Best dogs for small children?

[samy23]

After having awful experiences in my life time of dangerous dogs being owned around young children, my main concern is finding a breed which is the most gentle and tolerant of children possible. Which breeds are the best in that way?

[Raene]

Are you thinking big dog or small?

Pugs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are well-known for being great with children. I *think* Boston Terriers are too, but you'd need to double check.

For larger dog breeds, I would say Golden Retrievers are excellent.

I had a pug growing up...they don't bite ever (can't, really, with those tiny mouths) and they don't growl either. They are fun but a little on the dumb side, lol. They're sweet though and very loyal. She was my girl from when I was 3 until I was 17. She always did great with my friends, and later with the kids I babysat.

[mom0810]

After owning one with my two very small children, I have to vote for the Miniature Schnauzer. SO tolerant. SO sweet. SO easy to housebreak and train. SO loving. SO great with the kids. Like the best dog ever with kids. This is common in the breed and they are GREAT kids' dogs.

Other good breeds are the Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Newfoundland (legendary with kids), Cairn Terrier, Poodle, and Shih Tzu. Oh, and Bichon! They are awesome.

Oh and how can I forget Boxer? Great kids dog.

[Attached Mama]

Get a brittany!!! They are the best! Seriously, ours (now almost 9 yrs) put up with our dd poking him going "eye, eye" and crawling all over him. We currently have a 12 wk old Brit puppy too and even she is great with dd who is 3. However, any puppy is going to be difficult for a time with a child simply because they go thru a teething stage and have to learn what they can and cannot mouth.

Brittanys haven't been overbred and so don't have the health probs that many purebreds have. Also, they tend to be much cheaper because they aren't overly popular. They are incredible family dogs tho. Kind and gentle, but protective of kids too. Tons of energy. Their only faults - they are so sweet that they can be overly sensitive and don't do well with being yelled at. Some are prone to separation anxiety (our older one til we recently got the puppy HATED when we'd leave him). They are also runners. LOVE to run and can run very fast - they need a fenced in yard. Unlike some dogs, they won't figure out where their "territory" is and stay put. Electric fence, fenced yard or shock collar are very necessary. Our older one was hit by a car at 18 mos and I know of a number of brits who have died due to running across a road.

Here are some links to pics of our Brits interacting with our dd at various ages.

http://helenagrace.blogspot.com/2009...-grrrnola.html

http://helenagrace.blogspot.com/2006...-with-dog.html

http://helenagrace.blogspot.com/2006...s-i-adore.html

http://helenagrace.blogspot.com/2006...hes-doing.html

And here is a great website for rescue brits. We volunteered for them for a while before dd was born.
http://www.americanbrittanyrescue.com/

[Kim Allen]

we have a yorkie. DS was so mean when we first got him but has gotten used to him. No matter how mean DS was he never would growel or bite. He is very laid back and is very pertective of DS he sleeps next to him and follows him everywere. Not sure if all yorkies are like thid but I love him. Also they have hair not fur so they dont shed!! Which is great for in the house.

[confustication]

Your best bet may be looking for dogs who have been tempermant tested- most reputable breeders can tell you a bit more about this.

Personally, there are several of the breeds above I wouldn't consider in a house with kids, that doesn't mean they are bad breeds, but they simply aren't breeds would choose to have around my kids.

We have two dogs, both rescues. One is a 4lb mix of chi, dauchund, min pin, and whatever else- she's good with my oldest (7yo) and has never snapped etc. I keep the baby at arms length because she's small and I worry more about her being injured than anything else. The other dog is a black lab. She'd been abused early on and wasn't properly starteth training as a puppy so it took me about a year to work her into calm happy housedog land.
If you do look into a puppy- please consider puppy socialization and training classes. An older dog can also benefit from training classes- and basic obedience.

I have one dog working towards certification as a therapy dog, and the other just getting started (she's 2 now) on serious search and rescue training. I find active breeds like labs etc do best when they have a job to do. FWIW, she's been playing with my 9 month old while I've typed- her ears are favorite targets for 'petting' and she's about as tolerant as dogs come.

It isn't going to be about breed so much a individual personality and training.

