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Original poster

What is the best dog to get for young children??

97 replies

Hermione1 · 21/06/2005 12:32

Well i want it for all of us, but we have young children and wondered what breed would be best anyone know??

OP posts:

Mosschops30 · 21/06/2005 13:26

Message withdrawn

lunavix · 21/06/2005 13:28

this looks helpful

lunavix · 21/06/2005 13:30

it says golden retrievers need to be raised with children, some overbred cockers have personality defects and it doesn't mention jack russells that I can see....

Original poster

Hermione1 · 21/06/2005 13:32

yeah so i see, thanks i think i will see what happens of friday and see what my instincts tell me too.

OP posts:

bubblerock · 21/06/2005 13:43

I grew up with a springer - he was great with us kids (used to growl at my parents if he thought they were hurting us) He did get smelly as he got old and I think all dogs with floppy ears can get smelly, he also got exzema and needed a lot of exersize when he was young, he was also very stupid
I was bitten by a JR when I was little so I'm not the best person to ask about them.
We also had a golden Cocker Spaniel and she was gorgeous, fine with kids, more placid than the springer, but same long ears!

I don't think king charles cavs live very long, they can have hip problems and eye problems - I think they're more for OAPs

Will go with the majority and recommend Labs or go to a shelter and get a mongrel - have fun choosing!

teeavee · 21/06/2005 13:48

I used to work on a kiddies tv prog, and the dog chosen for live studio appearances (!) was a king charles cavalier spaniel - on the recommendation of a professional dog trainer. the children loved him - no problems. hth

madmarchhare · 21/06/2005 13:53

I was bit on my neck by a jack russell when I was 5. I wasnt teasing it or even playing with it. I was just stood there whilst my mum was talking to its owner. Blood, stitches, hospital etc..

fifilala · 21/06/2005 14:13

definately labradors. Beware of getting dogs from a shelter - i realise they are not always the same but I have had three friends who have all had problem dogs (problems not apparent when picked) if they haven't been treated well etc it can be virtually impossible to retrain.

Labradors are easy to train, love exercise but beware they can be like dustbins and just eat everything so only feed at mealtimes and no extra's

Carla · 21/06/2005 14:17

Bearded collies, if you want a small dog. But they ain't pretty!

Our springer spaniel is fab with the girls, so was our border collie, but she chased anything that moved, including joggers.

anteater · 21/06/2005 14:21

Labs are great, we have a high milage one whos suffered 7 children !
Would avoid terriers, can be great but can be the other way as wel

mrspink27 · 21/06/2005 14:24

if you want a smaller dog, (I know this might cause a few raised eyebrows) but what about a staffordshire bull terrier. They are real family dogs, like to play but are fantastic with children to.

I wouldnt have a JR, my dd1 loves our english bull terrier, my inlaws have a lab who is ok and she is fine with him, my SIL has a cavalier, a retriever and a JR and she is fine with all except the JR who she is very wary of.

Pruni · 21/06/2005 14:24

Message withdrawn

mrspink27 · 21/06/2005 14:30

Weimeraners can be highly strung and are generaly one person dogs. i.e they form a strong attachment to one person.

Chocolate labs can also be very highly strung to, and headstrong and not like yellow or black labs.

lunavix · 21/06/2005 14:30

chocolate labs

oh dear, they're the cutest..

Mum2girls · 21/06/2005 14:30

Springer spaniel - very loving, easily trained and ours is as daft as a brush and puts up with anything from DDs (until I rescue him).

Jayzmummy · 21/06/2005 14:36

We have a Jack Russell and are very lucky because he is a real softie. He loves the kids and plays footie with DS1. He is very lovving and affectionate and no trouble at all. However not all JR's are like this. I think we were just very lucky with Ozzie.

Ive also had Labs and Springers which are both excellent breeds to have around children, although Labs to tend to be chewers and greedy so and so's.

Springers are very loyal and so obedient but need loads of walks.

You need to find a dog that suits your lifestyle and when you do I hope you have years of love and affection from your new addition.

Xena · 21/06/2005 14:44

We have a gorgeous black labrador who is 2.3 years old as good as gold with the children and is happy with a small walk aday.Unfortunatly due to work commitments we are going to re home him. We are doing it ourselves as I can't let him go to a home.

fifilala · 21/06/2005 15:17

ours is a chocolate lab - don't agree with the chewing bit - never chewed anything and if he did it would be the last time!!!! Had him since 12 weeks old now 4.8mths. Also i do not agree with them being highly strung, I would say stupid! I would also recommend the chunky labs rather than the skinny ones as it is the skinny's that tend to be a bit more lively. Having said that ours regularly goes running with DH and has managed 15 miles on one occasion - before anyone asks his legs and hips are fine! The vet has commented what excellent condition he is in!!!!

RTKangaMummy · 21/06/2005 15:23

Our yellow lab lived til 14 years and was sooooooo soppy and friendly

She used to be a walking dustbin and used to love having DS friends round for tea as they would always leave crumbs on the floor and so after they had had their tea she would go in and then clear them all up

Then we would properly clean the floor etc

fifilala · 21/06/2005 16:29

agree with the soppy bit - fantastic with kids except ds now thinks that all dogs are like ours!!!!!!!

Willow2 · 21/06/2005 16:47

We had red setters - absolutely lovely, used to let me dress them up... and pretend that they were horses (I was six at the time) - and we also had a Tibetan Terrier who could not have been sweeter - think Eqok from Star Wars and you are on the right tip. Every Tibetan that I have since met has been incredibly friendly. If you are not in any great hurry - and live near enough - why not go to the Discover Dogs exhibition - think it is held at Olympia in November time. There are hundreds of different breeds on "show" and loads of information as to what sort of family they are best suited to.

Willow2 · 21/06/2005 16:48

Ewok even.

Willow2 · 21/06/2005 16:48

Ewok even.

horseshoe · 21/06/2005 16:51

I think you ignore the breed of dog as in general it's a good idea to research and stay away from known breeds that are not good with children.

However, if you plan on rescue one just go along, I firmly believe that you dont pick the dog, the dog picks you.

starshaker · 21/06/2005 16:56

i had a jack russel called toby he was fab with kids and such a lovely dog. it all depends on the nature obviously

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