TFA101

well, I have at least 7 years until adulthood, and I have my possible career and home laid out already, but aside from a 55 gallon community, I want a dog as a companion. I'm stuck between a few choices. What's your opinion?

Annadvn

Depends on a few things.

1. what size house/appartment do you have?
2. How active are you, some breeds need more exercise than others?
3. How much money do you want to spend? (pedigree or rescue mutt)

Anna

TFA101

well, I'm planning on maybe a single story house, and I love walking my dog that I have right now

(this poll is for my future, I'm only 13)

pinkfloydpuffer

I said beagle, cause I think they are adorable and always wanted one myself

Annadvn

I say not border collie.

I have 7 of them in England, and they all worked my sheep and did agility and obedience to keep them stimulated. They are active 24/7 in energy and with the brain (they are quick to learn good and bad!) They live with my mum and dad now and still do all the activities (2 much to ship them all to America). I have one deaf border collie now and i cant remember how i kept up with 7!!

I think a golden retriever would be great (well that's my choice)

I'm not keen on beagles, and rough collies take too much work keeping their coat good.

Anna

(lots of things can change in 7 years)

Pandora

I always say beagle! I've had one for the past 13 years, and she's still young and spry as a pup. She's incredible at agility, though training has taken some patience, but she's smart and eager to work for bribes (positive reinforcement with food is by far the most effective way to train a chow hound like a beagle... no matter what you might hear, dogs do not become dependent on them to work, treats are for training a new behaviour, you dont' have to feed em every 5 steps once they know what they're doing... she now gets a cookie when she finishes a course, more frequent treats when we're doing exercises in class)
My favourite thing about the beagle, though, is that she's always ready and eager to go when you are... a small dog that can hike all day with you, and easily go as long as you can, but when you're lazing around on the couch, your beagle is quite pleased to laze around with you. I've found her to be incredibly easy to live with, and overall a great dog.

MousePotato

I am partial to labs, but golden retrievers are very similar, so I chose them. I think beagles are adorable and intelligent, but all that baying makes my hair curl!

Lucy

I have to agree with Anna. It depends on your life style when you get older.
Some breeds require more than others.

When I was (ahem) younger, I liked to take off at moments notice. I had a shih tzu that was extremely smart and well behaved. I could take him anywhere.

After he passed I got another one who barked his fool head off and was dumb as a door nail, sweet dog, but oh so dumb and loud.

Red1313

I love border collie's but unless you can either have them sith you 24/7 or you have a job for them I think that they're somethnig that you should avoid. As for your other choices like said above, it depends on what your lifestyle will be like. I'd wait to make any decisions till then.

TFA101

I've come to a descision. My Maggie (golden retriever) has been such a good girl to me. I'm considering a golden retriever now. I found out my dog companion, now to get my tank stock straightened out.