I like the Jack Russle Terriers. Short hair, easy nature, small, smart and not very "yappy."

lhasa apso they are cute and not too tiny or too big

Pugs are great little dogs. Smart and lots of personality. They shed like crazy though so don't let the short hair fool you. Boston terriors have similar personality traits and are similar in size, 15 to maybe 25 lbs.

pugs and shitzu

American Cocker Spaniel Very sociable and friendly ... people type of dogs.

I have owned several different breeds in the last 40 years and by far the best with kids and stangers and has a strong sense of loyalty was a female Border Collie that I had in the '80s. Very smart dog, friendly, loving, playful with very small children. Just a wonderful pet and a great companion. She weighed about 25lbs. Maybe a little less.

A long haired miniture dashhound. they are very very very lovable. they are easy to take care of.

I would strongly disagree with some of the breeds mentioned here, thus far. The number of pups that end up in the pound of these breeds would sadly support my thoughts. While I am confident that THESE individual dogs were as the owners say they experienced, the breeds themselves may not live up to the claims made. I'm not sure I would say that one single breed of any weight is the 100% Best Dog. For a Family Companion, the best dog is going to be one whose TEMPERAMENT is outstanding. That would be the number one characteristic you want to consider. In truth, there are many of the larger breeds that tend to be MORE relaxed and tolerant of children and the mistakes small children can make in learning how to correctly interact with dogs. (such as ear and tail and hair pulling) If you are set on a small breed type because of the cost of feeding a larger dog, or space available or concerns about being able to control the dog on walks, then, of course, your consideration to have a smaller dog is a good and valid one. You do want to stay clear of most pet shops, because the overwhelming number of puppies there, unfortunately, come from puppy mills. Puppy mills do not breed for quality or good temperament, they breed for profit...THEIRS! You want to watch out for Back Yard Breeders too, because unless YOU know a lot about dogs and specifics about the breed, you can end up paying for what the breeder calls a "purebred show quality puppy" when it may be a pure bred, but it may not be a show quality puppy...the difference can be anywhere from $200 to $600 that you just blew thinking you are getting the next grand Champion. Not all small time (back yard) breeders are bad or ignorant in their breeding, some just don't know any better and believe that ANY purebred dog or bitch will throw show dogs. You may want to consider looking at your local shelter, very often mixed breeds do have outstanding temperaments, they generally are healthy (hybred vigor) and often manage to have "the best of the best" from the different breed types they came from. The bottom line is learn all that you can about the breeds you have an interest in...hit the Internet and read, go to the library, check out different breeders. A responsible breeder (on the purebred types) will greatly desire to match their pups with the proper and best owner for each pup's nature and potential. They will offer you a pet quality pup, (if they have some) once you tell them you do not want to show, you will spay (females) or neuter (males), and that forming a happy bond with THE FAMILY is YOUR most pressing desire for having a dog. They will also offer to take the puppy back within a reasonable time frame if it appears NOT to be working out. Some breeders will let you return the puppy during the first three months, some will even take it back after six months or a year. Ask what that breeder's policy IS if it doesn't work out. You won't get this offer to return with most mixed breeds, but again, you never know. You should be prepared to do the work required to TEACH your new puppy (pure or mixed breed) the correct and acceptable behaviors you desire. I don't care what type or size of pup you have, if you don't properly train them to do what you want, including house training, you are going to be disappointed in how the dog behaves. Using positive reinforcements (+R training) you can teach any dog to understand "the rules" of the house! It's very important that you educate yourself as to WHAT the breed of dog was developed TO DO. This will help you understand what the nature of the dog is likely to be. In general, most Terriers ARE some what hyper active, dynamic, willful, eager; and very, very smart. Terriers were bred to be scrappy, "go-to-ground" "rah, rah, fight it out!" dogs! They do not always get along well with small children. They like to DO THINGS...they can become very bored and will create their own fun if you do not provide something interesting and a fair amount of active play/work for them to do. Retrievers are usually lively, happy-go-lucky, up for what ever you might have in mind...but can appear to be slightly brainless for about the first three to five years, until they settle and learn to fully focus...it depends upon how much training time you spend with the dog. With any breed, training (especially +R) teaches the puppy and young dog to FOCUS ON YOU and what you are teaching them to do...to earn the reward! Some breeds live to please US as their main goal, other live to do (an activity) or please themselves first and then US. My current dog's first thought is almost always, "...and you are offering me ?? what?" (typical Husky nature!) Gray hounds and actually all of the larger hounds, Deer hounds, and the great Wolfhounds...are couch potatoes...yes, they need and want to do some play and running, but they are quite content (even as young adult dogs) to go for a relaxing stroll, and return to the house for a bit if dinner and a snooze on the couch or at your feet while you watch TV. They tend to be VERY mellow dogs, even ex-racing Gray hounds, with a moderate amount of walking and healthy play...they are less active than the average 20 to 30 pound dog. If you are interested in a small breed type only because you believe a small dog will be EASY to deal with...I'm just saying...guess again...size is not the issue on temperament or train-ability. While I do not believe that ANY DOG will DECIDE to misbehave in order to upset us...the humans, or to "pay us back" for something the dog didn't like...their brains are not capable of functioning in such ways...(we do things for such reasons...animals do not) I do believe that most dogs will do things we don't want them to do, if we do not teach them to do the correct behaviors, or if we do not provide them with alternative acceptable behaviors...always set your puppy or dog up to be successful in doing the correct behavior. Your best bet is to educate yourself, before you start to look for ANY SIZE or breed of pup. Read about Bite Accidents, (and you learn that the poor Cocker has become one of the Top Biters in the USA, (mostly because of poor breeding, Puppy Mills) their temperaments are no longer what they originally were. Sure there are still some lovely Cockers out there, but as a whole the breed is less stable than it used to be. A lot of popular breeds have not only temperament issues to consider, but some pretty heavy health issues. Again, another good reason to consider a MUTT, mixed breed or Crossbred dog. NOT a "DESIGNER DOG" a popular new title for deliberately crossing two different breeds...such as a Labradoodle...a cross of Lab and Poodle. Which is not to say this isn't a good cross. My neighbor has one and she is a sweet, lovely, smart little pup and training up a royal treat! But, the difference is a mixed or crossbreed pup might cost you $25 to $100 and a DESIGNER DOG, the same exact dog...will cost you $200 to $400...and, ummm... neither title is going to give you a dog that is recognized by the AKC or legible for any AKC functions, or shows...it's just a new fangled freaking LABEL to put on the dog! This being said, all my personal dogs have been Mutts, Crossbred, of assorted sizes and all have been VERY GOOD with children, and the elderly. Several have been certified Therapy Dogs, and my current doggy-girl, a second generation crossbred GSD/Husky is the biggest challenge I've ever had in 30 years of dog training...her mission in life is to reduce me to a "State of Total Humility" as dog trainer, and she's doing a great job of it! <wink> She not only learns what I want her to learn, she also learns any "accidental" training that ANYONE gives her as well...both equally fast too! She is not a big dog either, classed as a medium sized at 18 inches at the shoulder and about 35 to 40 pounds. READ, READ, READ and look at LOTS of dogs, talk to breeders about the temperaments of their dogs, and do not be afraid to say, "I like this puppy but I want to think about it over night, will you hold him/her for me until noon tomorrow." If they say NO, then do not give this person any money...run! And look elsewhere, it's ok if they ask for a small deposit (shows you really ARE interested) but should return the money to you as long as you show up on the morrow with an answer, or it becomes part of the purchase price and is deducted from the total if you do take the pup!

