Best breed of dog for young children?

zigzag

zigzag

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Really want another dog, but want one suitable for young child, any breed recommendations? ( I know there can be bad in all breeds :p ) prefer something not to huge though! Only had german shepherds before, don't want one of them this time
 
I think most breeds if raised with children are fine, I would be reluctant to suggest small dogs like Chis purely because they are small and could be hurt by a child.

I wouldnt recommend a working bred Border Collie because they tend to round children up and can nip, what about a Staffy, they are known as the nanny dog and are very forgiving with a small child and dont mind the hurly burly and being accidently trod on etc.
 
I certainly wouldn't touch a staffy or any of the bull breeds come to that! Cairn terriers are meant to be excellent with children, as are most of the gundog breeds. But really, its how they (and the children!) are brought up that counts...
 
I've never met a staffie that wasn't great with children except knocking over toddlers in their enthusiasm. I wouldn't have any sort of terrier (not bull type, 'normal') terrier as they can be nippy.
It is always a huge generalisation to talk about any breed, our lab is great with kids but when I was small I was bitten by a lab.
I got a lurcher when my son was 2, she came from a rescue but had been well checked with children before I had her.
 
Blimey, there's some cracking stereotypes on here with breeds!! I think any dog who's brought up with kids and given proper training should be fine. Choose a breeder who breeds for temperament as a first step.
 
border terriers and staffy's would be high on my list of dogs that are generally good with kids, but i agree as long as kids and dog are bought up to respect each other and a dog is allowed its own space and is excersised well then any breed is a possibility.

the only thing i would avoid is a dog bred from lines purely for work unless you are prepared to work it
 
Cavalier King Charles were always very good around us when we were kids. We did find though that the black and tans were a little nervous in the show ring, so we focussed on blenheims (brown and white) and they were fab with us.
 
CKCS have huge health issues nowadays so may be best avoided, although yes in the past they were a breed i recommended to families that came dog training many years ago
 
Cavalier King Charles spaniels. I have 2 and none have any health issues. One is 9 and fit as a flee.
Perfect with kids and a nice size. They tend to be big enough not to have 'small man syndrome' but small enough that they don't tend to hurt children during play.
Also boxers are great with kids (my nephew rides ours!) but sometimes his paws can hurt during play due to his weight!
 
I'm not too sure that there is a "Best breed", for children. The dog which you acquire will be mostly what you make it, and depending on just how small or how thoughtful your children are, will depend upon the dogs reaction to them.

I had Collies, GSDs and Terrier bitches with my children when they were very small, and they were all incredibly tolerant, certainly more so than they were with adults. No one can watch young children all the time, and life for a dog can be a bit difficult, if we aren't careful. Children must learn to respect dogs from an early age, and when the dog growls a warning, then it's the child who needs correcting.

OP, it's certainly do-able, but care and consistency are vital.

Alec.
 
I'm another Cavi fan, small enough for kids to control but big enough to withstand a bit of rough play and usually very sweet natured happy little dogs. BUT a very large percentage of them are riddled with health problems so if you were to get one I'd advise you to do your research regarding breeder and to get good lifetime insurance for it. Boxers are also generally nice dogs if rather bouncy and prone to knocking over very small children in their enthusiasm and again be prepared for health problems!

Having said that most dogs if they're raised right and the kids are sensible should be able to be trained to get along with children.
 
Something like a greyhound could be good- might be a bit big though, maybe a whippet. If you get one from a greyhound trust branch they point you to dogs that would be suitable for children- they tend to be very gentle dogs. I would agree with nothing too small, and make sure they are not in the "bouncy" stage when the children are toddling around.
 
Oh yes, the health problems in CKCS :(
Both of the bitches that we had that were born in the late 90's died very early at 8 and 9, respectively. Both had strokes and both were heart tested as pups, so a clear test is not always a guarantee.
The Cavs I remember from my early childhood in the 80's all lived to about 12 years and had good hearts.
They are such loyal but merry liitle companions, I do miss them.
 
All my border collies have been great first of all with my own children and recentlly with my grand children.

I think the important thing is to teach children to respect the dog and understand when it needs its own space.

Our current border collie is amazing with my grandchildren and has been since we collected him from the rescue kennels hang ups and all!
 
