What breed of dog would be the most compatible for me and my family?

unequivocally--a pit bull! before you count them out, consider this: i own two. they are great with cats, as well as other small animals and children. don't believe the stories you may have heard. our female nursed our cat when he was a kitten, though she had never had pups of her own. as long as you start with a pup and socialize it--that means getting it around as many people and other animals as you can--you will end up with a fantastic companion and protector. someone already pointed out that it's the dander, not the fur that sparks allergies. i have a severe allergy to dog dander, yet my pit bulls hardly ever bother my allergies. not to mention they hardly shed at all and don't require much in the way of grooming. a lot of people have suggested labs, but they have a tendency to get overweight without a lot or exercise and hip displaysia is a common malady to the breed. pit bulls have no inherent health problems and are one of the smartest dog breeds out there. they were bred specifically to be companions to people. and anyway, could you really take a dog seriously if it was called a "goldie-poo"? for god's sake! that's ridiculous. if you want a good dog, you can't go wrong with a pit bull.

Labs are great dogs! I think your family would find that they are really sweet dogs.

I think you are absolutely right! Border Collies are high-intensity, high-drive working dogs. They require a LOT of exercise, and preferably a job to do or they can be insane to live with. We're talking at least two thirty minute STRENUOUS runs every day, not a casual 3 mph walk around the block. Many Border Collies end up in the pound because people can't deal with their herding instincts, car chasing and odd behavior (like guarding pots and pans!)Labs can be very powerful and playful, and could easily hurt a cat without even meaning to. Plus they shed terribly and aren't good for people with allergies. I'm surprised your mom could tolerate cats if she really is allergic to dog hair - usually it's the other way around. Your mom should spend at least a few hours at the breeder's home to see if it bothers her.With cats, you definitely shouldn't get a terrier!I'd suggest going with an English Cocker Spaniel (NOT the American Cocker!) or an English Springer Spaniel or a Welsh Springer Spaniel or a Portugese Water dog or a Curly Coated Retriever or an Irish Water Spaniel. (Maybe even a Havanese or a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen - but I don't know any personally. You'd have to go to dog shows and check them out.) These are somewhat rare breeds - check out www.ack.org for breeders. The PWD, CCR and IWS look a bit like Standard poodles, but they're not as high energy. They're easy to train and don't shed much at all. The IWS and the PWD tend to be on the shy side, so make sure you get her out and socialize her while she's young. And because they don't shed, they're going to need more grooming than the average dog.BEFORE you get a puppy, I'd also suggest reading some really good books on training. Try not to do it randomly - there are a lot of bad books out there also! These are some of my favorites:What All Good Dogs Should Know - VolhardGood Owners, Great Dogs - Brian KilcomminsDog Tricks : Eighty-Eight Challenging Activities for Your Dog from World-Class Trainers by Haggerty and BenjaminDon't Shoot the Dog - PryorTraining Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - VolhardDog Problems - BenjaminCesar's Way - Cesar MillanAlso, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on TV.

a maltese ot yorkie or lab these are good family dogs

Whatever you do DO NOT GET A BORDER COLLIE. Don't get me wrong, they are phenomenal dogs, but they are serious working dogs with an incredible herding instinct. They will make your resident cats miserable! They can nip as well (again, it's part of the herding instinct) and are no good with children. They are also so intelligent, they get bored easily and constantly need a job (or they will destroy your home). A Labrador Retriever is an all around wonderful breed. They make fantastic family dogs, have great temperaments and are known for doing fine with people, other dogs and cats. If your mom is allergic to dogs, however, hair length is really irrelevant. All dogs shed and most people are not allergic to the hair, they're allergic to the dander and the saliva. If you want a hypo-allergenic dog, get a poodle. Poodles don't have fur they have hair and are great for folks with allergies. They're smart dogs too and come in 3 sizes...toy, minature & standard. Good luck.

A puppy or a shelter dog that has been screened. If you go with a new puppy make sure that whatever breed it is (or dominant breed if a mixed dog) doesn't have a high prey drive. Remember if the cats run that the dog will chase. If the cats stand their ground and swat the pup in the nose, the pup will learn to respect the cats' space. Also training, training, training and lots of socialization for any pup. They need to be good members of society.

If Mom is alergic to dog hair then do not get a dog. Short hair means just that Short! Its still there you just dont see it so easily.So for the sake of Mom's heath you might want to let this idea go.

if your mom is allergic to dog hair u might want to get a poodle since they dont shed. as far as that goes. if you have a cat that will stand up to a dog then any dog will do. cuz we had a cat that would play with the dogs and just stand there if they started messing with him. somethin happened to that cat and we had to give that dog away but we got a new cat that was real skittish and we got a new dog too and that cat will run from the dog so the dog will chase it . the skittish cat had kittens and the dog killed one oof them. so really the cats just have to stand up to the dog.

depend of what you family like is like do to go to dogfancy.com and the will have servey you can take and that will give you some idea about what kind of dog you want

Personally, I think a Golden Retriever is the best dog. Just make sure that whatever dog you choose you give it proper training. You can read more about dog training and dog training books at http://luv-pets.com/pest/pets/dog-training-books.html . Hope it helps.

the cats are going to have a hard time with any breed but they will get use to a dog with lots of love

Your local humance society will have dogs up for adoption. They "test" dogs to see how they interact with children, other pets, ect... They will be able to help you find a dog that is good with cats. The biggest question is will your cat adjust to the dog. Bichon Frise (sp?) are good for people with allergies.

Lab's are the best

any type of dog as long as it is a pup but i wouldn't get to large of a breed it might play to ruff when it gets big you might worry about your cat adapting to the dog tho

Blue Picardy Spaniel

snoop doggy

Get a poodle if anyone is allergic to dog fur because poodles hair never falls out; and there is nothing to be allergic too. A poodle pup would get along with cats, and probably want to play but would not ihurt a cat.

Yorkshire terriers are cool.

A Chihauhau or get a dog and shave it.(JOKE.LOL.JK.):)

depending on how much room you have for a dog to run and how much time you have to spend with it makes a difference. a shetland sheepdog might be a good choice because they do look like a collie, only in a smaller body. but then, they do have longer hair that your mother wont be compatible with.personally, i have a pit bull who does like to run and play.. a pit bull is a good size because larger dogs need more space.pit bulls dont seem to shed as much as some other breeds do. and they can be the most loving and protective dogs alive, if they are treated right. and my dog even nursed an orphaned kitten until the kitten grew up. any dog can be a good companion, but my pit bull is just right for me.