Long-haired German Shepherd · German Shepherds of Australia, Volume One
Putney, the baby whisperer
German Shepherds have a reputation for keeping strangers at arm's length. Putney did not get the memo.
Putney, AKA 'Black Velvet' as his humans know him, is a loyal, beautiful, long-haired GSD with an extremely warm nature. Unlike some GSD's that can be aloof, Putney is a social butterfly at the dog park.
How social? His family says he is great friends with every dog he meets, "from Chihuahuas through to Irish Wolfhounds".
Team trouble
The best line on Putney's page is about the newest member of his family:
Putney is a true baby whisperer and his favourite human of all time is his one-year-old baby brother.
The two of them, his family says, operate as "team trouble" and cause mischief to no end. Putney also has an official role at mealtimes. When his little brother decides to send his dinner onto the floor, Putney is the food clearance team.
Anyone who has watched a big dog with a baby will recognise it: the patience, the careful nose, the way the dog arranges itself wherever the baby is. It is one of the things people love most about the breed, and Putney does it with a long, soft coat that explains his title.
The beach, and the black chair
When he is not on clearance duty, Putney's favourite place for a walk is the beach, with his family. His page closes with a line any shepherd owner would be proud to have written:
Putney is an outstanding ambassador for the GSD breed and demonstrates all the excellent qualities you could ask for from man's best friend!
In the book, Putney leans over the arm of a black leather chair, front paws over the edge, tongue out, under his title: Black Velvet. On the facing page is Cherokee, whose adoption story you can read here: Cherokee was still waiting.
A second volume, now being photographed
Putney is one of more than 200 shepherds in German Shepherds of Australia, Volume One. If you have a shepherd of your own, Volume Two is being photographed now, for the final quarter of 2027, and each owner's $100 donation goes in full to German Shepherd Rescue Victoria. You can register at germanshepherdsofaustralia.com.au.