Rescued Dogs are very popular around where I live.
The dogs really do express a sense of appreciation to belong to a family and new owners who treat them well.
I have two Huskies. More an adult breed as they are super strong and take 'you' for a walk. They also have a tendency to fight when meeting other dogs because they are very pack orientated and use fighting to assert their rank and file on the Dog Sled. They don't fight to kill though. They are mostly 'Working' dogs first and 'Hunting' dogs second.
Beautiful breed though and of very playful and interactive nature. Very smart too.
I would not recommend Huskies to retirees - as their strength can drag an old person off their feet at walkie time.
There are many 'good' breeds out there.
There are good 'guard' dogs like Staffies, German Shepards - who are really protective of kids.
But I recommend a 'Mongrel' Rescue Dog from RSPCA. Mongrels tend to have less biological health problems than pure breeds. Unless you like forking out $$$ heaps to Vets.
Smaller breeds cost le$$ in food.
Last week, in local 'gossip'. Someone saw a Pitbull walking the streets off-leashed and they purposely ran it over (dead). A happy ending for any kid or other dog walking nearby.
Sometimes you gotta be 'bad' to fight 'evil'.
Go to the RSPCA and if some pooch has its paws up at the cage and is looking directly at you with puppy dog eyes - then that's the one.
Don't get the ones that are too 'over-active' in the cage or the ones that look sad and forgotten in the corner of the cage. Get a dog that want's to be loved.
Don't get a Kelpie. They are too active and incredibly smart. They need wide open spaces and an activity that keeps them mentally stimulated - like work.