Hey all, just wanted to say hi, and that this is my first post but I've been scanning this board for a while.

I'll cut to the chase so you know whether you want to read this or not, then elaborate later. The deal is, I'm having a very hard time deciding between a GSD and a mal ;leaning shepard heavily; and if I go that route, are there any relatively cheap breeders ;<$1000; out there for a college kid?

Let me elaborate. I am a 20 year old college kid who will probably be getting a house with a yard for the next school year. I'm doing tons of research so that when I finally am able to get my dog in the fall ;my apt now doesn't allow pets; I'll have the best bred and trained dog I am capable of having. Now, I've always really loved GSD, but due to cost and goals I have been thinking about a mal. Before you say it ;i.e. how much exp. do you have; I have owned a lab during childhood, worked a year in a kennel, been a vet tech, and am in school to be a veterinarian, so dog experiance I have. My other deal is that I love to run. I'm in the process of getting back up to training mileage around 100 miles per week and would absolutely love a dog that could do it with me ;gradually building up of course;. That's why I leaned towards the mal. However, when I'm not running, I am a pretty chill guy, and don't want a dog that's bouncing off the walls. I've also been to a local schutzhund club where there were 3 mals and they seemed alright, just pretty hyper, typical it seems. I plan to do schutzhund with my dog as well, as well as take him everywhere with me.

I love the fact I can get a really good malinois for $750 or so too. I would love to get a leerburg or kraftwerk gsd, but I'm just not sure if $2000+ is something I can swing in the near future. However, if that's what it takes to get a rock solid dog, I'll gladly pay it ;My lab had seizures and got scared out of his mind during thunderstorms, I will not go through that again;. So my follow up question to which dog, is are there any cheaper breeders of GSD's in my less than $1000 or so price range. I've already bookmarked everybodies kennels that has them in their signature too, so my list is growing, I'm just not sure how worried about perfect pedigree I should be.

I apologize for the long post, and I know this type of question is asked a lot, but I've found no other single group of people that seems to know these types of dogs better, so I thought I'd at least ask. Thanks.

Sorry Jeff, but I don't think many (if any) people
on this forum will answer your question. Both breeds have certain energy levels that MUST be taken care of...or you'll really live to regret your decision to get a dog. Nothing is worse than a bored-to-death GSD or Mal. I applaud your choice
of study, but it must be time consuming. You'll be asking all kinds of questions (re:behavioral
issues) if the dog's crated all the time. AND the biggest problem of all- you still have your landlord to contend with.

Adopt from a rescue, or get an adult that didn't make the cut for breeding. You will have to wait a LONG time to be able to take a pup running.

If you are serious about vet school then you will not be getting a dog, or getting an older one. Have you seriously talked to vets about how much time it takes? Vet school will not allow you to have a life.

I love the fact I can get a really good malinois for $750 or so too. I guess that depends on your definition of really good.