So which is the best dog around children ?

[Heswall]

DH won't have a rat on a lead, his words so it needs to be medium sized. I do not want to be covered in hair so one that doesn't molt too much would be ideal.

Any advice ?

I was coming to say we have a golden retriever and he is brilliant with my children. But he has enough fur to make a large rug. So maybe not the dog for you.

maybe a cross breed - lots in rescues. Young ones too

We have a collie x terrier rescue dog, she is small and soft as anything (temperament wise)

Pretty much, most dogs molt. Some less than others but most of them do.

There isnt really a particular breed that is always good with children all have variations in personality.

I'd say a staffy. Medium size dog, doesnt shed too much and brilliant with kids.

I would have a look at the battersea dogs and cats home website, they have lots of good advice over what sort of dog would suit you. I think they have a little quiz thing which if you answer as honestly as you can you get a good indication of suitable breeds. If its not on there, try "our dogs" or just google, what is the right breed of dog for my family or something.

Is this your first dog? one word RESEARCH

Research what sort of breed you would like, if you would like a cross breed (only caviat with that is less likely to know dogs character unless its an older rescue dog), Once you have researched and decided on a breed, research local breeders, be very wary of people advertising in free ads etc. Approach your local vets and ask for recommendations of breeders etc. Be prepared to travel to get the right dog.

Then look at finances - big dog = big bills, from food to vets bills (big dogs need more aneasthetic and drugs according to weight and this makes a HUGE difference).

Labradors and retreivers are fab, traditional family dogs but don't be fooled, they are a working breed and need alot of exercise. If you do go for these make sure you get one from a pet line rather than a working line as their temprements likely to be very different..

Avoid mental dogs - staffies (which are generally brilliant with children, but just bouncing off the walls all the time) boxers, springer spaniels, border collies (really bad choice with children). Unless you have lots of time for training and exercise i would avoid hunting and retrieving dogs because they need ALOT of exercise and mental stimulation, they are working dogs.

How old are your children? will they be able to take part in the training? If so then a dog that needs training would be fun.

There are so many parameters.

Most dogs are good with children, when chosing a family pet it is more about considering the individual dog that the breed sometimes. I have had a rotweiller that grew up with my DD1, amazing family pet, other people would be OMG at that choice (NB, i have a LOT of dog experience and this is not a novice breed). Some peope swear by retrievers and labradors. Id avoid highly strung dogs like GSDs and border collies.

I think that just about leaves the bull mastiff then

Oh and the battersea or "our dogs" breed selector thingy will give a good indication of the level of molt. