My daughter is almost 4 and Starbuck is about 4 1/2. We've talked about another puppy for a while now. I've read a bunch of stuff on the Internet and I have several breeds I like, but I'm still undecided.

We have a couple requirements:
Medium-Large size dog, so it can keep up with Starbuck
No wet-mouth dogs
A breed that is good with kids and other dogs (no Chow, Akita, Pits, etc)
Nothing that sheds more than Starbuck (if that is even possible)

I've had dogs all my life and we have run through several breeds: Husky, Collie, Great Dane, Irish Setter, German Shepherds (Starbuck is #4), Cockapoos, Boxers.

Here are a couple breeds we are considering:

Lab -
Vizsla -
Rhodesian Ridgeback -

I'm a little worried that the Vizsla or Ridgeback would require too much exercise. A friend of mine had a Weimaraner and that dog would NOT sit still for a minute.

Vizsla even though I have 2 Labs. You have to exercise all of the large breeds. If you don't want to exercise then go for one of the small breeds.

Have you thought about a rescue

If you are looking for a more hunting type of breed, I am partial to Curly Coated Retrievers and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. Both breeds are highly intelligent and active, though not crazy.

I've worked with all three breeds you're considering, and the Vizslas and Rhodesians all did have crazy energy that I enjoyed working with, but its not for everyone. I've worked with several dozen American Pit Bull Terriers, most coming from fighting backrounds, and they all were, HANDS DOWN, the best breed around children.

Thanks for speaking up about the pit bulls, Brian. They didn't get the name 'Nanny Dog' for nothing. They are one of the BEST breeds for families with children as long as they are from reputable sources EG breeders, rescues that do extensive temperament testing on ALL of their dogs.

Akitas are also fantastic family dogs. If I'm not mistaken in Japan the mothers often left the family Akita with their children to 'baby sit' while she had to go out to the rice fields and work. Loyal and courageous with lots of heart. They also make great Therapy Dogs.

In my somewhat limited experience with Vizslas they're pretty to look at but they all had working brains. Even though I'm very athletic with my own dogs I couldn't keep up with a well bred Vizsla's needs.

Despite what people seem to think Labradors are actually very high energy dogs in general and are one of the most common dogs in shelters because people can't 'handle' them and their exercise requirements. So many are obese because people get them with the mentality that they make 'the perfect family dog', over feed, under exercise, and then dump them when they start tearing up the house.

I'm not going to say that all Pits are bad. I've met a couple of them at seemed perfectly nice.

I would never own one.

I'd never own a Chihuahua either. I've seen 10x more nutball small dogs than large dogs.

The couple Akitas I've met were way too territorial, same with the Chows.

Just get another GSD (says the crazy lady with three!)

In all seriousness, when I was considering adding another dog, I really researched all kinds of breeds and came back to what I know and love best

Vizlas I have known have been skittish and had a very high energy requirement. They also didn't seem particularily smart or willing too please, almost sighthound like. THey have 0 coat and get cold easily.

I have seen lots of really nice pitbulls.
I met > 50 English Shepherds (farm collies) this weekend and was really impressed with the breed. Not AKC, no breeding for conformation, a big gene pool. Check out NESR. Pretty mellow, smart, pleasant (not too doggy) dogs.

Bet those Akitas and Chows were giant teddy bears with their family, kids and all. I've met more then a couple APBT's, again, without question the best around kids. I have scars on my face, arms, and stomach from various breeds, not one from a “pit“, and I grew up with a working APBT (stock work), and working Aussies and BC's. I have many a scar from disobeying the "no running in the house/around the dogs" rule from the Aussies and BC’s. My fault, not the dogs. If it has teeth, it will bite.

What about Mastiff? I like what I'v got Or I would recommend another GSD...at least than you kind of know what your getting into.