If you are a little leery about adopting from a pound or animal control type shelter than consider adopting from a rescue. Rescues have temperment tested the dogs and can tell you what dogs will do well with children, cats, etc.
The dog will also be up to date on shots and already spayed or neutered too! The adoption fee will be a little higher than at a pound but when you consider what has been put into the dog it's a very small fee to pay.

Either way, you'll be giving an unwanted, homeless dog a place where they can be loved!