I couldn't agree more Dr. Benaroch. Go for a rescue dog who is older, more settled and who has been kid-tested. Do some research because you may want a fairly low-maintenance dog since you've got two young kids. There are so many medium-sized and large dogs who are very gentle with kids.As a long-time pet rescuer and advocate for shelter pets, I can tell you that pit bulls or pittie mixes can be perfect companions for kids. They get such a bad rap because so many are raised to fight, so shelters are filled with them. They are not natural killers. Any dog can be trained to kill if treated cruelly enough. Go online and check out various breeds until you find one that seems to suit your needs. You will surely find a breed-specific non-profit rescue group for the type of dog you decide on. These groups do the work of angels. They rescue dogs from shelters, often just before they're about to be destroyed. They get them spayed or neutered and whatever other vet care they require and place them in a volunteer foster home where they are carefully screened for behavior with kids and other pets, toilet training, obedience, walking on a leash, etc. Once you find a dog you're interested in, the rescue group/foster family can give you an accurate assessment of that particular dog's temperament. And there are volunteer transport groups that will get your dog to you from almost anywhere to almost anywhere. There's nothing like the love and devotion of a rescued dog. Happy searching for your new furry family member.View Thread