The Dakota Shepherds

Three new arrivals today. All German Shepherds, probably siblings, about two years old, intact males. One was named Dakota and we're keeping that name, and changing the others' names to fit the theme. Dakota was the only one that seemed to know his name. We're calling the other two Fargo and Sturgis. 

These dogs are severely under socialized, essentially feral. They have never had a collar on or been on a leash. They've probably never been out of the pen they came from. They've certainly never seen a vet. They are not emaciated but their coats are terrible. They arrived in three crates and we just carried the crates into Daneland and then opened them to let the dogs out. They began moving around and exploring the space but really wanted nothing to do with people. I spent the day outside doing things around the yard and spent a lot of time in with them. They didn't mind me being around but we didn't become fast friends. Dakota is limping, not sure why, and he did go into the shed and made himself comfortable on one of the beds I set up in there. As the day progressed they seemed more comfortable and played among themselves. They were curious and friendly towards Chico and Norman in the other half of Daneland and our guys who came up to the fence to meet them. 

They obviously needed to be dewormed (bloody poop) so I doped up some canned food with panacure and gave everyone a meal and medicine all in one. We went to town for dinner and beers, but when we came home I wanted to get them into the shed for the night because there wasn't any kind of bedding outdoors. Clay and I worked together trying to herd them into the shed but they weren't having it. We finally just cornered them one at a time, slipped a rope over their head and dragged them inside. Once inside we took advantage of the smaller space and put collars on everyone. I turned on a space heater for them and I hope that by morning they will see the advantage to being inside.

These are project dogs, they will take some time. 

That's Dakota on the left, and Fargo, right.

Dakota

Sturgis, left, and Fargo, right.

Dakota, favoring that left front leg.

Here's all three and Norman in the far background.

Fargo and Sturgis

Sturgis

Fargo, standing, and Sturgis

Dakota is the smallest of the three, and has the lightest coloring.

Fargo as the black forehead and a white spot on his chest.

Sturgis has similar markings but the black forehead isn't as dark.