Ditto on the advice about a shelter dog, and don't shy away from a cross breed. He might be healthier. Because GS dogs have been popular for a long time, some of the less scrupulous breeders have not been careful about their bloodlines and frequently the result is hip dysplasia and other serious recessive traits. My brother-in-law had one with terrible problems. It was heartbreaking to see him go through all the expensive surgeries and still have problems.