Meet Rio, a striking young German Shepherd Dog in El Cajon, CA. He arrived at the rescue as a tiny puppy, joined by his mother Amara and a big litter of siblings. Rio has grown into a handsome, short-coated black dog with a little white accent—photos from his puppy and adolescent stages tell the story of his playful journey so far. He’s not just a looker—Rio loves following confident, well-mannered dogs and will shine in a home with canine companions his size or larger. He has a high prey drive, so proper guidance and structure will help him stay on track. A positive, experienced handler with clear leadership will really help Rio thrive. Rio was diagnosed with a valgus deformity (‘knock knee’), but he’s not limited by it. He takes joint supplements daily and could be more prone to arthritis later in life, yet needs no special exercise plan for a typical household. He isn’t house trained yet, but he’s young and ready to learn in the right environment. Rio gets along with dogs and children, making him a good fit for active, social homes. Ready to fall in love? Hit apply and lets get started.