What Breed Makes a Good Family Dog?

Lab, Golden Retriever, Puggles, German Shepard, Greyhound, Weimaraner, Boxers (but they can be VERY hyper)... I volunteer at rescues, so I'm pretty good with recommendations.
PLEASE RESCUE a dog!!! Don't buy :0)

I love my golden retriever. Yes, she sheds, but it is worth every floor sweeping. I have 3 children. They love her. We can pull her tail, ride her like a "horsie", play with her food while she's eating it, etc. She is my "first born". good luck. I think it's wonderful for children to grow up with pets.

except for the shedding (which most dogs shed) A Shetland Sheepdog or Sheltie.
They are GREAT dogs, very smart, easy to train.Great with kids , good with cats, and other dogs. They are high energy and love to play and be walked.
look into shelters or Petfinder.com for a mix, mix breads live longer and are less prone to get illnesses that can be genetic because of too much inbreeding.

go to a shelter. i have said it a million times and i'll say it a million more. don't go once. go repeatedly. go to all the ones within driving distance. talk with the volunteers. tell them exactly what you just told us. you have specific criteria. you won't ever get a guarantee going to a breeder and picking out a puppy (or god forbid a pet store). but the volunteers at a shelter will know the dogs, they work with them daily. they will help you find the perfect dog. for less than $150 probably. and fully vetted and fixed. you can't get a better deal ANYwhere.

people wait years to decide to have a baby, and then ANOTHER nine months once the decision is made. they wait months or years to save up to buy a car or a house. this is no less a commitment. it is for the lifetime of the dog. it is WORTH it not to just run out and get the first cute dog you see. (or as is popular in my "neck of the woods", -"oh miss janey down the road had a litter of pups, you should take one home!" NO!)

While I was growing up we had mutts from the Humane Society. When we went to pick one out we looked for the characteristics that you've listed. Mutts always fit our needs. The staff can help you recognize those traits in the animals that they have.

Golden Retrievers hands down. Mine is 13 and is my first fur baby. :) She has been awesome with my kids, even at her age and they absolutely love her. I will probably get another Golden when mine crosses the Rainbow Bridge. She has been the best pet I've ever had. :) Good luck!

I love my mutt. How about letting her pick one out at the local shelter? Tons of sweet, beautiful dogs need good homes. I have had both mutts and AKC registered purebreds. Mutts by far are the best. :)

Well, I'm partial to Golden Retrievers of course. They qualify everything on your list except the not too expensive part.

However I've recently found a Golden Retriever Rescue website where the adoption fee is under $500.

Getting our first Golden (kids were 3, 6, and 8) was one of the best things I ever did for my kids. Getting our second Golden was the best thing I ever did for the first Golden!

:)

We had good luck with shelter mutts. When I was a kid we had a poodle that was the wrong colors for showing so my mom got him for like $20. Not a teacup or toy, but a miniature. Big enough to pull the sled when we were little. Smart, almost too smart for his own good. Terrific guard dog and family friend.

By the way, you can often put your name on the list at the shelter when a dog of your chosen breed comes in. That's how my mom got her current poodle.

Pugs are awesome dogs! They have the best personalities! They tend to vary in their activity level and usually are more active and playful when they are young and then tend to be more sofa spuds when they get older. They are great with kids, but do shed quite a bit, although brushing daily can help with that, and otherwise they only need a bath once a month. Their exercise requirements are not high, and you have to be careful with them in the hot weather. They can be stubborn as far as training. So while it seems like a pug may not fit all your requirements, they are a lot of fun and wonderful family dogs.

A poodle, or poodle mix, might suit your needs better - their coats are not the type that shed, but grow continuously, and so they do need to go a groomer for a bath and trim on a regular basis. Boxers are very sweet and they don't shed much. Dobermans are also very nice, don't shed much, and are more intimidating looking. However, every breed has certain conditions that they are physically and genetically prone to, so that is another factor to consider.

