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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

which dogs are best with children?

58 replies

topsi · 19/11/2010 08:53

My DH would like to get a dog for DS 4. I have never lived with dogs and am a bit on the fence about the whole thing. He is looking at breeds like old english bulldog. I would like some thing with short hair.
Any ideas?

OP posts:

JaxTellersOldLady · 19/11/2010 11:05

In theory any dog will be fine with children. Although staffies have a really bad reputation they are actually known as The Nanny Dog and are fantastic family dogs.

It depends on lots of things, how much time do you have for exercise and training, how much are your family prepared to alter their lifestyle for a dog? There are lots of things to consider, not just a breed.

Maybe you should visit your local animal shelter and have a look around and see what you think. Although, that said, not many rehome to families with young children, especially if you have never had a dog previously.

Avantia · 19/11/2010 16:25

A dog for DS or a dog for himself ?

A dog shouldn't be 'bought' for a child . who is going to feed it , walk it , train it ? not your daughter , more likely to be you . I suggest that you speak further with your DH. If your are on the fence about getting a dog then it is not a good idea. All the adults need to be keen on the idea and agree on breed.

LotteryWinnersOnAcid · 19/11/2010 17:27

Staffies are the only dog recommended by the Kennel Club as being good with children. They are also short-haired.

midori1999 · 19/11/2010 18:02

Any dog can be good with children, although smaller or medium sized dogs (that won't hurt a child badly if they accidentally roll on them or something!) that are still big enough to withstand boisterous play and do not have very waggy tails at a child's face height are a good starting point. My friend has a dalmation and I love it dearly, it's as soft as could be, but it's very waggy tail could be a lethal weapon at a child's eye height.

Your best bet would probably be to get a slightly older dog or 'mature puppy' (near to a year old) with a known history, or known to already be good with children from a rescue or breeder. (some breeders take dogs back when owners can't keep them, sometimes breed rescue will know about these) Puppies are great, butt hey are very hard work and inclined to mouth things, so can be nippy with young children, especially if the child isn't used to being around puppies.

I agree with not buying a dog for a child. They are a huge lifestyle commitment, maybe even more so than a child and if you're not going to be keen on taking day to day care of a dog, including walking in all weathers, training etc, it's a really bad idea.

GrimmaTheNome · 19/11/2010 18:08

I believe bulldogs are prone to health problems due to their overbreeding. As well as all the other considerations, when you're considering a dog for a child to love it should be healthy. Other popular family breeds need checking up on to make sure you get a good 'un - labs with their hips, king charles spaniels heads etc.

ItsJustMyOpinion · 19/11/2010 18:13

We have a pedigree labrador, although we did have him before out DD, he was still only a "baby" himself. We were more worried about how he would be wih a baby in the house. But I needn't have worried. DD is now 2 and they are the best of friends :)

GrimmaTheNome · 19/11/2010 18:40

Just to second midori - we got our current dog as a 'mature puppy' - we hadn't planned on it but when we found him he was just so right. His nice character was established, he was used to kids, housetrained and over the 'mouthy' stage.

Blu · 19/11/2010 18:43

These are brilliant

monkeyfacegrace · 19/11/2010 18:57

I have Pugs, and they are AMAZING with kids. My 4and 2 yr olds adore them, and they are so loyal. Little too, but not so small you trip over them. They are just darlings

Original poster

topsi · 19/11/2010 19:15

Thanks for all the advice, obviously the dog isn't 'for' my son but we thought it might make a good companion for him as he is an only child. My DH has had dogs before and would mainly be in charge of walking duties etc.

OP posts:

fulltimeworkingmum · 19/11/2010 20:58

Staffordshire Bull Terriers, as indicated by the Kennel Club, are excellent with children. I am on my fifth (have had them since I was very young) and they are wonderful playmates for my DC's. Always get them from puppies though, then you can bring them up in the manner you would like and they will grow into loving, loyal, gentle dogs.

Charlieknows · 20/11/2010 01:31

See, this is why I love MN!!! I came onto this thread expecting to have to fight in the Staffies corner. I am so pleased to see so many posters quoting the TRUE statistics, that Staffies are absolutely amazing with all kids. My DS (2.2years) has been around 2 Staffies since he was a baby and they just adore him and are so gentle around him. Couldn't recommend them more as a family dog.