Thanks all, won't go for a Staffy,I personally not keen on them myself, I was looking at different pups today, can't believe the price of them :o ponies are cheaper lol
 
I think you just need to go for a litter of pups that have been brought up with kids more than anything.
People say jack Russell terriers aren't good with kids. Well I have 2 and they are absolutely fine. Ones 2 and ones 6 and daughter is 9. They've always been perfect with her not snappy and absolutely adore her sometimes more than me (think they know she's more likely to drop food). They both sleep on the bed with her rather than me. And she can control them easily on walks ect.
But they were both brought up from birth around children and I think that helps. And obviously she knows how to behave around them, I think that's just as important to teach aswell.
 
vieshot said:
A Labrador. Not my cup of tea but they really are fantastic family dogs.
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I agree, you can't beat a Labrador for temperament but they are big and can get a little over enthusiastic.:D I don't think there is just a breed that is suitable, any dog brought up correctly will make a good pet in most cases, although I would avoid a border collie. I have a springerxcollie and a springer and they are fantastic around children but they need a lot of work to keep them sane so depends on how much time you have for the dog too.
 
stormox said:
I certainly wouldn't touch a staffy or any of the bull breeds come to that! Cairn terriers are meant to be excellent with children, as are most of the gundog breeds. But really, its how they (and the children!) are brought up that counts...
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Wow, thanks for the sweeping comments. Staffords are actually known as nanny dogs as they will put up with a lot from children. One of only 2 breeds that the KC recognises as such. I often use my eldest bitch to help parents with nervous children as she is rock solid and best of all...teaches the children NOT to put their faces next to hers..she licks their face which they think is disgusting but it does stop them.

I would look at this from a different perspective. So how much time would you have for exercise if you have small children? What breeds do you actually like the look of? I don't know how old your children are but maybe consider a breed rescue where the dog has been brought up with children? I helped someone who ha bought a beautiful choc lab boy puppy and it went badly wrong as they assumed being a lab, he would automatically behave. He was absolutely lovely and when I went to see him, responded really easily to basic training but they decided it was too much for them to do coupled with small children so he went back to his breeder.
 
So many sweeping breed stereotypes here! As has been said, staffies are known as nanny dogs as they are so good with children, some cavaliers have health problems but you cannot write the whole breed off because of that, yes some terrierss can be snappy but some are lovely, labradors are known as bouncy clowns, but there are quite a few nasty ones about etc etc. The only thing I would agree with is to avoid tiny breeds such as chis as due to their size they are vulnerable to being grabbed by young children and may bite in defence. My 2 children have got to 25 and 20 years old growing up in a house full of GSDs, they have both been bitten only once, by a neighbours Schipperke, but I am not about to say all schipps are bad with children.
OP are your children used to dogs, and how young are they. Although I would ideally say get a puppy some pups can be too boisterous with very young children, having said that pups do learn quite quickly to be gentle round little ones in my experience, but as Luci says pups can be a lot of work and you may not have the time for training . Maybe visit the odd dog show and have a look at the different breeds and see what takes your fancy, then talk to the breeders and see if they feel their breed would be suitable. Be prepared to visit lots of kennels, don't make the mistake of just falling for the first puppy you see. A good breeder will want to meet your children and see how they react to the dogs and pups. I am sure I am not the only person who has refused to sell a puppy to someone whose children were totally out of control and wouldn't stop grabbing at the pups and bitch despite being told by both their parents and myself.:rolleyes:
 
cinnamontoast said:
Blimey, there's some cracking stereotypes on here with breeds!! I think any dog who's brought up with kids and given proper training should be fine. Choose a breeder who breeds for temperament as a first step.
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^^^This!

We all make recommendations based on our personal experiences. Almost twenty years ago I was visiting friends in the UK. A young couple, there, were awaiting the birth of their first child. They were very serious about acquiring a medium to large-sized dog with a wonderful temperament, and were asking for suggestions. Having been very involved in Golden Retrievers as a breeder/exhibitor for many years, in the US, I suggested a Golden. The couple, from Norway, recoiled in horror at my suggestion, saying that would be the last breed of dog on their list. I was speechless, seeing as my experience of the breed was beyond reproach. Their experience was that the Golden was an unpredictable, snapping time-bomb. To an extent, the OP's question is tantamount to inquiring as to the length of a piece of string.
 
