New member - need advice on dog breed

Question:
 My wife and I have 2 young children, our daughter who is 3.5yrs old, and our son who is a little over 1 yr old. Both adore dogs, ESPECIALLY our son, but meanwhile baby #3 is on the way in October. I grew up with a Silky Australian Terrier, but have always wanted a big dog (i.e., labrador or similar). We bought our first home a couple of years ago with a moderately sized back yard (fully fenced, along with a dog run and dog door to the garage), and are debating WHEN to buy a dog, and to a small extent, which type of dog to buy. That's where I hope ya'all can help.
What we'd like in a pooch: idealy, something that's spectacular with young children, endlessly patient, furry, big tongue, lots of love to give, loves to chase tennis balls and sticks, is predominently an indoor dog, and basically just wants to be a 100% member of the family.
What we're considering: laberador retriever (golden, preferably), boxer (family members have one and he's great!), German Shorthair (co-worker has one and can't stop raving about him), or ???
When we're thinking of purchasing: prior to discovery that baby #3 is enroute later this year, we were thinking about this year. Now, we're not so sure as we'd like to purchase a puppy and raise it with the family instead of buying a dog that's already out of puppy-hood.
I realize I might be asking a question that's too large for just one thread, but what types of dog would ya'all recommend for a family such as ours? We're moderately active, but the dog could be assured of getting plenty of exercising while walking or running with me in the evenings at a bare minimum, have a 1400sqft home, moderately sized fenced backyard, BUT 2.5 young children.
Thoughts? Is a lab a good choice, generally speaking? Considering the amount of training necessary, would we be better off waiting a couple of years until baby #3 is older and kids # 1&2 are older themselves? If I'm around to help train the dog (with older kids in tow) would it be manageable to even purchase a dog BEFORE baby #3 makes his/her entrance?
Thanks for your thoughts - and I apologize for the long post.

Answer:
 I personally would wait till after baby #3 is here. I can't imagine handling a puppy & being pregnant or dealing with a newborn at the same time. It takes a lot of work for the whole family. So don't just rely on yourself for training & exercise.
As far as breeds, I'd agree a lab is a good choice considering your energy level. Make sure you do obedience classes though. (With any puppy not just this breed).
I'm personally fond of collies. Especially for families. But they require extensive grooming.
I think a boxer is another great choice. And I'm sure our boxer owners will chime in here as well.

Answer:
 Don't appoligize everyone here likes helping. Myself I would get a dog that is out of puppyhood as with going to have 3 kids it would be a lot of work to train. They do have resques that you could look into. JMO.

Answer:
 quite honestly, i think a puppy is a horrible idea for your particular situation. do you really want a puppt to train at the same time as a new infant arrives? i would suggest thinking about rescuing an older dog.
big dogs are great, but they are also big - they tend to knock little ones down by mistake when they get excited. however, they are easier to rough house with.
and, no dog should be expected to be endlessly patient. part of the training process involves training the kids on how to respect the dog.

Answer:
 I would say a Boxer puppy would be Fabulous, with or without a new born baby.
Boxers IMO are the best family dog you can own. They absolutely adore children and will be your childrens best friend.
Yes, Boxers as do all dogs need training but IMO I would rather have a Boxer pup with a baby then a Boxer pup with Teenagers.
Training a Boxer really isn't all that difficult if your consistant with what you are teaching your Boxer.
Reasearch the breed as much as you can so you can know all you can about the breed and I think you'll find that a Boxer will be a perfect fit.

Answer:
 I would say any type of retrievers(labs,goldens.flat-coated retrieve &etc..),boxers,weimaraners,GSD.
Many breeds would be perfect.if trained propally.
have you thought of maybe adopting a young adult?.
I do agree with Whimzical.
It might be too much for yr wife.2 young kids and a baby is certainly a lot of work.
I got both my dogs when my kigs were very young but they were born with ddogs around them and didn't mind being knock over.
My son was a 1 yr old when I got my golden pup and it went well but she was very rambunctious and my son found himself quite a lot,on the floor with puppy scratches. .

Answer:
 I think an older lab or golden would be good for you. I agree a puppy with a baby on the way is alot of work. You can get a rescue dog around 10months - 2 years who would already be through the potty training stage and starting to settle.

Answer:
 This is a difficult question, as there are pros and cons for every breed available. Yes, Boxers are fantastic with kids, smart and generally are not known for aggressiveness, and their hair is so short that you don't notice the shedding. But. . . .they do have more health problems than many other breed choices. Also, they aren't very long-lived. 8 years is considered ancient for a Boxer. They have a high rate of cancer and heart problems too.
I would strongly encourage you NOT to get a young puppy. You will have a LOT of destructiveness, whining, housebreaking disasters, etc. A dog that is AT LEAST 6 months old would be a much better choice in my opinion, especially since you have young kids. It just makes a whole heck of a lot more work and lack of sleep for you. A dog that is a year old or older is an even better choice. Some breeds are very hyper (Boxers are generally one of them, although I did have one that wasn't, so there are exceptions). A Lab or Golden would definitely be hyper, and might drive you to climb the walls, even as an adult these breeds often continue to be energizer bunnies that NEVER stop. Furry? Why do you want furry? That almost always entails extra grooming, or more money for a groomer's services at least once every two months. Really seriously consider a short haired breed - they are virtually maintenance free.
I would not even CONSIDER a German Shorthair Pointer. Yes, there are exceptions to every rule, but almost every one I've been around has been hyper and destructive, even as an adult. And I was a vet tech for 12 years, so I saw PLENTY of them! They can also be escape artists. I would suggest a German Shepherd with a good temperament, as many of them love to retrieve balls and sticks, they are loyal to their family almost to a fault, love their kids to death, and are furry. But the grooming factor is also there - they have an undercoat, and shed 365 days a year! Also, they tend to be more destructive than a lot of breeds as pups. They do improve greatly with age, however, many times they are 2 years old before they stop trying to chew everything in sight. (Especially hoses, lol). have had quite a few Shepherds over the years. They are my favorite breed. Most have died of old age or cancer, and you can't ask for a more faithful dog who would put his life on the line for you without a second thought. They are arguably the most intelligent breed, and beautiful to boot. But like I said, there are pros and cons to every breed. And of course there are individuals in each breed that don't fit the normal profile.
Don't buy without seeing BOTH parents and watching them closely as far as temperament and exciteability goes. If the parents are hyper and obnoxious, and bark a lot, chances are the pups will too. And yes. . . .one more thing someone else brought up - puppies scratch and bite in play, and young kids will quickly end up with marks all over their bodies.
All you can do is research, research, and research some more. You want to end up with a dog the whole family can get along with, that won't destroy your whole house, won't turn on your kids over a bone, toy, food etc., and won't be bouncing off the walls instead of lying at your feet after a reasonable period of time. Some dogs never seem to be able to relax, but remain in hyper mode most of the time. We have a Pug that is like that. You don't need that with young kids, needless to say!

Answer:
 Taking on a puppy with 2.5 kids is a chore but can be done.
I think you have choosen some excellent breeds. I do think you are right as far as getting a puppy with small kids. Then the dog grows with them and they don't have a strange, large dog knocking them over ect.
Definatly see both parents to assure they have good temperaments :)
As for German Shorthair Pointers, I have never known a naughty one. I know atleast 6 I can think of off the top of my head and they are sweethearts, well behaved and 2 are the biggest couch taters ever!