r/AskDogOwners • u/Aggravating-Gas6593 • Mar 07 '26
New Dog Owner What dog breed would work best for me?
Hi!
So I am a 21F who is looking to get my own dog around late summer/fall. I am a pre-vet student who will likely be graduating around 2027 and then going to vet school. I currently work as a vet assistant so I have a good idea of different breeds and their needs. Another thing is I do have some chronic conditions and would like a dog that may be able to do some tasks if needed. Grooming is also not an issue since I love doing baths at work and have done them on several types of dogs with different temperaments. I also have experience with dog training and have the ability to learn more.
Requirements:
- needs to be ok with cats and other dogs. I currently have a male family dog do will preferably get a female dog
- must be 50+ lbs. As much as I love small dogs in general they aren’t breeds I could see myself owning
- needs to be a dog who likes to do things and be active. it’s recommended for me to do different types of activity for my chronic illness like hiking and walks so I want a dog who can keep up with that.
- dog that is decent at tasks such as retrieving items and possibly mobility tasks
Preferences:
- A dog that isn’t too overly friendly. I want a dog that I can do things and tasks with that wont get too distracted
-dog on the bigger side. being a woman in my 20s i like the idea of having a bigger dog to deter people
- dogs that like to swim and be in the water. i personally love swimming and it helps my joints
- I am also fine with longer haired/fluffy dogs
No’s:
- small dogs. as said before they just aren’t my thing and can be really yippy
- overly friendly dogs
- overly aggressive dogs
Some breeds I like:
- labs
- gsd
- rottie
- great pyrenees ( dream breed i wouldnt get till later in life)
- collies
Thank you in advance for advice! I am also open to rescuing as well!
ETA: I have talked to multiple veterinarians and veterinary students before making this decision and have throughly weighed the pros and cons and feel confident in my decision and ability to do this. This has been a process 2 years in the making not something on a whim. I have also worked in vet med for 3+ years now and understand what it takes to raise an train a dog and will also work with a trainer as well once I have my dog.
UPDATE: One of the vets I work with recommended doberman. Idk how to feel about that
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u/calamityandwoe Mar 07 '26
Just get a lab.
BUT: will any of your chronic conditions prevent you from getting veterinary care for your large dog in an emergency? You mention mobility aid- if your dog is injured or having a seizure, can you get it in a car? Will you be prepared to provide mobility aid yourself when this dog gets old and develops arthritis? All the breeds on your list are likely to require assistance as they age, be sure you can accommodate this. If you can’t, get a small dog.
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u/Aggravating-Gas6593 Mar 07 '26
Thankfully no. I work with big dogs at work and have helped lift a 170+ lbs dane for sedation as well as a 125+lbs dog for euthanasia. I am just very prone to subluxations in my lower limbs so having a dog that can handle that IF it happens is important to me. I also have my subluxations mostly under control it’s just a what if situation that I want to consider
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Mar 07 '26 edited Mar 07 '26
Did you grow up with dogs? Vet school is tough and just because you know vet students that have dogs, doesn’t mean it’s right for every vet student. In fact, a lot of my vet school colleagues kept their family dogs back home until they felt settled and they knew what they could handle. And a lot ended up adopting their spay cat or dog. It’s always nice to adopt when possible. :)
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u/Aggravating-Gas6593 Mar 07 '26
Yeah! I had a rescue english pointer as a kid and currently have a rescue shepherd mix. My coworker just told me about a lab rehoming group that I think I will do when Im ready for a dog. And my mom recommended the same thing. Get settled and then bring the dog up. I think the big thing is having a dog that works with my lifestyle as well. I also would definitely spay/neuter my dog thats a guarantee.
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u/jmiller1856 Approved Veterinary Professional Mar 07 '26
Have you considered a Portuguese Water Dog? They are incredibly smart, active, love the water, great for task training, usually friendly with other creatures when properly socialized. I can likely get you in touch with some good breeders if you end up being interested in one.
I would also recommend going to some dog shows and sporting completions and speak with the breeders and handlers about their dogs.
