One thing I've learned is that if you're going to get a dog, you must do your homework. Dogs vary wildly by breed in behavior, trainability, shedding, health issues, etc. It's extremely important to find a breed that is a good fit. You have to research how to train a puppy from day one (we always used crate training). You have to understand that some breeds are easy to house train while others are very stubborn.

I don't recommend adult rescue dogs if you have small children. You don't know their background and they can be unpredictable in their behavior, especially around unpredictable children. Also, if you're getting a rescue puppy, you often can't be sure of its breed or age so you don't know what type of instinctual behaviors you might be getting or what type of bad habits the puppy might have already developed. IMO, rescue dogs are best rescued by experienced dog owners and not by first timers.

Your dog will likely be with you for the next 10-18 years so it's a long-term decision. We've totally enjoyed the dogs we've had, but we've taken the time to select them carefully, train them consistently and give them the attention they deserve. You also have to plan on spending some money on vet bills over the years.

Owning dogs can be a great family experience. They teach kids responsibility and compassion and give them good life experiences. It's just important to do the homework first, be prepared and exercise the discipline required to make dog ownership a positive experience.