A lot depends on your personality and what you are willing to put up with. Long or short hair-needs to be groomed either on a daily basis or 1 to 2 times a week, dogs shed hair and the longer & thicker it is the more you put up with.All dogs need to be walked ( owner/pet relationship bonding and training) big dogs need longer and more energetic walks.If you have children can depend a lot on size & temperment of dog breed.Best bet-go to liburary and check out dog ownership book for "Dummies". It will help you really understand what you need.

I depends on the size dog you would like. I heard someone here recommend a Jack Russell terrier ('Eddie' on "Frasier" was a JRT), which is a dog I wanted until I did a little research. Apparently, JRT's are very jealous of any other people or dogs in the house, which means they might no be the best dog to have with kids. That's why we decided to go with a black lab. They're great with kids, really smart, and serve as a comfort for when my husband goes out of town (we have 2 labs now, and their loud, bellowing barks ward off potential ne'er-do-wells).

Golden Retriever. Never go for Cavachons.

We have a chocolate lab/Weimeraner mix that is the smartest, most loving dog you can imagine. They have a sweet disposition to start with. We could do anything to that dog and she'd be happy. My husband gets her up on the bed, wraps the blankets around her, and wrestles with her. She takes insulin for diabetes, and as soon as she hears me mixing it (she's also blind), she goes to where I first gave her the shots, sits down, and sticks her leg out. If it's the wrong one for that time of day, I tell her "other side" and she turns around and sticks out the other leg.

GREAT DANE!!!! I have one who is the most friendly and loyal dog that I have ever had. He is large, 160lbs, but they have a slow metabolism and don't eat as much as you would think they do. They are wonderful with children and love to fetch and roll in the floor with you. They will also climb up your lab like a big baby and lay there. My fiance, who has always had Pitt Bulls said that the Great Dane is so much smarter and friendlier than any of those Pitts were. They have very short hair and do not shed , he also stays in the house and has never pooped or peed or broke anyhting. He is truely a Gentle Giant!!!!!

It all depends on: level of your activity, Are you active? do you want a lap dog, or an active breed? are you looking for a hunting dog, a guard dog. The size of the dog shouldn't matter what does is your expectations.Also even amongst same breeds there are different temperaments.Some are Hi active Medium active and Low active.I would suggest you take an experience person with you when purchasing your dog, remember cuteness is for the moment only

Check at the local shelter there are lots of dogs in there that need good homes. Sometimes they are even housetrained already and usually they are already spayed or neutered which is a big plus.

Golden Retriever, if you want to have a pet; a sort of family member. Boxer or German Shepherd as a sentinel, too protective of the master.