Dutch Shepherd Forum

I think it's good you're sticking around to learn about DS - what you learn on here won't be just beneficial to a DS, but any dog. I would also say look at the apartments and what their requirements/restrictions are on breeds. There are a lot of smaller breed (I mean under 50 lbs) who are capable of being active but can also lay around when you need time to study. I would say definitely don't underestimate the time and effort required in uni - nor the sheer amount of social stuff going on. So if you want to go out to a party and come home at 2 am or go on a weekend trip, having a dog is like having a kid and you have to plan around them. I'm sure you've already thought about this and I'm glad you're waiting, but being in uni you may find your requirements of a dog/need for a dog may change. It's very smart to gather your information and really look hard at your life; don't romanticize having a dog. While it can certainly help with any anxiety, just like you're doing, it requires a certain kind of dog and certain kind of life. When I'm helping out at the local shelter I always tell families "it's not about what you want/need, it's also about what kind of life do you picture having with a dog? Imagine the good AND the worst, the bad, the ugly - when your dog eats a sock and needs a 2000$ surgery, when you need to go out of town suddenly, when the dog is sick, when he has behavioral problems, when you get a new job and your free time changes - picture a dog that realistically can handle and adapt in those situations."

I'm currently in a career switch which has me retaking a lot of classes and going to master's level classes, and there are a LOT of times I wish I didn't have a dog due to just not having enough hours in the day. Life can take us on unexpected journeys. I was prepared for aspects of this so the transition has been hard but do-able (with a lot of alcohol). I am thankful H is older when it happened - if he was younger and I was trying this I would be ripping out my hair about now. Some days it's impossible and I really need a good support network and other days it's so easy. Again, just an example of how life changes. You're doing the right thing by talking and asking questions and a lot of us here have more than DS breed experience.

I got Odin when I was 21, in college, living in an apartment. He did fine, but there were a lot of exceptions in my case. He was a year and a half when I got him and he knew basic obedience already. I had an amazing network of dog trainers and friends knowledgeable about working dogs that helped me a ton. I wanted a dog the entire time I was in college, but I waited until the summer before my final semester.

I had gotten married the year prior, so there were 2 of us to take care of him. We spent a good amount of time looking for the right dog. I wasn't searching out Dutch Shepherds at the time, but came across him during my search. We had a larger apartment (1300 square feet, 3 bedrooms, Odin had his own room for his xpen, toys, etc), my husband worked from home, and I worked in the dog industry. If he wasn't home with my husband, he was at work with me. Even though I was 21 when I got him, I was not living the normal college life. We only went out to restaurants or on trips with him and Odin was rarely home alone. We went on 3 walks a day and my husband helped with those and Odin was going to or helping me teach training classes a few times a week. I also had access to an empty athletic field on campus that he could play off leash at with my friend's malinois.

That being said, Odin is a one in a million Dutch Shepherd. He has a bad back and hips that hold him back a little and he isn't over the top crazy. He never counter surfed and never chewed anything that wasn't in his toy bin. Elli, my 2nd Dutch Shepherd, would never work in an apartment. I didn't get her until I was on acreage in a home. She also is a pain in the butt to be around when there is any sort of homework to get done. I think in the UK, you're a lot more likely to run into Elli type dogs since she's from working lines.

Dutchies are horrible canines and in all my years of doing this I have never met one, just heard about them.

I would recommend a Dutch Shepherd or even a Hollandse Herdershond. BUT, only after doing a lot of research and fully understanding what you are getting into.

i have to agree there, as far as what pets are supposed to be in general, these guys make horrible horrible pets.
there will always be the 1% who wants to lick everyone to death and is a bit calmer, but its like the 1% of labrador retrievers who want to eat people.
ive seen one or two people on reddit or facebook groups saying things along the line of
"my DS is a wonderful docile pet and loves my five month old baby, anyone who tells you otherwise about the breed is a liar! these dogs are child friendly and wouldnt hurt a fly!"
it sends shivers down my spine and someone could get hurt because of it. their dog is the 1% or they dont have a DS at all, either way they shouldnt be broadcasting things like that.

anyone who says they are fantastic pets does NOT have a pure bred, or even any, it is just a brindle dog. These are NOT pets. Just not. I love mine but like I have said a hundred times. there is NO way I would get one if I didnt have YEARS of sport training with them. I dont mean just OB, hard core Ring sport.

Again, thank you all for your input and advice!

I would definitely love to learn about your dogs (whether or not I want a dog of the breed) just to be able to understand it better. I know everyone has their different routines and sports and all the dogs have their own personalities, so it would be interesting to see that.

I will take everything you have all said into consideration and I personally am planning for a German Shepherd sometime in the near future.

I also completely forgot to add that it would be my significant other and I getting an apartment together. I have my own plans and I can say with certainty that partying is one of the lowest priorities on my list—I care much more about my schooling and personal goals than going out spontaneously anyways (I like planning way ahead as it is). So yeah, that's why I'm giving it lots of thought now—including laws, needs, behaviours—rather than researching much later.

Thanks for taking our advice into consideration ! that is very good of you to really think and research.

Dutchringgirl wrote:anyone who says they are fantastic pets does NOT have a pure bred, or even any, it is just a brindle dog. These are NOT pets. Just not. I love mine but like I have said a hundred times. there is NO way I would get one if I didnt have YEARS of sport training with them. I dont mean just OB, hard core Ring sport.

I have three of these dogs, they are pure bred and I never did this stuff until a few years ago when I got my first one. Now I got two Dutchie's and a Mal. I think anyone who got a Dutchie or Mal and was willing to put the time in can handle one of these dogs. The dogs themselves don't care what they are doing- what they care about is interaction. Taking the dogs out to interact with people, teach them the world is not a scary place or to see new things. They love adventure, they want to be there with you. It takes work, dedication, and honestly- time, lots of time, and you will get the best damn dog you could ever own. Just take your Dutchie everywhere and anywhere you can. That is the key, they are sidekicks.

M