"I wouldn't get an older dog. I know a lot of people take them on and find them wonderful but the truth is that they just aren't as predictable as a dog with a known history"
BOLLOCKS!
That kind of talk invariably comes from someone who has no working knowledge of rescue and it costs lives. And makes me bloody cross, in case you dodn't guess by now.
Many rescue dogs DO have a history, having come from family homes owing to redundancy/ill health/house moves etc. By no means are all rescue dogs strays from the pound. Regardless of this all decent rescues don't just take the previous owner's word but assess their dogs before rehoming.
I am a rescuer and I am sick to death of this "don't know the history" crap being trotted out because people believe it, reject the idea of a rescue dog and go instead to a breeder, leaving the rescue dogs to languish in kennels and the pound dogs which would have taken their places when they moved on to new homes killed because rescue has no space for them.
Whatever you do, PLEASE don't go via your local free ads or paper. The last person n here who said she did that had the dog killed within 48 hours of getting him after her neighbours' DD was bitten. Take a dog on from an ad in the paper and where do you go when it all goes wrong? Who will have the dog if it doesn't work out? How do you know that the owners are telling the truth? Where's the professional, experienced assessment? Who do you turn to for advice?
A dog from a reputable and responsible rescue will be assessed, neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, matched to the new owner and vice versa, bringing with him a lifetime's support and an agreement that the rescue will take the dog back should the owner not be ablt to keep him, even if that's in 10 years time. A decent rescue will also homecheck you - this is for YOUR benefit as much as the dogs and irons out many problems before they arise. Better to be sort out that hole in the fence than to pay a vet's bill for a run over dog or worse still find your new dog dead on the side of the road, for example.
In looking for a rescue, accept nothing less than the above as a minimum and you will be fine, honestly advised and supported for life.
As for breeds, I'd have a Staffie happily, personally. Largely it's not about breed though, it's about personality and temperement and they all differ from dog to dog, not from breed to breed. You like Labs? You wouldn't want mine, I can tell you, he's a grumpy sod and wouldn't take happily to the noise and chaos of young children. My younger German Shepherd, on the other hand, is as soft as butter and would love you all.
Find a couple of decent rescues, go visit but don't go looking for a breed. Tell them all about yourselves, be honest, and let them guide you. Go with an open mind - it's no use wanting the arsey Lab when the gentle German Shepherd would far better suit your circumstances. (This is the woman who was once looking for a small, approx 4 year old collie cross or Spaniel type girl and ended up with a 9 year old long haired white German Shepherd who became the love of her life!).
If you need a recommendation for a reputable rescue, let me know the county/area you're in and I'll do my best to help, as will others on here I'm sure.
Val - independent network rescuer and fosterer for rescue.