I instantly thought of Police with trained dogs (and best friends they usually are too - to and from) when I looked at this very clear and detailed photograph.   I am not sure which category would be best for it but I do like your photos very much and am sure with some category searching you will find some highly suitable for this type of imagery.   Hard to say here ... on the smidgen of an inch tongue missing (No.  it does bother me at all as I am not always an 'in the box' type of photographer but ... just saying)     I think this image would look terrific too lightly painted digitally (I am thinking colored pencils)  background removed or replaced - maybe and put on a Card - Tee or other merchandise with a customizable text added.   The various fur textures too would make some lovely brushes Lar.  

Thank you both LJ and Doreen,
 
I was using  prime lens (non-zoom) so he was a bit close when he decided to pose for me, and I was unable to adjust for it.
 
GCU would probably have multiple problems with this image due to the clipped ears and tongue … the GCU reviewers call it "unprofessional" … we as photographers call it a close-up.
 
Thanks Doreen for the link, I will check it out.  Does anyone know if you can take  photo of someone else's dog and use it commercially?  If not, I guess you can use it for a bases for a painting.
 
Thanks again.

Quote from Lar_228672 on Sep 6^th, 2013, 11:47am:

 
Generally speaking, unless the animal is a show dog or 'famous' animal, it's usually fine to use the photographs for greeting cards, however; when you know the owners, it's always best to get a property release (unfortunately pets are considered property in most states) and it's always best to use the basic rule which is to photograph on public property rather than private.
 
In other words, if you take a photograph of a dog in the dog's yard as you walk by, be cautious of using that image because it was taken on private property.  If you take a photo of a dog being walked on the street, it's public property.
 
I always ask and I'm always given permission.  Pet owners who treat their pet as family, are some of the best people on earth, it's in their nature to be kind and gentle of spirit.  So just ask and you'll most likely get a proud pet parent saying 'of course you can photograph my baby!'

Quote from Barbara_239062 on Sep 6^th, 2013, 2:48pm:

He is my five year old male.  This is my three year old female.  She was raised as a show dog.  I rescued them both …
 

 

>> This is slightly off-topic.
 
@Trish, thank you.  
GSDs are my breed of choice, as I've rescued many over my adult life, with many of them being considered hard-to-place – neglected, abused, sick and injured.  My greatest achievement was one German Shepherd that would growl at me when I approached it (in my house) and would growl at me to leave as soon as I put his food in his bowl.  He had been very neglected and abused.  Neglected: when I got him when he was about 4-5 yo, I found that he had his puppy choke collar embedded in his neck, literally choking him to death … more: http://matre.com/3062/z/
 
@LJ.  
GSDs are probably the most widely used canines for police work, but they don't have a lock on the position.  Police dogs are not trained by policemen.  Police dogs are trained by special dog trainers who then sell their graduates, across the country and around the world.  The trainers usually rescue the dogs they think may have what it takes to pass the grueling training, and that includes any breeds.  The average price is $50K-$60K for one police dog, any breed.
 
German Shepherds are not guaranteed to pass the training, but I guess it's the breed most suitable.  Neither of my dogs would make it through the training.  My female is terrified of thunder, which translates into being terrified of gun fire.  The dog must be stedfast during very loud noises.
 
My male is very mellow and has a heart of gold.  He loves meeting new people.  He was professionally trained by his first owner, so he is very knowledgeable of all the basic and some higher commands.  He's extremely smart , but he does not have police-dog mindset. At 120-pounds, he simply walks away from aggressive dogs, unless the dogs persist.  In those cases, it's usually over right after that.
 
The majority of rescues make the best pets, since they've already experienced bad pet-owners.  That's what I teach abused dogs, is that they won't be near not a very nice person humans anymore.
 
@Trish
It truly depends on the German Shepherd for your husband.  They are extremely loyal, affectionate and devoted pets.  There just needs to be an established, and fair, line-in-the-sand.  They do want to please their masters.

Quote from Trish_136241 on Sep 12^th, 2013, 7:05am:

Trish, those are very kind words, thank you!
 
Link:  http://matre.com/3062/z/