**Introduction**
1) Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?
* I grew up with dogs but none of them were "mine." I played with the family dogs a fair bit growing up. Been thru 2 Yorkies, 2 Shitzus, a Labrador, an English Bulldog, and the step bro even had a Wolf Hybrid back in the day that I got along with as long as I respected his space. Never trained a dog beyond getting the Bulldog to "speak" for bits of food.
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)?
* No preference, although I'd prefer a younger dog. Sure there's less variables in getting a clean-slate dog rather than one that might've been thru some shit I'm not equipped to rehabilitate.
3) Describe your ideal dog.
* I want a chill, low-energy companion that will still be alert and protective. If possible good with other dogs, just aloof of strangers unless I want the dog to trust them. Big enough to scare someone out of my truck or home. Mentioned low-energy because we'll be on the road a lot and I want them to be manageable and not a hazard while I'm driving, but I still want them to be down for walks and hikes when I'm home or on vacation. Don't mind barking until it's bedtime or I'm talking to someone or otherwise need to focus.
4) What breeds or types of dogs are you interested in and why?
* This is what I'm coming here for. When I take quizzes they recommend small lapdogs like Yorkies or Dachshunds, but I want something that will make me feel safer. But it seems like every medium-sized "protective" sorts of dogs are all "high-energy" and wouldn't be suited to chilling in the cab of a truck for hours and hours every day. I'm kinda leaning towards an English Bulldog because I loved our late one so much. Medium-sized, can be mean when necessary, perfect balance of energy and laziness for me. But he had a lot of health problems that are apparently prevalent with the breed.
5) What sorts of things would you like to train your dog to do?
* Come, stay, sit, lie down, shush when needed. The essentials I guess. Other than that being able to go on walks without a leash (maybe not at truck stops tho) would be cool, and shaking people's hands would be cute.
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?
* Nope. Just want a loyal buddy.
**Care Commitments**
7) How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?
* Would probably have little time to train, maybe 1-2 hours every other day. Perhaps more during a 34hr reset or days off tho. Otherwise I'd be giving pats and talking to it most the day.
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?
* Would probably have anywhere between 30 mins to a couple hours to walk around and play fetch if it's safe. Just depends on how much time I spend outside the truck during off-duty hours.
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?
* Whatever maintenance I could do weekly at most would be ideal otherwise I'd be paying for it to be done professionally probably.
**Personal Preferences**
10) What size dog are you looking for?
* Medium, somewhere around 40-50 pounds. Although if I can get a bigger one that'd be dope (see 22).
11) How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle?
* Don't mind barking if I can train it to shuttup when needed. Shedding I could clean, slobber would be a bit harder to manage. Gotta think it's a company truck so if it gets too dirty I'm gonna hear about it. I'd wager hair is easier to clean than slobber stains. Still willing tho.
12) How important is being able to let your dog off-leash in an unfenced area?
* If I could train it to do that it would be amazing, but I likely would keep it on a leash in sketchy places like truck/rest stops.
**Dog Personality and Behavior**
13) Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?
* Accept my affection when I give it, don't be too needy yourself tho. The driver side of the vehicle is off-limits for safety reasons so I can't have you jumping on my lap and stuff.
14) Would you prefer a dog that wants to do its own thing or one that’s more eager-to-please?
* Listen to me when needed otherwise have at it unless "it" is tearing up my stuff lol
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?
* Bark at strangers knocking until I shush you. Someone comes in our truck/home after hearing barking then they made their bed /shrug. Basically be aloof of anyone I don't formally introduce you to.
16) Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs?
* I'd prefer them be more trusting of other dogs than people but if I can't get one without the other then it's fine.
17) Are there any other behaviors you can’t deal with or want to avoid?
* Anything that would be unsafe to drive with. Excessive barking even after being shushed, coming to the driver side of the vehicle while we're in motion, trying to jump on me, etc.
**Lifestyle**
18) How often and how long will the dog be left alone?
* Would probably be with me almost all of the time. Maybe there will be times I'll want to go to a bar or hangout with friends in which case it'd be several hours/overnight. Prolly not that often though, we'll be busy working.
19) What are the dog-related preferences of other people in the house and what will be their involvement in caring for the dog?
* Nobody else. I mean ideally if I need a friend to watch it for whatever reason I'd like for that to be an option but ideally it'll be with me most of the time.
20) Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets? What breed or type of animal are they?
* Don't have any other pets.
21) Will the dog be interacting with children regularly?
* Not really at all.
22) Do you rent or plan to rent in the future? If applicable, what breed or weight restrictions are on your current lease?
* 40-50 pounds. Ideally if I can find a vet that would "weigh" a bigger dog in conveniently within my company's policy, that's a plus lol
23) What city or country do you live in and are you aware of any laws banning certain breeds?
* Arizona, not sure if there are bans on any breeds here. Also not sure how bans would affect interstate truckers.
24) What is the average temperature of a typical summer and winter day where you live?
* Summers can get in the mid 120s here, winters can get around 40-50. But again this is for a trucker's dog, so he'll see any weather he's willing to step outside the cab for.
**Additional Information and Questions**
25) Please provide any additional information you feel may be relevant.
* If there's any inconsistencies with my preferences or anything that yall feel I'll need to compromise on, whether it's energy-level or temperament or training time, please let me know. Idk how adaptable breeds are in general.
26) Feel free to ask any questions below.
