o.k. i did a very big search
so here are my findings from the summer i too was looking for a dog
1) what kind of dog do you want?
you can contact breeders, you can even go to Germany where the prices are lower
do you want a pure bred or mixed?
I chose mixed because i thought they tend to be healthier
and smarter..i always had a mixed.
if a breed , which kind?
do you have a lot of time ? do you need a quiet dog?
I have a mixed jack russel and dackel
i think jack russels would have been too active for me..
dackel or dacheshund are in my opinion the sweetest and smartest small dogs
i love the long haired dackel version, the ones i have met have great personality though i think personally they are not so cute as the short hair.
female or male?
i was afraid of fights so chose a female
i got mine through the internet i searched under www.tierheim and got a list of shelters that have dogs.
i originally wanted an older dog but they tend to have a history and i have children so i got a 4 month old puppy who was the quietest dog there..i wanted quiet
still i have had to move because the stupid neighbors (with a cat) complained about the dog, she tended to cry when left alone for an hour
so then the landlady lied and said she never gave me permission
so GET A WRITTEN PERMISSION TO HAVE A DOG before you get one!
if you rent get a dog that does not bark a lot, dacheshund do not bark a lot, i wanted to get a labrador but they need a lot of exercise and training
so i got a small dog.
I would say that you could play it safe and go to a breeder but first
read about dogs and figure out WHAT YOU WANT, google for dog info. in English and once you know what you want then search even online for the various breeds
talk to people that have dogs
ask about breeds
I recommend taking a dog from an animal shelter because it feels good to give a dog a home, there is nothing sadder than a homeless dog
GOod Luck!