1 You need to find a breed for your family Animal Planet has a Test to Find out which dog is for you and your family.
http://animal.discovery.com/breed-selector/dog-breeds.html
2 Wonce you found the dog breed that best fits you and your family then do all the rearch you can on that do breed.
3 After doing your rearch then it's time do decide. do you want to reasuce or do you want a puppy.