cats

They're challenging for sure and I don't recommend them to inexperienced/unprepared dog owners, but they can be amazing as pets! Very rewarding, especially once they get past the first year and a half or so. Then, if you've done well, you'll almost have your own language with these dogs and they'll understand almost everything you say to them. They're incredible. I may honestly never have a different breed of dog.

The huge 'BUT' is definitely everything you just said. They need outlets for their energy (even if it's just a hardcore game of fetch every day) and ways to engage their mind (Kong toys and smart balls do wonders for ours when it's raining) or they can be very anxious, destructive, and generally neurotic.