When we lived in Ohio (70 to 74) we had a pretty GS/Samoyed cross - coloring of the shepherd, but long hair & white chest. That was back in our "hipipie-dippie" days, so his name was PAX, Latin for "Peace".
Good luck in your search - had no idea they were expensive; our dog was from registered GS & registered Sam that a local farmer owned - he bred them on purpose & said they made great pets & farm helpers. Ours was the best price - free.
BTW, our anniversary is also in August - 8/29/70
Oh, when my hubby graduated from Kent State, his grad present was a new bird dog - registered Britainy Spaniel - had him for 15 years; so a GS for anniversary sounds great to me!