**Introduction**

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

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* Yes

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2) Do you have a preference for rescuing a dog vs. going through a [reputable breeder]( http://ownresponsibly.blogspot.com/2011/07/identifying-reputable-breeder.html)?

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* I prefer to rescue and have been refreshing Petfinder obsessively

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3) Describe your ideal dog.

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* Loves everyone (including cats), chill, curious, intelligent. Down for hikes and romps in the park but also cuddles on the couch.

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

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* Greyhounds, as I've heard that they are '45 mph couch potatoes.' Poodles, as they're super smart and hypoallergenic (my boyfriend, whom I don't live with, has some allergies). I think shepherds/shepherd mixes are absolutely adorable but don't know if they'd be a good fit for me.

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

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* Ideally I'd like to work with the dog to pass Canine Good Citizen training. Depending on the dog's personality, I would potentially explore having the dog become a therapy dog (though that may be a bit of a lofty ambition).

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6) Do you want to compete with your dog in a sport (e.g. agility, obedience, rally) or use your dog for a form of work (e.g. hunting, herding, livestock guarding)? If so, how much experience do you have with this work/sport?

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* No

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**Care Commitments**

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

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* 2-3 hours on weekdays, up to 5 on weekends. I'm very aware that getting a dog when stuck at home due to the pandemic could lead to separation anxiety when things go back to normal, so would plan to give the dog some alone time/crate train if recommended to try and avoid that.

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8) 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?

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* I was thinking two ~30-min walks per day plus 1-2 short round the block walks as potty breaks (I don't have a fenced in yard). I would also buy toys like a Kong and dog puzzles for mental stimulation. In warmer weather, I'd do bimonthly hikes. I would take the dog to the dog park weekly if recommended/safe for all concerned.

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9) 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?

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* I'm willing to do lots of regular brushing. I feel up to doing some basic grooming at home, but would realistically regularly go to the groomer.

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**Personal Preferences**

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10) What size dog are you looking for?

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* I love large dogs, but live in an apartment (1500 sq feet) with no fenced in yard and so I'm not looking into anything huge like a mastiff. I was thinking something in the 25-50lb range (with an exception for greyhounds, which I know are larger).

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11) How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle?

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* Shedding doesn't bother me. I'd like not to have lots of barking due to apartment living. Some slobber is fine.

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

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* Not very

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**Dog Personality and Behavior**

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13) Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?

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* Snuggly

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

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* Eager to please

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15) 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?

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* Totally fine if the dog alerts me to someone knocking, but people do come and go from my building so barking when anyone enters the front yard would be annoying (my downstair's neighbor's dog does this and it's a lot). I'd prefer my dog to be friendly to strangers/visitors, but not hyper excited and jumpy with them.

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16) Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs?

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* No

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

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* The dog would really need to be good with cats. Ignoring cats would be great, I don't need them to be best friends. I'd do very slow introductions but it would help me a lot if the dog didn't have a strong prey drive.

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**Lifestyle**

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

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* During the pandemic: 1-3 hours per day. During normal life: up to 6 hours.

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

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* My roommate has been very flexible and has not expressed any strong preferences, other than concern for her cat. She would not help with the dog though she does like dogs and I'm sure would be down to give any dog some pats. My boyfriend said he'd be interested in helping out with walks and training but day to day the dog would be my responsibility.

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

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* Any dog would have to be cool with my roommate's cat and my boyfriend's cat when at his place. No other dogs.

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21) Will the dog be interacting with children regularly?

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* No

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

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* Currently renting, no breed or weight restrictions

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

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* Midwest US, and not aware of laws banning certain breeds

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

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* It gets into the 20s during the winter and up to the 80s in the summer

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**Additional Information and Questions**

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25) Please provide any additional information you feel may be relevant.

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* I think a chill adult or senior dog would be a great fit! But I'm wondering if certain breeds or mutt mixes are more or less likely to be ok with cats. Shelters typically don't have that info available and it's my main concern. I've met two dogs now and have not adopted them because I could tell they were too high energy for me.

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26) Feel free to ask any questions below.

Besides basic info on health history and observed behavior, what other questions should I be asking at shelter meet and greets?