Best dog breeds for kids please

[beans1992]

As above. We are a young family (4yo and 1yo) but so outdoorsy, and lots of time to train a puppy. We feel that a dog would fit right in with us, but have two young children so I want to make sure we pick the right breed.

Can’t be too big.

Thanks in advance.

I just got a rough collie with kids similar ages. Almost everyone who meets her comments on how mellow she is - certainly compared to their Cokerpoos, spaniels, border collies!
However, there are definite drawbacks to getting a puppy with a 1 year old. For us, sometimes toilet training was tricky cos the 1year old would scream if I was outside in the rain with a puppy waiting for a pee. Also 1 year old is OBSESSED with puppy but too young to understand instructions as to how to interact. Overall,the benefits of being at home during lockdown made it worth it. For you, with no particular reason to do it now, I would maybe wait a while.

@lavenderandwisteria we have a basset! One of the selling points was being great with children and they really are. Ours comes on the school run and laps up the attention from children. Absolutely fantastic with kids, but need research as they are perfectly trainable (ours is) but they just have a different mind set to other breeds.

I'll never understand why they aren't considered more for a family dog as they're just so laid back and gentle.

I wouldn’t want a puppy with children that young. No puppy is good with kids!
Longer term consider how much you can give a dog. Grooming? Walking? Training?

Our puppy is really gentle with kids

Pre Covid Didn't they used to be an ALL about Dogs show in London around about now? Does that still run? It's a good chance to meet lots of different breeds and talk to knowledgeable people.

We've been to a couple of different dogs shows recently and that might help you.

Most adult dogs IME are good with children if they've been well trained and exposed to them. Do you have a local trainer you could talk to?

Pre Covid Didn't they used to be an ALL about Dogs show in London around about now? Does that still run? It's a good chance to meet lots of different breeds and talk to knowledgeable people

Yes, it's called Discover Dogs and it looks like it's happening in November

www.discoverdogs.org.uk

Yes that's exactly what I was thinking of. If you are closer enough I'd think it would be worth a day out.
Shame it doesn't happen all over the country.

Have you looked into places like 'borrow my dog'

Basically you borrow someone else's dog and walk them (or if you have a friend/neighbour who would like you to walk their dog)

It can be a good way of deciding if a dog is right for you and your kids
Or just a way of getting a doggie fix until you're able to get the right dog

If mainstream rescues won't allow you to rescue you could always contact breed specific rescues. Some of these may be more open minded to your situation
Or occasionally breeders do get puppies back or keep a couple to 'run on' for showing but don't end up keeping long term (usually there's nothing wrong with the dog but the markings aren't desirable for a top show dog)

Again speaking to a breed specific rescue might let you know about these things
This can be a way of getting a still young dog but not a teething puppy xx