which breeds are good with cats and children?

[suburbandream]

We are seriously thinking of getting a dog - the DCs would love one, and DH and I both had dogs when we were young. We don't have a huge garden and since it will be mostly me doing the walkies I don't want a large dog, but I have no idea which breed would be a good choice. My own childhood dog was a scruffy mixture of goodness knows what - and I know it really depends on the actual dog (and kids!) rather than the breed but can anyone make any recommendations? thanks

[CoffeeIsMyFriend]

Check out your local (decent) rescue and see what dogs they have that are good with cats and children.

It really is down to individual dog rather than breed as most well socialised dogs are ok with kids and cats. That said there are exceptions in every breed.

Sight hounds probably not so good with cats - or anything small and furry. But then again I know greys that love kids and live with cats.

You really cant say XY and Z are all good with both children and cats, it just doesnt work like that.

[ditavonteesed]

have a go on this breed selector it is quite good fun,

[mycatsaysach]

my choc lab is very good with both

[chickchickchicken]

when we had specific requirements - chickens and foster kids - we went for a TTRD Tried and Tested Rescue Dog. you know what you are getting, most are usually past awful puppy stage, and a reputable rescue can advise on which dog they have assessed as being most suitable for your particular circumstances. you also of course have life long back up of the rescue and a dog that has been vet checked, vaccinated and (usually) neutered. as well as giving a dog a home you have the opportunity to see what dog you are getting, something which doesnt happen when you have a puppy

[ditavonteesed]

beertricks, also having looked them up I also think I should have one, so what did you put in the breed selector to get that result. it gave me a Japenese spitz, think it might be right there s well.
Not really sure how useful it is as a tool, but definatly interesting. I have a border terrier and a cocker spaniel, both reat with cats, kids and chickens, but like chick says a tried and tested rescue is always a good place to start, otherwise I think it is a bit of pot luck tbh.
Will second puppies being hard work though, we have had the cocker 4 weeks now and he is only just sleeping through and nowhere near house trained.
Have a look at your local rescue sights, they usually have a bit about each dog and you may just fall in love.

[CoffeeIsMyFriend]

wow, just checked breed selector - hilarious, gave me everything from a Leonberger to a mastiff - but not the breed that I actually have!

[CoffeeIsMyFriend]

oh I am liking this... Bracco Italiano, Cumber Spaniel, Finnish Laphund. haha all the expensive dogs! oh yes, and lets not forget the Old English Sheepdog! oh no, this site has not quite got me right, or I have missed out some vital information.

[chickchickchicken]

i got scottish terrier, spaniel, whippet .... think i was a bit mean on the food budget question

[CoffeeIsMyFriend]

ah, maybe that is what swung it for me. no limit on food budget, no limit on puppy price.

[Elibean]

Breed selector is a blast - apparently, we need a Finnish Spitz or an Italian Spinone.

I would be delighted, but as we're committed to finding a Rescue doggy, somehow think its unlikely...

[Al0uiseG]

My Dad has a Finnish Lapphund. He is a beautiful boy with a wonderful temperament. I can't imagine he'd cause a cat too much trouble and he adores children.

My big bad Bulldog is terrified of cats, he stands completely still when he sees one, then they do their puffer fish impression and he runs away!

[QuietTiger]

As many others say, go for a tried and tested with children/cats rescue dog. I have collies, many say they can't live with cats... my 4 collies say that you can. My gran has 2 yorkies staying with her for a month - many people say yorkies can't live with cats, those 2 yorkies say that you can.

Depends on the dog and it depends MORE IMPORTANTLY (once the dog is cat tested) how you handle the introductions to the resident cats.

[Al0uiseG]

The Lapphund was actually a rescue. My friend thought a puppy would be wonderful for Christmas but couldn't cope with the chewing, luckily my Dad had retired and really needed a dog so I brokered the deal. The best days work I've ever done according to dear old Dad.

[CoffeeIsMyFriend]

alouise - a happy ending all round then. My Mum got a yorkie last year as my Dad was in hospital most of the time and she was lonely. I left her in Scotland thinking about getting a dog, my sister took her to get him a few days later, so obviously she had already made her mind up!

Anyway, he is lovely and is the best thing to happen to my parents last year, so my reservations were unfounded. I still joke with DH that we will end up with our 2 GSDs and this tiny yorkie who thinks he is a rottie!

[suburbandream]

Thanks everyone! The breed selector is fun, my top dog is a bichon frise apparently - they look very cute but I think DH would prefer something a bit more tough-looking I would love to get a rescue dog, I've been looking around the local sites aswell as the big names (we are outskirts of London so there's Battersea etc) but all the dogs near us seem to be unsuitable for cats n kids at the moment. A friend mentioned the Discover Dogs show at Earls Court in November - we are planning to go and have a look at all the different dogs, it sounds a really good show, has anyone on here ever been?