I also recommend going to your local Shelter or rescue groups. When you're looking for something specific (kids, dogs, other animals), adult dogs are basically what you see is what you get. Puppies grow and there's no telling what they're going to end up like (how they were bred, instincts, how they were raised). Adult dogs are done growing and are straight-forward when you're looking for a specific type of dog. I rescued Kaedyn from our pound and I wasn't looking for a specific breed of dog. So even if you are looking for a pure-bred, shelters and rescues are great places to start with.

If you want pure-bred recommendations, Shelties come to mind (hmm..I wonder why?)

They're excellent family dogs, very tolerant to kids. They get along with other animals and other dogs. I can easily trust Kai with a small animal. In fact, he had two rats climb on him numerous times. They're versatile which is why they're so popular. I originally wanted an agility dog but now, I'm turning Kai into an obedience, agility, flyball, herding dog. They are herding dogs though so they may nip at running kids. But I find that Shelties don't have intense instincts, like Border Collies, so it's really easy for me to tell Kai and Kaedyn to knock it off. But if you want a dog that doesn't shed a lot, bark, goes bizzerk if you don't walk it, don't want to keep it mentally satisfied, then they aren't for you. But this is just a general statement, there will of course be completely opposite Shelties.

Either way, I'd go to your shelters and rescues first.