You should, however, also consider adopting a dog (purebred or mix) from a shelter - adult dogs are harder to place than puppies but you usually have a pretty good idea of their personality and temperment and how well trained they already are. Most of the dogs can be adopted for the cost of an adoption fee, which is usually a lot less than $500 and they may be spayed/neutered already. Many shelters and rescue groups try to match the right dog with the right owner. Keep in mind too that you might not want to spend more than $500 on the dog itself, but there will be the cost of veterinary care, both routine preventative care like vaccines and heartworm prevention, minor things like ear infections, and possibly major expenses like life-saving surgery should the worst happen. Those costs can add up quickly, and you can consider health insurance for your new pet to help with the unexpected things that can crop up. Good luck finding the perfect dog for your family!

We have a German Shepherd, purebred European bloodlines. They are smaller (60 - 70 lbs) than American german shepherds and have none of the hip dysplaysia problems so common in the American bred dogs. Yes, expensive. Also the smartest, most trainable, best dog I've ever known. She is my running partner, loves to play with my 9 year-old daughter.

Other dogs I know right now - Labs are great dogs with kids, not as smart, but that makes them put up with anything, love to fetch (all day!) and to run

Standard poodle or Labradoodle - the ones I know now are mild tempered and great with kids (especially the Labradoodle). Need occasional trimming and grooming.

I grew up with a mutt that was probably a mix of german shepherd, elkhound, and who knows what else. He was a great farm dog and dog for kids.

I have always found that Collie mixes are always good dogs, especially with children. My Mom has one that is mixed with something else and my son will pull her tail, lay on her etc and she doesnt care. She is VERY protective of my son in fact. I love it. One time I was playing with my son and she thought he was upset so she was pulling at my pants pulling me away from him. It was so funny cause she was trying to protect him. Another time was he was crying because he got hurt and she came running from the other side of the house and to his side in a second. She wanted to make sure her boy was going to be okay.

Collies are loving dogs and great with kids. Love to be pet, walked, played with all that. My parents found theirs at the Humane Society and didnt pay very much for her.

golden retrievers are great with kids and love being active. one of the biggest considerations is the breed's activity level. i think labs require something like 2 hours of running a day.. sadly people adopt without thinking about that and then put them in a shelter when they realize they can't take care of it. so continue to do your research!

we have a long-haired mini dachshund who is GREAT with our son :)

It isn't the breed it is the individual dog that will determend whether it will be a good dog for your family or not. If you have a very active family which can keep up with a active dog then that is what you should look for no matter the breed. If you are a calm family, you will not want a dog that is high mantanance and in need of several walks or runs a day. I have a cockerspaniel which is a good fit with us. She is a house dog and loves to play but will do well being cuddled and calm. She is 12 years old now and wasn't sure about the grandbabies but did very well after the kids were big enough for her to realize they drop food. A puppy needs more attention and training then an older dog. Instead of a breed dog, you may find a perfect match at the humane society. My daughter in law got one last month that is as sweet as can be and since she is over a year, she is also trained and past the naughty stage. She also is great with my five year old granddaughter

As you're making your choice, please remember: AKC breeders CHARGE ABOUT THE SAME as pet shelters. Really!! Most litters have 1-2 "show quality" pups and the rest are sold as pets.

When you from a purebred dog breeder you know what you're getting. Pets are sold with AKC contracts that protect you and the dog. Most contracts require that the pets they sell be neutered or spayed. (They might neuter or spay for you!) If the dog doesn't work out for you for any reason, you return the dog to the breeder and get your money back.

Please attend a local dog show and/or contact some breeders first. Visit them at their homes and kennels. Then if you decide to go to a shelter, at least you'll know the breed a lot better. Breeders make sure their pups are socialized and trained.

To find breeders in Minnesota, contact the Minnesota Purebred Dog Breeders Association at http://www.minnesotapurebreddogs.org/

http://www.minnesotapurebreddogs.org/

As long as I'm on the soapbox here, I want to remind everyone that breeders don't add to pet overpoulation. Breeders plan their litters long in advance and usually don't even let their animals breed until they have buyers FIRST!

It's backyard breeders and puppy mills (these folks sell to pet stores and the pets end up in shelters) that cause pet overpopulation. If you buy from a pet store or adopt there's a 90 percent chance you're getting a puppy mill pet. While lots of people have gotten lucky with decent animals, there's a much higher chance you're adopting a biter, or unsocialized animal, or an animal with costly genetic defects or who grew up undernourished (also costly in the long run).