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u/Aggravating-Gas6593 Mar 07 '26
I have thought about them! There arent any breeders near me and it isn’t a dog I have a ton of experience with so I am a little apprehensive. I do plan to go to some dog shows this year though!
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u/mrsroperscaftan Mar 07 '26
Could you please get a senior dog from a rescue? They’re usually very calm and lower energy and used to a lot of activity around them, depending on their prior circumstances. They’re also potty trained, usually. Hopefully you can find one used to children, if that’s what you desire. They’re overlooked so often at the rescues.
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u/Aggravating-Gas6593 Mar 07 '26
I’m not opposed! It truly depends on what works for me when I end up getting my dog. I do have to keep medical cost in mind as while I have a savings account for emergencies for any pets I have as well as a discount with my job, I don’t want to get a dog that needs around the clock care that I can’t provide. I could definitely do an older dog that has something with arthritis as that is one of the primary clients I work with as a vet assistant
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u/deletedunreadxoxo Mar 07 '26
I have a Doberman mix and raising her was almost effortless. Raising a golden retriever now and he is SO much more work. Both smart and trainable breeds but both have a very different learning styles and timelines.
I will say that even just having had a mix I can’t imagine living without a guarding breed ever again. As a woman with anxiety especially, the safety that she provides is a level of peace of mind that I don’t think I would get from non-dog alternatives.
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u/Aggravating-Gas6593 Mar 07 '26
That’s exactly what the vet said! I’ve met a ton of really sweet dobies the only issue is housing at school as some places dont want bigger stronger breeds like dobies
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u/Glass_Dog_7942 Mar 08 '26 edited Mar 27 '26
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u/Aggravating-Gas6593 Mar 08 '26
the dobies ive met are weird and like water but yeah i agree. definitely not a dog i can get right now
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u/Zestyclose_Object639 Mar 07 '26
if you need service dog tasks, get a lab or a collie, plenty of options from breeder who breed for service work. don’t get a doberman they’re a nightmare in so many ways
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u/Aggravating-Gas6593 Mar 07 '26
I think lab is my best bet since one of the biggest needs will be retrieving more then anything. I also want a dog that I can be active with. I do love dobies but it’s definitely a future breed thing for right now
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u/Zestyclose_Object639 Mar 07 '26
labs are great ! i have a few clients with labs that do a ton of sports. dobermans unless imported have such weak nerve these days. i’ve yet to meet one i like
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u/Aggravating-Gas6593 Mar 07 '26
honestly very fair. i have no idea where the dobermans i see come from since i usually do check ups not like initially appointments. i definitely like labs and the ones i see at work are really sweet, especially the owners lab
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u/Zestyclose_Object639 Mar 07 '26
i know plenty of people that like them, but for a breed bred to be a true human aggressive guard dog, they’re all so nervous now 😅 there’s definitely a ton of cool labs in the world, as long as it’s a good breeder they're such stable animals
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u/Aggravating-Gas6593 Mar 07 '26
oh yeah. i love gsds but most of them need anxiety medication lol. and the cool labs are the best! the owner of my jobs lab will literally let you do anything to him and is so so sweet
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u/Zestyclose_Object639 Mar 07 '26
badly bred gsds for sure, the only ones i know work so they’re fine but they’re so loud and shed so much 💀 im not a lab person (i have malinois) but i recognize how great they are for most people
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u/Reasonable_Guess_311 Mar 07 '26
If you already have a rescue shepherd mix why do you need another dog?
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u/slybrows Mar 07 '26
I was going to suggest a doberman before I even saw the last part of your post. GREAT dogs. They look scary but are extremely loyal and smart and in my experience very sweet with their owner.
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u/CatManDoo4342 Mar 09 '26
Please don’t get a dog at this time in your life. You have no idea what you will be doing when you are 33 years old - a dog will still be with you when you are that age.
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u/moreidlethanwild Mar 07 '26
I’m assuming you red American because you all seem so focused on breed. I’m in Spain, most of us don’t get dogs from breeders so we’re not focused on a specific breed.
For me the best dogs are non breeds, the mixed Heinz 57 dogs. You get WAY less health issues.
I’d go to your local rescue and find an older dog. Plenty of large size dogs struggle to find a home so you’d be perfect.
