dog breeds :)

Question
QUESTION: Hi; We are looking to expand our family! We live in a fairly small sized apartment in a complex. We have a nine month old baby girl and a female cat and I would LOVE to get a dog to complete our family. I do not know much about breeds but I would take the dog for atleast 2 walks a day and there is a dog run in the complex we live in. It MUST be friendly for when people come over and around the baby... any suggestions (small or large breeds)?
Thanks so much!
Samantha

ANSWER: Hi,,,
just give me a little more information,,,,,I know you said you will take it out two times a day, but that might not be enough.  Just think about how many times you go to the bathroom per day and their bladder is half the size of ours....  
Questions:   
  can you handle dog hair?
  can you have a dog groomed (time and price)?
  do you want an active one or a cuddler?
  puppy or adult?
  how much time do you want to spend on brushing and combing
  how big is your apartment  square feet

Ok while you answer these questions I will start researching      
         

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi! thanks for the follow-up! In response:
-I am fine with going out more than twice a day; as a stay at home mom sometimes I LOOK for things to do :) I'm thinking 2 good walks a day and just a quick bathroom run whenever he/she needs to make.
-although dog hair is not ideal, we do deal with our fair share of cat hair...and with a baby on the floor we vacuum pretty frequently. I would like a breed that sheds minimally though.
-I'm sure we can have the dog groomed....how often does that need to be done? We're young and although we can fit a dog in our budget, frequent grooming may be difficult (we plan to factor in vet visits).
-Definitely a cuddler! A calm tempered dog that will play with the baby but also be cool to lounge the day away.
-puppy or adult?... I would like to adopt (my heart  goes out to the shelter dogs) so if you recommend a breed I will probably shop around and then take whatever age I can get
-I will brush/comb/care for the dog as need be..as often as necessary!
-1006 Sq. Ft. apartment
- do you suggest male or female?

Thanks!
Samantha

Answer
Hi,
I am giving you a choice of large and small

LARGE:
   
   collie  smooth or rough
   
   bearded collie
   
   golden retriever
   
   greyhound
   
   soft coated wheaten
    
   boxer   male or female, make sure they get along with cats.  affinity with children,
   may be hyper   ask about this.  wonderful dispositions protective of children in non  
   aggressive way

the above dogs all have wonderful temperaments and none are hyper. Of course there is always the exception to the rule so ask the rescue about the temperament.  Male or female in these breeds are just fine

MEDIUM:
   
   Boykin
   
   Brittany
   
   Whippet

these are also dogs with good temperaments.  Male or female is a good choice

SMALL
   
   Bichon  there is hair cutting about once every two months
   
   Border Terrier   low maintenance,  get female and ask if they get along with cats
   
   Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.....male or female,,,,ask about health.
   
   French Bulldog,, they snore, but if that doesn't bother you this is a good breed
   
   Smooth Fox Terrier that has been raised with children and cats, female is more docile,
   both male and female are cuddlers
   
   Mini Schnauzer  female  BUT make sure dog likes children and cats... This is a wonderful  
   breed, but if not raised correctly can be a problem.  there is grooming about once every
   two months

DESIGNER Breeds:  crossbreeds

   malti poos are very nice
   yorkie maltese
   Chi hua hua Shih tzu cross

Now for the AKC breeds  you can see them all at www.AKC.org

for the other two  you will have to google them

After all of the above,  if you just want a good ole dog   then go with:
Large  golden
Medium Boyken
Small  Cavelier King Charles
but any of the others will be fine, just ask the questions i have advised you to ask
nancy