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Original poster

Which breed of dog do you have? Which are best with kid's?

170 replies

Marne · 22/02/2008 15:03

We are thinking of getting a puppy in the next few months. Dd has'nt had much to do with dogs and is a bit nervous of them, i was brought up around animals and would love a dog.

Which breeds are best around kids?

Any recomendations?

I dont like reals small dogs, would like a medium/large dog.

OP posts:
hertsnessex · 22/02/2008 15:06

probably a lab or suchlike.

ive always had staffies and now getting a bullmastiff, so not dogs for the faint hearted (in terms of size and training etc).

may be spaniel, although they need lots of exercise.

what about going to a 'discover dogs' show or even crufts. take a look at the kennel clubs website.

xxx

itsahardknocklife · 22/02/2008 15:23

I've always had Staffies, and found them to be very affectionate, but they aren't the brightest and so can be hard to train.
If I were you, I would avoid Spaniels - I have heard that they don't have a lot of patience with kids.

Original poster
Marne · 22/02/2008 15:27

I want a staffy, just worried about all the bad publicity they have had, i also like english ball terriers.

I had a spaniel before i met dh, he was hard work (the dog not dh). we only have a small garden so would like something with less energy than a spaniel

OP posts:
milfAKAmonkeymonkeymoomoo · 22/02/2008 15:28

I have got 2 basset hounds and they are great with kids, very stubborn though and hard to train - not unlike kids

pedilia · 22/02/2008 15:28

I have a border terrier, they are unlike most terriers, not yappy, very easy to train and brilliant with the kids.

If you bare picking a puppy from a litter, watch them very carefuly before you choose, no matter what breed will have puppies of different tempremants. We chose our dog over his sister as he was much more chilled out.

hertsnessex · 22/02/2008 15:29

staffies had alot fo bad press due to looking like pit bulls.

i had two staffies when i had my boys, they were a yr old when the boys came along and couldnt have been more gentle and careing.

im only going for a BM this time as i want something bigger, otherwise it would be a staffy anytime.

itsahardknocklife · 22/02/2008 15:29

I do get some comments about having a Staffie, but they are known as the 'nanny dog' (and also the canine cannonball!). I had a staff x Eng Bull Terrier once - he was mad as a hatter and was gorgeous

Ecmo · 22/02/2008 15:33

I have a springer spaniel cross who is the best dog I've ever had around my children. Although you can never trust a dog 100% he comes pretty close, amazing as he started off out the back of some bungalow with no so cialization. However he is a bit of a rarity as I've come across several springers who arent good with children. I also have a border collie and I wouldnt recommend one of those with children!
before these 2 I had a sheltie cross who also wasnt very good with the children he was never really nasty but I didnt trust him with them. Also has a mongrel who was fantastic with my children when they were very small she used to sit by my dd when she was in her bouncer and my dd would bounce up and down holding the dogs ears!
Most peoples choice seems to be labradors but make sure you get one from a good breeder as there are lots of puppy farmers out there especially for the popular breeds like labs.

fruitymum · 22/02/2008 15:41

we have a lab who is fab! Very good with DD. no dog is 100% and they do need alot of your time - similar to children!

TripleyTigger · 22/02/2008 15:46

I have three five year olds and our dog is a Springer x retriever. Very easy to train as they will do anything for treats,which is so important when you have kids.

Soppy as anything,tires the kids out as she has lots of energy, but will also settle with them too and most of the time they use her as a pillow

But like other posters have said I still wouldn't trust her 100% alone with the kids.

smartiejake · 22/02/2008 15:48

Strange what you say about your sheltie cross ecmo- we have always had shelties and found them fab with kids (perhaps it was the cross part that affected his temperament)

I have heard that border collies can be tricky with kids and need huge amounts of exercise.

GeekBoy · 22/02/2008 15:50

Black lab.. ...although labs do seem to think they're puppies for a veeeery long time..

Original poster
Marne · 22/02/2008 16:00

My choice would be a staffy or lab

Dd1 says she does'nt want a dog ,she wants a baby brother but she does like spotty dogs (dalmations)

Dh would like a collie (but thats a no no), he thinks staffy's look to rough

OP posts:
lucyellensmum · 22/02/2008 16:04

its funny how everyone has their own favourites. On this thread there has been, borders are great/borders are shite. Spaniels are great/spaniels are shite I have known people have to put labradors to sleep for biting children.

So i guess the answer is, it probably matters very little what particular breed you get, so long as you can fit in with its needs. If you get a high energy dog then expect to give it lots of exercise, highly strung dog might be less tolerant. If i were you i would decide what breed you like and research it.

