jimmyhasadog

Unfortunately due to some changes happening in my life right now, I won’t be able to get a dog. I don’t know when I’ll be getting a dog, but it will definitely happen. That said, I’m going to put this blog on hold for the time being. Please check out jimmyhasablog.com for more updates. When the time is right I’ll start working on this blog again and hopefully by that time I’ll be much closer to getting a dog!

This goes along with the search for an apartment which accepts the German Shepherd Dog breed. Most of the rejections from apartment community managers cite that the GSD breed is an agressive breed which is their main reason as to why they won’t allow myself and my dog into their community. However, after doing a bit of research via Google I wasn’t able to find anything conclusive which leads one to say this. I have found articles and links which list the German Shepherd as a “dangerous breed”, however under the description of the breed it says:

These dogs are intelligent and very alert. They are highly used by local authorities such as the police K-9 unit. German shepherds are known to be fearless and confident dogs.

That seems to be the opposite description then the title of the article, did this author forget what they were writing about?!

Another article goes on and says this about the breed:

German Shepherds are great with kids too. These are courageous, fiercely loyal dogs who, if trained properly, will be extremely gentle to family and guests.

Each time I’ve been rejected with someone telling me that German Shepherds are too agressive, I simply ask for where they’ve found that information so I may review and read it, as well as I mention the fact that I’ve been unable to find anything stating this. Every time I either get no response or am asked to reconsider which breed I want.

I would again like to ask where one finds any information with some solid research on the German Shepherd being an agressive breed. I certainly understand they just like any breed can be trained to be agressive, but it’s not like they’re born this way.

Updated: Some how I had missed flea/tick prevention as well as an idea provided by a friend; pet insurance.

The following is a little list I’ve compiled along with estimated prices of what each item should cost. Have I missed anything? Are there other items which would be nice to have for a new dog owner?

Crate – $150
Brushes/Grooming – $35
Bed – $80
Flea/Tick/etc Prevention – $75
Leash/Collar/Tags – $25
Elevated Food/Water Bowls – $15
Food – $30
Toys – $30
Treats – $20
Training – $15
Pet Insurance – $30/month

While I know most of these except for a couple have re-occuring costs, this list should work as a “starter kit” for someone with a brand new dog. Most of the list was compiled using just PetSmart.com.

I am sure 80% of the readers here and more importantly the German Shepherd owners have their own house. Unfortunately for me this is different. The current apartment complex where I live does not allow dog or pets of any kind for that matter. I love where I live but for that very reason I can no longer live here. I’ve been researching and contacting tons of different places for the last couple months. 100% of the apartment complexes I’ve contact either outright do not allow dogs, or do not allow the German Shepherd breed. It’s extremely disheartening to get rejection after rejection without reason. They either say no German Shepherds with no reason or no German Shepherds because they’re aggressive. I generally reply that I’ve yet to see anything stating their aggressive but they don’t reply back. While I’ve not given up hope, it is a bit disappointing to see this breed being disallowed because of their size or because of some assumption they are aggressive.

My next step is to really put more effort into looking for a house, however I find that to be a bit more complex since it’s a house and not an apartment. It seems looking for a house would be something better to do when I’m within a month of needing to move (I still have my apartment lease until the end of September).

Is there anyone out there living in an apartment or apartment complex with a German Shepherd? How about a house? I think I actually am starting to lean towards a house, especially if it’s got its own back yard. Sounds like a lot more fun.