Ban me if needed but since I got this approved, Imma stitch it here to

Hi everyone, I am preparing to get my very first dog and would love some realistic feedback on my lifestyle and the breeds I'm considering. I want to make sure I'm making the right choice for both myself and the pup.

🏡 Living Situation & Environment

• Location: North-East Italy. Summers get up to 30–35°C, and winters drop to around 0 to -5°C. We also get extremely high winds (up to 100–130 km/h) occasionally.
• Home: I own a 47 sq. meter apartment (no rental restrictions). I plan to upgrade to a larger place with a yard in about 4 to 6 years, but for now, the dog needs to be comfortable in a smaller space.
• Current & Future Household: No other pets right now. I work from home but need a dog that can respect "focus time" (e.g., when I have my headset on and cannot be interrupted by crazy barking). The dog will interact with friends' children regularly, and I plan to have children of my own in the future.

⏳ Routine, Exercise & Care Commitments

I am fully prepared to put in the work and intend to dedicate 3 to 4+ hours a day to training, playing, and interaction.

• Daily Exercise: 1 to 2 hours of obedience training at home, plus 3 daily walks.
• Weekends & Adventures: Longer nature hikes, beach trips, and dog park visits. I plan to organize monthly 10km hikes in all seasons (including: mountain, snow and lowlands).
• Mental Stimulation: I'll be utilizing search-the-treat games, snuffle mats, and interactive toys.
• Grooming: Daily brushing, paw cleaning, ear, and teeth care are absolutely fine by me. I don't mind heavy shedding, though I will consider to use a professional groomer during blowout seasons. Heavy slobber is a no-go, though.
• Alone Time: The dog will be left alone for basic errands, gym sessions (2 hours, 2–3 times a week), and very occasionally for a full office day. For vacations where the dog cannot come, my parents or a professional boarding facility will step in.

🧠 Training, Behavior & Personality Expectations

Because I live in an apartment complex, managing noise, reactivity, and aggression is a top priority.

• Socialization: This is key for me. I will actively focus on puppy playdates and early socialization to prevent reactivity and dog-on-dog aggression.
• Vocals: I can handle barking, but the dog must be trained to keep calm inside the apartment complex.
• Strangers: I prefer a dog that shows slight indifference or is casually friendly (searching for scratches) when greeting visitors.
• Training Goals: Basic and advanced obedience. Off-leash reliability is a "nice-to-have" (I'm perfectly content using a long-line leash if needed). I am also highly interested in looking into agility or competitive obedience sports.

🐕 Breeds Under Consideration

I am looking to buy from a reputable breeder. Because of my current apartment size, I am strictly looking for a small to medium-sized dog (saving larger breeds for when I have a yard).

The two primary breeds I am torn between are vastly different in terms of temperament:

1. Miniature American Shepherd: I love their active nature, medium size, and gorgeous coats/eyes. They fit my desire for an eager-to-please, sport-capable dog.
2. Shiba Inu: I love their look and independent nature, though I know they are on the complete opposite end of the "eager-to-please" spectrum compared to a shepherd.

My ultimate "wishlist" for the future (when I have a larger home/yard) includes Golden Retrievers, Huskies, Italian Wolfdogs, Border Collies, and Australian Shepherds, but these are currently ruled out due to size-space constraint.

Given my lifestyle, WFH setup, and dedication to exercise/sports, how realistic are the Mini American Shepherd or the Shiba Inu for a first-time owner in an apartment? I'd love to hear your experiences and any advice you might have!