Anyone who is purposely breeding a mixed breed is either a backyard breeder or a puppy miller. They're definitely NOT an AKC registered breeder. (This includes labradoodles, cockapoos, etc.)

There's very little chance of that happening with AKC breeders because they're regulated and very proud of their kennel name.

Thank YOU for putting so much thought into this! (P.S. I'm not a breeder, I just grew up in a family who went through this experience several times.)

please go to a shelter! do not pay for a pet!!!! Money doesnt equal a good pet. You have to meet the dog, and figure it out for yourself. Size, etc.

get a doberman - they are very smart, easily groomed, and very lovable - as a bonus, most people are deathly afraid of them :)

edited to add: we have an 8.5yo doberman, our kids are almost 9, 5, and 2 - so she has been through newborns, crawlers, and toddlers - there was a time when ONLY laying beside our doberman would soothe our middle child when he was about 6 months old. she is the sweetest baby every, and has "battle wounds" from being beat up by our min pins, beagle, and the neighborhood stray cats :( i've never seen her retaliate though, i definitely plan on having another doberman when her time comes... props to you for thinking/planning on the addition to your family, far too many people don't do that!

Except for grooming, which you can find a groomer that will work with you on how often to come in ,etc and maybe cut some costs, I would recommend a Poodle, miniature size. We had one when all our kids were growing up and they were so smart, didn't shed, very obedient, just part of the family. I now have a standard Poodle but they are big for children to feel comfortable with.

With my experience....a Lab would be your best choice...especially with children...they are awesome family pets. But do a dog a favor and go rescue one from a shelter....put your name on a waiting list for the kind of dog you want....you won't be sorry...from a cold cage into a warm loving family...you will be rewarded. They are all just waiting.

We always had lab mixes when I was growing up and they were great! They always came from the pound, so they were not pure bread, but the price was always right!

Golden Retreivers. Most labs are great too.

Edited to add: I rescue my pets - both are pure breeds. I have an Aussie and Greyhound. I've seen specific Golden Retreiver and Lab rescues as well. My friend just rescued a pure bred 3 year old black lab...one of the sweetest dogs on the planet.

Labs make great pets. But really there are so many good breeds, it really is all in the training!

Retrievers are GREAT family dogs. We have a Lab that has not only put up with us but has let the kids....and my 93 year old Dad... do anything to him. Dad tries to pet him and inevitably will poke him in the eyes and not ever notice. Reese just lets him....He's a good protector as well. The movies about Lassie don't do anything more than our dog has done.

Labs (dGolden's) are easy to train..ours pretty much trained himself. Never went to the bathroom in front of us or in the house---ever. Mutt mixes with Retriever are good too. We also had another Lab from the same litter that got hit by a car. She was as easy a dog as Reese is.

Hope your hunting goes well.

M.

We have three German Shepherds, two of which were adopted from shelters. They are awesome dogs, wonderful with kids, love to run, fetch etc. They are crazy-smart, which makes them easy to train.
We have two boys, ages four and eight months, and the dogs are really good with them, tolerate all the normal kids stuff and play gently with the older one.

We have our first family dog. He is a mini dachshund. He meets most of your criteria. He is tiny, does not shed, loves to play.... very good with my older kids, getting better with younger.... easy to train in every aspect but potty. I must give him credit, he is only 5 months so these negatives may get better. He is a big snuggler, he sleeps through the night in his crate.... and he already wants to protect us when the door knocks :)

I had a Queensland Heeler growing up and she was the best dog ever. SUPER smart, very easily trained (I trained her to climb trees, no joke, and my dad trained her to go open the fridge, get out a beer, close the fridge and bring it to him. SUPER smart and eager to please). She LOVED tennis balls, loved to play fetch, loved to run (they are herding dogs, after all), and weighed about 50 pounds, so not huge, but still sturdy enough to stand up to active kids mauling her all the time. She absolutely adored children. Such a sweet dog.

More recently we've had Boxers, and honestly, I wouldn't recommend them. Generally speaking, they are not smart dogs, they drool incessantly, and tend to be a little rough for smaller kids (they tend to jump, it's just what they do as a breed). Also, they tend to have major health issues, so they can get really expensive really quickly.

