Hello from Vancouver

[Vancouver]

Hello,

I've been thinking about getting a German Shepherd puppy and am so glad that I found this forum! I had a German Shepherd as a teenager, and she was an incredible dog. My husband and I have been talking about getting a dog for ages, but we have finally moved into a place that will allow it (very difficult to find in Vancouver). I'm a little worried about keeping a German Shepherd in an apartment though. We live in a one-bedroom apartment in the city, on the second floor of an older building. No yard -- though there are two large parks within a block, and a number of off-leash areas within a few minutes drive. My mother and I agree that my childhood Shepherd would have been fine in an apartment so long as she had enough exercise. She was never left in the yard for any period of time -- she was a bit of a 'velcro' dog -- went out to do her business and immediately came back in to be with her people. The breeder we spoke to said that a number of her dogs have gone to live in apartments and are doing very well, but I'm still nervous.

My husband is a tradesman, and the plan is that he will take the dog to work with him. He does about a third of his work for outdoor construction sites in which he can take the dog on site with him. The other 2/3rds of his work is in private homes, in which the dog would need to be left in the van (set up in a crate as a pup) for roughly two hours at a time. He does not work much in the summer months, so the heat shouldn't be an issue (Vancouver has a very temperate climate). My husband spends a lot of time driving between jobs, and is able to give the pup a short (30 mins-ish) walk in the morning and at lunchtime. Then a substantial walk/free run after work. What do people think of this? My husband's office is happy to have the pup with them as well, on days where my husband is busy and can't check on the dog every 2 hours. Lots of decent dog-daycares around us as well, though I can see that some dogs might not do well in that setting.

We both grew up with very high-maintenance dogs (an Akita, Malamute, Irish Setter, German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd between the two of us), and are pretty prepared to let this dog take over our life.

What do you all think -- are we ready for this? Is this sensible, or are we insane?

[Twayblade]

Greetings Vancouver,

I live a few hours away from you in Kelowna. I have bred and shown cats for years, and for the first time ever, I now own a GSD.

I lived in Van briefly when my youngest son was in VGH after a bad accident and I got to know city fairly well, it is my favourite city in Canada.

Not to discourage your want of a GSD, but I think at this time, with your location, you might consider a smaller breed of dog, or maybe a cat or a caged animal such as a rodent or a reptile.

With my experience so far, my GSD is 12 months old and she is hyper and demands attention and exercise all the time or else she becomes destructive.

I admittedly am still learning and maybe someone with more experience can offer apartment living advice that will make it so you can have the animal you would like and it won't drive you nuts.

I am by no means am advertising, but if you decide a cat might be a better apartment choice you are welcome to PM me.

Good luck on whatever you decide, I personally chose the GSD because of it's beauty and brains (mine is sometimes to smart for it's own good). I hope I was able to help.

[Vancouver]

Thanks for your feedback. Vancouver's a nice city -- but you have to commute for ages in order to get someplace with a yard. Unfortunately, we're a bit German Shepherd or bust, I think. We're not cat people, and my husband isn't able to safely take a smaller dog on site. Plus we both have an odd hatred of small dogs. I was 17 when I got my first Shepherd, and she was the easiest pup we'd ever had. I'm guessing that she was a bit of an anomaly?

[Stosh]

Welcome! It's always nice to see people do their research before they get a pup rather than desperately need help after. Having the pup with your husband a good part of the day sounds like a great idea and 2 or 3 hrs in a crate at a time is not excessive. It sounds as though you've both given this a great deal of consideration and in my humble opinion, that would be one lucky pup!

[Miss Molly May]

Welcome from Northern Ontario!! I don't think having a Gsd in a apartment is a bad idea. My girl Molly is with us 100% when we are not at work. We go for our daily off leash walk in the bush, if I drive anywhere she is with me, she is never left outside alone for any reason. She absolutely never leaves my side. If we lived in a apartment nothing would change!

[adiposestem]

Hello.

It is nice to meet you here...


Welcome and Enjoy!!

[Twayblade]

I am sorry my suggestions might have offended you. I have never owned a dog until now and since she is hyper I would assume that an apartment might be too small.
I live in a small house with a fairly large yard and my dog still manages to escape and if she is bored she will get into things that she should not be.

I am glad you choose a GSD, maybe get a young pup that you can train from the start, it would be great.

My dog was given to me by my son and his wife when she was 10 months old and had very little training, so maybe that is part of the hyper attitude.

Good luck,I hope you find the perfect dog!

[Anjulian]

Hi, no you are not insane. Looking at what you two have planned looks like nice life for a dog. The older he gets the more he will enjoy going to work with your other half. Just make sure that he has all the training that he needs, as he will be entertained all day. The only initial difficulty that I can see, will be house training him at the start,because he will need to go out during the night for potty breaks until he can hold his little bladder long enough to wait. He would need to go outside to pee and you need to be prepared for that. But, it doesnt last long that is the good part and will soon be letting you know when he wants to go. I only have a 12 foot square concrete outside yard and mine can use that, I keep a watering can to wash it down when they have been. My two have never tried to escape even though the walls are easy for them to get over. I love Vancouver,and had a holiday split between ther and vancouver island,Victoria. Your climate is about the same as the uk. No your first pup was not unusual, an being so easy to train, But they are not all the same. I have read about very hyper dogs,and think that they are fron working lines, at least thats what it seems. Although mine is working line as they all have been, but never had a hyper dog. Although my shepherdx husky is the most difficult dog I have ever tried to train, but thats another story. Good luck to you both, hope your plans work out well. Julie.

[Vancouver]

Thanks all for your insight. Twayblade -- I wasn't offended at all by your suggestion, I really am looking for any and all opinions. I absolutely agree that a yard is always preferable -- and hopefully in a few years I'll be able to make that happen.

Thanks again.

[msvette2u]

I've never declined an application for apartment dwellers (we have a dog rescue) if the people have a good potty plan, and it sounds like you have one.
I'd say go for it if you can find a lower-key dog