#apartment and exclusively use public transit (the fab 3 would also struggle a bit with this since they are mid-large(

[jimmystrudel]

5 year dog plan updates: I think I've identified a breed (and 3 potential breeders), I have more clearly figured out what I don't want and what my life style will not fit and most important I need more experience with dogs in general

#so over a year ago i started doing research on owner training a service dog and i was in contact with a GSD breeder who had a puppy left #over from their last litter who was very hamdler engaged (this obviously fell through because i realized i was just too short on time before #uni and now knowing more about temperaments and genetics i wouldn't go gsd but this was a great breeder) #with what i know know i a) do not want a herding breed it would be incredibly overwhelming and b) would prefer a medium sized dog (if i find #a poodle or lab breeder I'm obsessed with I'd still go that route unfortunately my fav poodle breeder with multi sd's in their line/ #offspring is in Arizona and that's basically a no go #my favourite dogs are mid sized gun dogs which do not make good prospects (see the stinky girl in her window bird watching rn) i also have #tons of experience with a Brittany spaniel and know my personal dream dog is very similar (slightly lower energy and prey drive) which puts #show-line English springer spaniels as the breed I'd be happy with and while they do great as police sniffer dogs and therapy dogs there #aren't tons as service dogs because they can be too high energy and unfocused (i know that their energy would not be a big issue if we #create good settling habits) and i really appreciate them being soft mouthed for certain tasks and my apartment is very close to tons of #river paths so we are good for breed specific enrichment and fun #i just really want more dog sitting experience and to sit in on training sessions with other people over the next few years #because I've stalked ess breeder who is so transparent and has tons of show experience and does incredible socialization #they would also just be really good people to talk to about the breed #i just there are reasons the popular breeds are popular but i find herding dogs incredibly overwhelming and labs and goldens put everything #in their mouths and end up sick from it (I've also mcas reactions after petting all the goldens in my neighborhood) #and poodles are smarter than me and i am a low maintenance grooming girl (i could handle shave done with poms though) #i have no poodle experience outside badly bred Doodles #of popular breeds the one I'd work best with is a bernese mountain dog but they are a grooming challenge and I'm going to live in a smallish #apartment and exclusively use public transit (the fab 3 would also struggle a bit with this since they are mid-large(