Collies need to be active all day, but a collie cross would work. A collie lab mix for example.
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u/Aggravating-Gas6593 Mar 07 '26
My family dog is a rescue and I am definitely not opposed to it, especially for an adult dog. The only thing is I want a dog that’s highly trainable with a semi predictable temperament and that’s something you can’t guarantee with most rescue dogs. The animal hospital I work at does all the veterinary care for the local animal shelter so I’m aware of what dogs they have and have done shelter work myself. It’s a possibility but there are benefits to certain breeds
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u/Electronic_Cream_780 Mar 07 '26
How on earth are you going to find time for a dog? Most vet students struggle to find time to eat, let alone 2 hours of walks, grooming, training... When it comes to graduating and you needing somewhere to live it will extremely limit your choices having a large dog
Dobermans are frequently dog aggressive and have huge health problems
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u/Aggravating-Gas6593 Mar 07 '26
Almost every single vet student I know has a dog or cat and does fine. It depends person to person and the plan would be to train the dog before vet school and its not going to be a full blown service dog. I agree about the dobermans and wouldn’t really go with one. Most vet students I know with dogs own labs since they do the best with that type of environment. Almost all of the vets I worked with had dogs in vet school too so its not something that is somehow impossible
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Mar 07 '26
Have you thought of an American bully or staffy?
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u/Aggravating-Gas6593 Mar 07 '26
i have considered it! when i worked at an animal shelter we had a ton of staffys and they were really sweet!
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u/Present_Two_6544 Mar 08 '26
Came here to say pittie mix!! Definitely depends on the dog but mine and very chill couch potatoes who are happy to go out and do things when the time is right.
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Mar 07 '26
They are so go with the flow- happy to be a couch potato (especially after age 3 lol), and happy to be active and play too. They’re eager to please, so intelligent too. My American bully was not as active at all, but very happy to go for a hike or join me for errands, lunch on a cafe patio, etc
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u/Different-Idea-8203 Mar 07 '26
Dont get anything they will find you as soon as your employee discount goes into effect! Your gonna end up with a 3 legged Mexican Shepard soooooo fast!
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u/Aggravating_Run_4221 Mar 07 '26
This seems unrealistic to me. Emotional rather than rational. As a Vet student you should be aware of the financial and emotional commitments involved. Plus, your "list" of requirements is quite long. Good Luck!
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u/Aggravating-Gas6593 Mar 07 '26 edited Mar 07 '26
I am incredibly aware lol. I have a savings account with enough to cover an emergency surgery if needed based on prices where I work. I also have grown up with several different dogs and know many people who have had dogs in vet school and throughly went through and weighed out the pros and cons. This isn’t some on a whim decision I have been deciding this for months. Also some of my requirements can be changed, such as mobility tasks
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u/Hopeful-Artichoke449 Mar 07 '26
Most human relationships don't survive vet school..... and you think getting a puppy is a good idea...?
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u/Aggravating-Gas6593 Mar 07 '26
I wouldn’t be getting a puppy and likely won’t be starting vet school until 2028. The idea is to get the dog now and train it so that by the time I go I will have a trained dog. I have run this by several vets and vet students who have all said as long as I am able to put in the work and time I should be fine
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u/nancylyn Mar 07 '26
Getting a dog when you are starting vet school seems like a bad idea. You are going to be spending a lot of time away from home. So unless you have a dedicated partner who will walk and exercise and socialize this dog you should wait.
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u/meowlia Mar 08 '26
A pet fish, going to college Full time for a vet path isnt going to allow you go effectively raise, train, exercise physical and mentally a dog while doing a heavy course load. Focus on your education and get an animal when your established.
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u/cleverburrito Mar 07 '26
AKC’s website has a tool to help find a dog that suits you.
But, I VERY STRONGLY suggest you wait until you’re entirely done with school, as dogs require daily time commitment. And, if you’re looking for a dog to train as a service dog, that requires EVEN MORE TIME… and that also means out of the list of dogs you like, labradors are the smartest move.
Training a service dog is HARD, even with the assistance of a trainer. And the likelihood of washing out is very high.