I do live at home with my parents, but I am 18. I have my own car and I will be going to college soon. The college is near so I won't be leaving the dog home(assuming that I buy the Malinois). I am scheduling my classes so that I have fewer a day, but everyday of the week so I can have more free time each day at home. It works out well for the dog too because I can spend more time with him/her. And I the dog will never be at home by him/herself because my father is always working from home.

So the only reasons why I asked how I can convince my parents to allow me to get the Malinois is b/c

1) I live under their roof 2) My mum wants a smaller dog and won't say yes to my choice even though it meets all of her 'standards' (and on top of that, my father supports my decision to get a Malinois, but he'll only go with whatever my mom says).

Also, I live near the Rose Bowl in Pasadena so I really wanted to go run around the stadium with a dog. I am athletic and fit and enjoy exercising so this is a better way for me to run rather than running on the treadmill at the gym.