I too "grew up" with a German Shepherd. Probably the best dog we ever had.
Someone stole him once. He was gone for a week. Finally he came home (Sunshine Coast), feet raw and bleeding and wearing a Redcliffe dog tag...that was an 80km walk for him! Should have found out who registered him, but were just glad to have him home.
Several years after that event, his health was failing quite rapidly - could barely walk, eat or see (he was 12 y.o). My father called the vet to make arrangements for euthenasia...Wantok sat up, looked around, and died (NO WORD OF A LIE!)...my father paused, then explained to the vet the appointment was no longer necessary.
Wantok - a NG pigeon english word for "close friend" - he certainly was!
Alex: GSs are very prone to hip dysplasia (not nice).
This is largely genetic, so if you can get some info about that being present (or not) in candidate breeders' stock, you would do well.
Dean
