One thing I learned when I became single again is ladies like dogs. Dogs can be chick magnets, too. Having a clean, attractive dog with you out in public is almost as good as borrowing a kid and doing the "good dad" thing, guys.  

(Mind you, I don't own a dog because they can be chick magnets. Oh no! I own a dog because I am an animal lover. I even earned animal-related merit badges in scouts!  I love animals and animals love me. . .nothing to do with getting me some "down there"! But I digress. . .)

"I'm gonna buy me a dog [a dog, a dog! why? ]/'Cause I need a friend now. [Say, you need all the friends you can get]/ I'm gonna buy me a dog. . ." -- The Monkees

Before you and your family start singing the above Boyce and Hart-penned Monkees hit, you need to do some research. Speak with a veterinarian or go online and check into family-friendly dog breeds. Face 

it, if you have young children or you are going to have young children, you need to think long and hard when it comes to owning a dog.
Some breeds lend themselves to being family dogs and some are all too often in the news for eating infants, if you will. You need to choose a breed of dog that is known to behave appropriately around even the worst 

offspring.
First, eliminate the obvious bad choices. Overly aggressive dogs, herders (heel-nipping Corgis) and breeds known to cause allergies (Golden Retrievers) are generally considered unwise choices.
What do you do once you have eliminated the obvious bad choices? Consult a book on dog breeds, call dog experts or surf the web. You will

discover that the majority of experts can agree on the following breeds as being "kid-friendly": Cocker Spaniel, Australian Shepherd, Basset Hound, Beagle, Bearded Collie, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bichon Frise, Bloodhound, Boston Terrier and Boxer.
There you have it. Are there exceptions? No doubt but now you have some solid guidelines.
Furthermore, if you are still uncertain as to the dog you wish to purchase for your family there is yet another option. Gather the clan around your faithful, old computer and go online. Sites such as selectsmart.com have surprisingly helpful dog breed selector quizzes. Ain't modern technology wonderful!?

Let me know what you think. . .good or bad.  Don't worry; my bark is worse than my bite.

My name is Phoenix and. . .that’s the bottom line.