Dogs like Labrador, retriever, bulldog, Akita, peg etc.

Rabbits, rats, hamsters and gerbils make great companions, and require less room than a dog. How much time are you planning to commit to your new friend? How long do you expect him/her to live? Rabbits live 10-15 years, while hamsters live an average of 2 and rats 2-5. Rabbits and rats must be spayed and neutered to prevent behavioral issues such as territorial aggression and marking and also medical problems such as breast cancer, uterine cancer and uterine infections. When spayed and neutered, these pets live longer, healthier, and happier lives and are less likely to be "gotten rid of" by their owners. Most rescues, dedicated to rats, rabbits, or other small mammals, spay and neuter their pets prior to adoption. I highly recommend you contact a House Rabbit Society volunteer near you, as s/he can tell you all about rabbits, their required care and help you set up your apartment (rabbit proofing). Rats, however, don't require quite as much work, don't like as long and are just as social. Any animal, however, is a lifelong commitment and has its own dietary and housing needs. You may visit my rescue's site at www.rascallyrabbitrescue.org for more information!

Cat, I'll go with a cat. But if you live in an apartment, a lab rat or spider should do it.

You should start by telling us and asking yourself what kind of person you are. The perfect pet may prove elusive to find. Some require energetic owners (most dogs like Boxers, Labradors, Poodles), while others require only a minimum of attention and care like most cats, and even others offer more of a contemplative joy like fishes and most birds. All require love. You must keep in mind that a pet should be faced with great responsibility. His life will be on your hands, and it is the ultimate kind of cruelty to abandon a grown up pet, and most don't even realize that many abandoned pets die or go sick after being abandoned by the people they loved unconditionally their whole life. Dogs are among the most demanding in terms of your time as they need a lot of attention, and of training and socialization. Adopting a dog may be easier than getting a new puppy as you can check if the dog is already trained and is not violent or vicious, which may be a problem with such powerful but lovely friends. Cats can live mostly their own requiring only food, vet care and love. Since I never was a guy to find pleasure in the contemplative kind of pets like fishes and birds and hamsters I can't advise you on picking one of them... In the end, I am a dog person! Just make sure that your adopting act will not cause harm to the adopted pet, and you won't regret the immense joy it will bring in your life.

Kudos for planning to adopt! If you want a companion, cats are quite nice, but be sure you get one at least 6 months old, otherwise, lone kittens can often develop a bit tempermentally without another kitty companion. If you want something lower maintenance, I've always liked Betta fish (also known as siamese fighting fish) because they are so beautiful. More unusual? Lizards and newts are quite entertaining and easy to contain.