I'm looking in to getting a dog for my family. I have a 5 year old and an eight year old, so I need a dog that is good w/ kids. I want the dog to be calm in the house, but able to have fun outside, and be left alone while the kids are @ school. I also want a good running partner dog. I would perfer the dog to be either small or medium-sized. Coat doesn't matter.

You might go to the the Westminister Kennel Club link on the home page. There is a link on the page about finding the right dog for you as it provides descriptions about the various breeds of dogs. Hope this helps. Have fun reading about all of the dogs. This link is about finding the right dog.
http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/dogshows/rightdog.html

I am partial to the German Shepherd breed myself. My lab is a good girl but she get wound up easily, and gets into mischief while we are gone, so she ha to go out in the garage when we leave for the day. The German Shepherd stays in the house with my 5 pound Pomapoo with no problems. My GSD loves to rough house with the lab, but she will not even think about it with the pomapoo, and even though I try to wrestle with the GSD, she will not "fight" back, where the lab I have to call off cause she gets too rough with me.

German Shepherds are excellant working dogs cause they can be turned on and off depending on the current situation. When a GSD becomes part of your family they will do what they can to protect your family by instinct. GSD's has been really in the news lately for saving their owners, one even took a bullet to pretect their owner from a mugger. Rest assure your kids will be safe after school with a German Shepherd.

Jason B Bour
http://bestinbreed.org

I like to recommend the Standard Poodle. They have even temperaments, can be clipped every few months, love kids and people and are generally healthy. They love to play, are smart and trainable and work out well with active families - even enjoy jogging. Originally bred as sporting/retriever dogs they do need exercise but make good house pets also.

Unlike the minature and toy poodle they are usually not hyper exciteable or big barkers and they don't shed; or rather when they do, the dead hair forms dreadlocks so keeping them groomed is a must and like many other breeds they need the hair in their ears pulled out on a regular basis to prevent ear infections from trapping moisture and forming yeasty or bacterial infections. It's a painless procedure done by the groomer as part of the trimming.

I would recommend checking this breed out with the AKC or go to any pet store and pick up a current copy of Dogs USA which gives good descriptions of each breed.

I'd like to suggest a Boxer, I worked with 3 vets and the times I have worked with Boxers they have been great temperment with everyone and are very loyal and love to play and run...

Like I said about our lab, she loves to play, but forgets how rough she can get, and can get a little to playful. Isn't boxer's the same way. I had a friend who had a boxer, and she loved to rough house, but we can to call her off serveral times for getting to excited. She listened well, but this person asking has small kids, and boxers are very strong.

Oh, by the way. Stay away from Spitz. Great dogs, but jealous, and will not like the kids getting the attention. Just from experience.

Jason B Bour
http://bestinbreed.org

Thanks to all you guys for your help, I've heard good things about the American Water Spaniel, does any one know more about them?

Sorry I have to disagree about the Spitz breeds. While some may be possession aggressive (which can apply to any breed), I raised Keeshonden for 22 years and never had a problem with any of them being jealous of my kids or later my grandkids. None were dog aggressive, my pack of 14 ran together without any problems and I never had them fight, not even the males except to become growly when a female came in heat.

I've owned Shiba Inu's also and they are sweet tempered around kids but do like to run which is ingrained in most of the Spitz breeds.

Have you checked akc.org for kennel clubs in your area. Maybe you can find out more there and maybe even meet breeders in your area.

Please do not go to a pet shop. They get from puppy mills, and most of us will not spend $1 in a pet store that sells dogs.

Jason B Bour
http://bestinbreed.org

That is one thing I do know. I would never get a dog from a puppy mill, or pet store. When I choose my breed I will find a reputable breeder, I've heard enough Puppy mill horror stories!

So how is the dog search going?

Jason B Bour
http://bestinbreed.org

Have you thought about a poodle? I got one a few years ago for protection. I wasn't really a dog lover, sorry yall ... lol I was more into cats! But, I was badly allergic to the cats. My cats found an awesome home with a friend and I got a baby poodle. At first, I was wondering if I made the right decision, because he was so little and I had a home daycare at the time, however, with each day he continued to steal my heart with his affectionate nature and sweetness Also, I wasn't allergic to him! Poodles are suppose to be hypoallergenic, at least more so, than other dogs. Anyways, I now have three poodles and could not imagine life without them. They love my little girl and cuddle up right next to her. The breed is very intelligent and they are very good watch dogs too

If you want a dog 4 kids dont get a chihuahua they rock but they are evil. If u do want a good 1 4 kids, get a beagle.