**Introduction**
- Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?
*No. I’ve trained many dogs basic commands like sit, stay, down, plus house and crate training through foster care. I have no experience with hunting breeds though.
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)?
* Prefer rescue; I’ve found hunting dog specific rescues.
3) Describe your ideal dog.
* Trainable and biddable in the field and polite at home. Independent enough to be ok while I work. Athletic enough to work with me during the hunting season but not crazy during the off season. Cuddly, but not pushy about it!
4) What breeds or types of dogs are you interested in and why?
* Bird hunting dogs specifically, for chukar, quail, pheasant, and grouse in the Western US. Flushing breeds seem easier to train than pointing breeds with potentially more manageable energy. In particular, Labrador retrivers, Brittany spaniels, and English setters, as I’ve read they tend to be more manageable than Germanic breeds like German shorthair pointers.
5) What sorts of things would you like to train your dog to do?
* Sitting, staying, crate and house training, paddle boarding and swimming, and some fun but not utilitarian tricks like waving or rolling over. In addition I’d like to train them to find, point or flush wild game birds, and retrieve them.
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?
* Yes! Hunting and maybe field trials for fun, but not necessarily to win. I have no experience training or using bird dogs to hunt, but I have a few years experience bird hunting.
**Care Commitments**
7) How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?
* I work pretty strictly 8am-5pm with an hour break midday, but I can commit 1.5-2 hours per day training, playing, etc. but often more, but low intensity.
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?
* Easily an hour a day. Fetch, cycling, and during the season, hunting. No dog park, just large off leash areas at state parks.
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?
* A few times a week or before/after hunt brushing. Prefer not to trim but can do other grooming.
**Personal Preferences**
10) What size dog are you looking for?
* Medium-large. As small as a Brittany, as large as an an English setter, roughly.
11) How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle?
* I don’t mind shedding but consistent barking could be an issue. Prefer not too much slobber - some is ok, but I’m used to about a border collie mix worth of these.
12) How important is being able to let your dog off-leash in an unfenced area?
* Incredibly for exercise and working.
**Dog Personality and Behavior**
13) Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?
* Both. Snuggly but not pushy about it and happy to lay down or stretch out alone.
14) Would you prefer a dog that wants to do its own thing or one that’s more eager-to-please?
* Eager to please preferred!
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?
* Barking unless commanded not to. Not aggressive though! Family visits from out of state once a year and can be imposing for our current dog already.
16) Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs?
* No. Aggression with our dog or family dogs won’t be tolerated.
17) Are there any other behaviors you can’t deal with or want to avoid?
* Avoid people and dog aggression. Avoid separation anxiety if it’s a risk with my work schedule.
**Lifestyle**
18) How often and how long will the dog be left alone?
* Almost every day. Up to 8 hours in an outdoor kennel if weather permits, but I work 8am-5pm and come home at lunch. That’s 4 hours x2 minimum per day.
19) What are the dog-related preferences of other people in the house and what will be their involvement in caring for the dog?
* My wife wants a dog that is pleasant in the house primarily. She will help with feeding and such, but not as much training.
20) Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets? What breed or type of animal are they?
* Border collie mix right now.
21) Will the dog be interacting with children regularly?
* In the next few years most likely.
22) Do you rent or plan to rent in the future? If applicable, what breed or weight restrictions are on your current lease?
* Not renting - no breed or weight restrictions.
23) What city or country do you live in and are you aware of any laws banning certain breeds?
* Southwest Idaho. No laws.
24) What is the average temperature of a typical summer and winter day where you live?
* Summer can be over 100 Fahrenheit although on those days we work with our dog and fosters accordingly - usually in the mid 90s. Winter, in the 30s and 40s.
**Additional Information and Questions**
25) Please provide any additional information you feel may be relevant.
* I’m mostly trying to feel out the daily work requirements for breeds, as this is my first working dog. If it doesn’t work out that is perfectly ok too.
26) Feel free to ask any questions below.