Thanks for the suggestions!! This is really helpful!
I'd go for any of these, so would my partner (with the exception of the poodle...! he was against that when our breeder recommended it). Our family had a poodle X when I was young and she was so sweet and gentle./QUOTE]
I have to say that I've had good and bad experiences with miniature and toy poodles, but the standards are a completely different story. I've never met one that I didn't like! They are extremely intelligent, trainable, gentle and generally sweet tempered. If I was to get a big dog I'd definitely consider getting one.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/standardpoodle.htm