What breed of dog would be best for us?

A papillon is what I have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpphC5Y4K-4

they can run to believe it or not, 5 miles at a time!

thats oddly specific and im not sure a shelter dog would be the best option for you guys. getting a mix does not give you that definite idea of what the dog will be like when it grows up. the height may be misleading, the shedding will DEFINITELY vary, and the dog could have a bad temperament since you do not know what the parents were like. Given, shelter dogs are very sweet, but if you are going to be that specific a purebred might be better for you guys. Puppyfind.com is great to help with these situations. Not all the puppies are expensive it just depends on the breed. You can talk to the breeders and ask about the parents and visit the home to see before you make any decisions. As for the shelters, i would stay mostly towards lab mixes.

Good luck!

I agree with a lab, but they do shed a lot. If you are looking at a shelter look for a mix breed lab. If you go to www.petfinder.com you can put in your zip and how far you are willing to travel and it will give you shelters and rescue groups in your area. Mix breeds are very good dogs because they have less health issues than a pure breeds. They also tend to have a more mellow temperament (not always though). Make sure you have everyone with you when you go so that you can make sure that the dog gets along with each person. Another breed to look for is a beagle. They are hypo-allergenic too. They do not have the double coat that lab has and shed less than a lab.

Bring your list of requirements to a shelter and talk to the staff. If you choose to adopt, then you won't exactly find a "purebred" dog that matches the traits you want exactly. Most shelter dogs are mixes and won't conform to any particular breeds traits.

A good shelter or rescue will be able to match you to a dog in their care. But they will be concerned about the arrangements - who will be the dogs legal owner? Who gets the dog if things don't work out, and the group goes their separate ways?

How much exercise will be provided? I don't mean hiking when possible, i mean daily walks/jogs. How much grooming? What about training, socialization, and stimulation? All must be considered as well.

http://www.pgaa.com/canine/general/size.html

i'm specific there are a lot of breeds which could probably tournament your loved ones, it sounds such as you have have been given the perfect setup to become a dogs-possessing relatives. Plus you're unquestionably gaining knowledge of previous to time. you're quite on the main surprising song. What characteristics do you & your loved ones want in a dogs? From the provide help to've given, all i will say is you will in all probability want to avert a great intense-means breed. that would not narrow it down very a lot; leaves each little thing from a Chihuahua to a great Dane as a means tournament. with out understanding what you want from a dogs, no person can quite grant precise, effective suggestion. So....decide the characteristics you & the relatives are in seek of. actual characteristics (length, coat, shade, and so on) and temperament characteristics (difficulty-free to coach? friendly? quiet? and so on....) and as quickly as you have an theory approximately what the relatives is calling for, start up gaining knowledge of breeds that look to grant those characteristics. Or, if all you want is a relatives better half & do not likely care a lot approximately specific characteristics, you could all in simple terms bypass to the humane society and p.c.. out a dogs all of us likes. each now and then that's that easy to discover a dogs that fits the full relatives, counting on what you're searching for.

Haha, this is like a puzzle. :) But I think that a good breed for you would be the Miniature Schnauzer.

-They don't shed their hair like most other breeds; instead, you have to strip the coat using a stripping knife. But since this is pretty difficult, most owners opt to just clip the coat.

-Their height averages at 12 to 14 inches (30-36 cm), so they're fairly small, but still durable and not toy-sized.

-They're loyal to their family and make excellent watchdogs. Actually, they can be prone to excessive barking: like with most other terriers, you'll have to give them plenty of obedience training.

-They're great with kids, as long as you give them obedience training. However, like with all other breeds, you should never let the dog be in the same room as the baby unsupervised.

-And they're playful and fairly active. Not necessarily a sprinter, but I think a fit, young Miniature Schnauzer could do fine on a hike.

Labrador fits perfectly; short coat, very active, intelligent and trainable, good with kids, a good size.

Or a german sheperd, they're really awesome dogs.

Mix-breeds can also be great and you sound like you could offer a great home to any dog.

Look around your local shelters or at rescue dogs online and there is sure to be a dog that is perfect for you!

My advice would be to get a lab or a cooly or a mutt because they all love people but will protect you in danger and they are good with kids and will love you till they die. I have a mutt and we have been a perfect match she is 2 parts collie one part lab and some other stuff but if research the breed you want first and see how energetic they are because the collies need LOTS of exercise. Good luck to you all.

Heres the link for a 'Dog Breed Selector Test' on Animal Planet. :) You take the test and it matches you with your dog for your lifestyle.

http://animal.discovery.com/breed-selector/dog-bre...