Having owned a boarding kennel for many years it is surprising what behaviours we get to see. Im my personal experience the nastiest dog we ever had in was a Lab! He was from a BYB and his mum was shot by the next door farmer when the pups were 8 weeks old. Two of the siblings ( a far as we know) were epileptic and this one showed all the signs of rage -related to epilepsy. You could walk past talking to him & he'd be wagging & sweet, next time he would fly at the wire so hard his gums bled. He was reffered to me as back then not many kennels had facilities to not need to handle a dog. He was the owner's first dog and they would not believe how dangerous he was -until he put two family members in hospital onthe same day. Evidently when he had one of his "turns" at home they just closed the door & didn't go into the room, or gearden for an hour. (I later discovered Mum had been similar & "a litter would calm her down"!)

I get odd dominant labs that argue when they don't get their own way.

Next dodgy breed is Golden Retriever & I've met quite a few fear aggressive ones. I think a lot of the problenn is they are so often suggested as a breed for novices and novices don't recognised when corners have been cut when breeding.

Next three iffies -cockers, shih tzus & any deliberate cross.
 
Generally speaking, all dogs can be good or bad. It is purely dependant on how you train dogs and deal with them. Contrary to popular belief, Staffies are great dogs for children, very loveable, and as Dobiegirl said they are known as the nanny dog. They mainly have a bad rep because drug dealers use them as status dogs and fighting dogs, plus the fact that many owners fail to put in proper mental stimulation for them they have had a horrible name. But then again so did German Shepherds at one point. It is purely dependant on your skills.


How small/big are you talking?

I think King Charles and Cocker Spaniels are pretty good with children, generally calm and good natured all round. I would say stay away from big dogs like German Shepherds (cause you don't want one) and Siberian Huskies (because they need a lot of mental stimulation). And also probably avoid small nippy and yappy dogs. Lhaso Apso's are lovely, but the ones I know tend to be quite quick and can be a bit temperamental and do become nippy on occasion.

If you're looking for a big friendly giant, you could get a Bernese Mountain dog or a Newfoundland.

I can't really suggest a good dog for you as I don't know you personally. Look around and research lots :), maybe try and talk to a few owners/breeders.

Also, one more thing, if you have a busy life and won't have a lot of time, steer clear of dogs who need a high level of stimulation. Equally, if you have plenty of time for training, tricks, walks, agility and different things then go with a high level stimulation dog. Just don't rush :). There is of course also the option to get a rescue :).

I think essentially this sums it up perfectly. It's really about time people blame the humans and not the dogs.

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Daughter is 2, is gentle around animals as has a cat, and a pony, though does have a tendency to carry the cat around if you have your back turned, he just hangs limp and allows her! really don't want a GSD again, my last two were put down at the age of 12, one her back legs went, the second went for my daughter when she was a few weeks old. Have a lot of time for the dog as work from home and if I go somewhere dog can't come hubby is at home.

Don't want a dog like a chi as they are too small, quite like Labs, but prefer something smaller, thinking of a beagle/springer/whippets as we all love walking but not sure if he/she will need more than that.
have had a look at the RSPCA rescue centres but all dogs need to be with older children and would rather a puppy. There were a few on the greyhound rescue site that are good with children but at the age of 3+ was wondering if they are a bit too set in their ways?

Or maybe just wait til daughter is 3...
 
My daughter was 2.1/2 yrs old when I bought my first Lancashire Heelers, I always wanted a Dobermann but guessed she probabley would never get friends back to play. They were not raised with children but they were a delight, she would play in the garden and her 2 little friends would be there when she was making her mud pies, they were accepting of her human friends and never did they snap or look like they would. She trained them to do lots of tricks and even competed one at agility.

My daughter is now just turned 28 and she bought a LH 2 yrs ago as she loved the breed so much.They are very good little watch dogs and providing you buy one from a breeder who health tests they are a long lived healthy breed.

Murphys Minder had one also when her daughter was small and another poster who I cant remember her name but am in touch with on fb bought one and he is doing brilliantly with her son.
 
PUG!!

They were originally bred as childrens companions for the Chinese aristocracy! They have wonderful tolerant temperments, adore children and I have never seen an aggressive pug :D

Definitely be wary when looking for a breeder if you were to go for a pug, theres some rubbish being bred including dubious crossbreeds being sold as unregistered purebreds. A correctly bred pug is a healthy, long lived dog :)
 
zigzag said:
Daughter is 2, is gentle around animals as has a cat, and a pony, though does have a tendency to carry the cat around if you have your back turned, he just hangs limp and allows her! really don't want a GSD again, my last two were put down at the age of 12, one her back legs went, the second went for my daughter when she was a few weeks old. Have a lot of time for the dog as work from home and if I go somewhere dog can't come hubby is at home.

