Recommended dog breeds

[Duncan]

Word of advice on Border Collies. They are high energy and super intellegent. These dogs need obedience training right out of the gate, and plenty of room to run and burn off energy. If you have small kids or small er animals, the dogs instinct will be to heard them around the yard or house. Right after we got our dog, she had my daughter and the neighbor kids herded to the corner of the yard. Again with obedience training and a exercise plan this can be stopped. If you don't let your dog have a outlet, border colies can become destructive.

On the plus side Border Collies make excellent watch dogs, I can let my daughter play outside and know as long as the dog is with her I have no worries. Border Collies are also very faithful and loving. As long as you can do the upfront work you'll have a great pet.

I did some research on these guys last night, and they don't sound like the right fit for us (cats, etc). Still leaning towards a shepherd/golden mix...maybe with something smaller mixed in.

[Mikey]

I'm a little bias against Shepherds because back in the 70's there was a little backlash against them with reports of them attacking their masters ... I kind of never got over that when thinking of them even today.
I'm sure they're great dogs, but those reports kind of soured them for me as to not trust them, especially around kids.

[saildog]

I did some research on these guys last night, and they don't sound like the right fit for us (cats, etc). Still leaning towards a shepherd/golden mix...maybe with something smaller mixed in.

Yep, any kind of Dog that can be classified as a Working Dog better be kept busy or they will become a problem. Their nature is to have a job...if they are bored, they will become a problem.

They're kind of like Horses in that they LOVE to be put through their paces.

[YANOULI]

Get a staffy.
They are known for being good with children ( as much as any breed of dog can ).

Ours are big babies, all they want want to do is lick and have cuddles.

[Duncan]

Get a staffy.
They are known for being good with children ( as much as any breed of dog can ).

Ours are big babies, all they want want to do is lick and have cuddles.

Wiki: "No breed is more loving with its family"[3] Because of their affinity for children, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are sometimes known as “Nanny Dogs” in England[4].

Sounds good. Maybe that's the third part of the mix I'm looking for.

[wilbs518]

A golden retriever is a great family dog, for sure.