I got two of these in my backyard. I've done some research but can't seem to find any spider that looks like this. I'm thinking it's some type of orb-weaver because it does spin a web in a circular pattern. Also, is it poisonous? If so, how potent is the venom towards people and dogs?

I don't know the name of it. I wish I had a good spider book myself. I often would like to look up spiders I find around my house. All spiders are venomous, but most are not dangerous. I think the black widow and brown recluse are pretty much it for north america. Right? So this garden spider is probably not dangerous to you. It's very pretty. Nice picture!

Attached pic ---TETRAGNATHIDAE, tetragnathid spiders
female orchard spider, Leucauge sp. Sept/94, LaSalle. Spiders are often attracted to the abundant prey at porch lights.

Orb-web Spiders

Araneae: Araneaidae

The orb-web spiders include those that make the largest and most intricately patterned webs that appear among garden plants in late summer and early fall. Perhaps the best recognized are the argiope spiders which can make large concentric webs, usually have a zig-zag stripe of webbing (stabilimentum) running down the center. The banded argiope (A. trifasciata) is the largest of these spiders in the region, but many other orb-web spiders in the genus Araneus may be found in and around fields.


Tetragnathids

Aranae: Tetragnathidae


Orb-webs can also be made by the tetragnathid spiders. Some of the more common are known as long-jawed orb-weavers (Tetragnatha spp.). These possess very large jaws and have long legs that extend forward and back as they rest on plant stems. They are particularly common in more humid sites, often near water.
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This is what I found... :) :)
Hope its helpful

Thanks for the information. Looked it up and finally found a match. Thanks again.

Thanks for the information. Looked it up and finally found a match. Thanks again.


Glad to have been of help... :) :)