Thanks to everyone for their responses. Lucy is DARLING, by the way. Unfortunately, I've encountered a hitch in my quest for a GSD-mix.

The apartment complex I just signed a lease for (college students sign leases for the following year ridiculously early...I just moved in to my current place in August!) prohibits German Shepherds, among other breeds (Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Chow chows, and Wolf-hybrids). It makes me really angry. I already posted about this, but breed-specific rules make no sense, especially in my case.

It's a tiny apartment community. They could easily check a dog's personality on a personal level. Out of 100 apartments, I doubt everyone will own a dog. Meeting the dog very quickly would be a much better indicator of personality than looking at a photograph.

I offered to show evidence of obedience classes (which I fully intend to enroll my dog in, regardless of breed) and pay an extra fee for my dog. The landlord said that I present a good argument, but he has to be consistent so that others won't want dogs that are prohibited. I say, who cares? If someone wants to own a breed of dog on the "ban list" and is willing to give the company more money and enlist in obedience classes, doesn't that benefit everyone? The obedience-trained dog will be better behaved than an untrained poodle/collie/any breed of dog with a good reputation.

I'll stop repeating myself, but I do have two short points. There's nothing on the policy about no mixes containing any of the aforementioned banned breeds. Loophole, perhaps? A clearly mixed dog can not be proven to have any particular breed in it. Which leads to my next point.

Of course breed does not indicate temperament, but appearance does not necessarily indicate breed, either. How many can tell a Staffordshire Bull Terrier from a Pit Bull? Similarly, how many can tell a Belgian Malinois from a German Shepherd? Can't I just tell them that my puppy is a Belgian Malinois mix? If I bring in a dog book and show them a convincingly German Shepherdesque picture of a Belgian Malinois, they will have no idea what to think and hopefully realize the stupidity of their policy.

If all else fails...can't I just dye it black and claim I have no idea what it is? I know I sound desperate, and I'm not going to reject a non-GSD puppy that is otherwise perfect for me because it doesn't fit my idea of the GSD I want, but still. If I find an amazing puppy, I don't want to have to sacrifice it for a stupid policy.