Cheers guys, you've cheered me right up!

DooinMeCleanin · 20/11/2010 02:04

Staffies without a doubt as a breed. Although it is mainly down to the individual dog, so I am going to say contact your local, reputable rescue and they will match you with a dog perfect for your family, so long as you have no breed in mind and will listen to and take on board their advice.

Puppies are lovely and cute for all of about 6 weeks (unless they are my whippet puppy who is still as cute and adorable as the day we got her - she is a rescue puppy), then grow bigger but still need to learn not to chew your furniture and bite your ankles.

CountessVonKnackerstein · 20/11/2010 02:20

Hmm, that's a tough one.
I thought a jack russel would be ideal for our family, he was 3, friendly, playful and well behaved, we only had him for a day ( he came from a friend, he'd never barked or bitten anyone before! ) but sadly he bit DS, badly enough for a trip to a&e, within hours.

He went back to my friend. I honestly thought such a little dog would be ideal, we have a garden and live in a nice dog-walking area, our two DC's have been clamouring for a dog (not to mention me!!) but I honestly think it'll be a very long time before we think about having a dog again

estuardo · 20/11/2010 02:31

no dog

Ephiny · 20/11/2010 14:17

I agree Staffies are great with children, gentle and not too big, but playful and robust, really ideal family dogs. There are also a lot of them in shelters desperately needing good homes (assuming you're looking to rehome a rescue dog rather than buy a puppy?).

Wouldn't get a Jack Russell for a home with small children, they can be a bit highly-strung and irritable. People seem to think they're a good choice because they're small, but it doesn't always work like that, often the bigger dogs can be more suitable as they're more gentle and laid-back. Depends a lot on the individual of course!

Ephiny · 20/11/2010 14:21

Boxers can be good family dogs as well, though they're a bit bigger and can be quite boisterous...

CountessVonKnackerstein · 20/11/2010 17:09

Ephiny, he wasn't irritable, he was just over excited I think. (dog not DS :) )

smoggii · 21/11/2010 11:22

Staffies have beautiful temperaments and sadly they are commonly given away to dogs trust - not because of their nature but because of their popularity - it's simply a numbers issue.

If you go to Dogs Trust they will make sure they match you with the best dog for your skills and experience, they will not give you a dog that is not suitable for children if you have children.

I would not recommend getting a puppy unless you really know what you are doing and have the time to train and support it - a puppy needs lots of naps with bursts of exercise - should never be left alone for more than 2 hours and only then if you have absolutely no choice. Puppies need a lot of stimulation or they become destructive through boredom.

Puppies are very cute but they grow up, ofen bigger than you expect them to!! They are, of course, still cute then but children may lose interest.

A dog is a huge commitment.

magnolia74 · 21/11/2010 11:30

I also would say staffies

PersonalClown · 21/11/2010 11:41

Another Staffy owner here.
We've had our wuss tough Staffy from a pup and he's the most loyal, lovely, cuddly mutt going.

TiredofTelford · 23/11/2010 16:53

I have a lab who loves children (loves anyone really) so I would go for one again. Saying that I think that you can't assume that every dog from a breed will be great with children as they all have different personalities depending on their parents temperaments and how they have been socialised as puppies. Two lots of friends have has rescue dogs with very different results. One had a springer which had a shaky start but is now fine, one had a Lab which must have been very badly treated by a previous owner and was put down after biting the Mum and one of the children (on separate occasions). My friends were devastated but the dog had bitten through the skin and they couldn't risk it again

snowden1 · 23/11/2010 21:21

We have a german shorthaired pointer.

Probably not a pooch for the faint hearted, but with good training they are fab. Our nine year old daughter takes dog out into woods (with me) and no probs. Although we work from the whistle and hand commands.

He is lovely and they are very funny. You cannot be beastly to a GSP as they hold grudges.

Piffle · 23/11/2010 21:24

I have ridgebacks and they've been amazing when brought home young at 8 weeks and well handled and firmly, kindly and consistently trained

nannyro · 23/11/2010 22:49

I'm partial to beagles.

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