What medium, calm, low-shedding dog breeds do you recommend for me?

Great question and kudos to you for doing your homework before adopting a new puppy! :-) Some of my favorite smaller dogs breeds that bark a bit less include a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Welsh terrier, or a miniature Australian Shepherd. Any dog will bark from time to time, but these breeds typically are quieter and have gentle temperaments. Another breed, a Shiba Inu, practically never barks but generally speaking, they tend not to be as agreeable. The AKC website has a tool that can help with "breed selection" based upon your lifestyle and needs, if you are exclusively looking for purebred dogs. Otherwise, there are plenty of rescues and shelters (even breed-specific rescues) that may be able to help you find a puppy if you are also open to mixed-breed dogs.

If you want a big, loving dog, a Labrador or Golden Retriever would be recommended. If a small breed is needed, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel makes a fantastic pet and companion. You should visit the local animal shelter and take a look at their offerings for adoption.

It's really difficult to know which breeds your kids will be allergic to. I find the small breed dogs to generally not cause allergies as much as the larger breed dogs, so it's good that you are in the market for a small breed dog. The dogs that I find to be especially itchy are pit bulls, shar peis and bulldogs. The only way you will know for sure is if the new dog spends about a week in the house. If a week goes by and your kids are not showing signs of allergies, then you can be rather sure that the new dog will not cause allergies. I definitely recommend adopting rather than buying one from a store or breeder. Shelters will often allow you to test them out before committing to adopting them and usually have plenty of small breed dogs available. I hope that helps and all goes well with your new dog search.

I am so sorry to hear about your losses. I would definitely consider a mixed breed dog from a shelter or rescue group. A medium to large sized dog, such as a retriever or pit bull mix might be a good size if you are looking for a dog to be a "protector". You will want to be sure to talk to the rescue group or shelter about what you are looking for in a dog and what your lifestyle is like (active vs. mostly sedentary, living in an apartment vs large fenced yard, other pets in the house) so they can fit you with the right personality for your dog. You can also look at http://www.akc.org/find-a-match/#slide1 to help get an idea of some breeds you may be interested in (however a mixed breed is always a great choice).

If you are living in a small apartment, then a small breed dog would honestly be a better choice; in addition, smaller breeds don't need as much maintenance as a medium breed dog. You could consider a pug, a pekinese, a French bulldog, or even a chihuahua. These breeds need a minimal amount of exercise, and are very happy being lap dogs.

Hi. Given your requirements I would recommend that you search for an adult dog to adopt. A puppy would require frequent trips outside to become housebroken and typically may bark more. Young pups also require visits to vetfrequently for vaccines. Many breeds or mixes fit your other requirements. It's best to evaluate the animal by individual personality and temperament. You will want a dog that is fairly laid back and not high energy as it will be left alone for long periods. I'm unsure if there are shelters or places to adopt adult dogs in your area. If so many are usually very willing to help educate you and help find the dog best suited to your needs.

While no dogs are completely hypoallergenic there are some that have less dander than others. The most common of these breeds include the poodle, the Bichon Frise, and the Maltese. I have attached a link to a list of dogs considered hypoallergenic here: http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/hypoallergenic-dogs/ for your review.