Gary,

1. Inside most of the time, but I don't want to have to be excessively concerned if I have to put him outside to use the bathroom or for the comfort of allergic guests, etc.

2. Companionship mostly, but I do want a dog willing and capable of defending my wife when she's home alone.

3. Small fenced yard.

To provide some context, we recently had to put down our 12 year old Old English Bulldog.  She was the best dog we ever had, but in the last two years of her life she suffered from mega-esophagus.  We did everything possible, a Bailey chair and special food.  The vet said that it was remarkable that she lived as long as she did and as well as she did after the diagnosis, but eventually it got to the point where she was not getting enough nutrition to survive and we had to let her go.  I would like to get another OEB, but from what I understand the Mega-E is common in that breed and I really don't want to go though that painful experience again, so I'm looking at alternatives.

Thanks,

James