To have four large dogs in the home with my family?

[fallingdownasteepsteadyslope]

We have 5 children. Wasn't particularly planned as we have two sets of twins. Our oldest two are 9, the middle child is 7 and the youngest two are 4. We have four large dogs (three are what we consider giant breed).
Our 7yr old has made friends with a new girl in the class. We invited her over for a playdate but new girl's mother is refusing to let her come due to our 'big beastly dogs'. She's seen all of them as we take them on dog walks. She then said I was irresponsible to 'have so many dogs and so many children because one of the children will get bit eventually'. It set me off thinking, if you saw me in the street, would you think I was ridiculously irresponsible and 'a inadequate mother'? BTW, this mother has four dogs of her own, three cockerpoos and a cav.

But I offered to have her come round to the house and check it out AND offered to send the dogs down the lake! Honestly we have bags of room to let them be sent off and they have beautiful recall. I'm not tying to brag but I spent hundreds on training classes in order to deter expectations aout having large dogs. And you know what? They're the most well trained dogs on the dog walks I go on. There isn't much need to extensively train your dogs but to give people peace of mind I have done. And comments like those the woman made hurt me a lot.

What a twunt!
I have a rather large Rottweiler who looks positively frightful (please note my sarcasm)
She also happens to be a service dog for a child and is impeccably well behaved and well mannered.
Judgemental cow needs to give her head a shake for judging without getting to know you or your dogs!

You know how well trained they are but unfortunately she doesn't. I'm sure is wasn't personal even if it didn't come out right. Right or not people mid judge large dogs. It's out of fear and ignorance not to be mean.
I wouldn't be so annoyed by it, im sure they are lovely dogs but you never know what kind of experiences they have had/ seen in the past ( the parents)
There are also a lot of irresponsible dog owners around and you hear so much in the media. She was just doing what she thought was best I've not doubt she didn't meant it nasty.

As the OP can see in this thread there are a lot of judgy people when it comes to dogs. Genuine dog people love and care for dogs and know how to train them and make them integral parts of the family.

Ignorance in other people is hard to get round OP. Some people equal size with aggression but the most barky and loud and aggressive dog I have met so far in my 4 months in Dublin has been a cav. The most docile and intimidated - a boxer.

Disgraceful. 4 is far too many dogs.

I don't have any dogs. So please send your Otterhound and your Sheepdog to me. 2 is a good number.

I've been bitten twice - both by dogs whose owners let them out the front door to walk themselves. A lurched and a border collie. Border Collie's are my favourite breed!

DH has been bitten by a Jack Russell.

Size doesn't matter, owners and training matter.

250 a month for dogs! OMG

But if it is affordable that's fine I suppose. And then the dogs give it all back in spades.

Each to their own. My neighbours Cavalier KC had to have his nails cut and a haircut. 75 quid.

I wouldn't spend that on myself!

But I am on the watched list WRT pets of the doggie variety. I can deal with it.

Horrible woman . Little dogs can be worse sometimes .. tell her that next time OP

I miss my dog too (saw somebody on thread say that) :(

It would have been reasonable of her to ask you to keep the dogs separate for a first visit. It's just rude to assume you live in complete chaos with dogs and children (maybe you do) but so what if everyone is cared for. My son has a staffie who is as daft as a brush, still wouldn't leave her alone with a child as she is very boisterous. His neighbour has a jack russell, the bloody thing has gone for me twice nasty little bugger.

Not RTFT but just wanted to say OP... what a fab quartet of dogs you have and if I had a big country house with a large garden I would have several woofers too rather than just our one beloved canine. I used to work for a vet in my youff... and he always said "never trust a spaniel" so I would be far more circumspect about her small yapper-type dogs than your majestic beasts! PS... My DD's friend is one of 5 kids and they have 5 dogs (and cats and various fluffy hutch dwelling creatures!)

As someone who works with dogs...the bigger ones are usually the most chilled out. And greyhounds often the most lazy harmless breed you could ever meet. Little ones often have much A LOT more attitude. I dont see any issue with having that many dogs and children if you have the space and a nice life!

She sounds rude and also badly informed. I'd be a lot more worried about a small dog they're much more likely to nip. If I didn't know you or your family then yes I'd refuse until I got to know you but that wouldn't be because of the dogs! My DH was bought up with an old English who was his best friend and a gentle giant. Oh, and I'd also very much like to cuddle your doggies please

@UnbornMortificado
But she's lush!

I wouldn't mind, as long as I had seen the place and had a quick assessment of how in control you were/the set up. In the circumstances you describe, Id pack my 3 year old off to you know just fine!

We have three big dogs, I will keep one or two from my next litter as well. We foster sometimes as well.... up to 6 at a time really.
Anything unknown is kept separate, anything I'm concerned with is muzzled, no children go near dogs whilst either dogs or children are eating. No touching sleeping dogs.

With appropriate ground rules, for both children and dogs, it's fine. I do keep mine away from visiting children until a) parents give specific permission it's ok and b) I've got an idea of how the child will treat my dogs! And then it's a phased introduction.

I have horses here too, and chickens, and ducks, and semi feral barn cats. I'm an animal hater's worst nightmare!

Just googled otterhound, what a gorgeous face, i must admit i'm not keen on old english sheepdogs but that's because my grandad had one and it was a vicious thing. But i would be willing to give yours a go.

@Wolfiefan what a beautiful dog! Such a gorgeous dog. I'm struggling to upload pics of the dogs, maybe a little bit technology-challenged?
To all those who miss their dogs, I'm sorry. It's awful to lose a best friend.

We have two large dogs and a tiny house. People probably judge us too

As long as you can afford them and look after them I don't see the problem.

I always put my dogs out of children's way though- not worth the hassle or risk however small.

Wouldn't judge but wouldn't let my child round on a play date as I would only gave your word for the dogs being well behaved. I wouldn't be rude I would just try and find a place to have te pay date minus dogs..

Falling. She's lovely. I am hyper aware of just how big she is though and that some people are very scared of dogs. We "stand and wait" when people walk, run or cycle past. Lots of training.

@Llanali we sound very similar in respects of rules and collection of animals! What breeds do you have?
@lazyarse123, honestly mine is a dream! She's called Molly and she's lovely with everybody, excitable & active but ready to curl up with and give cuddles.
I actually think otterhounds aren't as widely wanted due to their puppy appearance, I think they look lovely and are the cutest things ever but some people weren't keen on him when ours was younger.

Bet you a tenner her dogs are badly behaved and in her head that's just what dogs are like, so big ones must be worse...

Agree with PP who said four is too many... so send 2 of them to me!

You'd never get me out of your hair if I knew you! I adore dogs especially huge ones. A Newfoundland would be my dream dog!

Your rescue greyhound has"beautiful recall"? Are you sure?

I'm on a watch list WRT dogs. LOL but surely my opinion is as valid as others.

And it's each to their own. But please, every side has an opinion.

Costs, vets, walkies, PHI, hairs, lots of hairs ( bwoark) barking, biting, and so on. I prefer kids TBH.

Havana my mams retired although my stepdad is still working. She doesn't spend a lot on herself, drink or socialise. Plus me and siblings are all grown up.

I can't speak for all dog owners but she's happy as are the dogs.

Wolfie she is indeed lush, she's probably my favourite MN dog.

Yes @Wolfiefan I agree there must be strong rules of recall with large dogs. I insist on when my kids go tramping down to the village with a dog or two that they have them on leads at all time and if someone walks past them, they must sit still with the dog and stop walking.