Where would the dog actually live?

A house with a garden, and a back door that gets opened a lot.A flat, with a park about ten minutes away.Somewhere small and warm, with somebody in for most of the day.Somewhere with land, or close enough to it not to matter.

How long is the dog alone on an ordinary weekday?

Barely at all. Somebody is working from home.A few hours, with a proper walk at both ends of them.Half the day, but the evenings belong entirely to the dog.It varies enormously, and being honest about that matters.

Your idea of exercise with a dog:

An hour, twice a day, in whatever weather is happening.Twenty minutes, and then a good sit down.Something structured: training, a sport, a thing to learn.Short and explosive, and then back on the sofa.

Who else lives there?

Just you, or you and one other adult.Children, and they are going to be involved.Adults, one of whom has firm opinions about training.An older household. Nothing chaotic, please.

Somebody in the house sneezes around dogs. How bad is it?

Not an issue. Hair on everything is simply the arrangement.Fine, as long as the vacuum actually gets used.Real. It has to be a coat that barely sheds.Mild. A short-coated dog would be the sensible move.

Grooming. Be honest.

None. A wipe down and it is dealt with.A brush a few times a week, happily enough.You would do it properly. It can be part of the routine.You would rather the mud came off outside and that was that.

What do you actually want a dog for?

Family life. Something in the middle of all of it.Company. A warm animal in the room while you work.Closeness. A dog that genuinely wants to be on you.A partner for something: a job, a sport, long days out.

Your experience with dogs:

None, and you would like this to be gentle.Grew up with them. You know what a bad week looks like.Some. You are not frightened of a stubborn one.Enough to know the dog decides who you become.

Money, said plainly:

Comfortable, but you would rather not court large vet bills.Fine with a real budget, training included.Fine, and you would rather spend it on a dog that needed it.Tight-ish. A small dog is cheaper in most directions.

Noise tolerance — yours and the neighbours':

Low. Thin walls, and you would rather not find out.Fine. A bit of barking at the door is expected.Fine, provided it can be trained back out of them.Whatever turns up. You will manage it.

Holidays and weekends away:

The dog comes. That is more or less the point.The dog comes, or a neighbour has a key.Rarely away, which is exactly why this would work.Often away, but always somewhere a dog can work off a day.

The thing that would actually make you happiest:

A clever dog that learns things and shows off about it.A dog that is obviously, uncomplicatedly pleased you exist.A dog with a personality considerably bigger than itself.A dog whose previous life was worse, and now is not.