Thanks for the suggestions all.

I've actually fostered several dogs through a great rescue in our area.  I highly recommend that for younger folks who aren't ready for the 24/7/365 commitment of a dog, but also who are trying to learn about various breeds and which fit best into their lifestyle.

Here's a pic of our Lucas - first dog for me and the kids. We're all learning fast - it's been tricky because I don't think he was used to too many rules before. Having a dog has brought out more of the primal me - I was scared of them as a kid and as an adult although not scared as such I've always been wary of them. Now I have to show Lucas that we're cool with the big rottie/boxer down the road and it's all going great.

It's amazed me how almost everyone is an expert on dogs - even though their own dogs pay them absolutely no attention when they call them.

I LOVE my rotties, but as with any breed but you gotta put in the effort for training.    I know people that have several tiny little ankle biters who absolutely are the run of that household . . . I would NEVER put up with that.

Yup, I can't stand little dogs because I haven't met one yet that wasn't a little asshole

If it's the size of a cat, why not just get a cat? They're quieter.

We've got a GSD bitch, Zoe, who was a handful as a puppy. Even after taking basic obedience, she just wouldn't LISTEN to us. So we hired a personal dog trainer, who'd trained the Miami-Dade police K9's for over 10 years, and he whipped her into shape and showed us how to do it for ourselves. She also had a high pain tolerance that surprised him (she's a small GSD--only around 55lbs). The prong collar had zero effect, so we had to upgrade to a remote collar. THAT's when we started seeing some serious changes in her. It enabled us to play fetch with her off-leash in our yard at work, and if a bird or squirrel distracted her all we'd have to do was press a button and she'd come trotting back to us. It's all about how you use it. In the hands of an ignoramus it's a torture tool, but in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing, it's an excellent training device.

Great Video and really nice looking shepard.

Mizz Belle is an Australian Cattle Dog.  She is not for the first time dog owner or someone who is not active.  While she is not nearly as exercise demanding as the "blue dogs" that have come before her, she needs at least 30 minutes per day of running and frisbee chasing.  She is not a good first time dog either as this breed will not allow you to be alpha, you do have to earn that spot, it is not given as with other breeds.

She is highly prey driven, does herd cattle and sheep and will run all geese off of your golf course should the need arise.  With that said she needs to have some sort of job.  Anything that will tax the breed mentally or physically or both would be great.  Find something for them to do, or they will find something to do that you would really rather they -not- do.  Don't make the mistake of showing them to do something without thinking it all the way through.  While it is cute to train them to open the ice box to get a bottle of bear, they will do the same trick to get the roast out of the ice box while you are gone.

  While she loves children, she will herd them should she think they are going astray.  She herds via nipping so most children, and their parents, do not appreciate her efforts. 

Most ACD's I have owned are hugely territorial.  Should you threaten their property or pack, they will indeed bite.  They will warn you, but most people I find do not speak dog fluently and miss the "I'm about to bite you!" message until after the incident.