Don't want a dog like a chi as they are too small, quite like Labs, but prefer something smaller, thinking of a beagle/springer/whippets as we all love walking but not sure if he/she will need more than that.
have had a look at the RSPCA rescue centres but all dogs need to be with older children and would rather a puppy. There were a few on the greyhound rescue site that are good with children but at the age of 3+ was wondering if they are a bit too set in their ways?

Or maybe just wait til daughter is 3...
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Rescue dogs can make lovely pets, and some rescues do have dogs that are suitable for rehoming with children, but there is nothing wrong with doing your research, finding out what breed you think is most suitable for you, and buying a puppy or older dog from a responsible breeder. Personally I sort of did what MurphysMinder suggested before I got my first dog, but I went to a dog show with a short list of breeds to have a look at, before making my final decision. I think it is great, you get to see how they will look as adults, and there is no cute puppies that anyone is trying to sell to you then and there.


Beagles are lovely dogs, but with a few exceptions, most Beagles that I've heard of, have been difficult, and some impossible, to train to have a reliable recall when off lead, so they're not my first suggestion as family dogs.

Springer Spaniel, regardless if they're English or Welsh, is for me working dogs, I would never recommend them to anyone who doesn't say that they're looking for a dog to work with.

Whippet are usually good family dogs, but they can have a high prey drive and as with the Beagle, many can't be trusted to have a reliable recall when off lead.


Have you thought about Finnish Lapphunds? I think that they're a good choice as family dogs, if you want to train e.g. obedience, they can do that, if you only want to teach them the basics and then remind them about it now and then out on walks, they're okay with that too. Compared to spitzes in general, they're not barky, but they can bark if they think that there is need for it. The dogs have much more fur than the bitches, but neither should need much grooming between the shedding seasons (I've seen internet info saying otherwise, but they're incorrect, the info on Wikipedia is the correct one, a breed typic Finnish Lapphund coat "requires only a modest amount of maintenance"). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_Lapphund

Norwegian Buhunds is also a great breed, I don't understand why they're not more popular as family dogs. In general, if you only have one, they're not barky, but if you get two or more, they can become barky together. Easy coat care, you can forget were you keep their brush between shedding seasons. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_Buhund


I've met a few Bichon Frisés and they've all been lovely, good family dogs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bichon_Frise

As were the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels that I've met http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavalier_King_Charles_Spaniel

And the French Bulldogs that I've met http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Bulldogs

And the Eurasier that I've met http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasier

And the Japanese Spitzes that I've met http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Spitz

And the Pugs that I've met http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pug


I also suggest that you have a look at Bolognese http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolognese_(dog)

Boston Terrier http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Terrier

Coton de Tulear http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coton_de_tulear

Havanese http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havanese

:)
 
If you have a specific breed in mind, why don't you try a breed specific rescue??

Ridgebacks are my dog of choice and the breed specific rescue (tend to) know more about them than a general rescue. Saying that though if they have one where they don't know the background they won't rehome with young children for obvious reasons.

The ridgebacks I've know all have lovely temperaments with the exception of one who was abused when she was younger, but all the ridgebacks I've known were bred for temperament first and a couple of breeders I know borrow younger relatives to go into the whelping box with the puppies (once the puppies are old enough), they all love children and watch out for them.

Another vote for a Staffy being a nanny dog, but think rescues would be reluctant to place with a young child because of the bad press that they've received in the past.

There no bad dogs, only bad owners.

The right dog is waiting for you to find it regardless of what breed it is, good luck and enjoy them when you find them.
 
twiggy2 said:
border terriers and staffy's would be high on my list of dogs that are generally good with kids, but i agree as long as kids and dog are bought up to respect each other and a dog is allowed its own space and is excersised well then any breed is a possibility.

the only thing i would avoid is a dog bred from lines purely for work unless you are prepared to work it
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I have a Border Terrier he is 18 months old,he is fab with my little girl and her pals, before him we have had a JRT, a Lakeland Cross who was an ex worker and a Lab all together in a little pack (they all died of old age) they were also very good with my little girl when she was very small, she is 7 now. Like the other post said its how they are introduced and how they are brought up together to respect each other, my dogs before the border were all around 12 years old when she came along and they were really good with her.
 
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