Introduction1) Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?Nope! Grew up with dogs of several types, but more importantly currently have my first dog as an adult. She's a big ol mutt and is the absolute joy of my life.2) Do you have a preference for rescuing a dog vs. going through a reputable breeder?I will likely rescue, as I'm currently working with a rescue as a foster (also how I ended up with current dog). I want to get an idea for what breeds may work better/worse and am not closed off to the idea of breeder. I do have connections with a working line GSD breeder.3) Describe your ideal dog.Well my ideal dog is my current dog of course! BUT for my next dog I'm hoping for fairly high drive-definitely want to train and I love a dog who's fast, biddable to at least some extent, and fun to train. Also gotta be able to run with me a pretty good amount and enjoy the outdoors. Cuddles are a plus but not required. I don't do great with overly soft dogs.4) What breeds or types of dogs are you interested in and why?GSD-my bestie has one and is training in IPO. Having dogsat this guy he's a lovable goof and such a derp but heels like an absolute pro and is so driven when training time comes. Also a fan of feeling perpetually safe because no one messes with a scary looking GSD!ACD-I don't hate the smaller size. Transporting 30 lbs is just easier than 70. Good runners and outdoor buds. I know they're smart, but I don't have experience working with one. I have seen serveral come through my trainer's as reactive/aggression issues which scares me, but I believe this could be largely due to poor breeding and lack of exercise?Aussie- childhood favorite! Again love the train ability. However maybe too moody for me? Unclear on this.BC- love them for all reasons, but think I may not be able to fulfill their needsMalinois and dutchies-samesies.5) What sorts of things would you like to train your dog to do?Right now I do Rally with current dog. Would like to move into obedience or (depending on the dog) IPO. Also like agility and may give that a try. There will be lots of tricks because I'm a sucker for cool tricks. Would really like it to be able to run or bike with me and also be off leash in a forest/beach/whatevs.Care Commitments6) How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?Currently do ~30 mins play time in our big yard before work, and then after work I spend ~3-4 hours of hands on time. This isn't always training or focused time, but I'd say a min of 2 hrs focused and 10 mins training (try to keep it short, always do something and sometimes do much more). After that is couch time and current dog hops up with us.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?Currently the half hr of ball/tug/flirt pole/zoomies in the yard before work, and then at minimum an hr walk and usually a 3+mile run. Then more backyard time if she wants. Currently running 5 days a week so the other two are walks instead. I can up this especially during super active teen years, but would like to average out to about that. I'm not a dog park fan.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?I'm a big wash and wear fan. I'm fine with brushing and bathing at home, but I really would rather avoid needing the groomer or cuts. Am managing my current foster who's a husky but I hope to never have this much fluff in my life ever again.Personal Preferences9) What size dog are you looking for?Med-large. I'd say 20-80lbs. A big range I know but size isn't a huge deal for me.10) How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle?Fine with shedding (although husky foster is throwing me for a loop), slobber fairly minimum but not a big deal. Barking is okay but I don't want to make my neighbors hate me.11) How important is being able to let your dog off-leash in an unfenced area?Kinda important. I'm super careful and follow leash laws strictly so it's rare that I have the opportunity, but I love hiking and would like to be able to let them off when I can. I worked hard at recall with my current (husky mix) and she's good but I don't trust her if there's cats/small animals and would rather not be constantly worried with dog 2.Dog Personality and Behavior12) Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?Snuggles!13) Would you prefer a dog that wants to do its own thing or one that’s more eager-to-please?Eager for sure. Super over the husky (foster) I'll do what I want attitude.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 want alert barks but also for then to calm when I say it's ok. Current dog wants to greet everything on two legs and that's ok but slightly more laid back/apprehensive wouldn't hurt.15) Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs?No. Been there done that would rather not.16) Are there any other behaviors you can’t deal with or want to avoid?Leash/boundary reactivity. Running away at every chance, escape artist extraordinaire (looking at you, husky foster). Never being able to calm at night (my main worry about BCs etc). Ideally a lower prey drive than my current dog but not zero.Lifestyle17) How often and how long will the dog be left alone?This is my big thing. Currently my SO works from home about 4 days a week, but that could very well change in the future, and I have a typical gone 8.5 hrs job. So I want a dog that when adult can handle that much alone time.18) What are the dog-related preferences of other people in the house and what will be their involvement in caring for the dog?same as me, although I will be primary caretaker and trainer.19) Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets? What breed or type of animal are they?Current dog (@halliewiththeblueeyes on insta if you wanna fully evaluate my dogs lifestyle!) is a husky/lab/pit/boxer mix that looks like a catahoula but is not (I promise). Will likely not have other non-dog pets because she wants to eat anything that's small and moves.20) Will the dog be interacting with children regularly?No but needs to be able to.21) Do you rent or plan to rent in the future? If applicable, what breed or weight restrictions are on your current lease?Yes. I'd like to stay away from pit types for this reason as much as I love them. My current dogs DNA test showed pit but she doesn't look it so I get away with her.22) What city or country do you live in and are you aware of any laws banning certain breeds?No laws.23) What is the average temperature of a typical summer and winter day where you live?It gets HOT here. 100F plus very humid in the summer, 50s winter (southern US). Hoping to move to CA at some point where it will be less hot and not at all humid.Additional Information and Questions24) Please provide any additional information you feel may be relevant.I'm putting feelers out but I have plenty of time. I've only had current dog for 1.5 yrs so I want to give her at least 6 more months.25) Feel free to ask any questions below.N/A via /r/dogs http://ift.tt/2rgDWWH
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