Things i am looking for in a dog??? Tall order???

[overdraft]

Never owned a dog before but here is what I want

A medium sized dog that the children could help walk
Won't need huge amounts of excersise
won't atack the kids ( o.k to attack mother in law though)
Which breed should I be looking for?

Geekgrrl - don't think so. The breed factsheet says they are sensitive, but it doesn't make them nervous. What usually makes dogs nervous is the people who handle them and enforce nervous traits (such as the picking up of puppies and small dogs when they see another dog coming). But they don't sound like your bag anyway Overdraft.
Story re tortoise and large mouthed dogs.... my vet once spent hours glueing a tortoise back together (well, his shell) after a Staffy had mistaken him for a hide chew. Tortoise unharmed, shell sadly did not fare well. Must have been terrified the poor thing!

Have a look on \link{http://www.dogpages.org.uk/forums/index.php?showforum=29\here}
I know quite a few of the rescue centres that post on there do rehome to families with young children in the right circumstances.

Have to warn you though that there are a lot of cute photos of needy dogs...

If only someone could invent an attractive bald (or non-moulting) dog with no teeth...

Hmm-Whips aren't exactly the bravest dogs-well downright cowards actually but I wouldn't call them nervous as a breed.
Afraid they do need coats in Winter but so do I!
You wouldn't believe the amount of fun you can have choosing coats for dogs

How about a grey hound?Plenty up for rescue and have suoer temperaments.They do tend to chase things though

\link{http://www.necgb.org.uk/\Norwegian elkhund}

In my experience, it's the small dogs which are more vicious. And the dog potty training does not last long. I found mine easy! Plus if you get a puppy, you can mould them into your lifestyle. (and the kids will have fun helping out and in turn, will teach them respnsibilty skills) But, dont get me wrong, I am a great beleiver in that 'you can teach an old dog, new tricks!' There is a lot of good advice being given here.

C'mon, get a Lab!!!! Fantastic with kids and hate Mother in laws! hahaha