Quote: George Wheeler

Any dog I have ever gotten had a full work up.

This is great!

 Quote: George Wheeler

I am very aware of the problems of a GSD which is one thing that is keeping from the breeders in Montana.

Isn't this sad? You are probably right then, and getting a rescue dog is a better option.

Good luck in finding the perfect dog!

It sounds like you know what your getting yourself into and will be just fine with a GSD. I also got my GSD after graduating from college. I live in an apartment and am currently in law school. I think that rescue is probably your best bet because I went to breeder route and did not do my research as thoroughly as I could have an now have a poorly bred GSD that I love regardless of his issues. I am managing to afford my GSD and it seems like you have done your research and are prepared for the costs that may occur as well. Good luck with your search!

Hi George,

Just a thought, I know many rescues in our area, particularly GSD rescues, will not consider placement if you live in an apartment, they won't even place one if you don't have a fence!
I do private rescues and re homing of many breeds, I mostly have had GSD and labs. I have had many fabulous dogs that for one reason or another needed to be re homed. You could run an ad detailing what you are looking for in a companion dog, post around at kennels, vet hospitals, and military bases ( many military families get GSD's, get stationed elsewhere, and can't take the dog.}

Hey George,

I had to laugh at how similar our stories are. I'm also graduating UG in may. I grew up with border collies. My 10y/o border collie has been living with my parents while I'm at college, and I don't know if I have the heart to take her away when I move cross country. And, my fiance's bone head basset has been living in my apartment.

I also have a very active 2 y/o working line male shepherd that I bought (as a puppy) for Schutzhund. It has definitely worked for me to have a high drive shepherd in tiny apartment. But it has taken up a lot of my extra time because I have to drive to a field to give my boy necessary exercise (which is about 30 mins to 1 hour of playing fetch or jogging or swimming, twice a day).

One thing I didn't consider when I got a shepherd was the fact that many rentals don't allow shepherds. I had a really, really hard time finding a place to live. But, I've never heard of ACD's being discriminated : ).

If you're aware and okay with the activity level of the shepherd and potential costs of owning a dog, I think you are good to go. And a rescue dog would be a great win-win situation. Good luck!

Don't forget to check petfinder.com and adoptapet.com for rescues as well. Its always amazing to me how some obviously pure bred German Shepherds end up in Animal Control and kill-shelters.

I may have missed this from another poster but the things that concern me about a GSD right now for the OP are that many apartments won't rent to someone with a GSD due to liability issues and not being able to get insurance. Another concern is that he stated that he knew his way around dogs but wasn't that great of a trainer. While there may be exceptions, GSDs in general require a firm hand and consistent, ongoing training to be good companions.

Before making any final deciaion I suggest checking rentals to see if that will be a problem and taking a hard look at just how much time and commitment you'll honestly be able to make for a dog. And then decide whether to get one later rather than sooner. Believe me I totally understand about missing having one. I waited 5 years between dogs recently (for several reasons). And, if I'm brutally honest with myself, I probably should have waited a bit longer the way my life is right now. But I would not give up Gracie (my TFT) for the world.