As a general thing, I’m with the “don’t do it” crowd.
However…
How old is your daughter? If she is less than 8 or so, a dog small enough to meet your needs is too small to be trusted with a little child. You don’t want to put the dog in line to get mauled by a child who is too young to put the dog’s safety before her impulses.
Think “dog” – not puppy.
In terms of allergies: my friend had five cats, a very good allergist and a spotless home which she cleaned constantly to reduce hair and dander. This year, she had to get rid of all of her cats because her immune system just couldn’t take it any more in spite of all available medical interventions, and she was in serious danger of dying from her allergies. She managed to find homes for them all, but she has an extraordinarily large group of friends who love cats, most of her cats were purebreds and she still had to let one go to a stranger – albeit a stranger who she met through a vet, thank god. Don’t get the dog unless you are prepared for the fact that you might have to take it away from your daughter again if your allergies get too bad. It is a real possibility. If you can’t say no to your daughter now, imagine how goodthat’s going to feel. And don’t get it unless you KNOW someone will take it off your hands and give it a good home if it comes to that. The older the dog gets, the harder it will be to find someone to adopt it. If you would even consider taking it to the pound in case of emergency – for God’s sake do not get a dog. You may not be the kind of person who would ordinarily do such a thing, but what if your daughter turns out to be allergic too, and it comes down to getting rid of the dog fast or endangering your child? Think and think again.
Ask a vet to recommend a shampoo which will do the least amount of harm to a dog which has to be shampooed more often than is normally recommended.
In terms of breeds – why not ask your allergist? I understand Bijons (they look sort of like little poodles) are fairly hypoallergenic.
In terms of breeds – once you find out which breeds are least allergenic, resesarch their health and temperament on the internet or, again, ask a vet. I suggest the latter. Some dogs just do not like children at all.
In terms of adoption: look into breed rescues. These are groups which specialize in rescuing and adopting out dogs belonging to specific breeds. You can ask your pound if they know of any poodle or bijon (or whatever) rescue groups in your area, or you can look on the internet. Please do not buy a puppy mill dog from a pet store, no matter what the temptation or the provocation. My guess is that you will be most likely to hit pay dirt a few months after Christmas, when the people who bought dogs without knowing what they were getting into get fed up. Of course, you will have to be prepared to patiently work with the dog to remedy whatever bad habits such ignorance and neglect have caused in the dog. Don’t write off the local “kill shelter” as a resource. You can call them and ask if they have any of the breed you are looking for before visiting. If they are willing to help, it will mimize your “pound wandering time” and your exposure to allergens. Do not take your daughter with you to the pound no matter what. Begging and tears will ensue.
Be prepared to be infinitely patient. Adopting a “used” dog is absolutely the way to go, and the plusses usually vastly outweigh the minuses, but there are occasional minuses. God help you if you end up with a former pet shop dog who spent too many months in a cage at the store – they are very difficult to housebreak once they lose the aversion for going to the bathroom in their own den. Dogs five and up usually make excellent pets – as long as they are not so old that your child will have pet loss heartbreak too soon.
Good luck and don’t rush into anything.