Get a "Heinz 57" (multi-breed) with a touch of black lab. I have one that's part spaniel, black lab, rat terrier, and some others. He's the most gentle, loyal, cheerful dog. swabby

Yes, I hear that Boston Terriers are great, especially with kids, but I would go to an animal shelter if I were you. Try to find a little mutt and save a life in the process!

Chihuahua's are actually very cuddly and sweet dogs and great with children if raised as a pup and socialized well. they are definitely lap dogs! be careful though if you have very small children the smaller the dog the greater the chances of it getting hurt because children don't always understand "BE NICE" even when you think they might!

Any dog could be the "best" if it has the "best" owner/family. It should be a lifetime commitment (theirs)!

My mother in law

Hands down, the BOSTON TERRIER. Ultra smart, friendly, trains easily, travels well, great companion, energetic or can be a coach potato and won't shed like other smaller long hair breeds. Plus they're always dressed to impress in their tuxedo! Bostons RULE!

a lemur

Pugs! If obtained by a proper breeder! (a proper breeder does NOT sell their pups to pet stores, or advertize their dogs for sale in papers, etc.) To find a good breeder you can contact the breeds' 'Club of America' Or...you can always look into rescue organizations for the chosen breed!

I did hours and hours of studying before we bought our first family dog when my son was 1. We chose a Pug, they are loyal, calm, well mannered, sweet and loving natured and they are highly rated for children. I own a home day care and my pug is one of the kids, she's nice, patient, just everything I could ever dream of in a little dog. The only thing I hate is that sometimes she barks when someone knocks on the door. BUT-thats great at night time, lets me know when someone's here, when they shouldnt be. Also another breed I own is an English Bulldog-also awesome!! But, not under 30 lbs.