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Adopting with LUOSKO
Why LUOSKO ?
Adopting a dog instead of buying one is a powerful way to make a real difference in a dog’s life - and yours. When you adopt, you're not only giving a deserving dog a second chance at happiness, but you're also helping to combat the growing problem of overbreeding and pet homelessness.
Choosing to adopt from LUOSKO German Shepherd Dog Rescue means supporting a rescue that specialises in the care, rehabilitation, and rehoming of this intelligent and loyal breed.
Our dogs are thoroughly assessed, cared for by experienced staff and volunteers, and matched carefully with the right families to ensure a successful, lifelong bond.
By adopting from LUOSKO, you’re giving a German Shepherd the chance to thrive in a loving home and becoming part of a community that truly puts dogs first.
Know the breed you are adopting
The German Shepherd is one of the most widely recognised dogs in the world. Thanks to a rich history and a large cultural impact in various global societies, they are one of the most respected dog breeds. This is partly due to their intelligence, compatibility with humans and usefulness as a working dog. There are only two officially recognised German Shepherd dog breeds, but there are many ways you can differentiate the breed. Here we look into the different types of German Shepherd dog to see what breed variations exist, some of which may become officially recognized in the future.
Characteristics of the German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog ( or GSD) is the current officially recognised name for this breed, previously known as 'Alsation' or 'Alsation Wolf Dog'.
The two distinct types are defined by the length of their coat; either medium or long. Both types have a double layered coat, a softer and thicker undercoat and a coarser outer layer of guard hair.
As their name suggests, the German Shepherd was first produced in Germany. While there were different progenitor breeds, the first officially recognised German Shepherd Dog was called Horand von Grafrath. In 1899, von Grafrath's owner started the breed as the epitome of what a working dog should be and it is from this one dog that all modern German Shepherd dogs originate. There has been some discussion over the years that this dog may have been part wolf.
The working origins of the breed are very important as the standardisation was established to promote the dog's ability. This was something which was becoming lost as industry and urbanisation began to reduce the need for working dogs. Thus, the German Shepherd was created to ensure these traits were maintained. While many GSDs are now kept as companion animals, they are still one of the most widely used working dogs in many different areas. Shepherding is not as common a practice as when the breed was established, but use in law enforcement, security and rescue operations is still widespread.
It wasn't just physical ability which made the German Shepherd breed so popular. Their incredible loyalty and desire for engagement means they are relatively easy to train. For the same reasons, they need to be well-socialised and given sufficient physical and mental stimulation. Without these practices, they can develop serious behavioral problems.
How many classes of German Shepherd are there?
While the medium and longhair varieties are the only recognised length of coat for German Shepherds, the color of said coat can be varied. Not all are allowed in competitions, with some color variations being considered to be faults and will affect their scoring. In terms of coat color, there are the following different types of German Shepherd:
Saddle coat (black & tan), Sable, Panda, White, Blue, Black, Liver
It should be noted however that not all varieties of German Shepherd are accepted by all breed associations such as the FCI (known as the World Canine Organization in English). Similarly, there are dogs which look very similar to the German Shepherd, but are not considered part of the breed, Such as Belgian Malinois, Dutch Herder and Czech Wolf Dog.
Saddle Back German Shepherd Dog
This type of German Shepherd is the most common variety. While they are usually of two color, it is the distinctiveness of their markings which gives them this name. The saddle part refers to a patch of black fur which lays over their back, resembling the shape of a saddle on a horse. Some people refer to this as a ‘blanket’ pattern, interpreting the shape as of a blanket were laid over their back.
The other color of Saddle Back German Shepherds are usually either tan or red. In many dogs shows and competitions, the more vibrant the color, the better the scoring. Liver color is not welcomed and may be used to deduct points. They usually also have a black muzzle which covers their snout and parts of their face, with some other areas such as their tail exhibiting black coloration.
Solid Color German Shepherd Dog
The solid color German Shepherd dog is less common than the Saddle Back, but they shouldn't have any other differentiating characteristics. Their health status and temperament should not be informed by color. It is possible to have powder blue colors in the dog's coat, but it is unlikely this will be solid. While a GSD may be accepted in competition, they will likely be marked down for this color or liver. However, for solid colors, you tend to only get solid black , white or blue German Shepherds. Solid black German Shepherds are accepted in competition. However, solid white German Shepherds are one of the few color variations which tend to be immediately disqualified. While black GSDs are due to a recessive gene, white GSDs are thanks to a dominant gene which exists in some litters. It should not be confused with albinism. Neither should it be confused with the Berger Blanc Suisse, also known as a White Swiss Shepherd. Perhaps partly due to their disqualification from competition, solid white Germans Shepherds are not very common.
