Best type of dog with young children

[Nonky]

Hello we are starting to research breeds as we are considering getting a puppy but I really want to be careful about choosing the right breed, breeder etc. my husband would like a whippet but a couple of people have told me they can be quite snappy? What in your opinion would be the best breed to get with two children under 6? Many thanks for your help :-)

[AM78]

We have a golden retriever who we got when our lo was a year old, and look after another when his owner is on hols. Our lo is now 5 and have no issues leaving him with either of them, they adore him and have no issues with fingers up noses etc, highly recommend as a breed but definitely research the breeder as have met one or two in the past who haven't been as good natured.

[MagratGarlik]

Our whippet is just the best dog to have with children. We got him when ds2 was nearly 3 years old and ds1 was 6 years old. Whippy was 12 months old when we got him. He follows the boys everywhere, is very calm and gentle and not so big that he would bowl them over in excitement. Would definitely recommend whippets.

[mrslaughan]

I have no personal experience, of whippets(as in owning one) , but they are meant to be fabulous family dogs, and if we were going to get a small dog it would be my pick..... But we went with a giant breed ( husband would only consider a big dog) and he is amazing.
So I think as well as breed temperament, you need to consider, energy level, what you are going to do with it ( collies are fab dogs for example, but need heaps of mental stimulation so you need to be thinking if activities that are going to provide that), trainability ( westies which I love, are meant to be quite "independent" minded), and size.

I think all those thinks need to be considered...... Before you start thinking about what makes a good family dog, ours in brilliant - he is very biddable, amazing with the kids, but at 60kg and 10months - and prone to young and stupid moments in the lead, you have to be physically strong......
Does that make sense.....

[HoneyDragon]

Well, one important thing to remember is that ALL puppies, regardless of breed, will be a bit "snappy". And they have really sharp teeth.

[CMOTDibbler]

I'd wait till your children were older, and then rehome a sighthound from a rescue.

[broadsheetbabe]

Best breed to get a puppy with two children under 6? None!

Seriously, puppies are such hard work. Ours is now nine months old and it has been really hard work, and still is. Don't get me wrong, she's great and we love her to bits but I seriously underestimated the work involved (I did the same with my human children, I never learn!)

I would wait until the children are a little older or consider an older dog that is already trained (toilet, lead, off lead, recall etc)

[minsmum]

I would go to a rescue where they foster in families and get a slightly older dog so that you know what its like with kids and you know what its temperament is. Not an old dog somewhere between 6- 18 months old. That way you know exactly what you are getting.

[thiswaytothebeach]

bedligton terrier every time, lovely little dog

[MagratGarlik]

Would agree with those who say get a slightly older dog (not old, but not a pup). Our whippet was 12 months when we got him. He was toilet trained and very keen to learn, when we took him to obedience classes he learned quickly. He had lived in a home before, so he knew how to behave. Could not have coped with a pup and young children.

The RSPCA were very good at matching us with a child-friendly dog and whilst we did spend quite some time looking for the right one, it was not longer than we would have spent waiting for a pup. We got our second dog from Dog's Trust. Again, very good at matching dog to a home with small children and another dog. Our second dog was an older girl, but Dog's Trust did also point us in the direction of another 12 month old - we just decided that our older girl was the right dog for us and whippy agreed.

[noddyholder]

Tibetan terriers

[JustGiveMeFiveMinutes]

I think you need to look at other factors, not just the age of your dc. ow big is your house? What sort of lifestyle do you have? Are you in the city or countryside?

You need to to look into other things too. For example, I love to do long walks with my dog were she's offlead. For that reason, another poster's suggestion of a sighthound would be totally wrong for me.

[LittleFeileFooFoo]

I think most of the hounds/hunting dogs would be good, they tend to be laid back and easy going. However in my experience they also need lots of exercise.

Bichon Frise are also wonderful dogs, and don't need as much exercise as hunting/working breeds. AS far as I can tell they were bred to sit on laps...

I agree that your lifestyle should dictate the type of dog that you get. HAve you had dogs before?

[JustGiveMeFiveMinutes]

not sure I agree Little

I know a few people with Beagles who've found them hard work. No doubt hundreds of people will come on here saying what a breeze it was to teach their beagle recall, but that hasn't been my experience I'm afraid.

[dufflefluffle]

Golden Retriever. Ours was two when DD arrived. She was so gentle - would lie next to the baby on the floor and would follow her around the garden - even play hide and seek with her. They have been great pals. She was 9 when DS arrived and not nearly as interested but has been so patient. Would not follow DS around or play with him but tolerates his gentle petting and attention. She's old, losing sight and hearing now but still so, so gentle. Has never growled or snapped in her 13 years, in fact we have not ever even heard her bark all that much. The only downside to a Retriever is the amount of hair shed - and the ginormous poos produced! We got ours through a breeder registered with the kennel club and explained our situation (that the dog would be meeting a lot of people and needed to be fairly mellow) I don't know if that made a difference: she was as calm at 6 months as she is now.

[LittleFeileFooFoo]

oh Just I agree, hounds are impossible to recall! But they are laid back in the house. Yes, once they get a scent (or sight, for the sighthounds) they are pretty much on autopilot then! It takes a lot of training to get them to stop hunting! But when they are just int he house, they are dolls, most of them.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Many, many breeds are good with children. Considering your lifestyle and what type of dog would best fit with that lifestyle.

[MagratGarlik]

I wouldn't agree about the amount of exercise sight hounds need, Little. Sighthounds are frequently referred to add 35mph couch potatoes. Both whip pies and greyhounds are happy with a couple of 30 min walks per day and will sleep for the rest of the time. This is one thing that makes them very compatible with children they are lazy and undemanding so you will not be constantly trying to entertain dog and children.

One thing I would say about both whippys and greys though is that they are very sensitive. They don't like lots of noise, rush, shouting etc. They respond best to gentle training and will be stressed quickly by loud b or forceful behaviour. They therefore need space to get away from children and where they know children will not bother them.