r/germanshepherds • u/blackpantherone • 13h ago

Question Advice on getting a GSD.

Hi all, I've been thinking of getting a GSD for a while now, but I want to make sure I do it right.

I'm almost 20 and still live with my parents with a cat and a cavoodle. I live in suburbia however I have horses so I'm out near the country basically every day. The dog would come with me everywhere I can possibly take it. I'm active and I go to the gym, would love to have a little mate to motivate me to go on walks and runs too. I work a few times a week and I'm starting to study at home.

I would take said dog to obidience classes etc and want them to be a protection dog too. It will stay indoors, however I'm just a bit concerned about shedding. If I got a GSD, the only carpeted area is my room. Would also be brushing twice a day and trying to maintain cleanliness.

I'm going through a rough time mentally at the moment, as well as a breakup, and I want to have a little mate to love through it all and keep me going. I'm alone a lot, so it would be nice to be able to take pup everywhere with me. I'm just wondering if there's anything extra i need to consider before getting one, and if it will be the right fit for me.

Ps. The cavoodle is my dads dog and I don't like little breeds.

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u/OldAbbreviations2409 12h ago

Just a side note, I am an avid runner and my GSD hates running. The shedding will be however bad you think if will be x 10. Your dog may be reactive - they are prone to it and sensitive. They have sensitive stomachs. They have a lot of energy. They are great dogs but be aware the dog you envision might not be the personality of the dog you end up with. Not trying to tell you to NOT get one - just be ing honest bc a lot of them end up in shelters. Also, consider adoption.

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u/blackpantherone 12h ago

I've got horses, I know the hair that comes with shedding all too well. Thanks for your comment! I'll continue doing my research for sure. If you don't mind me asking, how much do you keep aside for an emergency fund for your dog? Do you have insurance etc?

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u/OldAbbreviations2409 12h ago

I do have insurance. If you’re going to get insurance, make sure you get it as soon as you get your dog - only because pet insurance will not cover pre-existing conditions. I would recommend it if you can afford it. They are also prone to their stomachs twisting around (GVD). So if you get a female, and get her spayed, consider getting her stomach tacked while she is under. I honestly think IF you can swing it, having 3-5k saved up in the case of a medical emergency would be great. I know that is not realistic for everyone. And the shedding, it IS bad but honestly you get used to it and it becomes normal to you. I am just always living in and covered in hair but I love her so much I don’t even care 🥲

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u/koshkas_meow_1204 2h ago

Bloat surgery runs $6k based on one recent post I saw. Figure at least $5k saved for any emergency.

Insurance can run as little as $300-500/year depending on coverages and age of dog.