Want to get a dog, What breed is best with small children?

[mmmmchocolate]

I have a 17 month old and hoping to have another in next year. WE like springer spaniels or cockers any one any ideas and advice? ta x

Poodle.
a) Pro - no malting so no hair everywhere. Con - spastic haircuts the kennels love giving (but you can stop them).
b) Very loyal, very affectionate and very intelligent. Standards (the big ones) needs heaps of exercise, toys are yappier, so go for a miniature.

Dad was so embarrassed when we inherited a poodle but has since had two more. They are really good family dogs!

we have a choccy labrador and ds (2) loves her - he can pull her ears, ride her, pull her tail, wrestle her when she is a sleep, try to eat her dinner (!!!) and she just lets out an exasperated sigh and lets him get on with it. Mind you, they have nothing between their ears. And mine sheds hair everywhere - they do apparently. but are lovely with kids.

I think labs are good with kids, but yes a bit thick? Am wary of any terriers - seem to be snappy. In fact small dogs in general (sweeping generalisation time).
We carefully researched what dogs were 'good' with kids and also were quiet around the house ie dont bark when left. We ended up with an English Pointer - not my first choice but is excellent. V pretty but a bit big for some people. Intelligent but placid v good with kids, v quiet, doesnt chase balls bikes, joggers kids etc. V affectionate, short hair. perhaps not as 'characterful' as some terriers but that's not a bad thing!
Ps we also have cats and they are THE BOSS. Esp the Bengal who sleeps on the dog and pads on her fur which must hurt!
With a pedigree it is easier to predict what you are going to get behaviour-wide wheras with a heinz job - who knows! Be wary of ones from shelter they often seem to have physocological issues ime.
We did find it hard to find time to walk dog with 2 young kids too and they can be a bit neglected, so think carefully. Also found that the way round this was joint walking, so DS had lots of boring 'walks round the park' (ie dog walking) rather than trips to playground as not time to do both. hth

I had a staffie who was fantastic with kids until I had one! Had to get him rehomed as he was very jealous and I was afraid he would attack. He now lives with my MIL and I walk him everyday.

It's stories like this one www.showdog.com/login/philboard_read.aspx?id=84912 that are why I don't consider akitas [or any other breed thats not WIDELY known to be even tempered and great with kids] to be suitable for everyone, especially those with small children.

[and sorry for bringing up this thread again]

Sorry this is the link

BUMP

as some of you may know we recently got a black lab. He is about 4 months old now and is lovely. However he is very bouncy and finds it hard to calm down when the children are around (even if they are quietly watching tv). Hence, he has to stay in his 'area' by the kitchen a lot of the time and only really has the run of downstairs when dh or I are free to completely supervise him. He is also very horny and will try to mount them which is already a problem as he can knock dd over (she is 3) when he does this.
We are taking him to training and I can see an improvement but I am a bit worried by the amount of lab owners I've met who say that labs remain puppy like till they're 7 or so (gulp).
Other than the extreme bounciness he is good with the children and has never bitten them or been unpleasant in any way. I just wish he'd calm down a bit!

Best sort of dog to get for a child at that age is a stuffed one, wait until the child is much older.

hope you find the right dog for you; just take care... please remember ANY DOG can bite, through fear, excitement... as well as agression.

We have a 3 year old and a 1 year old and have a boxer, we have found and many other people we have spoken to that Boxers are the friendliest and one of the best dogs to have with children.

we're getting an irish wolfhound! Cant wait! Does it show??