Finding a dog who will find you is easy. However, a lot of dogs are one-person dogs. Since you have kids and cats, a potentially troubled shelter dog who will view you as his savior may not be a good mix.

Before we got our lab, we got a Belgian shepherd mix from a local rescue place. The dog was the product of a broken home and, apparently, part of a shared custody arrangement. The rescue people told us how he would jump the fence when he was away from the kids' house and run across town to be with them.

Well, he was a great dog. For me. He would lie beside me in my garage office, run with me, etc. However, as he got comfortable and found his voice, he started looking too interested in my toddler son's scampers across the room and, when he growled fiercely at my daughter coming down the stairs, he was gone. I think he didn't know who was who and who to protect from whom.

"Huh," said the rescue people. They recommended that we take a look at another dog. It was the Hound of the Baskervilles on steroids. Go slowly. Getting rid of a dog who doesn't fit will make you feel bad.

No, amateur grooming. My wife shaves her about every 6 months. One year she shaved too close and our pup looked like a little pig! She had to wear a t-shirt so she didn't get sunburned. Maybe it's the mild california weather, so her coat doesn't get that thick.

yeah you definitely do NOT want to be around a sunburned dog. they're just downright cranky. as far as the fur, it could be. the girl who had the one I was around was from Colorado, so alot of the time the dog was snowbound or at least in a very cold climate. either way, dynamite dogs.

I don't even know where to start. Do you want large or small? Furry or not. Require grooming or not? A dog that can withstand temperature extremes or an inside dog? Do you want a dog that can be off leash at all?

All dogs can be trained but some are more difficult that others.

Two of "my" dogs are chow mixes. Both are loving and fuzzy, can stay outside, love cats, are good watch dogs and are generally great dogs. One is mixed with a Wheaton Terrier and his only problem is waunderlust. Terriers tend to like to escape and roam.

Lab mixes are great dogs all around and are very popular. The Lab is the #1 most popular dog in the US. They take some work and puppy stage can last a LONG time. But, they are generally great dogs.

Beagles are wonderful but stubborn and have an annoying bark. They are hearty little dogs.

Boxers are great but difficult. We've never had a Boxer that could handle doggie day camp.

I have a Pitt mix that is the most loving and sweet girl ever.

Goldens are always great dogs. I've never met a bad golden.

Another favorite dog of mine is a Husky. Sweet, loving, loves to exercise and play.

Any of the herding dogs are lots of fun, very smart and trainable and they LOVE to play. I love Corgies and Border Collies especially. They will herd your cats and children.

When you're looking for a dog that will be friendly with cats, look at what category their breed is in. Generally, (and this is NOT always true). If they are bread to catch things, they may not do well with cats. That can be the case with hounds and terriers especially - but, again, that isn't a rule.

Dog Groups:
Sporting
Hound
Working
Terrier
Toy
Non-Sporting
Herding

I could go on and on. I've taken care of so many dogs and different breeds over the past year, I feel I've gotten to know the general personalities of different breeds, but when you have a mix, you never know.

Start with www.Petfinders.com or find a breed you like and go to a breed rescue.

I knew there'd be more. ;)

Puppies are adorable but are a LOT of work and training is a full time job for about a good year. BUT, your cats will do their part to train the dog. With an older dog, you probably still need to train but their personality will be further developed so you know what you're getting into.

But, ANY dog can be trained. Some are more difficult than others. Remember, dogs are pack animals. YOU need to be the Alpha dog in the pack for the dog to listen to you.

My boss always says "There are no bad dogs, only bad owners". I believe him.

And even then, it can be on a cat-by-cat basis. Our family's last dog was a rescue, found by a friend of a friend of a friend or something. That person who found her had to give her up because, while she got along with their other dog, she didn't get along with their cat. BUT, the people they gave her to had to give her up becuase the exact opposite was true, she had no problem with their cat, but didn't get along with thier dog.

Most rescue orgs will let you do a test run to be sure they're a good fit. It won't guarantee perfect compatability, but it should let you know if there are any major issues.

Watch The Dog Whisperer. You might learn some things about training. I love watching that show.

I have.

My brothers smooth collie- who sadly died too young- would be perfect, but I don't know if I could find one outside a breeder.

Short hair
good inside and out
sweet, loving, attentive but not too demanding.
Protective and playful-

My dog would stay inside in inclement weather except for potty runs. So both and outdoor and indoor dog-but not a fence jumper.

I am also pretty anti-drool-so big drooling breeds- no good.

Just remember, if it is under 20 pounds it is not a dog, it is a rat with a hairy tail.

Owning rats is perfectly fine, but don't go around telling people you got a dog. They'll just laugh at you when you're not looking.