You might try chatting with the local shelter, or rescue groups in your area. Often they will have a great 'family dog' to direct you to.

[angie7]

I have a Great Dane and 3 mixes, best dogs around kids I have ever seen.

Honestly, OP, it depends on the dog, not necessarily the breed. Someone mentioned a boxer, did you know that they are in the top 10 of the most dangerous breeds?

http://www.petsdo.com/blog/top-ten-1...ous-dog-breeds

Little dogs tend to bite more then larger dogs, you just hear more about larger dogs b/c they inflict more damage. Generally any dog can be good around children as long as they have proper training (professional if you don't know what to do) and lots of socialization.

[Attached Mama]

The pp is right - it does depend a lot on how the dog has been socialized. Still, some dogs are just more prone to snapping and less tolerant of children - yorkies being one of them.

To me, the health problems many pure breds come with are important too. You can google and find a site that goes thru all the breeds - which are best with children, what their energy/temperments are, and if they are prone to any particular health problems. You might find that helpful.

[Ola_]

It really does depend on the individual dog. Not only on their life experiences either, but just their personality. Some dogs are fearful or aggressive despite very good early socialization - some of those traits are believed to be genetic.

Personally, I would go for a medium-large dog rather than a small one. They are less likely to be injured by children, who can trip and fall especially during those first few years. I wish I could say goldens but unfortunately so many of them are agressive due to inbreeding/overbreeding because they are so popular. I don't think you can say that a certain breed is the "best", it really does depend on the individual.

[mom0810]

I was the one that mentioned Boxers.... I think the reason they are in the top 10 "most dangerous" is that there are SO many of them out there.

Back when I was involved with the breed... now we are talking many years ago, but I know there are still many good custodians of the breed... they were the most gentle creatures around. I had one that would babysit for my friend's nephews..,. blocking the stairway so they could not fall down, things like that. Inherently good with kids. But that is GOOD Boxers. Well bred ones.

Small dogs are great with kids. Not Chihuahuas, usually, but that doesn't mean there aren't nice ones. Min pins, I would be totally scared of.

But small terriers are great because they are small, but very sturdy. Terriers are SO not likely to bite small kids. At all.

[slimkins]

Originally Posted by angie7;13665410

Honestly, OP, it depends on the dog, not necessarily the breed. Someone mentioned a boxer, did you know that they are in the top 10 of the most dangerous breeds?

[url

http://www.petsdo.com/blog/top-ten-10-most-dangerous-dog-breeds[/url]

I'm sorry but I find that link extremely poor in information and borderline fear mongering. I don't how they compiled their facts, but I could probably make up something just as ridiculous. I don't mean offense to you for posting it, but I find it biased and without merit. Several of those dogs even test higher than Golden Retrievers in temperament Tests.
Also, "Boxers are known for the way they get along so well with children." quoted from dog breed info.

I have a boxer and I can not tell you how much she lights up when children are present. I believe she actually prefers them to adults. If you are looking for a medium size breed that would be my recommendation.

[mom0810]

The PP's description is exactly how Boxers SHOULD be and how most are.

I did not even mention the link because I thought it was so bad.

Boxers are traditionally terrific with kids and if you talk to a certain generation, we remember when EVERY body had a Boxer and they were the best friend a kid could have. :

[angie7]

Originally Posted by slimkins

I'm sorry but I find that link extremely poor in information and borderline fear mongering. I don't how they compiled their facts, but I could probably make up something just as ridiculous. I don't mean offense to you for posting it, but I find it biased and without merit. Several of those dogs even test higher than Golden Retrievers in temperament Tests.
Also, "Boxers are known for the way they get along so well with children." quoted from dog breed info.

I have a boxer and I can not tell you how much she lights up when children are present. I believe she actually prefers them to adults. If you are looking for a medium size breed that would be my recommendation.

