An Open Ended Rant Directed Towards Those Considering Adopting High Energy Dog Breeds, Do Your Research Beforehand

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kalila courban
Jun 9, 2023 11:00 AM EDT

Hey friends. We're coming to you live today with a very important Reddit rant that is relevant for anyone considering adopting a high-energy dog breed. For example, a husky, German shepherd, or similar dog requires intensive care and excessive exercise. We completely understand where the original poster is coming from as it is extremely disheartening to witness an increasing number of purebred dogs being surrendered to shelters due to impulsive decisions. 

Before deciding to adopt, take the time to analyze your lifestyle and determine if you can meet the needs of these breeds. Research their exercise requirements, training demands, and potential challenges they may present. It's essential to be honest with yourself about whether you're equipped to provide the time, energy, and resources required to raise a high-energy dog breed. Let's strive to be responsible pet owners and ensure that the dogs we bring into our lives are matched with suitable environments and committed individuals. Together, we can make a positive impact and help these incredible breeds find forever homes with the right families!

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  • 01
    Font - Posted by u/Cultural-Yellow-8372 3 days ago PSA: please do your research before buying a GS or Husky puppy
    via Cultural-Yellow-8372
  • 02
    Font - I currently volunteer as a dog walker at my local shelter and we've seen such a huge influx of purebred German Shepherds and Huskies VERY recently because people will buy them, decide it's not for them and then turn them in to a shelter while they're still puppies. They are incredible dogs for people that can take on the kind of work and dedication that those breeds need. Just, please for the love of god really analyze and determine if this kind of dog is for you. Do your research on what
    via Cultural-Yellow-8372
  • 03
    Font - slothkoji1992- 3 days ago I appreciate this post so much. I have had 3 huskies (currently have 2 as the third passed away last year). And they are amazing rewarding dogs but a TON of work. I've been a runner for 10 years and I get up at 5am to run them and then they get hiked, biked, walked, or ran after work. And this is everyday. During the winter they need it twice as much and we are out there in the snow and negative temperatures. They absolutely need to be worked, trained, and mental
    via slothkoji1992
  • 04
    Font - OnePoet6601 3 days ago This!! I used to really really want a GSD or Rottweiler but I knew I would absolutely not be getting one because their exercise needs are way too high for me. Funnily enough, I just adopted a (maybe GSD) rottie mix whos a senior. Best decision. So sweet and affectionate, and short, low impact exercise is what we do together. he's not a fan of running in his old age so the zoomies he gets are when he's on my bed and starts rolling around like crazy! If people are ins
    via OnePoet6601
  • 05
    Font - BBeck_03 3 days ago Thank you for this!! I have a few people in my life who go on about high needs breeds and have no business getting one. Like ok, you're never home and never had a dog and watched the movie Babe and now want a pure breed border collie who will live in a small apartment and be left alone 10 hours per day. (If done right and with lots of help it can work of course but please start with a less worky option first lol). I did notice our local shelters have a lot of high main
    via BBeck_03
  • 06
    Font - Barn Brat 2 days ago Nyx- 1 y/o belgian malinois I think it's important to research ANY breed to ensure a happy, healthy dog
    via Barn_Brat
  • 07
    Font - Durshka 2 days ago Wow. I can see that you're absolutely correct but it's shocking to consider that people would get a malinois on a whim! I have met mellow GSDs, and I know people get in trouble with huskies all the time.. but a malinois is a fucken weapon! Those things are dangerously smart and more like ninjas than calm companion. I can't imagine anyone thinking they can just leave one tied up in the back garden and it'll be fine!
    via Durshka
  • 08
    Rectangle - Cultural-Yellow-8372 OP 3 days ago Absolutely. I've heard that after 101 Dalmatians came out, there was a huge amount of Dalmatians that ended up in shelters because people had no idea about their temperaments until after they got them. Ugh
    via Cultural-Yellow-8372
  • 09
    Font - aping46052 3 days ago I agree and want to add Malinois to the list. I got one of mine from a breeder the other was a rescue. I think some people see GSD, Huskies or Mals in movies and on tv and all the see is all the cool things they can do and have no clue the amount of money, time and work that it takes to get them there. 1.4k Share ...
    via aping46052
  • 10
    Font - YoSocrates 3 days ago Even smaller dogs can be high energy. I see folk talk about shepherds a lot but my beagle/poodle cross puppy gives collies at the dog park a run for their money. Hounds and retrievers need a lot of exercise, even though they're quite dinky looking sizewise compared to what people usually think of as a high energy breed. Considering the amount of doodles out there, I'm always worried they're not getting the attention they need.
    via YoSocrates
  • 11
    Font - whatever0813- 3 days ago It's not only the research, people need to be honest with themselves! How often I have heard: yes I'm a couch potato but if I get an active dog everything will change! Well how often does that really happen? I actually had a talk like that last year. Friends wanted to get a German shepherd puppy and thought they where prepared because of their twice monthly hikes. They luckily started to go with me on my 1 hrs long evening walk with my little girl and only just th
    via whatever0813
  • 12
    Font - Latii_LT 3 days ago I'd add a bunch of dog breeds to this that are constantly in shelters as byb purebreds and mixes: Australian shepherds, Australian cattle dogs, border collies, pit bulls/Staffordshire terriers, American bull dogs, Pyrenees and now there is starting to be a surrender of malinois as well, majority of these dogs needs lots of specific training and socialization. Almost all of them are high maintenance as hell or need specific accommodations if they pulled from the environ
    via Latii_LT
  • 13
    Font - roxy031 3 days ago Totally agree. The shelter where I volunteer is also inundated with Husky and shepherd mixes (one of whom I adopted so I know firsthand how much work they can be). Super rewarding once all the work pays off, but most people are unwilling, unable, or unaware of the work required, so they end up at a shelter, which is so unfair to these dogs.
    via roxy031
  • 14
    Human body - rb2m 3 days ago I love Huskies. I want a Husky. But I know I don't have the right lifestyle for a Husky so I just admire from afar and watch Husky tantrum videos.
    via rb2m
  • 15
    Font - Rabid Bouncer 3 days ago As someone who adopted a shepherd husky cross at 9 weeks.. I can absolutely confirm this. I was SO unprepared for how much extra work these breeds need!! We powered through and made the best of it and she's now 6 and a very happy and well behaved girl but WOW I really didn't think I was going to make it so many times!!! Research the breed first!!! Don't be stupid like me!!!
    via Rabid Bouncer
  • 16
    Font - CaryWhit 3 days ago My gripe is these new transplanted Homesteaders that buy an acre or two in the country and turn a Pyrenees loose to guard their chickens. They have no idea how large of a territory these dogs choose to roam and become someone else's problem or dead on the road. Other misunderstood and subsequently surrendered are blue heeler/ACD's.
    via CaryWhit

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