Mutt. Your friend wants a Mutt about Yeigh High. Tell her to go to the shelter, pick a dog Yeigh High that barks at her and see if it’s friendly when it gets out of the cage into the playroom with her.
Really people, it’s not rocket surgery! 
My friend graduated from Yeigh High! Third in her class!
My thought was Golden Retriever.
I was Yeigh High once. I stripped down to my underwear and ran through the dorm hallway yelling “Yeeeeeiiiiiggghhh!!!” Then I got the munchies.
Threads like this always turn into “my dog does that,” so, sorry, but:
First dog my parents got together. I don’t remember her, but she was supposed to have been good with kids. Can’t say how she did as a watchdog.
Agreed. Very, very friendly dogs for the most part, rather visual and definitely not shy about making noise when strangers show up.
Interesting- all depends on the temperment, I guess. I have a shepherd that gives one hell of an impressive “intruder alert” bark when someone approaches but is easily called off when I tell him to stop. He is a love, but I believe would gladly tear the still beating heart out of anyone that was a threat to me or my husband.
I dunno about a golden. They are indeed extremely good with kids but my golden alerts me to people at the door by doing a Dance of Joy. Rarely does she bark.
Smaller dogs are going to be more skiddish and more apt to bark at whatever. I don’t think this is a bad thing if you want a watch dog. But they might be skiddish around kids.
I know of a pack of Samoyeds that are extremely well-trained (they’re bred by my dog’s obedience trainer) but they bark like crazy. Craaaaaazy.
I also agree that mutts are good and that there is no such thing as a “mean” dog. A shepard would be fine, I say.
This is the correct answer to the OP’s question.
Or to any question containing any form of the question “what kind of dog should we get?”
I’m sorry and good on you all for the great suggestions, but I’m still trying to wrap my brain around the original question.
My girlfriend recently acquired a boxer and I grew up with boxers at my aunts house. I have been reading books on boxers in order to better familiarize myself with the breed and most (including this one) agree that while boxers are excellent at barking at visitors, once the person enters the dog will just want to play. If you want a dog that will actually deter an intruder who gets inside then a boxer is largely worthless because of their friendly and playful nature.
When it comes to children they are very good at determining how much strength to use when playing.
Ultimately though, training makes the biggest difference so just go for what you like off of Sigmagirl’s list.
Raguleader, my best friend and I always find it extremely challenging walking into his house late at night without waking their two dachshunds. They used to have 4 dogs and the other two (Retriever, Mutt) would sleep like rocks. We could walk over and around them talking and they would not budge. The dachshunds wake up and sound the alarm if you step on a creaky floorboard. Definitely my dog of choice for catching sneaky kids out past curfew.
Thanks! But I don’t think it’s *always *the answer. It’s not the answer for, “my daughter’s highly allergic to dogs, what kind of dog should I get?” or “I live in a small apartment and can’t take a dog for walks in my dangerous neighborhood, what kind of dog should I get?” or “I’ve got 11 kids and a farm; what kind of dog should I get who can keep an eye on the little ones for me while I hang laundry outside?” There, I’d suggest poodle, pug and shepherd in order.
There *are *some breed specific traits that you’re more likely to get with some breeds than others - traits which are very hard to test for in 15 minutes in the shelter. In such a case, getting a specific breed is placing a wiser bet - although nothing is certain. But in this case, the traits the OP wants are more personality specific than breed specific, and so the best way (IMHO) to find a dog with them is to find a young adult or older puppy who already displays a personality that can be recognized in short order.
I heartily endorse adopt dogs from shelters. My purebred male corgi was adopted from a shelter, through a breed rescue program. He had been a stray and would have been euthanized if the group hadn’t bailed him out. Isn’t he as deserving of salvation as a mutt?
Yes, if you see a dog at a shelter and he seems to meet your needs, by all means, take him home. If you’re of the analytical sort and like to do a lot of research, you might prefer to look into breed traits and check out the breed rescue programs for a dog that will complete your family.
I don’t doubt it. The one time our Lab showed aggression was toward a dog who came at me when we were out for a walk.
Another consideration is health issues particular to certain breeds.
Surely, before recommending a specific breed/type of dog, we would also need to know what this person can offer the dog, not just what they want in a dog? A fenced back yard is great, but if they can’t offer it a decent amount of exercise on top of that, then certain breeds will be out. Collies and labs, for instance, can make pretty difficult pets if they aren’t allowed to burn their energy off on a regular basis.
Plus, the two border collies that I have owned have never barked at noises or people outside the house. If others have experienced collies that bark, then I think it has more to do with their socialisation/upbringing/individual temperament.
