I'm a fifteen-year-old girl who has chosen the path of a dog for companionship. However, it's becoming increasingly apparent that adopting a pup right now is unrealistic, and that many of the breeds I am interested in are high-maintenence. I need to know the truth, but because of my unique situation, hard facts about the breeds are just not enough.

I live alone with my mother (my parents are separated and my older sister is in college). I am homeschooled, so I am home every day. I am also suffering from extremely severe depression, which is one of many reasons I'm seeking out an animal friend. I am not very active as I have been bed-ridden until just recently (I have taken up exercising each day). I work with the neighborhood and shelter dogs very frequently, and am extremely confident in my ability to establish myself as pack leader. I live in a house which is quite large for only housing two people, but I have only a small backyard. A fifteen-minute walk from my house through the trail in the woods leads to a large park frequented by dog owners. My mother is still learning about dog behavior, but is warming up to the process. Since I am a fledgeling witch and plan on making this animal my magickal partner (which only means I will bond extremely close to it, and it will have many dog-safe jobs such as helping me to identify plants), there will be no lack of mental stimulation.

I have suffered the loss of ownership of a hedgehog as a girl, so I know that getting into even a small pet without being able to handle the responsibility is no laughing matter. I consider the dog's happiness as a higher priority than my own, so I will not adopt recklessly, I assure you. I will only begin looking for an animal partner when I know I can give the creature the utmost happiness and care.

My worries are that I will be unable to provide adequate exercise, and that the dog's life may change dramatically when I leave for college. As a child, I understand that primary responsibility for the animal's happiness cannot fall upon me, and it would not be kind to the animal to let it live with a mother who cannot love it much as I will as a family pet. I feel that we can adapt to this problem, but the exercise problem seems bigger.

The breeds we are considering are German Shepherds, Blue Heelers, Border Collies, and Caanan Dogs. However, most of these breeds require extensive exercise--the Blue Heeler in particular, I have learned, has not been worn out a single time since man bred him. We have no large yard; we have no pool; we have no treadmill or intense exercise routines that we follow. In addition, this is our first dog. We also have a cat in the house, but we are not concerned about his ability to socialize with the proper dog.

I apologize greatly for the lengthy question, but I hope it may help someone willing to give me advice. I'm willing to hear "no;" while I think the addition of a pup will enrich my life, this should come at no expense to the pup himself, and as a first-time dog owner and a child I can only reach so far toward the stars.

Thank you very, very much.

Your only 15? WOW :D
I'm sure some one will be helping you out here very soon! Some times with the time difference you have to wait for some good answers. :)

Why is it that you want those particular breeds? You seem like a surprisingly mature young girl but I do feel that the you need right dog for the right reasons.
You should probably consider a much more low energy breed if you are concerned with not being able to exercise him/her.

Dogs with a Low Demand for Exercise, Dogs that will exercise themselves (http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/exerciselow.htm)

http://www.dog-breed-facts.com/

A lot of these are smaller dogs which could work towards your advantage. It would be a lot easier to find an apartment that allows a smaller dog if you chose to take the dog with you when going to college. On that note some breeds of dogs are better off being left alone for short periods then others. That is something else to take into account.

I have considered Norwegian Elkhound-sized dogs, but unfortunately those dogs tend to be yappy or high-maintenence in other areas, and I find that most of the high intelligence dogs are also high-energy, since most of them are working dogs.

I know I can give at least a walk through the trails in the woods every day, in addition to mental and physical stimulation indoors and in the backyard. Obedience is my main concern with the dogs I've chose, but I also feel a certain "vibe" from them, which I can admit is a selfish reason. Still, I don't jump at the idea of adopting a dog I don't "click" with right away as I would be living with the fear of seeming to "outgrow" the dog and lose interest... I am planning on getting a mixed breed any way, because these dogs are a bit large and my mum finds the size intimidating.

The main "job" of this dog is to be less of a pet and more of a partner, to be at mine or my mother's side in all the things we do all day, and be a part of the family (including some activities that will really test its patience, like learning to communicate with body language and rest with a human during sleep or meditation). Due to my depression, we see the dog as an asset to go be social--to go to dog parks, puppy classes, and pet stores very regularly. Still, how much is truly enough? Can I satisfy a moderately active breed with a half-an-hour walk (up and down a hilly trail, mind you), some doggie aerobics, and some indoor play each day?

Most "this-is-how-you-should-exercise-your-dog" advice is so vague and says "at least one walk a day." Still, I'm also concerned with my mum's ability to exercise the dog more than mine. She walks every day for her own fitness, and packing water bottles on the dog with a vest would make for some extra lifting, but I certainly can't guarantee any swimming or rock climbing every day, even with me home.

Have you checked into getting a service dog?

