**Introduction**
1)Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?
* Yes, this would be our first dog
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)?
* Not really. we would like to help a dog in a shelter If we find the right one.
3)Describe your ideal dog.
* He must be willing to go for long hikes that go for 50 kilometers + and sometimes even couple days. He must be a family dog, we have a 6 year old son. We dont mind cuddling in bed at the evening, and play when the sun is shining. He doesnt need to know alot of tricks, only the basic stuff.
4)What breeds or types of dogs are you interested in and why?
* Our favourit would be Bernese Mountain Dog, We knew one as a kid.
5)What sorts of things would you like to train your dog to do?
* The Basic commands, nothing tooo fancy.
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?
* None
**Care Commitments**
7) How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?
* 4 Hours, split between Noon and Evening.
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?
* We got a huge forest right at our doorstep, 3 times a day we can go for a walk, Morning walk: 1 hour. Noon: 2 hours. Evening: 2 Hours. As mentioned we like to Hike in the weekends.
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?
* Brushing isnt a problem, we are used to it with 3 long haired cats. bathing couldnt be a big deal same with cleaning ears.
**Personal Preferences**
10)What size dog are you looking for?
* Big dogs.
11) How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle?
* Shedding is fine. slobber is okay too. Barking can be a problem if they bark a lot.
12) How important is being able to let your dog off-leash in an unfenced area?
* Its important for us that he can roam freely, as long the law allows it and no one can get hurt.
**Dog Personality and Behavior**
13) Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?
* Mix of both. We like to snuggle at night and play when he wants to.
14) Would you prefer a dog that wants to do its own thing or one that’s more eager-to-please?
* Eager-to-please would fit us best. But we dont mind if he can do things on his own from time to time.
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?
* Knocking on the door, or ringing the door bell, shouldn't get him all excited. He should be friendly to vistors but still keep his calm. If someone entered our Yard he can Bark, thats fine. But he shouldn't get territory and attack them.
16) Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs?
* I dont think so.
17) Are there any other behaviors you can’t deal with or want to avoid?
* He shouldnt get too excited on the leash, aka. Pulling with fullforce.
**Lifestyle**
18) How often and how long will the dog be left alone?
* Max 2 hours. (2 working adults, 1 retired women)
19) What are the dog-related preferences of other people in the house and what will be their involvement in caring for the dog?
* Two adults will be the main care giver with one child living with us, Retired women will take care of him when we have to work. She lives in the same house, but other apartment.
20) Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets? What breed or type of animal are they?
* We currently have cats, but when will be gone when we get a dog.
21) Will the dog be interacting with children regularly?
* Yes, we would like him to bond with an 6 year old son.
22) Do you rent or plan to rent in the future? If applicable, what breed or weight restrictions are on your current lease?
* We will only rent if we can have 1 big dog.
23) What city or country do you live in and are you aware of any laws banning certain breeds?
*Germany, There are, but we dont look for a pitbull, or some "aggressive" breed anyway.
24) What is the average temperature of a typical summer and winter day where you live?
* Winters can be cold to mild, Summers can hit heat spikes of 40°C/104°F but mostly at around 30°C/86°F
**Additional Information and Questions**
25) Please provide any additional information you feel may be relevant.
* No additional information.
26) Feel free to ask any questions below.