I would contact Rescue organizations - they have them for almost every breed. If you get a dog that is past the tiny puppy stage, you will have much more guarantee of what the dog's personality is, and the cost is substantially lower than going to a breeder.

We have always had good luck with mutts. We have only had two pure bread dogs and they just didn't measure up personality wise to the mutts. Currently I have a 12 year old Chihuahua mix and he is wonderful. I had him prior to the husband and kids. He is very smart, very outgoing, and can have lots of energy or just happy to warm your lap. He does not shed very much, the only grooming to keep up on is the toenails. A good point about small dogs is the "yard clean up" is minimal because it is pretty small. The old wives tail is that you should sit down is the midst of a few pups and your dog will choose you. :)

This is SOOOO easy. BOXERS! GREAT with kids, love to play, next to NO grooming.

Avoid like the plague--Shar Pei's. Had two of them and I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy and I have a PIT BULL! Worse breed medically and bad with kids.

LOVE my lab! Larger dogs are the way to go for family dogs ... we have lab/weimeriner mix, not nearly as big as full blood labs but TWICE the sweet and lovable. we got him as a puppy and trained him to deal with kids pulling squeezing, tugging etc this dog is so wonderful you could do anything and he just "takes it" My son LOVES our dogs but has had a harder time adjusting to the mentality of owning a smaller dog vs the good sized one. Our labmix is 70ish lbs, minimal shedding, and all cuddles and play. We also have a maltipom (mine) who is 11lbs and takes on the lab like he is nothing - but I do not reccomend smaller dogs for first time dogs with kids.

Not sure which one DOES but I do know a Jack Russell DOESNT! or at least mine doesnt! lol

I do love my mut that we adopted though. He's so great- and grateful I think. Hes such a good dog.

Whatever you decide, PLEASE, please, please ADOPT!!
you can find any/every dog on petfinder.com

We have a soft coated wheaten terrier and she's wonderful. I am not a dog person, and I swore there would NEVER be an amimal living in my house. I lost that battle 4 years ago. :) Wheaten's are medium hight, 30-40 lbs, don't shed and are very lively, fun and friendly. She loves to go on walks, play in the yard with our girls and sleep on their beds a night. We take her to the groomer every 10-12 weeks. If you want to keep their hair long there is some maintenance, but we just have her "shaved down" every 12 weeks which keeps things simple. The downside to Wheaton's can be the price if you go with a breeder (can be over $1000), but we founds ours in the paper for much less. Good luck to you!

I would be wary of mix breeds where you don't know what the mix is (like a mutt from the shelter). My brother-in-law has a dog that they absolutely adore and swear would never hurt a fly...well, he bit my 3 year old daughter in the face when she unintentionally got between him and a fish and she had to have 4 stitches put in her cheek! Since that experience, I am very wary of dogs, even if people swear they are well trained. Sometimes dogs of certain breeds just snap. I would be careful of any that say no good with kids, regardless of the reason. We have a golden retriever and I have never once worried about him with our 3 small kids (ages 5,3,2). They crawl all over him, try to ride him, take his food, etc. and he always just looks at me and then goes somewhere else. He does shed a good bit, but I would take the shedding any day that comes along with the comfort of having him around the kids. Also, goldens are extremely easy to train - they want so desperately to please you. And he plays well with my kids - loves to fetch the ball when they throw it for him, loves to take walks, loves to go for a run, and loves loves loves to swim if given the chance. Seriously, the best family dog you could ever ask for.

I was decidedlly NOT a dog person, but was finally convinced by my husband to get a dog. Now I am head over heels in love with our bischon-poodle. My criteria were: small (at one year he weighs about 7 pounds), non-shedding, easily trained, good with kids. He is all of these things and more. He loves to play, run around the house and the yard, and loves to snuggle! I highly recommend this mixed breed. We purchased him for $150 from a little old lady who has raised dogs since she was a teenager.

Haven't read all the response but I have to give a shout out for BEAGLES!!!

They are the BEST family dogs - very easy going, sweet demeanor and LOVE kiddos. My daughter loves our little beagle and calls her "sweetie" while she pulls her ears and tail - sweet dog just lets it go on.

