I personally fancy a Rottie. Rocky loved swimming once we tought him it was fun (couldn't get him out of the water after that). The fur is short, so it doesn't need a pro. groomer, just a nice burshing & a bath in the tub. I found Rocky to be quiet in the house, esp. when the door rang. He would stand at the top of the stairs & stare at the door. As soon as it was open he wanted to see who it was hehe
Never had an issue with him & kids. He wasn't the nicest dog towards adults, but he was far too sweet with kids! 2 small girls ran up to us during a walk (they were good they stopped 10 feet infront of us & asked to pet the dogs). We told them to pet my dog only & kept the Rottie away (he was muzzled & we didn't trust him). Well Rocky was going nuts & doing the butt wiggle, he was trying to play with them. So we decided to let them pet Rocky. He was going crazy & trying to lick them through his muzzle (we used a small muzzle on him). It was the cuttest thing ever! The father of the girls had to stay far away & he asked why the rottie was muzzled cause hes loving the girls. We said hes dog agressive & hates adults exp. men. In the end the muzzle was off of him & he was slobbering all over the girls & was giving kisses to my dog (he wasn't too sure about that).

thats just my personal opinion, as it matches what you want, just a bit larger heheh..