Thinking of getting a dog

Yep as the title says I've been thinking of getting a dog, I miss having to look after an animal of my own and since I can't afford a horse anymore a dogs the next best thing. But I love big dogs and I know it's not fair to have one in the small apartment I live in now :(, when I say big dogs I'm talking great Danes/ mastiffs those big guys. I had a Saint Bernard awhile back and I loved her to bits but now I think it's time to get a new dog(she passed). But ugh big dogs I can't do with my living space, I'm looking around and I won't be getting one for awhile until I find the right one. Anything below 80lbs would be good but also not wanting something as small as a Yorkie or Chihuahua , energy level and grooming aren't something I'm picky on :). These are some breeds I'm thinking about and before anyone says "adopt don't shop" I am looking at shelters along with breeders and will most likely go with a shelter.

Boxer
Labrador
Golden retriever
American pitbull terrier

Anyone else have breed suggestions? I should also mention I do alot of research on a breed if I'm thinking about choosing them :)

Nice!! I’ve alwaus grown up with dogs, as we’ve always lived in the country so have huge outdoor dogs to keep away wildlife. Don’t really have a suggestion, but good luck! 

I would recommend you to just visit the shelter and see if you have any connection with one of dogs. Often, people arrived at the shelter with specific breed in mind and left with totally different dog. I hate chihuahua but I absolutely adored my friend's chihuahua. 

I also would suggest you to go with adult dog. Puppies and apartment do not mix well since puppies often will wreck the floorings. Also, you will be able to know their personality better if you adopt an adult dog so you will be able to tell if they will be fine in apartment lifestyle or not. 

My family adopted a puppy, thinking that she will be fine with our tiny backyard. Oh boy, we were very wrong because she turns out to be HIGH energy dog. We have to take her out for walk three and four time a day plus let her out in backyard nearly all day because she need to run around. She was miserable in our tiny backyard so we gave her to our grandparents who lived on farm. I've heard several similar stories from my time as shelter volunteer. A lot people adopted puppies and ends up surrendered them because they realized that their dogs hated apartment lifestyle.

Boxer/Mix is a good choice. They usually did well in apartment lifestyle. 

Labrador and Golden retriever... it depends on what kind lifestyle you have... If you go out often (parks, trails, etc) and are willing to take your dog along, then they should be fine. If you doesn't go out often (other than walking), then I won't recommend them for apartment lifestyle unless you're getting older dog (5+ years old). Those two breeds (esp if under 5 years old) can be very destructive in apartment lifestyle if you don't take them out often.

Pit Bulls is something that you have to go to shelter for. They are very diverse in personality and energy levels. I've met a lazy pit bull who will do amazingly in apartment. I also met a super hyper pit bull who will wreck the door if given a chance. 

Before looking into an APBT you might want to make sure your apartment allows bull type terriers. A LOT of rental places won't allow them for liability reasons.

Other than that I agree with Andromeda, you should just go to the shelter with no expectations because you'll likely find a better companion that way than if you expect to adopt a certain breed.

I don't plan on getting a puppy but more of the age range around 2-3 years maybe 4 if I click with the dog. With going to the shelter I plan on contacting breed specific rescues and not my local shelter. I actually plan to have the dog with me just about anywhere I go that it's aloud so him/her being stuck in the apartment won't be a problem, that's why I said energy level isn't a problem for me since it'll be able to run it off  :). Ive also already spoken to my landlord about the possibility of me having a pitbull and I was given an okay, I know the breed gets a bad rap which is just wrong in my opinion.

Pit bulls are amazing, sweet dogs, but can get to a decent size. An American Staffordshire Terrier is a very similar breed (often get mixed up and some classify them as the same) but are a bit smaller. 

Nope Saint Bernard all the way! I have two right now and they are my second and third, such an awesome breed! Although I understand your concern living in a small apartment, but I honestly don't think it would be an issue if you could walk them enough and have a sufficient amount of enrichment activities.

Always nice to meet a fellow Saint lover :D

I'll be sure to check that breed out as I look :D

If large dogs aren’t much of a problem I suggest Great Pyrnees or Maremmas. Newfoundlands/Landseers are also nice. Many of our dogs have been Pyrenees crosses and they’re awesome dogs, theyre usually very good with other animals and excellent with kids, really just gentle giants. Our current is a Maremma cross and they’re very similar to the Pyrenees but seem like they don’t have quite as long of a coat and may be a bit smaller. The only thing with them is they do need to have activities and if you leave them in the backyard and it’s not secure, chances are they get out and will go wandering, they’re rather prone to being wanderers. Newfies I myself don’t have experience with, but from what I hear from other folks and from reading up on the breed they’re excellent family dogs. :)

They seems like fun breeds but with living in a small apartment I'm wanting something below 80lbs or they would be on the top of my list. I just love big fluffy bear like dogs xD

Newfoundlands are great dogs they have a wonderful personality. They are herding dogs and my dog used to herd anything she could. One thing they need lots of brushing very fluffy. My wasn't a purebred and she only weighed 50ld.

If I find one that size and I click with it then I'd definitely nap it :) but I know that they can get pretty big when pure

I have a chihuahua/dachshund mix and he's a pretty docile and low maintenance dog, but he barks a lot. I also have a red healer mix??? We don't know what she is really, but she requires long walks, she has a LOT of energy, she needs to be brushed constantly. Someone on instagram tried to keep a german Shepard puppy in an apartment, but failed miserably and ended up having to give the puppy away. I would say get an older dog, around four or five, because that's when they tend to mellow out more. My healer mix is six years old and still going strong, but she's definitely mellowed out from the crazy puppy she used to be. I would also recommend finding a place that does dog training so you can have a professional help you with your dog, or at least look up youtube videos if you don't want to pay for help.

Energy level isn't a problem for me :) and I don't plan on getting a puppy but a 2-3 year old. I definitely don't want a small dog so those breeds are a no for me but the healer sounds fun :D. I actually plan to train the dog myself like I did with my last one :)

Greyhounds actually make fantastic apartment dogs, cause they're such huge couch potatoes! BUT they have the huge caveat that they either need a fenced in yard or nearby fenced dog park and should NEVER be let off leash in the city. Most reputable rescues will include this as a rider in their adoption paperwork and also check where you live to make sure it's safe for the dog. However they're normally 60-80 pounds and pretty tall, and they are pretty big dogs (I grew up with Great Danes so most everything seems small to me)

Otherwise Labs, Goldens, and boxers are all great! I personally am a little wary of getting any pit breed while I rent, even if your current landlord is fine with it there's always a possibility that you might have to move and have trouble finding a more accepting place. Idk your life so maybe that really isn't a concern for you at all, but I avoid adopting any pet that is typically excluded from leases. Although my job requires me to move a lot so I'm probably more worried about this than most people should be. 

Good luck finding a great dog!