Panda German Shepherd Dog
Another type of German Shepherd which is not very common is the Panda German Shepherd. They have a curious and striking appearance which is often confused with other dog breeds. Due to a genetic mutation, but they are a full German Shepherd and are not a mixed breed. The mutation occurred in a litter from the USA. This type of German Shepherd exhibits a white coat on the abdomen and legs, but has black or tan on other parts, giving them a sort of panda like appearance.
Like other German Shepherd Dogs, they are agile, strong and ideal family pets. However, they arouse controversy over some breeders as white markings are considered a fault. However, the main controversy appears to be the belief that the dog is from inferior stock, but so far their health seems to be average when compared to other GSDs.
Sable German Shepherd
The technical term for Sable German Shepherds is ‘agouti’. The sable pattern does not manifest in patches like the saddle back. Instead they have various multicolored hair over their bodies which gives a variegated all-over appearance. This color tends to develop as they get older and some may be stronger than others. The color may be a combination of tan, grey, black, or gold. However, all Sable GSDs start off as tan and then develop darker colors as they age. The variations among Sable GSDs are wide, but they are due to a dominant gene. They are believed to be dominiant over German Shepherd colors and variations.
German Shepherds - Working and Show Lines
In addition to the length of their coat and its coloring, the German Shepherd is also sometimes categorised by its body type. This body can be more or less stylised, tending to be more or less muscular. The more muscular they are, the dogs are considered to be working lines and the less muscular are show lines. They are not officially different types of German Shepherd dogs, but they do exhibit small differences.
Focusing on working dog lines, they tend to have larger muscle mass and a more structured body. This means they are more commonly used by police or security forces. However, there is sometimes noticeable difference in temperament, working lines tend to become easily bored if not worked and exercised often enough both mentally and physically and show dog lines tend to be less stressy and are wonderful companion animals. They can have long or short hair, but more often than not working line German Shepherds most commonly appear in shorter sable coat patterns.
In Summary
In contrast, all German Shepherds are lovable and loyal. However their appearance, temperament, energy levels, and activity can vary greatly. Sometimes the breed lines cross making it difficult to distinguish working and show lines, and true temperaments may only show at a later age. Researching the breed and looking into each side and their differences can affect your choice when looking for a German Shepherd.
We currently (at the time of writing) have 7 German Shepherds, 1 Czech Working Line (VUX), 1 Solid Black (KENSI), 1 Mid Coat Solid Blue (SKYLAR), 1 Mid Coat Show Line Black & Gold (RILEY), 2 Black & Tan short coat (ABBIE & ZEVA) and 1 Black & Tan long coat oversize (LEON) not one of them is the same as the other. Their energy levels and temperament vary dramatically.
If you wish to meet any of them just ask! You will straight away see the differences between the lines and colours.
Hopefully this little insight to German Shepherds has opened your eyes to just how versatile and vast the 'breed' really is and hopefully also shows how we are able to help our potential adopters when looking for their potential new companion. We dont just know about the breed we actually have vast experience of the breed, breed lines and classes.
How we adopt
Appointments are required to meet our dogs at our rescue centre and are by prior arrangement only.
Due to our site layout and the stress caused to the dogs when visitors walk past, our kennels are not open to the public for general viewing. An online Adoption Interest Form should be completed in the first instance. Our unique adoption process at LUOSKO German Shepherd Dog Rescue ensures that the right dog is matched to the right home.
All rescue centres have their own adoption protocols and procedures and we are no different, however we regularly hear that potentially good homes have been rejected by other rescues for some reason or another. Here at LUOSKO, we use the guidelines of Common Sense. Each home is assessed on its own merits and all potential adopters are considered regardless of young children or circumstances. Each dog will have its own specific requirements for a new home and this will be detailed in their adoption information or at your meeting with us.
Our main aim is and always will be to find the “perfect” home for one of the dogs in our care, our dogs are important to us and we want to ensure that we make the best decisions on their behalf.
