventure, Gideon also knows how to settle in for a good cuddle session after a fun day. He’s looking for a forever family who can keep up with his playful spirit, offer him the structure and guidance he needs to grow into his best self, and most importantly, shower him with love and affection. In return, Gideon promises unconditional loyalty, tons of laughs, and a bond like no other.

As Gideon celebrates his upcoming birthday, we would love for you to help make his day special! If you’d like to send him a birthday gift, please check out our [wish list] for some of the items that would make this sweet boy’s day even brighter.

Gideon is ready to find his perfect forever family. If you’re looking for a fun-loving, loyal companion who’s sure to fill your days with joy and laughter, Gideon might just be the perfect match!

Odin

We are thrilled to share that Odin, our gorgeous Sable German Shepherd, is doing wonderfully and thriving in his foster home. This gentle and sweet 5-year-old pup has made incredible strides in his recovery. Odin has gained weight steadily, and though he’s still waiting for his forever family, he’s enjoying every bit of the love, care, and fun we’re providing. His journey from neglect to happiness is a true testament to resilience, and we couldn’t be more proud of him.

Odin’s story began in unimaginable neglect—left alone on the streets with only his bed and a small bag of food. He waited for days, hopeful that someone would come for him, but sadly, they never did. When he was finally rescued and brought to safety, he was weak, emaciated, and uncertain of what the future held. Yet, despite the pain he had endured, Odin’s gentle and loving spirit remained unbroken.

Today, Odin’s health and happiness have improved tremendously. He’s playful, affectionate, and eager to meet new people. His foster family has provided him with a wonderful, stable environment, and he’s blossoming into the happy pup he was always meant to be. While he’s still looking for the perfect forever family, Odin is content and grateful for the love and fun he’s experiencing.

We’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported Odin and our mission. If you’d like to donate some fun toys or treats to help him continue his recovery and enjoyment, we would greatly appreciate it! Please note, no chicken please, and check out our wish list [wish list] for ideas on what Odin would love.

Ravenna

Ravenna is a petite female and an absolute beauty—a stunning 6-year-old purebred black German Shepherd from impressive working lines. With her sleek coat and intelligent gaze, she embodies both grace and strength.

This smart and sweet girl was sadly surrendered to a shelter by her previous owner due to a family member death. This is not a place a dog as special as Ravenna should ever end up. Thankfully, we were able to step in and save her, giving her the second chance she so deserves.

Ravenna greeted our rescue team with an open heart and is now thriving with her foster family. She’s embracing a life filled with training, fun adventures, and hiking—experiencing for the first time what her life *should* have been all along. True to her working-line roots, Ravenna is ready to go when it’s time for activity but knows how to settle in and relax when it’s time for calm. If you would like to send Ravenna toys or treats, no chicken please, see our wish list [wish list]. She would love this!

This incredible girl is not only intelligent and eager to please but also affectionate and loyal. She’s everything you could hope for in a companion and is ready to find her forever family who will love her endlessly.

Ravenna’s journey is just beginning, and we eagerly await the day her new family welcomes her, so she can finally flourish in the loving home she has always deserved..

 

More Paws, Stay Tuned!

We’re always welcoming new furry friends into our rescue!

While some of our latest rescue pups may not appear on the website right away, be sure to check back often.

If you’re looking to adopt, we encourage you to complete an adoption application to meet the newest pups in search of their forever homes.

Our Mission

True North is dedicated to providing rescue and assistance to German Shepherd Dogs in need who meet our placement criteria. We are committed to finding permanent, loving homes for these unique and special dogs.

Rescue is not just about taking dogs and finding homes. It is about doing the right thing, for the dog – for the human. It’s about listening to your heart and following cold trails of information. It’s about doing the right thing, always.

Support our rescue by donating today, so that we can keep helping dogs in need.

German Shepherds are the third most intelligent breed in the world.

One trait for which German Shepherd Dogs are well-known for besides their beauty, is their intelligence. According to scientists and dog experts, this breed is the third most intelligent breed of dog. This ranking was given by Stanley Coren in the book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’. The TWO Breeds that are considered more intelligent than a German Shepherd Dog are Border Collies and Poodles. According to Coren, a German Shepherd Dog will usually learn a simple task after only five repetitions. 95% of the time they will obey the first command they are given. It is this intelligence that has made them so popular as working dogs.

German Shepherds are the second most popular dog in the United States.

There are millions of dog lovers living in the United States and each dog owner has their own personal favorite breed of dog. The German Shepherd Dog is the second most popular breed of dog in the United States. The primary reason for this is this is such a diverse animal. They are popular family pets and work in a variety of capacities, such as performing dogs, guard dogs, show dogs, and dogs that serve the police or the military. As they are kept as both pets and working dogs, this accounts for the high numbers of these animals that live in the United States.

Save a Life

Adopt.

How long does it take to get a dog?

Once your application is received and approved, we like to have the home visit completed within two weeks. This is a very important part of the process and we would like to have everyone who will be living with the dog present.

Where do you get your dogs?

Many of the dogs come from shelters but sometimes they are surrendered by owners for various reasons. All of our rescue dogs are temperamentally assessed based on our placement criteria. Only dogs that meet this criteria are accepted into True North GSD Rescue.

Additionally, they will be micro chipped, have the required vaccinations and will be spay/neutered, if 2 years old, prior to being permanently placed. We will also ensure each pup is noted for any physical challenges. All will be completed prior to placing the dogs into their permanent homes to ensure the best fit for you and our rescue dogs.

How do I adopt a dog?

Please visit the application page and click ” Application Process” to review the application process. If you have additional questions, please contact us!

If I already have a dog(s), can I adopt?

Part of the home visit will be an opportunity to meet household and pet members. If you already have a dog, once you have been approved to adopt and identified a potential dog to adopt, we would require a meet and greet with the dog(s) in your home to ensure they will make good companions.

Can i adopt a puppy?

We receive an amazing amount of applications for puppies. Sometimes we receive hundreds therefore, we will review the first 50 applications to ensure we find the best permanent home.