GSD For A College Student???

[trish07]

Hi!

I don't think GSD are harder to educate than Lab or other breeds of dog. I think, otherwise, that you have to now what you are doing. Educating a strong breed like GSD, Bulldog, Pittbull & als. isn't always easy. They are strong minded and you need "more" constancy, this is what I personnally think.

You seem to have time to take care of a dog, I think it's the most important. Plus, like you said, you are familiar to dogs.

As for choosing a dog between a shelter (rescuer) or a breeder....it all depend the way you see things. In both case, you will have to do researches on shelter/breeder/dog history.

It is pretty hard to know the history of a rescued dog...so you have to be prepared to any situation. I think it is more "louangeable" to adopte a recued dog But maybe you will avoid few troubles with a breeders (by troubles, I mean health and being).

For sure, the GSD IS a good dog, easy to traine, faithfull and playfull (full of energie!!) and I don't think you would make the wrong choice by choosing a GSD.

Good luck!

[Shawn D]

Thanks again!

Sarah - your post was especially helpful. Thanks for the Best Friends link, I will definitely have to go visit!

As for having a protective dog, I would prefer it that way. I do plan on having a family in the next 10 years or so and would love a GSD to be part of it.

I will start doing a lot more research on rescues!

[mjbgsd]

Most GSDs are reserved with strangers and dislike being petted by strangers. Would you want your dog be chummy with your friends and neighbors?

Of course, there are always some individual dogs that do not behave 'typically' for the breed.

Cody and Akbar are in the first "category", they are not the type of shepherd who loves strangers petting them unless they've seen that person before. They are aloof and prefer to not be oooo'd and aww'd over like a lab. I will say this though, Cody is a major couch potato, he's prefer to not do much exercise and enjoys lounging around the house with some outside time, probably because of his arthritis but he's always been a laid back dog. Isa is similar though her first 2 years she was crazy. Akbar on the other hand, if I do not walk him for at least an hour to 1h 30m, he will drive me INSANE. So much so I'm picking up a treadmill on Saturday becuse he has so much energy, that walk plus 1-2 hours of ball time is just not enough. Of course taking into account that he's a puppy. At night he settles down though.

Now Isa on the other hand, she loves everybody. Apparently she didn't get the memo that shepherds are suppose to be aloof, lol. Now she doesn't act like a lab who wags their tails constantly but she does go up to people and leans against them to pet her. But, once I'm out of sight forget it, she wants me and only me and will search for me. She's had to protect me once, a man was following us a little to closely for a while and when he was almost to me she stood between me and the guy and starred at him. That guy soon ran the other way and she went back to her happy self.


When I was in highschool I got Isa and man it was so hard to raise her. I can't believe I was able to do it though. If I was in college there would have been no way for me to take care of a puppy. For instance, I had to wake up every 1-2 hours the first month when I got Akbar. (I have no job) I was so tired by the 3rd week, I was crying in frustration because I wanted sleep and I couldn't sleep during the day because of him. Taking care of a puppy is a LOT of work but in the end it does pay off. I can sleep a full 8+ hours now with Akbar, he's 8 months, sometimes I've gone 10 hours......

[Shawn D]

Been a while since my last post, but I have been doing a lot of thinking and decided to adopt a rescue.

I am most likely going to get my dog from either Best Friends or German Shepherd Rescue of Las Vegas. Anyone either dealt with either of them?

[Josiebear]

Honestly? I think Labs are harder than GSDS! talk about spit fire energy! especially as puppies.

I don't see why you can't have a GSD and be a college kid. I think anyone can own a GermanShepherd if you are committed enough regardless of someone's age. Maybe you're better off getting an older one instead of a puppy? GSD puppies are crazy cute but crazy! but not Lab crazy

[Jessiewessie99]

Hi and welcome! I have been around both, but never owned a lab, but my cousin's both have one.I GSDs maybe easier because they are smarter.

I say go to a shelter or rescue.My family and I got our GSD Tanner from a shelter,I volunteer there now.He is as healthy as can be.We got Molly from my sister's friend's neighbor who didn't fix their dogs and had puppies.But be sure to research the rescue or breeder you are looking into.If there is one in Utah, I am not sure, but try SPCA shelter.I volunteer at their shelter in California, they will definitely have GSDs of all ages and colors, they are very popular.Otherwise, give a resuce or shelter dog a second chance.=)

Good luck in find your new best friend!!

[mjbgsd]

That's good news Shawn D! Can't wait to see your new addition. An adult would be best, just a thought.

[MaggieRoseLee]

How much harder are GSD's to raise than Lab's? Seems like they need much more socialization and mental stimulation.

I raised one Lab from a puppy. And 3 GSD's from puppies. And the GSD's were WAY harder! Not kidding. Cause they are SO smart and SO high energy... Needed SO much more exercise to be calm and happy in the house. And needed so much SMART training (they certainly weren't just going to obey and listen cause I told them too) that I absolutely positively had to go to dog classes for a long long long time.

Let alone the fact that what makes them good in protection work can also lead them to need WAY WAY WAY more socialization in the world the first few years than my Lab did.

Truthfully, when I was in college, I was so busy with classes, friends, part time jobs, after school activities, I'm REALLY glad I didn't add a dog to the mix. The pet rat I had was PERFECT! HEck, I smuggled her into most of my classes!

If you truly think you HAVE to have a dog and can't wait, I'd say go the rescue route. Having an older dog with a more known personality, already housebroken, with some training and socialization in place, would make it much easier for you.

[Shawn D]

mjbgsd - I have also released an adult might be better for me hopefully I can find the right one soon

MaggieRoseLee - interesting that your gsd's were much harder to raise, I will definitely try to find the right energy level adult for me

I will also go check out the local SPCA shelter too,

Thanks!

[GSDElsa]

Yay! Congrats on deciding to rescue! You'll find it very rewarding, and I'm sure they will pair you with the perfect dog (although I have never dealt with them).