Don't get a dog. Honestly, I think having a kid is better than getting a dog. With a kid, there's a pretty good chance that it's going to grow up at some poin

Don't get a dog. Honestly, I think having a kid is better than getting a dog. With a kid, there's a pretty good chance that it's going to grow up at some point and be able to use the bathroom on its own (within a few years), feed itself, clean up after itself, and eventually move out of the house. With a dog, this never happens: you're constantly going to be taking care of it like it's a 2-year-old. You'll have to walk it every day, pick up its hot, steaming shit piles with a thin plastic bag in your hand (or else get huge fines from your HOA/condo), smell its nasty breath, deal with fleas (you have to take it outside for walks remember), hire pet-sitters if you're gone for even one night, etc. Dogs are an enormous hassle, especially in a city. I have no idea why so many people want them. If you want an animal companion in a city dwelling, get a cat. They don't need to be walked, they don't eat much (compared to large dogs), they can use the bathroom on their own (tip: get a Litter-Robot automated litter box), they don't need to be bathed or groomed, they don't stink, and they don't mind living in an apartment full-time.