Excellent choice of dog as a family pet but a pure bred will cost you. There are some out there "without papers" that will cost less but the Latin term "Caveat Emptor" (buyer beware) should be applied. If all you really need/want is a good family dog I would highly suggest adopting one , reason being they can be had for low cost , a large variety to choose from and many are trained or partially trained. My girlfriends last dog was a Collie type and was orphaned because of Hurricane Katrina. I duck hunt and therefore need a Lab or a Chessie but otherwise I would adopt a dog just because there are so many good dogs that deserve a good home .