They don't get too big (about 25/30lbs) and don't shed a ton either. They can be "barky" (our last beagle was -our current beagle not as much) but overall are great little dogs. :-)

We love our mini pin! Small but thinks he's big, protective yet gentle, whip smart, easily trained, great with even little kids, doesn't shed. He's a bit more of a cuddler than a runner but enjoys walks and playing. Best dog we've ever had! Someday we want to get a big Doberman as well. They are protective but sweet as well.

My sister has a labradoodle and she is the best dog ever. trained VERY well, doesn't shed (my sister is allergic to most other dogs). They have 4 kids (youngest is 11) but this dog is super good with everybody. some of it has to do with how well she was trained but if you're willing to work with the dog early, then it'll be great.

I have to say Boston Terriers!!! They are great with kids, small, hardly shed, smart, & so darn cute! We have a lab mix as well but she's 60lbs. & sheds like crazy. Our Boston we got from a breeder, lab we got at the humane society (because I had to wait a while for my Boston to be born). I know you think $500 is a lot and it is but if you're really looking into a good breed, the money is worth it. Obviously it's not a gaurantee but I think it's totally worth it. You will know the demeanor of the parents & hoepfully how your pup will turn out :) Good luck & we totally LOVE our Boston. Everyone falls in love with him.

We always had border collies growing up, they are a good family dog. I find labs ALWAYS wander off!
Right now I have the best dog I have ever owned, but he is huge, a great big 150 lb teddy bear great Pyrenees. He is truly the gentlest most intelligent and protective dog I have ever known, and theis is their normal nature. He even plays fetch! But he takes up the whole living room! He was $200 (no papers)
We also have a miniature dachshund, he is pretty good dog, but more nervous natured, not very playful either. He is actually my father in laws dog, they live next door. I would definitely not choose a dachshund, too breakable, their backs a too long, and they are nervy dogs.
I think there are huge variations in temperment in every breed though, what may be a perfect dog for someone, may end up being a horrid dog for you

A lab. They are on the bigger side, but I have found them to be one of the best dogs around. I got my golden from a humane society and she is an awsome dog. Just keep looking and you are sure to find one. Keep checking shelters, humane societies, eetc. Go to visit them and I am sure you will find one eventually that fits your home.

We are Welsh Corgi lovers. Ours does shed as she is a "fluffy". But she is worth it. We have had her since 2002. Our other Corgi was 11 when she died. Yep, Welsh Corgis RULE! Very loyal, love their "people", friendly, active. They are very smart so you have to be consistent with them in the beginning. I had to explain to Bella that there is only one Alpha female in our house and that's ME! Good luck. We got our first Corgi when our DD was 2. Our son was born when the dog was 6. She and the boy would play outside for hours. She would "herd" him and then trip him. He would laugh and roll all over! They had fun. Good luck!

I am partial to boxers, as that's what I had for the past 11 years.
But looking at your list, I would say that a boxer does NOT play catch. At least not one I've ever seen. Walk, run, jump - yes. But catch/fetch - no.
They're very lean, most maxing at 70 or 80 lbs, some staying at about 50 or 60 though. They are great with kids, if your kids don't mind slobbery kisses on their faces. Very minimal shedding. Expensive? Eh if you don't buy some fancy-pedigreed boxer you should be fine. I think there's a website 'boxerrescue.com' or something like that. Trainable? - Many may say they're stubborn dogs. But my boxer would sit, shake, and go to his kenel on command. That's about it.

i just skimmed the responses so i may have missed something but while labs are great, they shed a ton and are pretty big. also want to mention that getting a puppy is like having a baby, so you might go with an adult dog. gl!

For those at the shelter that say no kids - ask why. Many are labeled that way simply because the shelter doesn't know and they don't want the liability.

If they say for sure that the dog doesn't like small children, or is very calm and wouldn't react well to active kids, then go with it. If they say anything else (came from a home with no kids, never been exposed, etc.) consider bringing your older daughter with you to check the dog out, and see how the dog is. Next would be to bring your younger child by to interact with the dog.

Also, boxers are great family dogs. A bit on the larger side, but not massive.

And for the person who is trying to convince you to go full-breed from an AKC registered breeder - don't do it. No becuase what she said isn't true, but because there are so many animals in shelters that need homes. Mixed breeds/mutts often don't have the same health issues that even well-bred full-blooded dogs do. Many shelters charge about 100-150 for a dog. Rescue organizations charge closer to AKC prices.

