I have a few suggestions. #1 is because you are looking for an older trained dog start crusing local shelters or petfinder.com to see if they have a dog that may fit the description you are looking for.

#2 would be to look around your area for reputable breeders and see if any of them are offereing older dogs for adoption that either didn't work out as show and breeding dogs, or that have been retired from breeding. The easiest way to do this is to do a good search by inputing the breed name as well as the words "club america" (I'm assuming your from the states) as this will bring up the national breed club of the breed you are paticularily interested in. This will both provide a weath of information for you in discerning a reputable breeder from the rest by giving you things like breed standards and health testing information. In addition, most have breeder refural by area.

A third suggestion is to go to AKC.org and look up upcoming dog shows in your area so you can directly talk to owners and breeders of what you are interested in for refurals.

Another thing to think about is energy level, you said you want a low-medium energy breed. The dogs you listed are what I would consider very high energy breeds that won't be calm for long periods of time. It might be a resonable idea to go back to the drawing board of researching breeds and find one more suitable to your lifestyle.

Amy
Can. Ch. Kamann's Over the Rainbow "Bo" (Miniature Poodle)
Cindeross Silver Slippers "Gidget" (Miniature Poodle)

We like Carolina Dog, Canaan Dog, Norwegian Elkhound, Siberian Husky, Beauceron, Corgi (Cardigan and Pembroke), and Basenji.

What are some low and medium energy level dogs?  We will be able to walk the dog daily... but while we are in class, I don't want to have the dog going crazy.  I also really prefer the pointed ears...

Star: *Proud Eskie/golden mix*

I herd a song tonight on the radio, another girl sings about a boy. She sees his face in every space
every room, and I know that if I turn around you won't be there. If I close my eyes, will you be there?
I don't wanna lose your face, and I don't wanna wake up one day and not remember what
time erased. I don't wanna turn around cause im not scared of what love gave me and took away
and I don't wanna lose your face. I've got a photo of you in my bedroom and I hope it never falls. I
hope I never lose that feelin' I use to get when you called. I don't wanna lose your face.
 
- Taylor Swift

*~♦ ♦~*

One question I have for you is how much grooming are you willing to do. Breed to breed there are large differences between the amount of brushing and groomer visits you will have to do. Considerations also have to be given to the amount of house cleaning you are willing to do. As a general rule, the low to non shedding breeds need significant amounts of grooming while those that shed require much less. Pick and choose.

Another thing that came across my mind is trainability. This again is a pick and choose thing. Dogs that are highly trainable learn very fast but need to be continuously mentally stimunlated in order to keep them from getting bored and possibily destructive (a bit of training work daily keeps them calm). With a dog that is less trainable, they will take much longer to learn a command but on the flip side tend to be quite happy when left to their own devices.

Personally, from what you've given me, my current suggestion is to check out a greyhound rescue. From here you are pretty much guaranteed a dog that is older, has some training under their belt, and some of them will be good with cats (always good to ask). Surprisingly, they are calm housedogs and often the choice pet for apartment dwellers. They will need daily walking, and if you have access to a large fenced in area they will appriciate a good run here and there (though, all dogs will).

As well, another question I have for you is that are you able to put looks aside for a personality that more ideal for you? Most people are originally attracted to a breed only on a looks standpoint but in the end importance should be placed on the dogs other traits that will make them fit into your lifestyle. As you can see from my username, sig, and pictures I am a poodle owner. Oddly, when I originally went out looking for my first dog I was convinced I would NEVER own a poodle because I thought they were pretty ugly dogs, but with continued research I discovered that the poodle temprement, energy level, trainability, size, shedding level etc.. all fitted me perfectly. As time went on, the look grew on me and now love it (in fact, I now think all breeds are beautiful).

Evidently, I can't give many more suggestions until you can give me a reply back, but my parting suggestion would be once you narrow down a few more breeds is to spend the summer break crusing dog shows and meeting dogs and breeders in order to make a final decision on what breed is suitable.

Amy
Can. Ch. Kamann's Over the Rainbow "Bo" (Miniature Poodle)
Cindeross Silver Slippers "Gidget" (Miniature Poodle)

they are also very loving and most whippets never bark.

I Love My Little Dog!