We try to match our dogs to their potential homes, ok so this means you don’t get to choose your new dog; however after spending time with our dogs we know them best! and trust us, our team do some fantastic matches - just ask to see some of our past adoptions, at this point It’s down to you to tell us what your life entails so we can make an informed decision to which of our dogs will fit in better and match your lifestyle. We have a rather unique 7point adoption process which helps our dogs and families bond before adoption, which gives us an even better insight to the right matches. This has proven to be a very successful way of running our adoptions with very little failure rate.
If your after a quick adoption then our rescue is not for you, however if you believe that ensuring your home, lifestyle and your potential new best friend should be a perfect match, no matter how long it takes then read on!
How do I apply to adopt a dog?
Once you have completed an online application form a member of our welfare and adoption team will ring you for a chat. If we think you are a good match for one of our rescue dogs, we will make an appointment for you to come and meet the suitable matched dogs at our rescue centre in Cheadle, Staffordshire.
Are the dogs neutered and vaccinated?
All of our dogs are neutered (if over 2years), vaccinated, flea treated, wormed and microchipped prior to adoption. If the dog is under 2 years old, the adopter will be asked to sign a neutering contract and a subsidised neutering voucher can be provided in some cases. Our dogs also go home with four weeks' free insurance.
Do you have a minimum age requirement for children?
We do not have age restrictions for dogs being adopted where there are children in the family. Each dog will have its own requirements for the ages of children.
My existing dog is not neutered, is this a problem?
We do not allow our dogs to go to homes with existing dogs that are not neutered unless this is for medical or behavioural reasons - if in doubt please enquire first. All LUOSKO German Shepherd Dog Rescue dogs are neutered if over 2 years old. We believe neutering is a key aspect of responsible dog ownership. We are also mindful that having an entire dog in the house could mean settling a new dog in and building their own canine relationships can be more difficult.
Can I adopt a dog if I work?
We will allow certain dogs to be adopted by full-time workers where specified in their adoption information. However, you must make arrangements for someone to visit during the day, e.g a dog walker/sitter. If the dog has been in a foster home it means that we do have an idea how each dog reacts to being left for certain periods of time. Please let us know what your "typical" day is like so we can try and match the right dog with your needs.
Do you allow dogs to be adopted for working purposes?
We do allow some of our our dogs to be adopted into working homes. We have official contacts with organisations such as Police and HMP services. If you are looking for a security patrol dog please speak with us to discuss as we only use one trusted outlet for NASDU qualifications and handlers.
How much is your adoption fee?
We ask for a minimum adoption fee of £500 per dog. This is an important contribution towards our general running costs and in some cases, may not even cover the cost of care that the dog has received from us.
Do I need to take my adopted dog to training classes?
We strongly encourage our adopters to treat our dogs as puppies no matter how old, so yes we recommend attending positive and reward-based training classes, especially for younger dogs.
We can assist with any appropriate training if required, however you are free to use alternative trainers.
7 Point Adoption Process
LUOSKO 7-Point Adoption Process
Adopting a dog is a life-changing decision—for you, your family, and any other pets in your household. Our process has been carefully designed to ensure the best possible outcome for both the dog and the adoptive family.
Every stage of our 7-point adoption process is mandatory. The process cannot and will not be fast-tracked or bypassed under any circumstances. This structure protects the welfare of the dogs in our care, ensures adopters are fully prepared, and helps create a successful, lifelong bond between the dog, your family, and our rescue.
1. Initial Meeting & Reservation
The adoption process begins once we receive your completed Pre-Adoption Form. Our rehoming team will review your application and, if suitable, invite you to attend an Initial Meeting.
During this meeting, we will:
Discuss your application in detail to assess suitability.
Introduce you to selected members of the LUOSKO Pack, who help us determine the type of dog that may best suit your family and lifestyle.
Suggest possible candidates for you to meet, based on these assessments.
Once introductions have been made and you have identified a potential companion, we require families to take at least 24 hours to reflect before making a decision. This ensures choices are thoughtful and not made on impulse.
When you decide to proceed, your chosen dog can be reserved with a £50 deposit:
If the adoption process is successfully completed, £25 will be deducted from your final adoption fee, and £25 will be retained as a non-refundable administrative fee to help cover the cost of caring for dogs still awaiting homes.
If the process is stopped or cancelled at any stage, the full £50 deposit will be converted into a donation to support our rescue work.