I also don't know why a backyard breeder would give the puppies to a shelter where they don't get any money for them. Puppy mill puppies/backyard breeders are typically found in pet stores and in paper advertisements/craigslist. They are irresponsible. Animals at shelters are either rescued from dire situations or were a litter that was unplanned and typically mixed (because one of the dogs got out, or they were street dogs that bred).

I know you've gotten tons of answers I havent read them all. But my suggestion is a pug mix. We have a boston terrier/ pug. And and a puggle thats alot more pug then beagle. And they are both AMAZING dogs. The first we had pre-baby. And we worried because she was spoiled, and never around kids. She has been FANTASTIC. The kids can lay on her, poke her eyes, pull her ears and she does NOTHING. The second we rescued and already had the kids, and same thing. He is so so so sweet, loves the kids loves to snuggle, but they both also LOVE to play. But if we aren't playing with them, they just hang out with us and chill. I adore them both!!!! Look up pug mix websites as well for rescues!

T O., you are probably correct regarding the reason so many adoptable pets say "not good with kids". For a dog to be "good" with kids, they need to be socialized properly around kids when they are puppies and young adult dogs.

If you have the time and energy for it, I would recommend getting a puppy, mainly for that very reason--you can insure they are properly socialized. That is something that is very difficult to overcome later on if it isn't done when they are very young. There are actually several very crucial time periods in their first year that affect their behavior/training for the rest of their lives. But also, by getting a puppy, you do not have to contend with having to un-teach bad behavior... they are almost a blank slate (well, within the reality that they are a dog and have dog behaviors and pack/dog ways of communicating).

We have a German Shepherd and she is a fantastic creature. Wonderful with kids (especially kids, actually) and plenty active (or not--when we are inside just lounging, she is too--just hanging out not doing anything to make noise, wouldn't know she is around, etc), loves to walk/run and play frisbee, etc and VERY eager to please. They are extremely intelligent animals, so can train easily OR can train YOU easily, if you don't realize what is going on, lol. HOWEVER, I would not recommend that you get a GSD b/c of your list. They are fairly easy to groom (all dogs need brushing and nail trimming, etc) but they shed year round. A couple times of year they blow their coat and it is just AWFUL for a week or so. And they can get pretty big. We looked and looked and looked before finding one that was not oversized (they are not 'supposed' to be the size that most are bred to be these days---they "should" be in the 65-75 lb range for females and a bit more for males, but typically they are bred to be larger and can top 100 lbs.) Our GSD is about 65 lbs. She's perfect. For us anyway. :))

I hope the books you have been reading include information on crate training and living inside with the family vs. outside in the yard or a run. Dogs are very social animals and keeping them outside sets a path that doesn't always go well. Once they are outside all the time, they become "work" to "have" to go interact with them.. which makes it a chore and means you are less and less likely to take the time to do so, as time goes on. This just sets the tone and increases the probability of problems with the dog's behavior. When they are inside they are just part of your life all the time. Sometimes more prominently than others, but they are always there. Mine sleeps on the floor beside my bed and gets up with me if I get up in the night. She stays lying there until I get up in the mornings. She follows me as I do things in different rooms in the house during the day (if I do laundry she follows me to the laundry room and lies down. If I bring it to the sofa to fold, she follows me out here and lies down somewhere out here. Or she lies in the dining room with her head resting on the window sill watching our front yard for "dangerous" or "threatening" activity to warn us about. She follows the kids out the door to play. :) She circles the pool when they are swimming, keenly alert to any sign of distress in the water. And she chases Armadillos out of the yard at dusk!

I really recommend reading material by The Monks of New Skete (monks in upstate NY who breed and train dogs), and also watch some Cesar Milan, Dog Whisperer episodes... lots of good info.
Happy hunting for a new family member!

I have 4 dogs, all poodle crosses and they don't shed and I groom them myself (just invest in a clipper). My daughter has 3 labs and her house is full and I do mean full of dog hair..She can vacuum in the morning and have to do it again in the evening! In the past I have had shedding dogs and after getting poodles I wouldn't go any other way. Mine all get along well with my 2 1/2 year old grandson. A cocker & poodle cross might be good but cockers are sometimes a 1 person dog. I think you should check out animal rescue shelters too, don't buy a puppy or dog. There are a lot of good ones out there just looking for a good home! Good luck.

