A shout out to the experienced dog owners here.

It's becoming clear that one of the many changes that will be made in my life when I relocate is becoming responsible for a dog. There has been a huge amount of excitement and longing inside me about dogs for several years, and that has come to the point where it's a priority.

I used to have 3 dogs when I still lived in the country before but wasn't solely responsible for them.

I (or some of the "me's" inside) have already contacted a licensed dog breeder who has pups. There has been discussion about training methods and classes. We already did the financial side of the responsibility (= vet fees and dog food/ accessories) to death. There is ongoing discussion about what big things in our life will need to change, at least temporarily, to focus on bringing up a puppy.

I am still looking at the option of re-homing a dog rather than starting out with a pup, but re-homing centres in my area are almost obsessively strict in their criteria for re-homing disturbed dogs (with behavioural issues). I cannot promise to not invite friends to my house. I cannot promise to walk a dog in a place where there will be no other dogs. I cannot promise a Huge Private garden, just a small garden.

My main unresolved queries are about whether to get a strong, lively breed - because I will be moving to countryside and am an outdoorsy person - or to get a cross breed which might give me a more peaceful quieter life. I don't want a delicate dog that is going to break it's leg the first time that we walk up a mountainside. I don't want a dog that is so preoccupied with sniffing that it falls off a cliff edge.

Apart from breed there is the question of personality. One of my previous dogs was very attractive but too stupid to be interested in learning much. I would like a smart dog that could enjoy participating in some serious training classes. On the other hand... a dog that is too smart will never give me time to get on with the more peaceful occupations in my life.

When you go to meet a litter of pups for the first time, what questions do you ask the owner and yourself? Do you compromise, or do you wait a year for another litter if you can't find the perfect dog friend for your dreams?

I am confident that this breeder has taken care of the health and basic social needs of her puppies.

Any tips would be appreciated, as the need for a dog is so strong right now but this will be a very long-term "relationship".