What kind of dog should we get?

Look at your lifestyle. Do you have time and energy for a big dog? Do you prefer small or toy dogs? Do you have allergies? My husband and I rescued a German Shepherd/ Norwegian Elkhound mix. So far, this has been the best dog I've ever had! Tomlin is smart enough to keep us on our toes but he loves to cuddle. He has short hair with an annual "blowout". It looks like he's going to max out in size at around 80 pounds. Our vet says that as a mix he'll have a lower likelihood of breed ailments. (You'd know more about that than us.) We did have to consult with a trainer and read a few websites for training tips. That's made all the difference. We can now take him almost anywhere. He's a quick study who is well behaved but can be persistent when he needs to be. Our neighbor had to call 911 at night once. The trucks came in silently but the lights woke up this dog. He then whimpered, jumped on the beds and would not settle down until we went to see what was going on. It made me feel that if anything ever happened here he'd let us know - persistently. He can be high energy. His motto is "walk me daily or the stuffed animal gets it". It's a good thing that his favorite game is fetch!

What do you know about Shar-peis? I am wanting to get one of those, but what types of ailments do these dogs get?

Before you decide what breed of dog to get, I would first look at your lifestyle. Are you an active person or are you the more sit on the couch? I would suggest getting a dog that fits in with your lifestyle. If you are an active person, the get an high active dog such as Jack Russel, American Pitbull Terrior, that needs a lot of activity to be happy. If you are low energy person, then get a dog that does not need a lot of activity. Also research before you get a certain breed. This way you know what you are getting into. Also if you are not going to show, look into rescuing a dog. There are many breed specific rescues out there that will help you make your choice.