"allygat0r07" wrote in message
...
Next year is the
first year that I will actually be living in a dog-friendly apartment
with a dog-friendly roommate.

Like Matt, my concern is that you need to look further ahead than next year.
There are cities that are more dog-friendly than others and in some places
it can be difficult to find an apartment that will allow pets. Having one
can limit your housing options and you have to be prepared to handle that.

You also need to consider how much time you will have in the beginning
months and years of a career. My daughter went from college to grad school
and now - at almost 30 - is finally living in a place and at a place in her
career where she can start to consider getting a dog. The twelve hours days
have ended and even when they do happen, she has the freedom to go home for
a while. (Or some places even allow your well-mannered dog to come to the
office with you - depends on the situation.) Dogs DO get in the way
sometimes - and that is true for all of us. Just know what your trade-offs
will have to be. Sometimes on Friday evening, you're going to be at the dog
park while all your friends are going out for pizza. Your dog is going to
be very happy about this. You need to be sure that you will share at least
some of his happiness.

Retrievers appeal to me a lot. I would probably go with a lab over a
golden because the tumbleweeds of golden hair rolling across my house
were a little much.

I've lived with labs and I've spent weekends with goldens. I don't see much
difference in the amount of shedding. Labs are *incredible* shedders.
Shorter hairs than goldens but prodigious shedders nonetheless. You would
probably be amazed at the ability of the average beagle to match them for
shedding abilities. Some breeds with longer hair may actually shed less.
And shorter hairs work their way into material (your couch, for instance)
much more firmly than longer ones. Just know that whatever you get, dog
hair always has to be dealt with one way or another.

I really like
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, but I hear they're a lot more
hyper than labs and goldens. Is this true?

And much more difficult to find and afford. The "more hyper" part is more
likely true than not. Even the average one is a dog that needs to have a
job.

This might seem like I'm going in an entirely different direction, but
I am also interested in Boston Terriers. I have a few questions about
them. I love their size and the fact that they act like a big dog in a
small package, but can I exercise with them as I would a retriever?

Although they are not as "bad" as some other breeds, if you are anyplace
where there are warm seasons, I'd think you have to make some exercise
adjustments during warmer weather.

My golden would run out
of the house at any opportunity.

You can train the dog so that this does not happen. (Certainly with a
golden.) Plan to take some beginning classes in dog/puppy obedience as soon
as you get your dog. These will help you more than you can ever imagine.
(Training you to train the dog.) And, what the heck, it's time spent with
your dog. And it will make all the days of your life with the dog MUCH
better.

I also have not ruled out adopting from a shelter...that's what I hope
to do, actually.

A wonderful idea. And (I think Matt mentioned this also) definitely
consider an older dog. Puppies take a lot of time and have immature
bladders. And there are all those puppy issues and teenaged dog issues to
work through. Getting a dog that is past all that gives you a little jump
start. And they are usually more settled and therefore find it easier to
handle longer separations than puppies can.

In general, the best, first question to ask yourself when you are
considering a dog (and/or a breed) is "what do I see myself doing with the
dog?" Consider what you expect to happen in an average day with your dog
and your life. You have started to do some of this and that's a great
start.

Always a good site to visit, take a look at www.dog-play.com There is a
wealth of information there. With a lot of very valuable links.

~~Judy