⚠️ Important Notes:
No dog can be reserved or adopted without completing the Initial Meeting.
For insurance reasons, the public are not permitted to walk freely around the kennels. Our team will only introduce you to the dogs we assess as most suitable for your family.
We do not allow same-day reservations. A minimum of 24 hours must pass after the Initial Meeting before any reservation is confirmed.
2. First Meet & Greet
This is your opportunity to get to know your potential new companion in our secure environment. You may visit as often as you wish, with minimal intervention from our team.
This stage helps build trust and familiarity while also allowing you to:
Explore any training needs that may help prepare for adoption.
Strengthen the relationship as a family unit.
Allow our team to identify any areas where support may be required moving forward.
⚠️ This stage cannot be skipped. Bonding in a safe, neutral space is essential for the dog’s wellbeing.
3. Off-Site Walks & Adventures
Once a bond begins to form, you can start introducing your potential new companion to the outside world. At this stage, you may take them for:
Local walks.
Short trips further afield.
Car journeys, to test travel behaviour.
⚠️ Important: No home visits are permitted during this stage.
4. Home Visit
Before this stage, we require a virtual home check. You will be given instructions on how to complete this. If successful, we will arrange your first structured home visit.
For this visit, we will bring the dog to your home and:
Assess the suitability of your home and garden.
Show you how to safely introduce the dog to your home.
Guide you through essential first steps such as showing toilet areas and allowing a short, calm exploration.
To reduce anxiety, the visit should remain relaxed, followed by a calming walk. If our team is satisfied, we will leave you to enjoy the rest of the day with your new friend before returning the dog to kennels at the agreed time.
⚠️ This step cannot be bypassed. It helps prevent stress-related setbacks during future visits and permanent adoption.
5. Day Outings
After the initial home visit, you may progress to full-day visits at home. This provides more time together in a normal household setting.
You may repeat this stage several times if needed.
Our team will guide you on when it’s appropriate to progress.
⚠️ Every dog is different. Some may need multiple day visits before moving on to a sleepover. Rushing this stage can increase the risk of adoption failure.
6. Sleepovers
A sleepover is the first true test of living together. It allows everyone to experience a full day and night as a family unit and is the final step before adoption.
It’s the perfect opportunity to set household routines and boundaries.
Our support team is available should you need advice at any point.
⚠️ Sleepovers are compulsory. No adoption will proceed without at least one successful overnight stay.
7. Suitability Meeting & Adoption
If all stages have been completed successfully, we then move to the final Suitability Meeting. At this point:
Adoption paperwork will be signed.
You will receive your adoption certificate, welcome pack, and commemorative photo.
Your dog officially becomes part of your family—and the LUOSKO family.
⚠️ There are no exceptions. Adoption is only approved once all prior stages have been fully completed to our satisfaction.
Important Policies
One dog per household: Unless a bonded pair arrives together, we do not rehome more than one dog to the same household. A minimum of 12 months must pass before a second adoption may be considered, subject to assessment.
Health & Welfare: All dogs leave us microchipped, vaccinated, flea- and worm-treated, and—where possible—neutered or spayed. They also come with 4 weeks of free insurance and a welcome-home pack.
Vaccinations: If no records are available, a full vaccination course must be started. This may require a second visit to our vet after adoption.
Neutering/Spaying:
Male dogs aged 3+ years are neutered unless medically unfit.
Female dogs may not always be spayed prior to adoption, depending on season history.
Any dog not yet altered will leave under a strict neuter/spay agreement. Failure to comply will void the adoption, and LUOSKO reserves the right to reclaim the dog.
Costs: If a spay/neuter agreement applies, adopters are responsible for veterinary costs.
✅ In summary: Every step of this process is designed to protect the dogs and set you up for success. Skipping or rushing any stage is not permitted. Only by completing the full process can adoption be approved.
Post-Adoption Support
At LUOSKO, we believe adoption is just the beginning of your journey together. To give every partnership the best possible start, we provide:
4 free training sessions with our team after adoption.
6 additional sessions at a reduced rate, should you wish to continue.
This ongoing support encourages adopters to keep working with their new companion, strengthening your bond, building confidence, and ensuring a smooth transition into family life.
In addition, we also offer a respite kennel option for times when you may need your dog cared for while you are away or in the event of a family emergency. Special rates apply. Please note this service is limited and requires as much advance notice as possible.