Need some breed suggestions

ORIGINAL: muckypup

I know they are a little bit bigger but I'd just get a Lab or a Shepherd. Definitely try the pound or Petfinder.

Ya I'm sure that would go over very well if I just showed up with one.

The Cavaliers need some brushing but aren't supposed to be trimmed much (if at all) so not a really high maintanence coat. Lovely dogs with fabulous personalities. You need to be VERY careful on the health checks in this breed though.
Frankly, your description of what you want sounds very whippet to me. Ball chasing cuddlebugs, great to run with and very little grooming to deal with. They are also typically very healthy, not as delicate as they appear. Not a good candidate for unfenced areas though.
I see a few on a regular basis in our local leash-free and they are great with the other dogs but love ball chasing too.

I second the staffordshire bull terrier! They are awesome. Out of the dogs you suggested,and knowing your situation i probably wouldn't go with a shepherd. they have soooo much energy (but are awesome cuddlers) i also think a corgi would be a good idea. I love corgis, especially cardigans! I don't know if they are hyper indoors or not. Has your gf ever been around any ridgebacks? a female ridgeback usually weighs around 60 lbs. I've had a few ridgebacks in my life, and they are great house dogs. They don't shed too bad, they are very laid back and sociable, but will also love to play. I take mine to the dog park all the time. They aren't really the easiest to train though. A doberman could be a good option too, if you have experience with dogs. They aren't very large,are super affectionate, and love to play with other dogs. anyway, good luck and i hope you find a good one!

I second the staffordshire bull terrier! They are awesome.

 
Toss me into the Staffy Bull vote too.  I just spent all weekend with one and what a WONDERFUL little known breed.  However, you need to check into if you can have one where you live.  This wonderful breed (along with many others) are being outlawed in many areas.[X(]

Cavs are really cute and I love them... but if you're considering them be aware that the breed is struggling with genetic diseases, particularly heart problems, and tends to live only 8-10 years. You'd have to be really scrupulous in choosing a breeder and still be willing to have a dog with a shorter than average lifespan.
 
I think the shelter or a rescue would be the best option for you since your needs are pretty specific (that's a good thing btw)... even breeds that are "supposed to" love retrieving will contain individuals who don't. If you rescue you can evaluate an adult dog, still young, whose personality and size are already evident - puppies are always at least a little bit of a guessing game.

How about a shiba inu?? One of my friends has one, it's a great dog, relatively small in size, loves to go hiking, beach, etc. I would probably say mid energy level

ORIGINAL: Underdog_19

ORIGINAL: muckypup

I know they are a little bit bigger but I'd just get a Lab or a Shepherd. Definitely try the pound or Petfinder.

Ya I'm sure that would go over very well if I just showed up with one.

Cute puppy anything would probably go over okay. []

How about German Pinscher?

We're considering the Shiba Inu but some of the things I've read about them have turned me off a little to them.

That's to bad, the ones I've met were fabulous I hope you find the perfect friend!
(I never thought I'd get a chihuahua but I guess you can't help who you fall in love with)

While I love both AmStaffs and Staffies and have owned both for years, I have to remind you that, if you choose either breed, you will have to be an ultra responsible pet owner. Our breeds are on the hit list for banned breeds and don't need any owners who will be less than the most responsible including keeping them contained, training and avoiding situations that can lead to dog aggression.  That said, my Staffs are all over the place with retrieving. Some have loved it and others felt that they were too dignified to chase a ball or toy. Either breed is wonderful as a companion and, if of proper temperament, don't really make the best guard dog except by reputation.
 
The Cocker that I inherited from my mother will throw her own ball to retrieve and will keep retrieving until she drops, which is just like the Cockers I remembered when I was little. She's also a real Cuddlebug and actually sleeps with us now. So even though I love my Staffs, I have to vote for the Cocker. Also, you'll never have to worry about getting kicked out of you apartment/home if the landlord decides no "pit bulls". (It has happened to people I know.)

Besides looking for a dog that isn't too active indoors, do you care how much the dog sheds?
Do you care how often they have to be brushed? How obedient they are?
 
Right now my girlfriend and I are leaning towards a Keeshond. We already have a Bishon Frise (we don't torture him with the poofy hair though ). Our Bichon doesn't shed, is small 13 lbs, playful outside and loves other dogs big or small, learns tricks easily, but was difficult to housetrain and hates being alone.
The Bichon is a friendly dog and a good one for those that don't have a lot of space inside. He is VERY low maintenance.
We're leaning towards our 2nd dog being a Keeshond because they are known for being great with kids/people, other pets cat or dog, not needing a lot of exercise. It sounds like a breed you may be interested in.
 
