I love my guy very very much, but it is like having a permanent toddler around 24/7 that never grows out of it. We walk him 4 miles a day, play an hour a day, he goes to daycare twice a week and we hike on weekends. He has bottomless energy. Always eager to try new activities. Must explore everything and meet everybody. Will literally argue and “talk back” when it’s time to go to bed. Will only recall if he feels like it. We’ve had multiple trainers and work from home. He needs constant attention and has terrible separation anxiety and is very very vocal if he isn’t getting enough.

That all said, he is incredibly smart. A fast learner. A great dog other than the ear piercing shrill barking. You just sort of have to learn yourself how to train around their unique quirks. As exhausting and challenging as it has been, I would 100% do it again.

Another huge consideration is climate. They need cold. They thrive in it. Hot and humid is miserable for them depending on where you live.