Antony- I've researched dogs quite a bit. I would have to say, apart from their reputation, that Doberman Pinscher would probably be an excellent choice. They're supposed to be very good with children, protective, intelligent, etc.

Again, I would say the worst thing about them is their reputation, hence everyone's repulsion when I said it would be my dog of choice, even though I have children. Personally, I would think not cropping the ears would help- plus it kind of annoys me when people do that. Dogs need their ears. And thely look better too. Look how beautiful these doberman's are:

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images24/DobermanPincherWhiteVeraDogsWhiteDob.jpg
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images12/DoB6-month%20old%20DobeIMG_5999.JPG

I would say with any dog, especially bigger ones (like Dobermans and especially intelligent, working ones, like German Sheppard)  to make sure you have time to walk them adequately, every day, with almost no exceptions. This is why I can not get a dog right now. Here's an excellent, excellent site on dog breeds I found very useful! It gives the break down for every breed imaginable including the temperament,

http://dogbreedinfo.com/

Here's an excerpt on the Doberman:

Dobes like to be with their people and are not suited to kennel or back yard life, they need human interaction and leadership. Loyal, tolerant, dedicated and affectionate with the family. Determined, bold and assertive while working, they are very adaptable, highly skilled and versatile. They are intelligent and very easy to train. They are an outstanding watch and guard dog and do not need additional protection training. This breed is not for everyone. The Doberman needs an owner who is willing and able to display a natural authority over the dog. All family members must be firm, confident and consistent, setting rules and sticking to them. Learning to handle the dog properly, as Dobermans can become stubborn and willful if allowed to have their own way. Everything must be on the humans terms.

Get a black Labrador Retriever. The breed looks menacing but has a better disposition.

Do you really think labradors look menacing?

Dobermans are hateful looking animals.  I would get a German shepherd, still a dog you have to be very careful with.

Getting a dog that is suitable for being a guard dog and has a powerful bite when you have children is taking a risk.

What did you think of the doberman's pictures I'd posted; when they dont' have their ears cropped?

Getting any dog is taking a risk. Its all about educating yourself on how to interact with your dog, and on instructing your children on the same. If a dog feels submissive, it is highly unlikely he will ever bite the child. Also, proper exercise is key as well, but people don't want to do this ever. They think they can buy a dog, and leave him in the side of the house locked up and he's good. Dogs are animals which need to be able to run and have a natural instinct for pack walking.

Any dog is objectively capable of harming a child. Because a dog has short hair, a muscular build, and shows off his physical strength and build does not make him any more dangerous than another dog. And the fact that people use dogs for fighting, and build negative reputations with them is also harmful.

Look at the Argentinian Dogo. A dog outlawed in a few countries in Europe, I believe, especially England. But if I walked around with one in the US, no one would think twice, I'm sure. Try the same in England, and people would freak out.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/dogo.htm

Having seen them viciously bark at me walking by I would never want a dog of mine to do that to my neighbors.

They are frightening animals.  And they were originally bred as guard dogs.  

I'm just not a "release the hounds" type of person.

Get a black Labrador Retriever. The breed looks menacing but has a better disposition. Get an invisible fence to train the dog to stay in the boundaries of your property.

What dog you get depends on your local (weather), family members, yard size, inside or outside dog, what you want the dog for, barker, or silent but deadly etc.

I decided on a smooth haired Collie (same breed but with hair like a German Shepherd), because I have a friend with 15 grandchildren on his 80 acre farm, and their rough haired Collie was like an uncle to the children, taking care of them. I had 4 children (now five) under the age of 6 when I got the dog.
I'm on 5 acres, and needed a dog to keep out the Black Bears, snakes and other animals, out of the property. The dog obviously is a farm dog with a purpose, and he is an outside dog. I bring him into the garage and he sleeps in his cage, we don't allow him in the house. My wife has enough trouble keeping the house clean with 5 children.

I studied many breeds and went eliminating them for one reason or another mostly because how they are with children.  I ended up with this short haired Collie, rather that a long haired one (called a Rough Collie) because I'm in Florida (heat), and also that long hair on a Rough looks like a lot of work. Collies naturally don't smell. Combine the short hair, no smell, and outside dog that likes to be outside, and the natural sheep guarding instincts, and you have a low maintenance dog that takes care of the children. They are barkers! They will alert you to anything unsusual, they are calling you to come see if something is OK with you. Once you go look and let him know it's Ok, they'll stop (not always the first time). Excellent watchdogs. They are capable of defending the family, and they are scared of NOTHING, at least mine isn't. By the way, they don't drool at all. Short snout dogs drool all over. My dog is an intack male, not castrated, because I want him to retain some aggresiveness.

My dog is not the smartest, but he is extremely obedient. You call him from whatever place 600 feet away, and he comes. You yell at him to stop/sit when he is running right toward an alligator (for instance) which he does not see, and he'll stop on a dime. He was very easy to train, yet, like I said, he's not that smart. On a scale of 1- 10, I'd say he's a 5. If the breed is this obedient with only a 5 IQ, I'd like to see one with an 8 or more.

If you read all the above you'll see that there are many factors personal to your situation.

I did not find the German Shepherds to be trustworthy around children. I never looked at the Doberman because I assumed they would not be good around children. By reading the description of it now, it looks like they are inside the house dogs anyways, which is not good for me.

Here's the link I used to study the different breeds. http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/collie.htm

Standard Poodle.  The very most intelligent, able to understand words, trustworthy, protective and intelligent for children but polite with visitors.  No allergies or shedding.  They know the difference between danger and safe situations.  They are wonderful around water, very playful and obedient.  They don't have a reputation for mauling children, like dashounds for example.  

Very good choice.

Don't know how they are if they had to be outside all the time.

I would stay away from working dogs unless there is daily work for the dog and many spare hours for proper training.

The Collie (Lassie), is not really a working dog like the Border Collie. My smooth Collie does very well by itself running around outside with nothing to do. No animals get into the property.

Elizabeth- I think poodles are great dogs! You're right- probably the best!