Which Dog is the right for us?

Question
Yes my family is looking for a dog but we are having troubles on which dog to select. Before I get started there is one adult and three children in the household youngest 13, middle 15, oldest 17. The dog needs to stay alone on Monday's from around 6:00pm through about 7:00am the next day. Either that or stay at our dads apartment for the night.  Over the week (Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday) are good days for the dog because everyone is home. But on Friday-Sunday & Monday as noted, the dog needs to stay alone for long periods of time in the house or stay with us in the apartment. Now in the apartment it will get its required amounts of exercise and all that stuff. Now the question is what dog will be right for this type of situation or is it even a good idea to get a dog? I would like a medium sized dog such as a German Shepard, Boarder Collie, Siberian Husky, etc. However if none of the noted types of dogs are a bad fit Beagles look cute as well. Another thing about how much money do you need a year to support the dogs needs. I will do almost anything to get a dog. Please respond fast.

Thanks.

Answer
I don't think there is any breed that would do well going 13 hours by itself.  We never had problems even leaving young puppies 4-5 hours, but no dog should be left much more than that without a break.  I often suggest having a neighbor or professional dog walker give a dog a break.  

An adult dog needs food, a vet visit or 2 a year, heartworm remedy, and likely flea remedy.  You may be able to to do all that for not much over $50/mo.  Dogs and dog owners need training.  With somebody the right age in the family, 4-H dog training is a great idea. In my area, clubs form soon after the first of the year. Even many urban areas have 4-H. For info look in your phone book under government listings for extension or cooperative extension offices. Ask specifically about a dog or canine club. The dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands a treat.

Getting back to which breed, dogs vary so much within a breed, it is hard to say.  Many people say a Border Collie would never do for you.  Well one true to its breed wouldn't.  However many of them have lost their compulsion to herd.  Since money seems to be a concern, I would go to a shelter, and follow your heart.  

There are many nice dogs, and you can see how they look with little or no grooming. You can also see how they behave. Look for dogs that want your attention, but are not going wild. Leave the ones that retreat to the back of their cage. Look at their teeth. Look for ones that still show a 3 lobed, clove like pattern on the front ones. Leave the ones that fight letting you look at their teeth too much. If the points are worn off the teeth, it is an older dog that may break your heart by dying too soon. Pinch the web between its toes. It hurts. It is OK for the dog to pull away or whine, but it shouldn't growl, snap or show its teeth. Think about size. In a small apartment, a Golden might knock over the lamps when it walks through wagging its tail. Since the shelter likely will kill most of the dogs, you may as well pick out a nice one.