Updated

I have 4 dogs, all poodle crosses and they don't shed and I groom them myself (just invest in a clipper). My daughter has 3 labs and her house is full and I do mean full of dog hair..She can vacuum in the morning and have to do it again in the evening! In the past I have had shedding dogs and after getting poodles I wouldn't go any other way. Mine all get along well with my 2 1/2 year old grandson. A cocker & poodle cross might be good but cockers are sometimes a 1 person dog. I think you should check out animal rescue shelters too, don't buy a puppy or dog. There are a lot of good ones out there just looking for a good home! Good luck.

I scanned the responses and one I didnt see that my husband has made me fall in love with is an Australian Cattle dog/ blue heeler. I have one mixed with a husky and she is great. She does shred but she is worth it. She is only 35lbs, a cuddler, loves my kids and my nephews that I watch daily. They do anything and everything to her. My 6th month old nephew pulls on her ears, tail or whatever he can get ahold of and she just looks at me like oh really. When she gets tired of it she gets up and walks away. They are loyal pets and protective. They love to be outside and run but also like to be inside and curl up with you on a cold night. Mine sleeps with my son at night.

My other dogs are also great but you said you didnt want a large dog. The other that is still here is a black lab/golden retriever/pitbull mix. He weighs about 60lbs, he sheds but you dont see the hair as he is short haired like the pitbull. He is another big baby and the kids do everything to him as well. My daughter and 3yo nephew use him as a pillow when they watch movies. Although due to his size he is my cow.

My first baby was a german shepherd/ husky mix. Now she hit a 120lbs at one point but she was another great dog. I was pregnant with my son when we got her so we made sure we pulled on her ears, tail or whatever our son might do to her.

All dogs can be good family dogs. Some are for some people some arent. If you get a puppy at 8-10 weeks they adjust to your lifestyle quickly. An older dog might take longer to get adjusted and you usually dont know their backround. Good luck!

decide how active you really want to be with the dog. do you have a large yard etc.. also contrary to popular belief pit bulls are fantastic family dogs. i have a four year old and my sister pit bull is the most loving well behaved dog around her and very gentle. you can get a beagle, golden retriever, lab, mix dogs are great too. look in your local green sheet, news paper etc. or check out the shelter.

I HIGHLY recommend Beagles. I got my first one when I was 8 or 9. I've had 5 of them total in the last 30ish years. Most of mine came from shelters/rescues. Check petfinder.com. Great dogs. Perfect size and energy level. We currently have a 5 month old beagle puppy. No problems housebreaking and she's catching on fast to commands. Minimal shedding (almost none). No health issues are common in beagles. I've talked to lots of vets/breeders about this and they all agree. All of my beagles lived to be at least 8 yrs old if not longer. I've NEVER NEVER had a beagle even consider biting anyone even if a child gets a bit rough. Good luck with your search.

When I started thinking about getting a dog for our family, I did a lot of looking online at different breeds. I got hooked on a Schnoodle, a cross between a Poodle and a Schnauzer. The new breed was around about 9 years when I discovered them.

We've had our dog, Dakota Abby, now for 6 years. She is a miniature Schnoodle, about 24 pounds, and is medium salt and pepper in color. The only think my husband doesn't like about her is that she whines--I blame the Poodle for that. Otherwise, you couldn't find a more loving animal, or one that wants to play all the time, or one that loves to show off the tricks she's learned, or one that hates the squirrels! LOL

Yes, you can pay a lot for a dog, but if you do your homework, you should be able to find one fairly cheap. Check rescue groups of the type of dog you're looking for. Yes, I agree with you; a lot of those dogs are often labeled "Not good with kids." I think many people get a dog and then forget that a dog is like having a child (most dogs are about the age mentality of a 4-year-old); the dog needs to be loved, looked at, petted, and played with. You could put in a request that you're looking for a dog that a family needs to surrender (Like our dog is allergen friendly/nonshedding, as she doesn't shed. Some families get this type of dog, only to discover that their child is still too allergic to have the dog and they have to surrender/give it away).