My girlfriend suggested the Shiba Inu but the more we read about them, the less it seemed like the right dog for us. They are not very common, and don't seem like a good dog for someone who doesn't have a lot of time and patience to train a very stubborn breed from what I've been told.

I don't often recommend them (because frankly, I think they're almost as tough as GSDs in many ways), but if youlike and are serious about a GSD, check out Cardigan Corgis. They have similar personalities in a lot of ways, and are very much a large dog with no legs.   

Pros: They're a FANTASTIC energy level- they just want to do what you want to do. Although my Indy is sort of turbo-powered and needed a LOT of exercise, most are not horribly hyper and just want to do stuff with you- a good brisk walk every day and they're fine.

They're cute, they are a very nice size- small enough to fit under most apartment regulations and big enough to keep up when you'redoing whatever.

They're adaptable - they do well in city, suburb or country, and they're good with other dogs and animals as long as they're socialized properly.

There are more responsible breeders than irresponsible ones. The breed has been really well-protected from puppy mills and BYBs, so the vast majority of breeders show or work their dogs. Do expect the third degree though if you want a puppy.

They're fairly healthy- kept at a healthy weight, very, very few Cardis will have any health problems at all. (If let to get heavy, they can develop back problems) PRA is a concern in the breed but there's a DNA test, so it can be avoided entirely.

Cons: They shed. A LOT. I could make another Cardi about every 10 days from Indyhair- it's on a par with GSDs or labs- any double-coated, coarse-haired dog.

They need to be socialized heavily and carefullly as pups, and obedience training is not optional- it's a necessity. They resent heavy-handed training and will not do well under it, but they also need very clear boundaries.

There are very few Cardis in rescue, which is fantastic unless you want a rescue dog- about 65 dogs for 2006 according to the national rescue- so compeittion for them through breed rescue is kinda steep. There are cardis in shelters but it's very rare. (3/4 of the 'Cardigan' mixes on Petfinder aer doubtfully Cardi at all, a lot of shelters seem to think that any shortlegged, double-coated, pointy eared dog with a tail is OBVIOUSLY a Cardi mix).... I tell folks looking for an adult dog to talk to breeders about a retired showdog.

Did I mention they shed?

As much as I like bully breeds, if you rent or ever think you may have to rent, you may want to stay away from any of those breeds. Most people aren't terribly educated about dog breeds & lump all bullies into the dreaded "killer pit bull" catagory. *insert dramatic eye roll*  Finding a place to rent could be a major pain because of this.
 
I would vote for either the cocker spaniel or the keeshond. Cocker spaniels are super cute, cuddly dogs, yet athletic. We had a keeshond years and years ago & he was very loving, yet active as well. We were just rough little kids at the time, so we loved him!
 
Also, as people have mentioned already, you might be surprised what you find at a shelter.  My grandmother has a lab mix who's about 35-40 lbs. Same lab looks, same friendly lab disposition, half the size! My boyfriend & his 2 old roommates each had labs. Great, loving, fun dogs. One of the guys got his from a shelter, though. She was about half the size of the other two male dogs, but the same classic lab personality. As much as labs "get around" (here anyway), it might be worth a look.
 
Sorry for the long post. Just my 2 cents worth. Good luck!

We went to the dog show in Boston today and really liked the AmStaff. I "think" that's what we're going to go with. Right now I'm looking for breeders. I've found a few from amstaff.org, just waiting for some replies. If anyone knows any in te New England area I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks for everyone's insight!

Figures,
 
Just found out through a breeder that AmStaffs must be muzzled in public.  That kinda wipes the AmStaff off our list.  I'm sure it's a great dog and we'd still have great times with it, but it isn't fair to the dog, nevermind us, that it has to be muzzled everytime it goes out.  I've contacted city hall though about the law and want to confirm it before we make any firm decisions.  We were really starting to fall in love with the breed too.
 
Guess it's back to the drawing board, gonna look at the whippet perhaps.  We liked the smooth fox terrier at the dog show, but after reading about them, they seem like a handful between energy and their tendency to bite.  A few places talk more about the biting of fox terriers than AmStaffs!  Wish politicians would get their heads outta their rear ends.