(Hopefully) getting a dog tomorrow! - deciding which one

I posted a few months ago about getting a dog, but due to a few circumstances I have waited until now. I've been fostering for almost a year now, which I think makes it harder to choose one - I've loved so many briefly and then given them up (to be adopted, of course) that as silly as it sounds, I think I'm nervous about choosing one that will be mine forever. I am really wanting one of my own though, and I'm so excited I can't sleep. I'm looking for a dog who can go running, hiking, and to the dog park with me, and maybe do agility, but who doesn't have huge energy needs, since I live in an apartment and work full time. I'd also rather get a dog that's not dominant or aggressive, due to my personality (on the gentler side). I went to the local animal shelter today and found a dog listed as a husky, who I think is mixed with yellow lab. It's not a breed combo I had considered before, but she seems to be a really good fit for me. She is ~40 - 50 pounds, but thickly built (husky ). We went running for in the visitation area (only a few yards), and she seemed to really like it. She also seemed sweet and to have a fairly stable temperament. She's also bi-eyed, which I always think is neat (though far from a priority). We didn't totally bond, but I think that's hard in the shelter environment. The other dog I've been thinking about is this one: http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=10443487 - I love border collies, but obviously don't live in a farm, so I thought she might be a rare border collie that would fit my lifestyle. Unfortunately, she's at a shelter 1.5 hours away (maybe 2 or more with traffic), so I need to think if it is worth the trip tomorrow. I just had to share with someone. I know it's hard to say, but any thoughts on the matter?

Listen to your heart . . . . that's the best advice I can give you on this one

Thanks! That's what I need to do (as well as get to sleep). I think I'll decide tomorrow whether to go visit the dog at the other shelter, or just go visit the dog near my home again and decide if she's the one. I'm not sure why I'm so nervous. . .

You're nervous because your life is about to change

I think it's hard to know which dog will suit you best until you have them for a while. Since you've already fostered dogs, why don't you keep fostering until you find the one you just can't say no to?

If you're set on getting your very own right now, I would follow Renee's advice- listen to your heart. Picking a dog in an animal shelter situations is difficult even for experience temperament testers. They change so much once you bring them home. But, when you look in a set of eyes and melt, that doesn't tend to change. And it's not a bad starting point for a long term relationship

I thought I'd add you don't NEED a farm for a Border Collie. I live in a house with an unfenced yard so my dogs are never outside without me. They are two very happy Border Collies.

It's hard to know what dog is for you when in a shelter if you look at it logically. Dogs change so much once brought into your home. Go with a bit of heart, a bit of logic and with a bit of luck I'm sure you'll find your perfect dog.

Fallow you heart. I was going to adopt my foster Saddie but she had agression issues and were I was moving to it just wasnt a good idea. I miss her daily and in a way i regret it but she went to a great home who could handle her issues.

You'll know the right one ....good luck !!

i cannot see a border collie in an apt for that long and be happy. WHen i lived in an apt complex my neighbors had one. THat was a sad story. EIther way Good luck with your decision.

I agree, you don't need a huge yard, farm, land, etc to have a Border Collie and some do very well in apt. But biased on that you don't want a dog that needs alot of exercise, I personally, wouldn't go with the Border Collie.

Other than that, follow your heart like Renee said.

Thanks everyone! I decided to think about it a few days, since I'm undecided right now. It's hard where I live because there are soooooooo many homeless animals, unfortunately, and of course I'd like to save them all. I just saw this girl too - http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9959302 - who might be in danger of being put down.

I would take the dog running/rollerblading 3-8 miles in the morning and to the dog park or obedience most afternoons, plus hiking/camping on weekends, so some energy is definitely fine, but not something like a purebred border collie or cattle dog meant to herd cattle for hours on end, if that makes sense. I've had a foster dog that became much more energetic after a couple of weeks (she was heartworm positive, which I think slowed her down), so I definitely agree that it's hard to gauge temperament at a shelter.! I'll let you all know what I decide.

Wow, you're like super dog owner! If I were you, I'd take any prospective love to the vet to check hips and elbows and knees. If you are that active, make sure you pick a partner that can keep up with you.

I think most any eager dog (except for very small dogs) could handle that much exercise as long as it's fun and rewarding for them.

I have to put in a plug for coonhounds here. They do great with apartments as long as they get plenty of exersize. Ours is usually asleep on my bed if there is nothing going on, but is always ready to play at a moments notice. They are only a problem if underexersized. Ours gets about three miles next to a bike plus an hour at the dog park every day, and he is happy and in solid, muscular shape.

And there are tons of purebred coonhounds of all six varieties at southern shelters all the time. They are loyal, affectionate, and true clowns. One of the best kept secrets in the dog world.

Totally! I have a coonhound mix and he would love me if I could give him all that. He misses his 3 mile walks in the woods and everything else he got from country life but hes also fine laying around with jsut a quick romp in the backyard and some training work in the house during the summer when he cant go out much because of the heat.

I really like the approach you are taking in finding your next buddy.I really like the BC on the link.If it is a rare one that doesnt need a farm level of exercise,it might be a perfect fit to your expectations. 1.5 hours is driving is nothing commonyou can make it, sacrifise one saturday for a potential buddy

An eager dog that isn't orthopedically sound will have problems with that level of activity. At some point their own pain makes it not fun or rewarding.

Of course, but if I'm looking for a pet that is going to stay with me for the next 7+ years, I'm going to make sure it's health before I adopt him/her.

Thanks for all the advice! I ended up getting the lab/husky mix (Hannah, tentatively) on Saturday. The other dog I believe was adopted by someone else.

I went back to the shelter on Saturday to see the lab mix again. Unfortunately, she picked up kennel cough during the week, and was just laying in the run with another dog sitting on top of her. We went for a walk, and I just knew she was the one. So far, she is very calm and friendly. I pulled her as part of the rescue I work with, so she's not officially mine yet, but hopefully sometime this week.

Unfortunately, she's been getting sicker throughout the weekend. I have an appointment with the vet tomorrow evening, since it was closed for Easter. I'm getting worried, since she has barely eaten anything since Saturday save for a little canned food I handfed her, and is drinking lots of water. I got up with her about 45 minutes ago after she wet the crate (I think she was whining to be let out, but I thought it was part of a dream at the time), and she's started coughing up phlegm. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I hope she's okay.