I was lucky. Most breeders were selling their miniature Schnoodles for $700 or more; I found a breeder in Iowa who sold me my dog for $450. And she's been just fine. No in-breeding, no issues. She did have a trick knee, but we give her a natural supplement that has taken care of any ligament/tendon issues.

I wish you lots of luck as you begin your journey. Good luck!

Lab - hands down is the best pet for kids. We've had ours for 5 years now. She was 1 when my first daughter was born and has never growled, barked at or showed her teeth at my daughter, not even when she would pull the dogs tail/hair or try to ride her. My second daughter is 10 months old and the dog has been great with her too even now that she is older. I grew up with the smaller collies and they were great with kids as well but I'd still recommend a Lab over any other breed.

Do you have a Lab Rescue anywhere near you? You can check online. That's how we got ours. He is so beautiful ans we adore him. The rescue group was so good about having the dogs fostered so the personality was known. In general, the rescue groups are really good I think. I wanted a mutt but none at the shelter fit what we were looking for for so long. Mutts really can be the best... But labs are wonderful. They do need a lot of exercise though!!!

We have had 3 Brittanys and they are wonderful dogs. Not too small, not too large. Not too much shedding. GREAT with our kids! We got one from the American Brittany Rescue (http://www.americanbrittanyrescue.org/), and he has been such a great addition to our family! Best of luck in finding a good dog for your family!

Animal Planet ... dogs 101 ... GREAT show and gives you a basic run down of dog breeds. you can also check out their website for videos with a TON of breeds. And they have a breed selector program. it's a good place to start.

http://animal.discovery.com/breed-selector/dog-breeds.html for breed selector program
http://animal.discovery.com/tv/dogs-101/ this has clips of the show, starting with Anatolian Shepard (alphabetical) ... also has a bunch of other videos (including the top 10 best family dogs).

Also if you want the real skinny on dog breeds ... talk to a groomer or a vet.

Realize that while there are traits that most dogs of a breed have ... each dog is an individual (just like people) and may or may not live up to the standard.

Also ... TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING ... I can't stress proper training for owner AND dog enough. A well trained dog is a joy to everyone. Some are easier than others to train but ALL can be trained with the right owner/dedication.

We have a Yorkie Poo that is 18-19 lbs... he's AWESOME with kids and big enough that he really runs w/ the labs and bigger dogs that my sibs have when we're all together.

The one thing you may want to consider b/c I too live in MN is that b/c he's a 'bigger' small dog (he's 7 and people always ask if he is a westie puppy) he can go everywhere with us and is not like a yappie lap dog (sorry if I offended anyone w/ that!) BUT he's still small enough (think lab puppy size) he can get his exercise in the house if you need him to (think -20 below!!!). We just throw one of his chew toys around for 10 - 15 minutes or the kids run around the kitchen dining area and he chases them - but it's not crazy b/c he's only 19 lbs. Gross... but med. size dogs also have med size poo... which is MUCH better to pick up!!!

He hardly barks, when he does it's like a much larger dog, he doesn't shed and b/c he's part Poo - he's really smart and super easy to train. Good luck!!

My family has always loved Boxers. My brother and parents currently each have one and we had a couple growing up. I have a Boxer Mix that we rescued as a puppy from a shelter. Unfortunately he seems so have been mixed with a Great Dane! :-) but Boxers are extremely playful and active, they are short hair, so minimal shedding issues, and very protective of children and their family/home. I'll never forget as a kid playing "keep away" with all the neighborhood kids - our Boxer had someone's glove and we were all chasing him and tackling him and playing tug-of-war with him- well the dog was growling (playfully) at us during this and a neighbor Mom got nervous and asked my Dad if they shouldn't stop it - my dad told her "go ahead and try." She took 3-4 steps towards us and the dog got between us and her started growling at her! I've never known a Boxer to bite anyone (except playfully) and the ones we've had have been very easily trained. Boxers are very eager to please and we've always enjoyed them. They do get expensive - even getting them from a shelter, you have to pay to have them "fixed" and put a chip in them and a few other things - I think after all the fees at the shelter, then the first vet visit - we were easily over $500. and that was 6 - 7 years ago. Just an FYI.