German Shepherd Helps Rescue Children From House Fire in Central Florida

NBC Miami ^ | 4/27

[nickcarraway]

The dog, named Maxx, helped crews navigate through thick smoke to find the 4-year-old boy and 2-year-old girl

A German shepherd helped firefighters find his owners' two young children as flames ripped through the family's central Florida home, authorities said.

The dog, named Maxx, helped crews navigate through thick smoke to find the 4-year-old boy and 2-year-old girl Monday night in their burning home in the Orlando suburb of Longwood, according to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.

Moments earlier, neighbors who saw the fire spreading called 911, broke windows and helped rescue the children's mother, Margo Feaser, a 12-year veteran of the sheriff's office who currently serves as an auto theft investigator.

[Gennie]

They have that type of conformation in order to have a type of “spring” to them, from what I understand. I bet your GSD is beautiful, I would love to see him if you have a picture.

[make no mistake]

I would love to post his pick but am not smart enough to post pics on FR...lol

[make no mistake]

ok, that came out wrong. I would love to post his picture on Free Republic but I don’t know how.

[Ditter]

That is such a great picture! Thanks for posting. I think our dogs can read our minds and read our feelings.

In 1984 our 18 year old son was killed. We had 2 Rhodesian Ridgebacks and they sensed the tragedy. They had never left our unfenced yard before but they started guarding our house more fiercely than before. The postman stopped delivering our mail and the dogs were stopping people walking down the street.

They never bit anyone but their size and demeanor were enough to keep everyone away. We finally got a fence.

[make no mistake]

My heart hurts for you. The pain of losing a child never leaves. Having a loving and sensitive dog(s) helps. I have
2 GSD. One is more in tune with my feelings and is a great
hugger. The other, the female mix, reminds me of the song, “Girls just want to have fun.” She is a free spirit
and just wants to explore and run.

[Ditter]

Life is hard......harder without dogs. Not exactly the usual way that is said but it means something to us dog lovers. Thank you.

[make no mistake]

I would worry about hip dysplasia with hips manipulated like that. Your dog is beautiful too and big. He is 50 lbs bigger
than mine and mine is big.

[manc]

Shilohs do look very nice IMO, but I have not been around them or their owners to see how they are in their temperament or possible problem sin their older age.

[Gennie]

Do you have the picture uploaded online anywhere? I think there are places like Imgur where you can just upload and then post a link if you’d want to show him off. I just love looking at other people’s dogs, especially GSDs :) lol

[Gennie]

Well, the German dogs do have their hips tested and pass with an A stamp, but I do think their bodies overall would break down sooner because of the abnormal. Yes, Ash is a big boy, but extremely healthy and has barely any arthritis for being 11 so soon. I just give him a few different supplements, I think it helps...

[Gennie]

Originally how I got into my dogs was my research into Shilohs for years and years. (early 90s) Shilohs actually stem from the same GSD as many of my dogs' lines, but they added in a few outcrosses. One was Samson Woo, who was a Malamute cross in so they are now no longer able to be AKC registered German Shepherds as they are no longer purebred GSD. Many of those original older, pure GSD (and some of the original crossed lines) lived until 11-13 years of age, but from what I understand, they've had many issues regarding the loss of size, the loss of "type" (the dogs are becoming much more streamlined, with light bone and slender heads), and many health problems. It's very unfortunate.

Plus there's all sorts of drama regarding the various registries, I'm glad I ended up getting into my dogs instead because I have had more than a few Shiloh breeders ask to use my dogs to incorporate in (I always politely decline as it would be too confusing for puppy buyers) because they feel that my dogs look more like what a true Shiloh should be compared to what is being produced now. If you do your research, you can find a good dog but you just have to be careful since they've had some things pop up. I'm glad I got my dogs though :)

[Gennie]

Wow, I’m so sorry for your loss, I cannot even imagine. Dogs can be extremely sensitive, it sounsd like they were just trying to cope in their own way and just wanted to protect their family after that.

[Ditter]

Yes the dogs knew something was wrong and they were protecting us. It was comforting in a way but I was pretty sure they were not going to hurt anyone. I would love to have another Rhodesian but that breeder, who’s dogs had come from South Africa when he moved to Texas, has stopped breeding.

[manc]

Looks beautiful, but do you know any decent breeders for this breed or German Shepherds as I only know Belgian tervurens/shepherds

[Gennie]

Perhaps see if your breeder could recommend someone that may have related dogs?

[Gennie]

Recommend a Shiloh breeder? I do know some but since I haven't worked with them or know their lines, I cannot say...just to do your homework since there are various registries involved and some of the lines have substantial health issues. I breed German Shepherds, you can see my site http://www.pioneergermanshepherds.com if you want to see more about what I breed. As far as other breeders, there are other old fashioned breeders out there but I try to keep to myself and do my own thing so I can't speak to others' breeding practices.

[Ditter]

Good suggestion. Now is not the time, we already have 4 dogs and the city limit is 3. We are one dog over the line.... ; )

[manc]

Thank you and I will check the link out in abit when I have more time.

[manc]

What state are you in if you don’t mind me asking?

[Gennie]

I’m in Pennsylvania.