My cousins had a series of Boston Terriers, which were quite friendly, if you can cope with the short-nose snort.

Labradoodles, for a hybrid breed, are actually pretty good. All of the friendliness/family ease of a Lab but with the coat of a poodle which is hypoallergenic and not too bad with the shedding. They also tend to be smaller in size. (The ones my friends have is about 35 lbs.)

Good suggest, Barb. I will admit, I think a Lab is the right dog for them but since apparently I don't get to entirely choose another family's dog. Silly.

Is there a small breed dog that is good with kids ages two and five.

Pug!

I'm a huge fan of the shelter mix, of course.

I can also endorse the Boston recommendation, and the Labradoodle. Though, it is important to be careful with which member of any given litter you choose. They are not all non-shedders. AND be careful that you can track size through a couple of generations.

I have 3 'doodles on my service...mostly for self-control issues and super high energy...one is nearly the size of a Great Dane and the other two are regular Lab sized.

For the smaller, non-shedders, I can highly endorse the Malti-poo. Very sweet, super cute and small boned.

Shih Tzu's are also great. They have 'hair', not fur, and are of good temperament.

Added point about the smaller 'ooodle combos. Any Poodle mix, Shih Tzu, Bichon, Maltese, Llasa Apso, etc. is going to require on-going, regular grooming. More than the usual nails and tails stuff. That is an expense and 'thing on the plate' that some folks don't consider.

I love me some Pugs and am a huge fan of the Puggle. Chosen correctly, they smooth out the Pug's normally needy personality and the Beagle's noisiness. They are also, generally healthier in the eye and respiratory systems where Pugs can suffer.

Pugs shed like a fur _factory_ and need regular facials to stem yucky yeast and eye infections.

Be careful with the Puggle jaw to ensure that there is good alignment.

I miss Taz. Wah.

Ugh, boarding kitties for urinary issues sucks. I used to sit outside Malachi's cage trying to coax him into peeding for the nice lab techs but there is a strong obstinancy there.

I gave blood this morning before work and am already regretting doing a mid-week donation. Sipping emergen-C and taking vitabiotic hoping to ward off another round of interminable cold/crud but throat already starting to hurt and 4 hrs later my skin still has an odd greenish tinge. Should be eating but nauseous still. Bleargh, i think i rushed out of the canteen to get to work on time which was not the best idea i've ever had.

Hrm, is there any reason to be worried about a lump on my shin? It's been there a couple months....at first i thought it was an undeveloped bruise as it's right at a level with my bed, an area where i constantly bang my shins. Can lots of bruises leave a permanent lump? It doesn't hurt or move.

Days like this, I start wanting to get a dog. Something cuddly. I don't really know anything about taking care of dogs, though. The only pet I've ever had was hermit crabs when I was in second grade.