I would suggest- Beagle, Labradork or any mix including those breeds. Maybe a boxer if the family is very active.
I don’t get everyone’s suggestion to get some sort or herding dog. They are smart and loyal and very good dogs for the right owners, but I would never recommend them as a first choice to a family with kids. If I knew the people were very dog experienced and had an active lifestyle I would consider it as a possible option but not a front runner.
Barrels-
Aussie owner and Aussie rescue foster home.
I can’t make a good breed recommendation since the Op’s specifics are so general, BUT…
I’ll translate a little of friend-speak here. I’ve heard these statements so many times in the past.
“She wants a dog that will bark when people come but not one that is mean and would attack somoene.”
What she really means is: “I’m afraid of big dogs.”
“She has a five year old boy.”
What she really means is: “I don’t trust dogs around children, that is why we have a cat.”
“Her husband said he’s OK with a dog but doesn’t want a little one. He wants one he could play with.”
What he really means is: " No toy breeds." Eliminate all breeds under 25 lbs from your considerations.
“They have a decent sized fenced in yard.”
What she really means is:I have a decent sized fenced in yard, and that is where the dog will be spending his/her time when they are being inconvenient to our routine."
So, I would suggest that the OP look for breeds that are good with children, not too small, and have an independent, but affectionate nature.
Get a young adult dog. Whether it be from breeder , shelter, or breed rescue a house broken young adult or adolescent dog will be far easier for a first time family than a puppy. I adopted my first dog when she was 8 months old, and she was almost no trouble at all to train. After an a brief adjustment period, there were no accidents. They are still plenty young enough to form a close bond with their owners.
Mastiffs will certainly fill the “intimidating look” bill. I’ve known two in homes with children (youngest kids being around 7 or 8, not toddlers), and the Mastiffs were very calm and accomodating. Buckets of slobber, though 
Samoyeds and Keeshonds would do great – the only potential drawback is that they have very high-maintenence grooming.
If the OP’s husband yields on the “bigger dog” issue, a well-socialized Bichon Frise would be ideal for the OP. Super dog for kids (even infants), and will always let you know what’s going on around the property. And so long as your husband’s not planning to perform WWE maneuvers on the dog, a Bichon is plenty big enough to play – fetching tennis balls and such. Of course, as a Bichon owner, I’m highly biased 
For Newfoundlands, see what I wrote above about Mastiffs. Pretty much the same. Maybe more slobber from the Newfies, though.
Incredible amount of slobber from Newfies. And I must caution about the short lifespan of the giant breeds. They’re heartbreakers.
It’s a temperment thing. One of my parents’ golden retrievers would go on alert when someone came toward the door, bark when they got there and for the first four or so steps inside, and then switch over to the standard golden response of wagging her tail really hard until someone, anyone started petting her. (Because at 4 steps, this is a threat. But at 5, it’s a new friend).
Their other dogs of the same breed never barked at anyone.
I actually went with my friend to the shelter to look at dogs. That is why I posed the question. There are just SO many kinds of dogs and you just want to adopt them all.
They are all SO cute and they have that “Pick me, pick me.”
This is why I was wondering what kind is best. Because if you’re gonna be able to pick you should know.
I have seen to many people not think when they get dogs. Like herding dogs are fun but they need something to do constantly.
So I had her make a list of what she wants in a dog.
The thing is I can understand someone wanting a dog to bark but NOT to attack everyone that comes in. Some breeds are naturally clingy while others aren’t
It’s hard in a shelter to go into the area and play with the dog, 'cause they ALL love you when you’re in that area.
I was playing with a bunch of them. They are ALL cute and playful. But I was thinking “yeah right they all are nice NOW, but what about once you get them home.”
I like the distinction a poster made between a guard dog and a watch (a dog that will bark) dog
As for the yard it is a good sized. I suggested they build a dog house that way in the summer dog can stay out all day and have fun, while they are at work. That eliminates a dog walker and gives the dog plenty to do in the summer, spring and fall.
If you’re gonna get a dog you should be realistic about it, and list what you want and try to get a good fit.
Sometimes if you don’t know you exclude things. Like I had a friend who had a Great Dane. I had never even petted one in my life. I was so afraid of it when I first saw it. But this was the NICEST dog and so gentle and SO smart.
I would take it for walks and I taught it things and it learned quickly. The only drawbacks are the food bill and the size. A great dane is gentle but around a 5 year od? I’d say no because even when the dane wags his tail, it can hurt if it accidently hits you.