GSD For A College Student???

[Shawn D]

Hello this is my first post but I have been browsing for quite some time as an unregistered member.

Anyways I am moving into a house this summer and want to get a dog. I have grown up with dogs all my life (I have 3 Labs back home), but have always wanted a GSD. I have helped with the raising and training of all 3 Labs, so am not completely new to dog training. I will crate train my dog right from the get go but will usually not be gone for more than 4-6 hours, and there will usually always be someone home. I love to run,hike, and bike here in Utah and would thoroughly enjoy the company. Future housing will not be a problem either if I do move.

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

Also would yall recommend adopting a rescue or a breeder? I am leaning toward buying from a reputable breeder from prior experiences with my Labs.

I am looking for all the advice and knowledge available please!

[DJEtzel]

I don't think GSDs are harder to raise than labs. They learn about as fast, if not faster, and they're MUCH less mouthy, so they chew and bite a lot less. I wouldn't say they need any more socialization than any other dog, but they do need more mental stimulation than most or they will get bored and destructive.

I don't really have any recommendation for a rescue or breeder in your area, sorry, but good luck finding one! I'm moving into a house this summer for college with my 6 month old GSD.

[boeselager]

Welcome to the forum!!! If you go with either a rescue or breeder you should do research in those areas plus. Rescue's are always good to get, but just know that they all are not perfect, same with breeders. You might want to post some of your questions on posts that fit what you are asking. You should get more/faster responses this way. Just a thought.

[Shawn D]

Thats great to here that they are not nearly as mouthy!

Boeselage - I don't know much about rescues but will definitelly look into them as well

[Vinnie]

Hi Shawn.

We currently own a black lab and a GSD. Two completely different personalities if you ask me. Both great dogs but I’ve honestly found it easier to train a GSD than a Lab. Both need training, mental stimulation, exercise and socialization.

I’ve owned GSDs most of my life so maybe that’s why I find them easier.

I’ve both adopted and purchased GSD and would recommend either. That really depends on you and what you’re looking for.

Of course with purchasing you do need to find a good reputable breeder but I’m sure the members here can help you with that if you find that’s what you’d like to do.

Rescues are good too. Some of the advantages to rescues are that a lot of times the dog is already spayed or neutered and already have some basic training started by the rescue group. (No potty training is a big plus in my mind.)

Good luck and enjoy yourself here.

[JakodaCD OA]

well I can't really say they are easier than labs tho I think so) I'll put it this way, my sister is the "lab" person, she has always had labs, I have always had gsd's and aussies. She has obed/hunting/agility titles on her labs.

She constantly tells me she could never 'live' with my gsd's, they are to 'busy' for her) It would also peeve her to no end, when she would practice practice practice her obed/agilty, I would just do a few run thru's before a trial, and usually score higher than her,,wasn't 'me' it was the 'dog' ))

And they CAN be mouthy, they CAN be chewers, and the do need alot of socialization, they are all different. Gsd's are far from being like labs.

If you've never lived with one, I highly recommend going with either a rescue/an older puppy, more of what you see is what you get)

Good luck in your search
Diane

[JKlatsky]

We got our first GSD when DH started Law School. Then we added another. By the time he finished his legal masters we had 4. I worked full time. I have to say that I think that school is one of the best times to have a dog if you are committed to the dog as a priority and not to partying.

I think it's important to raise a puppy on a schedule, and sadly many students lack schedules. They're out all night, sleep until the afternoon, roll out of bed for class and repeat.

But when are you ever going to have that degree of flexibility in your schedule again?? I loved having the dogs when one of us wa sin school, because his longest away from home day was 6 hours. With our schedules and the way they overlapped, puppy was never alone for more than 3 hours or so. Those were the days...

And if I found a good dog from rescue, that's a great experience. For me it was all about timing, and then I wanted to be competitive in dog sports so have bought from breeders.

[elisabeth_00117]

I am finishing up my MA right now and having Stark during this time has been great! Even when he is being a butthead...lol.

I do have classes four days a week, but most run no longer than a couple of hours at a time. I am always home with him it seems, which is great!

I have no experience with other breeds (grew up with GSD's) but I think this time in your life, if you are financially able and mentally committed to care for these dogs then go ahead!

I went with a reptuable breeder because I wanted to ensure that I had a healthy dog, no hidden health issues that could pop up, especially in a older dog. I wanted to ensure that my dog was from good bloodlines, healthy parents (physcially and mentally), and that I got the perfect match (let the breeder choose), I got all those things and couldn't be happier!

Good luck!

[Doubleminttwin]

My sister and I got our frist GSD at the beginning of this school year, the reason we didn't wait the one year until we graduate is because of the rediculous amount of freetime we have. Of course theres studying and all the fun stuff but honestly I wouldn't take it back for anything! Shes a great motivator to stay active too. There will be times when you are buried in school work but if you can make a commitment to always make sure you give them excercise I would say go for it

[Rerun]

I had significantly more free time (or at least HOME time) as a college and working student than I did just working a full time "real" job. It depends on the college you go to I suppose, and where you live in relation to campus (I never lived on campus, always in a house).

I certainly never rolled out of bed in the afternoon, but then I suppose that depends on ones partying (I didn't) and study habits (not much of those either...and yet I did exceptionally well in school, ).

I had a "schedule" but it varied day to day. Each week Monday would be the same as the next, but Tuesday was different than Monday even though Tuesday was the same each week, and so forth. Some days I had morning classes, some days evening classes. Personally I think as long as the pup is kept to a "schedule" of same time feeding and potty breaks, give or take an hour or so, it's ok if Mon/Wed you have puppy playtime in the AM, and Tues/Thurs (I didn't have Fri/Sat classes) you have puppy playtime in the afternoon/PM. I think it makes for a better rounded dog in the end, and they don't get so bent out of shape when the schedule changes one day.

Schedules are good to an extent, but I find that pups are much more adaptable than one might believe.