| In college your housing keeps changing..
:) I had a GSD in my last year of college, but I wouldn't recommend getting a dog until you are not changing residence every year. I knew where I would be moving after school (family owned apartment) and that the dog would be welcome. Having a dog SEVERELY limits your choice of apartments and MANY landlords aren't too psyched about college student +rottie.
Only you know yourself, but don't brush it off as something you "know you'll be able to deal with" when it happens. Are you ready to pay twice as much because the only apartment that will allow dogs is REALLY expensive? Can you afford it?
I mention all of this because there are SO many dogs listed on rescue sites because the owner is moving and the landlord won't accept dogs. This dog commitment is for the next 13 (I'm really an optomist) years. What will you do over breaks? Will you give up vacation trips because there is nowhere for the dog to go? Are your parents willing to have you bring the dog home when you visit on holidays? (Picture not your well behaved grown dog, but the one who may chew your mom's new furniture in the blink of an eye). I love my dog and wouldn't ever want to be without her, but I remember how HARD it was to find an apartment 5 years after college that would allow my dog (it did cost twice as much!)
Just be sure you can answer the really hard questions before you hold a puppy. The puppy breath steals your judgement (and everyone elses!) every time!:) :)  |