You really need to think about what you want: a dog who isnt happy without a good long run every day as well as an hour of agility or other mind or body task, a dog who thrives on longer walks or runs with a half hours of ball playing thrown in for good measure, or a dog who needs a couple of 10 minute walks a day. You should always ask about the dogs personality—is it active, mellow, or something in between? Then, it is time to ask yourself about your own personality. Is your dream day lounging on the couch with a beer and remote control in your hands, or is it going on a 10 mile walk in the mountains? Are you a runner, walker, or is your idea of exercise just one trip to the gym per month? What about your time—do you have enough time to take a long walk every day after you get home from work, or will you have to cram it into your busy schedule?
There are different exercise needs and desires for different dogs. You would be disappointed with a pug or a mastiff if you want a dog with whom you can do agility, because they would not be competitive and probably would not even like the activity at all. And if you want a couch buddy, a young Australian cattle dog will not let you sit still for one minute and will be eager to get out of the house and that can make your life miserable. When an active dog does not have an outlet for his energy, he may often become destructive, and may show neurotic behaviors, like barking, digging and chewing on everything. They are not happy because they cannot release their energy, so they make you unhappy at the same time. Even if you do find the time and energy to give the dog the right amount of exercise, is that really what you want to do? Last thing you want is to feel like fulfilling your dogs exercise needs is a burden for you. That is not a good way to spend the next 10 to 15 years of your life. And it would be disappointing if you want a dog with whom you can do sports and outdoor activities, and instead your dog needs to take a break every 15 feet. Good owners do adjust to their dogs, but why stack the cards against a wonderful relationship? Think about your level of activity and your potential dogs level, and then make your choice of breed.
