Since my right hand is currently encased in a hard brace and typing is a real bitch for me...you are getting the same answer I just gave another poster with a similar question*...it applies here too... READING, RESEARCH AND talking to breeders...LOOKING AT A LOT OF DIFFERENT DOGS is the best key to finding the right one...take your time! Remember, not all big dogs jump fences, and many small dogs CAN JUMP quite high AND also can and will CLIMB a chain-link fence! *Do your research FIRST on the different breeds...read about them, and then start looking at some that interest you. AVOID PET STORES...usually they are puppy mill puppies and have many physical and emotional problems....sad but true. If you want a pure bred talk to different breeders. However, BEWARE the breeder who can not answer your questions about health issues in general and specific issues about THEIR blood lines, or who have not bothered to SHOW the bitch (mother) and/or the dog (father). A really GREAT breeder will also tell you to contact them if it is not working out with THIS puppy, they will put in the contract that they'll take the pup back under certain conditions, be it you choosing another pup, or whatever the agreement is. They will also likely insist that if you are buying a PET QUALITY purebred pup, it is to be spayed or neutered. They MAY not sell SHOW QUALITY puppies before the age of 4 to 6 months. But allow you to visit and put a small deposit down on one they believe/hope will be Show Quality, until it reaches the age that they can best say it WILL be a show quality dog. A breeder shows to prove that their blood lines SHOULD be bred, they earn their points and titles to prove that the bitch/dog has positive traits that will hopefully improve the breed and produce BETTER puppies. Otherwise they are NOT breeding responsibly, and will often try and charge you for a puppy they say is "a purebred, show quality dog" when the truth is even with a REAL show dog that has its titles you CAN NOT KNOW that the puppies WILL be show quality until about 6 months of age....with the titles held by the parents, you have a better chance of the puppies being show quality...but you are still hoping and ASSUMING that's what they will turn out to be. I'm most in favor of MUTTS...they have hybrid vigor, are usually less likely to have physical or health problems in general, and make outstanding pets. A slightly older pup lets you have a better idea of exactly what you will end up with when they finish growing...slightly older being 6 months up. Your best bet, purebred or mixed breed is to judge on TEMPERAMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL PUP OR DOG! That's the ticket to finding the "perfect" companion animal. Take your TIME...this is hopefully a 12 to 15 year commitment you are looking to create here! With a privet party, if you are almost sure it's the RIGHT ONE, offer a deposit and walk away for 24 hours to think about it (visit "your" pup more than once at different times of the day and also try to observe the Mom and Dad dogs too). If they say NO deposit...now or loose it RUN AWAY...look some place else! Most dogs on adoption row at shelters, pounds, and rescues HAVE HAD at least a modified or a full TEMPERAMENT TEST before being placed up for adoption. This is a huge PLUS...they've already screened the pup or dog AND it has cleared the basic Temperament Test requirements! Do check these great dogs out...and take your time..DO THE READING ABOUT THE DIFFERENT BREEDS! Remember to spay or neuter your new dog at the correct time...be part of the solution to over populated shelters...not part of the problem...(and help protect your new dog from Breast cancer and cancer of the uterus by spaying and cancer of the testis by neutering! Win/Win!!

Labrador, dosile, affectionate, and good guard dog bark!

Visit www.dogbreedinfo.com ...they have a quiz you can take to figure out what kind of dog is good for you!

RAT TERRIER!they are small(mine weighs 15lbs)smart,easy to house break and train,love children,and definately will become one of the family. balls, squeaky toys,are no match for a rattie.they will play until they drop .they do have an "off" switch.so when your done playing,they are too.every night between 9-10 mine goes and gets in the bed.buy one from a reputable breeder or a rat terrier rescue.you will not be dissapointed..

A Shi-Tzu Very friendly!!! Thats mine yawning!

I have a corgi... she is the cutest most friendly dog... everyone I know loves her and is always holding her and petting her... She's an attention whore... She's always smiling and in a good mood... But they aren't too hyper...

I agree with everything that Redhawk stated. You need to look around to find the right Breed that is best suited to you and your family. I have two mutts and a beagle. All are loving. I didn't look around for any of them. Animals seem to find their way to my family. The friendliest that I have is our Beagle. Chuck is the most loving creature. He sleeps with me every night. He seems to need to be touching someone at all times. He does escape from the penned yard, but only when some wild animal or a neighbor's cat has been in the yard. He comes running as soon as he hears his name called. My fence is currently a little lower than four feet, but that is about to change with the five foot chain link fence sitting in my yard. Two more weeks and he will be staying put.

Miniature Pinscher! Can be calm when left alone or can be ecxited and playful when given extra attention. Great with children(mine has never nipped at my son and he pulls ears and pokes occasionally). Good dogs for training. Faithful companion (sometimes mine follows me around the house for no reason)Good dogs to just curl up on your lap while watching TV.