I want to know if a Miniature American Eskimo is the right dog for me?

definitely a bad choice, sorry. this breed has huge amounts of energy, love mischief, can be snappy with kids of ANY age even adults, need lots of interaction and toys so they don't tear your apartment up. they shed like crazy but they are NOT hypoallergenic dogs, not sure where you found that. what causes allergies with animals is the dander, not the hair. and remember, hypo means decreased NOT completely free. They are huge barkers and its really hard to keep them quiet by discipline alone, many people use bark collars or sound devices. many people find these cruel and if you do too, definitely not good. if you get one as a young puppy then you can work on preventing barking but you have to be very diligent about it along with ALL people in the house. They are very social dogs, they love being with people all the time but when they are left behind thats where you will see barking, whining, howling and destructive behaviors. they are great dogs if you have the time and patience but it sounds like you won't have enough time. Suggestions depend on what personality traits you do and don't want as well as size. a puppy isn't a great choice if you can't take them outside to potty frequently. Jack Russel Terriers are an independent breed but love interacting with people of all ages. they are smart and can get in trouble but if you provide toys and lots of fetch time they do well. Terriers have wire hair that is more noticeable in some and not in others. best part, they don't shed! they do a little but you will never know. They are perfect family pets and VERY smart making them easy to train. they do bark but can be trained not to easily. out of all the small breeds russels have the least health problems and are low maintenance. Even West Highland Terriers, Scottish Terriers and Cairn Terriers will work for you. basically the same as the russel but their hair is longer and needs to be groomed, health concerns are low but an increased chance of disease makes them a little more pricey at the vet. these are the breeds that i enjoy working with and haven't had any problems with. there are many others too but you have to consider these: do you have a local breeder to buy from, if not, where are you buying? research the breeders and get opinions of people who use that breeder. buying from a pet store means they come from puppy mills and are very poorly bred and live in horrible conditions, buying from them keeps them open and allows them to continue their abuse and cruelty. have time for training, hopefully professional. russels are smart and train easily and quickly. do you have enough energy to keep up with a small dog? do you want one that requires grooming or low maintenance? many small breeds have problems with their teeth, can you afford products to prevent periodontal disease and have dental cleanings through out their life? short hair, long hair, smooth coat, wire coat, energy level, train-ability level, potential disease or health concerns are common in many, specific traits you want or don't and many more. Thanks to puppy mills and backyard breeders ruining bloodlines and breeds, buying a dog is harder than buying a car! I highly recommend that you research everything in great detail and DON'T buy the first one you see and make sure their is a contract from the breeder outlining guaranteed health with no genetic problems and what they will do if there is. shelter dogs make it so much easier! i hope this makes sense and i didn't bounce around too much! research is your friend as well as opinions of those involved. Good luck and congrats on the eventual puppy!