[Breeds] Considering my first dog

I grew up with dogs and have wanted one ever since I left my parents' house. I am finally moving into my own place, have a well paying job and work at home some days. Just starting the process of figuring out if I can provide a good home for a dog of my own, but only experienced with gundogs so looking for input!

Introduction

1. Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?

• It will be my first dog, but my family have had working gundogs (primarily English Springer spaniels) my whole life, several of which I've been involved in training from puppies, and I regularly take care of them if my parents are away. Those dogs have been model dogs - well behaved, calm, happy, healthy, well exercised. So I would say I am more experienced than most first timers.

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

• I don't have a preference - ideologically I'd prefer a rescue but I think getting the right dog is more important and obviously I would have more choice with breeders.

3. Describe your ideal dog.

• I would like a small dog (I need to be able to carry it and) that can both live in an apartment and be left alone, as well as join in my fairly active life outside of work.

I'm very experienced with spaniels and Labradors but not the smaller and non-working breeds, so want to know if there's one that would be happy with my lifestyle.

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

• I'm looking for suggestions! Lifestyle fit is most important.

5. What sorts of things would you like to train your dog to do?

• All the basics (sit, stay, come, fetch, heel, leave it) and then maybe more if it's smart and motivated, but I'd be happy with the above only. I won't be doing dog dancing, agility, or using it as a gun dog etc.

Care Commitments

6. How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?

• Outside of the walks below, about an hour a day when it's young, and then include that time in walks as it gets older and needs less training.

7. How long can you exercise your dog each day, on average? What sorts of exercise are you planning to give your dog regularly and does that include using a dog park?

• I'd ideally like a dog that can do 45-60 mins jog in the morning, a 30-60mins walk at lunchtime (though this may be a dog walker rather than me), and a 30-60mins walk to the park to throw a ball/play/do training in the evenings.

At the weekend I'd like to take it on longer walks (e.g. a couple of hours) and every few weeks take it along on hikes (not hardcore - maybe a few hours over the course of a day?).

8. How much regular brushing are you willing to do? Are you open to trimming hair, cleaning ears, or doing other grooming at home? If not, would you be willing to pay a professional to do it regularly?

• Happy to brush it a couple of times a week and pay for a professional to do everything else as much as needed.

Personal Preferences

9. What size dog are you looking for?

• Small - I would like to be able to comfortably carry it.

10. How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle?

• I'd prefer as little as possible of all three, but barking must be minimal as I live in a flat.

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

• I would like to be able to.

Dog Personality and Behavior

12. Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?

• Somewhere in the middle? I'd be sad if it never wanted to sit on my lap, but don't necessarily want it to follow me from room to room. Other than that not too bothered.

13. Would you prefer a dog that wants to do its own thing or one that’s more eager-to-please?

• Again, somewhere in the middle. I'd like it to be eager enough to please that I could get it very well trained and behaved, but otherwise not bothered.

14. How would you prefer your dog to respond to someone knocking on the door or entering your yard? How would you prefer your dog to greet strangers or visitors?

• I'm not looking for a guard dog at all and would be happy for it to ignore visitors.

15. Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs?

• No.

16. Are there any other behaviors you can’t deal with or want to avoid?

• I'd like to avoid destruction, jumping up, biting and separation anxiety, but I appreciate most of those are about environment/training rather than the dog itself.

Lifestyle

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

• This is the difficult part: I will be in the office up to four days a week (I work at home the rest of the time). However I will have someone come to walk the dog at lunchtime, so up to five hour stretches, twice a day, up to four times a week.

18. What are the dog-related preferences of other people in the house and what will be their involvement in caring for the dog?

• My boyfriend is on board, loves dogs and it excited to be involved, but the dog will ultimately be my responsibility (i.e. I am planning based only on my time and finances).

19. Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets? What breed or type of animal are they?

• Not at the moment. However I would like it to be comfortable around other dogs as my family and my partner's family are all dog owners and I would want to bring my dog on visits.

20. Will the dog be interacting with children regularly?

• No.

21. Do you rent or plan to rent in the future? If applicable, what breed or weight restrictions are on your current lease?

• Own my flat. No restrictions.

22. What city or country do you live in and are you aware of any laws banning certain breeds?

• UK - Pit Bulls, Argentinian and Brazilian Mastiffs, and Japanese Tosas (or anything that could be mistaken for one of the above) is banned unless you have a specific exemption. Not interested in those dogs anyway.

23. What is the average temperature of a typical summer and winter day where you live?

• I think around 20° and 5°, can get up to ~30° and down to freezing. Not extreme at all.

Additional Information and Questions

24. Please provide any additional information you feel may be relevant.

• I appreciate that working away from home four days a week is not ideal, even with a dog walker coming in at lunchtime, and am willing to compromise on almost everything above to find a dog that will be okay with that. My job does mean that money is not really a problem re: vet bills, walkers, trainers if needed, etc.

25. Feel free to ask any questions below.

• N/A