I was in a hurry and posted the first one I found, but here are some more stating the same things

http://www.dangerousdogs.net/

http://www.listafterlist.com/tabid/5...og+Breeds.aspx

The links aren't that great but I was just stating that Boxers have made a list. It's considered a dangerous dog by many others. Do I think they are dangerous, no. But I also have a Great Dane that I do not think is dangerous either but according to many "lists" they are. My point was that it doesn't depend on the breed of dog, they are all potientially dangerous and they need proper training and socialization. I think many people get a dog and b/c of it's breed, automatically think that the dog is good around kids and that is absolutely, hands down not true.

This is also an interesting read
http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/danger.htm (not about boxers but about bites in general)

[Ola_]

OP, you will find an interesting bias when you ask for this type of advice. Most people recommend the breed they have/had because they naturally think they are awesome dogs. It's good because you get some personal experiences but bad because it's inherently flawed.

[MidnightCommando]

OP - Ignore the dangerous dog lists. The dog best for you depends on its personality and the activity level of your family. Some breeds are known for certain temperaments but you cannot use this as your only base in selecting a family pet. I've met labs who are mean and snappy, and pit bulls I would trust with my life. Breeding and training have more to do with a dog's disposition than anything.

That being said, I will be biased and recommend a German Shepherd. Ours is our DDs best friend and companion and the best dog I've ever known. She learned to walk holding onto him and he readily accept the hats and skirts she makes him wear. They are never more than 10 feet apart and I've caught them many afternoons asleep together on the floor.

No matter what dog you end up selecting, please take the time to properly socialize and train it. There are no bad dogs, just bad dog owners.

good luck!

[Alyantavid]

Honestly, OP, it depends on the dog, not necessarily the breed.

Yep.

We have a Chesapeake and he's amazing with our kids. I couldn't have found a better dog to have around my kids when they're young. I think alot of it is his own personality and how we raised/trained him. The only downside to him is that he's enormous and can easily knock a person over just leaning in to get petted.

[mom0810]

I suppose there is some bias, OP, but as for my point of view, I have been working in dogs for over 30 years. I have been a vet tech, a groomer, trainer, breeder, handler... etc. For that length of time and have had hands-on experience with many breeds. For those that I don't have first hand experience with, I have close friends who have. So yes, I have some personal bias... right now I am so high on the little schnauzer I have... but it's also based on many years of knowing that breed and NEVER meeting one I didn't like. Same with Boxers. On the other hand, Labs are a breed I wouldn't own if someone paid me. Same with cockers. But some people love them.

So I would suggest maybe going to some dog shows? Getting an all-breed book from the library? Pick out 5 breeds that you really like, and then go to their club's national website. See what they people who are custodians of the breed say. Get a feeling for what they think about their breed with small kids. Then, go and meet some. Call some local breeders and ask for a "go-see" visit. Any breeder worth anything will gladly have you over to meet their dogs, puppies or no puppies.

Then you will get the In Person feel for the dogs. There is a quality to each breed that cannot be described in writing or by talking to someone on the phone about them. You have to be in their presence. For example, I cry each time I am around a Boxer now because I had one ages ago that was so special and the "essence" of Boxer still brings him rushing back. The noise they make when they breathe, the way they want to just get in your lap and love you... there is an essence like that in every breed. So you have to like just to "be" with the dog.. and the only way you will pick up on that is by sitting on the floor with them and having a bunch of them around you. Hope that makes sense.

[Owen'nZoe]

Putting in a plug for a Keeshond. As others have said, it depends on the individual and your family, but I think in general, Keeshonds are great family dogs. They are a nice size for small kids (large enough not to get hurt by kids, small enough not to knock anyone over), very attentive to their family, friendly, and just plain sweet. Ours is great with our toddler and preschooler.

And I would not even consider a chihuahua. We have one as well, and while we adore her, she is not trustworthy with the kids, and vice versa. They are really just too delicate (and in our case, at least, nippy) to be around most kids.

[mom0810]

Yep, Kees are great with kids.

[SimonMom]

We have a newfoundland. They are known for being gentle and patient with children. Our 10 month newfie is just wonderful. I did a lot of research on breeds before we got our pup. Newfs are one of the best, if not the best for dogs around kids. My baby has tried to stick his fingers up our puppy's nostrils, plays with his teeth, and plays a game where he falls over Pilot (our newf). It's like he doesn't even notice, at all.
He just loves our kids.