theslingstone
New member
All of my information will be set 2 years into the future. I’m currently 20 and in college now but I’m considering adopting a GSD a year or so after college.
General info (2026):
22 y/o single male, graduating college May 2026. Studying business/databases/cybersecurity. Interests- hunting, fishing, baseball, hiking/nature walks, cars, being outdoors, gym, gaming. I Played baseball for 10 years but was very overweight. Took an interest in weight lifting/personal health in high school and have kept that going throughout college.
Will be living at parents’ house for roughly 1 year after college then moving into my own apartment/rental home. Looking for a dog in fall 2026/spring 2027.
Other Dogs:
I currently have a Maltese. My family has had her since 2017 and I did a lot of the training for her.
I had a golden retriever from 2013-2023 (9 years, 9 months). We had to put him down in July 2023 because he had kidney disease (genetics). I also did a lot of the training with the golden during my teen years. I’ve felt very “empty” and lonely without my golden and I’ve really wanted a dog that’s either the same size or a little smaller than a Golden. It doesn’t feel the same being around a Maltese.
Lifestyle & Activities:
I’ll probably be working a 9-5 on site job unless I get offered a work from home or hybrid job (probably unlikely but a possibility considering my career path). Probably would not be able to come home for lunch unless my work is very close to home (also not very likely). My sister would be of age to drive by then and would probably be happy to stop by my apartment for a bit after school and take care of the GSD for the first few months of ownership.
I have an active gym membership and go to the gym nearly every weekday. I don’t do a lot of cardio at the gym but I would like to get into cardio and I feel an active dog is a good way to make me want to walk/run more. I’ve already considered possible morning or evening walks before or after work. I loved hiking in middle school & high school. Haven’t been able to hike much in college due to schoolwork and not having anyone to hike with. An active dog would definitely push me to start hiking again on some weekends. I really wanted walk / exercise my Golden more than I did, but couldn’t because of Covid & middle school & high school and college.
Training:
Both my Maltese & my Golden were raised on crate training, and that was super successful with both dogs. I would definitely crate train the Toller puppy. My cousin (20s) is pursuing a dog training career and she would be interested in helping me train whatever dog I get. Also she may be an option for doggy sitting while I work during the first few months of ownership.
Other Breed Considerations:
German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.
Uses:
The dog would be used as a pet. Not an obedience or show dog or working dog. Just as a pet.
I’ve adored German Shepherds since elementary school. I love their looks and intelligence and protectiveness. However, I’ve heard they must be very properly trained or else they are nightmares to raise and can become very aggressive. I’ve heard many stories of owners who have adopted a GSD then later surrendered it to an animal shelter because they could not control it or could not properly train it.
General info (2026):
22 y/o single male, graduating college May 2026. Studying business/databases/cybersecurity. Interests- hunting, fishing, baseball, hiking/nature walks, cars, being outdoors, gym, gaming. I Played baseball for 10 years but was very overweight. Took an interest in weight lifting/personal health in high school and have kept that going throughout college.
Will be living at parents’ house for roughly 1 year after college then moving into my own apartment/rental home. Looking for a dog in fall 2026/spring 2027.
Other Dogs:
I currently have a Maltese. My family has had her since 2017 and I did a lot of the training for her.
I had a golden retriever from 2013-2023 (9 years, 9 months). We had to put him down in July 2023 because he had kidney disease (genetics). I also did a lot of the training with the golden during my teen years. I’ve felt very “empty” and lonely without my golden and I’ve really wanted a dog that’s either the same size or a little smaller than a Golden. It doesn’t feel the same being around a Maltese.
Lifestyle & Activities:
I’ll probably be working a 9-5 on site job unless I get offered a work from home or hybrid job (probably unlikely but a possibility considering my career path). Probably would not be able to come home for lunch unless my work is very close to home (also not very likely). My sister would be of age to drive by then and would probably be happy to stop by my apartment for a bit after school and take care of the GSD for the first few months of ownership.
I have an active gym membership and go to the gym nearly every weekday. I don’t do a lot of cardio at the gym but I would like to get into cardio and I feel an active dog is a good way to make me want to walk/run more. I’ve already considered possible morning or evening walks before or after work. I loved hiking in middle school & high school. Haven’t been able to hike much in college due to schoolwork and not having anyone to hike with. An active dog would definitely push me to start hiking again on some weekends. I really wanted walk / exercise my Golden more than I did, but couldn’t because of Covid & middle school & high school and college.
Training:
Both my Maltese & my Golden were raised on crate training, and that was super successful with both dogs. I would definitely crate train the Toller puppy. My cousin (20s) is pursuing a dog training career and she would be interested in helping me train whatever dog I get. Also she may be an option for doggy sitting while I work during the first few months of ownership.
Other Breed Considerations:
German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.
Uses:
The dog would be used as a pet. Not an obedience or show dog or working dog. Just as a pet.
I’ve adored German Shepherds since elementary school. I love their looks and intelligence and protectiveness. However, I’ve heard they must be very properly trained or else they are nightmares to raise and can become very aggressive. I’ve heard many stories of owners who have adopted a GSD then later surrendered it to an animal shelter because they could not control it or could not properly train it.
. (I have a 6 month old GSD).