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German Shepard or Lab
18/m
Hello! I was looking for some extra information on either getting a German Shepard or a Lab.
I won't be getting a dog till after college when I am able to afford it and take care of it the way it needs to be. Was just trying to get information on them so I can do my research for my decision in a few years.
I love German Shepard and Labs.
I guess my question is...
Which one is more suitable for an average American? Based on my low income out of college I want to know which one would be better to take care of and to give proper things in it's life.
Thanks!
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Want to answer more questions in the Domesticity category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Pets?
Both dogs are great choices. They are both very loyal, smart, obedient breeds.
Like the last answer states, they are big dogs and they will need space to run and play. Labs love the water and activities where they can catch things. They chew a lot. German Shepherds are extremely active and by nature are herders. So an apartment life for them may not be ideal unless you are a very active person that jogs frequently or goes hiking, or that kind of thing. They both eat a ton. My old dog was a lab and he would go through a big bag of dog food in about 2-3 weeks, with feeding 2 times a day. Bags of dog food you can expect to cost at least $20-30, more usually for a better brand. They can become overly protective and territorial if not socialized properly, so if you're gone a lot, that may not be a good idea.
Large breeds are prone to joint disorders like hip dysplasia, and arthritis, more so the German Shepherds. They are also known to be genetically predisposed to canine degenerative myelopathy, which attacks the spine and causes them to lose use of their back legs.
Labs are generally healthier, only because they aren't predisposed to as many things as Shepherds. But it's still possible something may happen.
You may want to get pet insurance when you do get a dog. It's usually about $20 a month. If something does happen, vet bills are expensive and not many vets will work with you.
So all in all, labs and shepherds are both good choices as long as you have the space. They both have the ability to be very loving happy dogs. My personal preference are labs due to the fact that they are less prone to genetic diseases.
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Lots of places won't even allow dogs, so unless you plan on owning your own home or renting a room from a homeowner who has, and loves dogs, there's not much chance of getting to have a dog. Some places will allow small dogs.
Big dogs need to run. Daily. They cant be cooped up all day in an apartment. The dog needs to get proper training, dog obediance or will become too unruly or destructive where ever you live. It needs to be taken out for potty and you must clean it up.
The bigger the dog, the more they eat.
It can be quite expensive to feed a dog. Then theres vet visits. A pet needs their shots and if it becomes sick they need to see a vet. Getting a pets is a big decision, not one to take lightly. Pet deposits are required if you will be renting. First and last is hard enough, not to mention adding pet deposit.
No one can tell you what dog is suitable for you. A suitable dog depends on your situation, what you can offer the particular breed, what a dogs needs are and whether the two aspects match. Then there's always different animal personality types too. No can answer for you.
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