How about a lab mix, I had one for my seizures. Their goofy antics will also help with your depression. Labs mix well with humans and are highly attached to you and if you get a rescue one loyal to a fault. I just lost my Buddy in Nov. He was a rescue and the best dog I ever had. He also did not need lots of exercise as he was an older dog not a puppy.

They have lab mixes up to their eyeballs at the local shelter where I volunteer... that's a good idea. Maybe I should ask the people who work at the shelter how much exercise an individual dog should have each day, since they work with them? Unfortunately the heaven-on-earth shelter I volunteer at doesn't train their dogs--at least, I don't think so--so that'd be a bonus I'd miss out on.

Are there any ways to integrate extra exercise into everyday activities to ensure I would give a dog the best care?

I mean, there's no way I'd even try to go for a Blue Heeler, however lazy the individual was. Still, I'm not sure how much is enough for active dogs... all general information on the net is so vague.

I had an idea. You seem very bright and can see the bigger picture. What I feel may be a great option is adopting a dog for seeing eyes for the bind. You raise a puppy, train and take him everywhere. Then when it is complete a year or so... they go to someone in need... then you can always have another.

Good thought but I think it would be a bad idea for someone with depression to get attached to a dog only to have to give it back.

Wow, I can't believe that you are 15, you are very articulate and seem to have a very good head on your shoulders.

Since you are concerned about energy levels in the dog you decide to adopt, I'd say go for an older lab, 2 - 5 years old.

Labs are very easy going dogs, adapt well to most households, are very intelligent and affectionate and do well with just one walk a day.

All dogs will need some exercise, it's a matter of getting a dog that works for you.

I live in Edmonton, on of the things I love about our shelter is the fact that they give tons of info on the dogs up for adoption so that you can choose the one that best fits your lifestyle.

If you tell me the general area that you live I'll try my best to find you a few rescue dogs to consider for adoption.

It's nice to hear a 15 year old that is considering a shelter dog instead of a puppy, big hugs to you, so many shelter dogs get put to sleep every years, I'm sure you'd give one of them a great home.

Some good thoughts here!

I can only speak for myself but my first reaction is, Greyhound. These dogs are considered the 40-mile-an-hour couch potato, not needing much exercise at all. They love to just sit around with you. The one I had, a rescue, was a joy to go on walks with. They especially love to be with humans and other Greyhounds. Three cups of food per day is affordable too. Tracks where they are bred and kept for racing frequently euthnaize them...

My second thought is a Chihuahua or a mix. I have three Chihuahuas. Only one yaps when people walk into the house. If I quiet her immediately, she is silent. Some people consider them small, yappy rats. Not true. They are the most intelligent dogs I have ever trained.

I am working with all of them to find plants. One consistently alerts me to mushrooms and can find, and tell me that she has found Yarrow and Dragon's Blood (Herb Robert.) Additionally, a small fenced yard is plenty of room for them. They do have the habit of latching on to one or two humans. When you go away to school, your mom's lap would fill the void.

I don't know about the greyhounds... while some can be couch potatoes, they are bred to run... and run and run and run!

My opinion is a laborador, very sweet loving dogs and they don't need an excessive amount of exercise.

We have miniature poodles who are adorable, one is pretty active but very easy to train. The other one wouldn't understand the word exercise lol They are extremely loyal to their master. Only down side to them though is the grooming.

Let me set the record straight about Greyhounds. They have been bred for a very long time. The breed is fine-tuned for speed, health and good behavior. The pups are born in a small kennel with their mom who is only let out of this space twice a day. A track has as many as 100 dogs, all in small cages. A dog is raced every third day, and yes, they can get up to 39 miles per hour.

You would think that exercise is a must. Not true. Two moderate walks a day is fine. A securely fenced yard is a must though, because they are sight hounds. If the dog is free, and sees something it "needs" to chase... They are running away from their humans. In three strides a Greyhound can hit 30 MPH.

Yep, got to watch sighthounds, especially around any smaller animals.

simoneaugie agrees: True. Mine learned to leave the cats alone, assertive cats. But due to my negligence we lost a senegal parrot. She adored my Chihuahuas, some Greyhounds do not like smaller dogs.

Yeah sorry if that sounded a bit blunt (I just re-read the posts), I wasn't saying they were all like that. Sorry to hear about your parrot too :(

Breed Selector, Dog Search, Puppy Survey, Puppy Test, Test to find the right dog, Breed Quiz (http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm)

Here's something for you that might help you find the right breed.

Good quiz Silver...

My number one was a labradoodle even though I put purebred though :rolleyes:

Cool quiz I liked it , the quiz gave me 42 different breeds to consider.

Interesting quiz. For Kiragira I'd suggest something along the lines of a Bulldog. Small, independent, but very loyal. They take a long time to train but they don't forget. I applaud the rescue/shelter concept, too.