Shepherd Dogs Available for Adoption

Name: 26-Tioga

Breed Mix: Likely Shepard, but truly unknown

Age: 1 year

Weight: 65 lbs

Dogs: Yes

Cats: Yes but with structure

Kids: Yes

House Trained: Yes

Crate Trained: Yes

Leash Trained: Yes

Amazing Dog? ABSOLUTELY! He is a must see and a must meet!

Tioga’s Second Chance — Now He Just Needs You

On December 2nd, 2025, Tioga entered the Merced County Animal Shelter.

For two long months, he was overlooked.

On February 9th, 2026, his life came to a fork in the road: euthanasia or rescue.

Thanks to our advocates in the shelter, rescue chose him.

On February 10th, 2026, Tioga became part of the Foothill Dog Rescue family — and he hasn’t looked back.

Now this 1-year-old bundle of joy is learning what it means to live in a home. He’s been in foster care just over a week and is already doing wonderfully! That said, Tioga is still decompressing. His future family should expect at least a couple more weeks of adjustment and about three months for him to fully settle in. As he grows comfortable, his personality will continue to blossom — and he’ll need patience, guidance, and consistency along the way.

About Tioga

Age: 1 year old

Breed: Best guess? Shepherd mix with a Lab-like personality

Personality: Lover, not a fighter

Tioga may look like a shepherd, but his heart is pure happy-go-lucky Labrador (truly don’t know his breed make up). If you’re searching for a guard dog, he’s probably not your guy. If you’re searching for a joyful, affectionate, social companion — he absolutely is.

He greets people and dogs with friendly, appropriate manners and truly loves other dogs of all sizes. Wrestling and rowdy play are some of his favorite things! He has thrived living with another dog and would love a playful canine sibling, though he could succeed as an only dog with enough exercise and enrichment.

Home Life

Potty trained: Yes! He quietly stands by the back door to signal he needs out. (If no one notices, he may have an accident)

Crate trained: Yes. He sleeps in his crate at night and while no one is home. He should be crated when left alone, as he can get curious and chew.

Good with kids: Absolutely. He lights up when kids enter the room and happily accepts all the love they offer. He loves to be near the kids whenever he can. He has not been a jumper and takes correction from kids well.

Cats: Possible with experienced, dog-savvy cats and committed supervision. Tioga wants to play with everything and is still learning that cats don’t appreciate wrestling, kisses, and being chased. He has been corrected by cats and remains non-reactive — he just needs structure and training.

Training & Manners

Tioga is a smart boy who is already putting in the work!

He has been practicing:

Sit

Down

Come (with pretty solid recall!)

Introduction to Place

“Stay” is still a bit foreign to him, but he’s learning. He can sometimes try to be first through doorways, so continued work on impulse control and boundaries will be important. With consistency, he is very capable of mastering this — he just needs someone committed to reinforcing it.

He walks nicely on leash and is manageable for his size, though continued loose-leash training will help him shine. He can be easily distracted at times, but with the right treats and approach, he engages quickly and loves to learn.

His nose can easily reach counter height or table height. He is learning that he should stay out of the kitchen and away from counters and tables, but he hasn’t yet mastered this skill just yet. Counter surfing is a strong possibility if he doesn’t receive the structure and guidance he needs.

Out and About

Tioga rides beautifully in the car — quiet and content, especially with an open window. He’s still building confidence jumping in, so he’ll need patience as he learns it’s part of the adventure. Bring your muscles because you might need to lift his 65-pound self into the car at first.

Energy & Exercise

Tioga is a young, medium-to-high energy dog (and we may not have even seen his full spark yet!). He loves walks, runs, toys, chew bones, and playtime. Fetch isn’t his thing — at least not yet — but wrestling with dog friends definitely is.

He will thrive with an active family committed to:

Daily physical exercise

Mental enrichment

Ongoing training

Structure and consistency

The Puppy in Him

At just one year old, Tioga is still very much a puppy. He may gently mouth during play, wants to interact often, and will find his own entertainment if bored (usually involving chewing something he shouldn’t). With clear boundaries, leadership, and exercise, he is an incredible companion in the making.

Tioga got his second chance at life. Now he’s waiting for his forever home — one that will give him the patience, leadership, and love he deserves.

With commitment and guidance, Tioga will grow into the most loyal, joyful, and devoted family dog you could ask for.

Could that family be yours? Please be sure to fill out an application if you would like to meet him!

If interested, we recommend submitting an adoption application at: www.foothilldogrescue.org

This dog will be available at Saturday’s adoption event at our rescue. Meet and greets are 11:00 - 1:00.

Our address is:

4131 S Shingle Rd suite 14
Shingle Springs, CA

Please bring all resident dogs and children that live in the household to the meet and greet.

Our adult dog adoption fee is $350 (with $5 processing fee if paid by card) and fee for pups under 4 months old is $400 (with $5 processing fee if paid by card). Adoption fee includes spay or neuter, rabies, DAPP and Bordetella vaccines, deworming, microchip, heart worm test and lifetime registration.

The shepherd dog breed encompasses a versatile group known for their intelligence, loyalty, and strong work ethic. With a heritage deeply rooted in herding and protecting livestock, shepherds excel at various tasks ranging from obedience and agility competitions to search and rescue missions. Their protective nature makes them excellent family pets, offering unwavering devotion and a natural instinct to watch over and care for their loved ones. In addition to their remarkable abilities, shepherds are often characterized by their distinctive appearance, including a sturdy build, alert expression, and a signature double coat that provides insulation and protection in various climates.

Foothill Dog Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer and foster based organization dedicated to re-homing dogs from high-kill shelters and...