[Breed] What type of dog breed should I get?

What role is your dog expected to fill and how do you envision your dog fulfilling that role?

• My mom suggested it. She wants a social, loving animal that can help her when she's feeling down (she has depression). We have a cat already and it is actually quite social but I think she wants something that will show a bit more unconditional love. Also she's 50 and doesn't exercise at all, so I'm hoping having a dog will at least force her to take walks once in a while. I'm in my 20s and enthusiastic about playing with and exercising dogs, I know that I'll be walking the dog most of the time.

What experience do you have owning dogs? How about training dogs? Have you been the primary caregiver of a dog before? If yes, what breed(s)? What is your experience with puppy or senior dog care?

• No experience training or taking care of dogs. I've walked dogs before with friends and relatives, that's about it. My most noteworthy experience with them was when two of my aunt's dogs attacked a goat and I had to peel them off it.

Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets? If so, what breed/type, age, and sex are they?

• I have a female cat. She's a year and a half old. I'm not entirely sure about the breed, the shelter said it was a tabby but I just looked it up and apparently that's not a real breed. She's pretty social and energetic. A bit aggressive sometimes (i.e biting my feet when she wants to play)

Do you have children or are you planning on having children? Do you often have children as visitors, such as nieces, nephews, cousins, or friends' children?

• No young children in my household.

Do you rent or will you be renting in the future? If so, what breed or weight restrictions are on your lease? What type of building do you rent (condo, apartment, high-rise apartment, townhome, single-family home, etc)?

• A 4 bedroom detached house, decently big. I have a big backyard too but there's a pool in the middle. Lots of large 50 year old trees as well. Single family home.

What breeds or types of dogs are you interested in and why?

• I took a few online quizzes and Boston Terrier was the one common dogs on all of them. And I think Corgis are really cute, personally.

Who lives in your household and who will be responsible for taking care of the dog? How do the other members of the household feel about having a new dog?

• I live with my mom and dad primarily. My brother is home about 4-8 months every year. Similarly with my grandma, although she is supposed to live with us full time at some point.

How often do you have visitors to your home?

• Once every 2 weeks at least, much more often in the summer

Do you have a preference for rescuing a dog vs. going through a knowledgeable and reputable breeder?

• I adopted my cat from a shelter so I do have some experience with that. I know behaviour is much more important with dogs though, so I'm leaning towards getting it from a breeder.

Do you want a puppy, a young adult (1-3 years), an adult, or a senior? Why?

• A puppy or young adult I think. Just because they're cute...

What size dog are you looking for? Here is a size chart for your convenience.

• 24 " and lower. I want a dog my mom can handle and that won't knock my grandma down. Also a breed that can cuddle with my mom or sit on her lap.

How much barking is too much barking?

• I would prefer a quiet dog. Dogs that bark whenever someone's at the door really annoy me.

How much regular brushing are you willing to do?

• I brush my cat every day, I wouldn't mind doing the same thing with dogs (I'd imagine a dog would be much easier too, my cat gets really fidgety). Ditto with clipping nails.

How much shedding do you think you can handle? Some breeds of dogs shed more than others. Some breeds don't shed, but require trimming or other coat maintenance instead.

• I can handle a little shedding

Are you open to trimming your dog's hair, cleaning ears, clipping nails, or doing other grooming at home? If not, would you be willing to pay a professional to do it regularly?

• Hoe often is regularly? I don't know if I could shave a dog but I'm willing to try.

How do you feel about slobber? What about farts?

• Slobber is gross, farts are tolerable

How eager-to-please or independent do you want your dog to be?

• A dog that likes cuddling and is very loving. So eager to please I suppose.

What sorts of training do you want your adult dog to have?

• I don't know much about this. I just want a pet though, nothing to take to competitions.

Is there any behaviour you can’t accommodate?

• Barking when people are at the door, attacking my cat, jumping on top of dining tables/kitchen counters and destroying furniture

How important is being able to let your dog roam off-leash in an unfenced area?

• If it's important for the dog I can take it to dog parks. There isn't any problem finding any in the my city, I live near one.

What kinds of exercise are you planning to give your dog regularly, and how long/how often?

• I'm a runner and cyclist, I can give my dog lots of exercise that way. My parents like to take long walks as well.

How much time can you spend engaged with your dog each day, not including exercise time?

• I don't leave the house much except for school and work, so most of the day

Where will the dog be kept when alone and where will the dog sleep?

• A crate I guess? I can buy a bed for it too. I don't really know much about this

How often and for how long will the dog be left alone?

• I'm at home most of the day, just have a few university classes in the afternoon. My dad has a normal 9-5 job and my mom owns her own business and works quite a bit. My grandma will be home all the time.

If needed, could you hire a dog walker, pay for doggy day care, or come home during lunch to take care of your dog?

• Preferably not I can if necessary

What is the general location in which you live? You can decline to answer, but responses will likely assume you’re somewhere in the US without breed-specific legislation (BSL).

• Ontario, Canada

What is the average temperature of a typical summer day where you live? A typical winter day? Please indicate Celsius or Fahrenheit and the climate of places you may likely live in the future.

• The summer it's usually between 15 and 20°C (59-70F), in winter it's usually between 0 and -10°C (32-10F). But in my country we have heated everything, good insulation in homes, etc.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how prepared are you to care for a dog and prioritize its well-being over your career, entertainment, or other life choices for the next 12 or more years? What are your plans for your dog in case of a dramatic lifestyle change?

• Well I'd leave my dog with my parents in case I decide to move or change my lifestyle drastically. They're probably not going to move or change their lifestyles

Are you aware of the costs associated with dog ownership on an average annual basis? Have you budgeted for additional emergency veterinary care and/or pet insurance?

• I have no clue. Money is not a big issue for my family though.