When buying a pup try to buy from a reputable breeder, you will have to pay more but it will be worth it. I prefer dogs that have been raised in the home rather than kennels and actually let this influence my choice of dog. I wanted a border terrier, but got a cross because i couldnt find a family friendly dog (all bred and kept outside) at the time. He is a fantastic little mutt that everyone just assumes is a jack russell - he is just wonderful with my DD and as near to 100% as it gets.

With regards to staffies, i too think they are fantastic dogs, but they ARE mad, scatty and difficult to breed. But for me, the problem is that they are the dog of choice at present and lots of people are simply breeding them and not really knowing what they are doing etc, so not being careful about breeding desirable temprement dogs etc. I would for this reason insit on a KC registered dog from a show quality breeder. You dont neccesarily have to buy a show dog, they sell pet quality to, but i think that way you have more chance of a good dog.

Dont forget the rescue centres either they sometimes have dogs suitable for families.

flowerybeanbag · 22/02/2008 16:09

We have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, he's absolutely fantastic with children, very tolerant of their tendency to want to play with his ears, chase him under the table to 'play with him' etc

Vet said it was a really good choice when we got him, one of the best with kids.

Original poster
Marne · 22/02/2008 16:12

lucy- i agree, no dog is 100% safe, i think its down to the owner and the way the dog is treated.

I know someone who has just had a litter of staffys so i am tempted to have one of them as i know they have come from a friendly home with children.

I would love a rescue dog but i would rather have it from a puppy so i know its past etc..

OP posts:
JossStick · 22/02/2008 16:19

my border collie who was two when DS1 was born has shown tremendous patience with both of them and never even growled at them or anything.

However we had him as a baby (6 wks) not evena puppy at that age and i think that helped. we also back onto a field so he gets alot of excersize (just felt the need to put a good word in for collies).

Staffys - FAB! and so cute and wrinkly as puppies.

magHOOVERlia74 · 22/02/2008 16:25

Well I am Biased as I have a staffy and a staffy cross springer.

I have 5 kids and although my house is chaos the dogs are great with my kids and my kids are great with the dogs.

They can be a little hard to train and I would recommend puppy classes and then adult dog training

Mine had a litter 18 months ago and they were the cutest things in the world.

Full of shit though! Literally

Nbg · 22/02/2008 16:29

I honestly dont think it matters what breed you go for.
Its down to you how they are with the children.

We have a Beagle and a Chihuahua (pics on my profile).
Beagles are hard to train and tbh I wouldn't really recommend them as a pet unless you lived on a farm or had lots of land for them to go nutso in
The Chihuahua is just plain stupid but hilarious and very affectionate.

CountryGirl2007 · 22/02/2008 22:14

The staffie is supposed to be the most kid friendly dog, pit bulls are too, actually, but unfortunatly they've been banned

there are always tons of staffies and staffie types looking for homes.

you should contact all you're local pounds/rescues and any good rescue will try and match a dog to you that is suitable for a home with kids. any breed/mix can be good with kids really.

greyhounds are also very sweet, good natured dog's and there are loads of them looking for homes as well.

there's a good list of rescues where you can search by area on www.animalrescuers.co.uk

Good Luck!

maggymay · 23/02/2008 10:02

We have a rough collie, he is brilliant with the kids is quiet happy to be left for short times if we have to go out and will take as much exercise as is offered and is as happy with a quick run round the block or a two mile hike.
Only down side is the the fur but I find when the kids are at school the brushing and grooming is very relaxing and I enjoy it

magHOOVERlia74 · 23/02/2008 13:42

Counrygirl thats true but unfortuantely pit bulls are not so good with other dogs and thats the main reason they are banned.

They are the reason d=satffies have such a bad name, stupid people think they are similar to pit bulls (in fact they are very different) and so they buy them expecting them to be qite tough fighters when in fact they are as soft as shit

hippipotami · 23/02/2008 13:55

I would revise your timeline of 'we are getting a puppy in a couple of months'. By the time you have decided on a breed and found a breeder, and waited for hte pup to be born you will be at least 6 months down the line
Remember, good breeders (who are ethical, don't overbreed and only have the interests of the dogs at heart) are likely to have waiting lists.
Breeders who have puppies waiting for owners are a little bit more suspect, and if they have many puppies of different breeds, they may well be a puppy farm, which is to be avoided at all costs.

As for breed, we have a Cocker Spaniel. Daft as a brush, not very intelligent, but extremely loving and wonderful with the children.

tortoise · 23/02/2008 14:03

We have a retired Greyhound. Only had him 3 weeks but he has settled straight into home life. There are so many dogs needing re-homing.

tortoise · 23/02/2008 14:04

Oops posted to quickly!

He only needs 2 short walks a day and is fab with my 4 DC. The younger two fuss over him a lot!