Dog breed suggestions for a family

I've heard Corgi's are really good; lots of friends obsessed with Corgis. I would encourage you to look at your local animal shelter for a pet; lots of them need a home :D. My background in biology would also suggest finding a more mixed breed; there are a lot of hereditary diseases and conditions among dogs that get passed down with pure-breeds, unfortunately. This all being said, I don't actually own a dog :(

Bichons are really fun. I have 2. ;)

Shar Pei's

small, compact, well muscled for that perfect marinade taste

Depending on your area I would suggest a bull terrier. If your daughter is willing to give a dog the attention it deserves then you would be hard pressed to find a more loyal companion.

Go to a shelter :) There are tons of dogs seeking homes. Including a number of young dogs. Currently at my local SPCA there are at least three dogs under a year old. And one dog that is just over a year but is insanely full of puppy energy still. That's not counting a litter that was recently abandoned there which is in a volunteer's home as they needed to be bottle fed. And of course, there are plenty of adult dogs that would make amazing pets. (I personally would rather adopt an adult... Puppies require a lot more time and energy. And adopting an adult, you already get a sense of the dog's individual personality rather than the vague breed standards which might not match up.)

If you're dead set on buying a puppy from a breeder... visit the breeder and make sure they have the paperwork indicating they've done testing for genetic disease on both parents. A lot of backyard and puppy mill breeders will just have two "pure bred" dogs that end up carrying avoidable conditions. Not to mention, the safety and health of parents and puppies are often compromised - especially in puppy mills.