[netmilsmom]

Tin Foil hat for the other dog???
Geez, that's too cute! I'm only five-three, I guess I would be seeing her face to face.

On another note, I wish I could have a dog at this point. My five year old was exposed to some stupid dog owners who let their dogs rush her (even when they knew she was scared)and just gave the "oh he won't hurt you". Really? Tell that to a 4 year old who sees a barking dog bigger than her.
She likes to run with the puppies at the pet store, but is still scared of dogs. I really want a dog to keep watch on the house (and when we moved in there was a built in heated dog house and run!) but I guess it's cats for now.

[Desdemona]

She likes to run with the puppies at the pet store, but is still scared of dogs. I really want a dog to keep watch on the house

It might be easier for her if she sees it grow from a puppy and grows with it. And you might try something smaller rather than one of the big breeds.

[AnAmericanMother]

If you get a puppy that she can grow up with, and a quiet example of a steady breed (NOT a wild girl like mine - my kids are older - 11 and 13 when we got the dog) she ought to be o.k. A nice easygoing couch potato of a Lab, or maybe a Golden?

[and the horse you rode in on]

She likes to run with the puppies at the pet store, but is still scared of dogs.

Try a bassett hound or a bloodhound. Any dog that is sturdy, has lots of skin to hold onto and is not agitato.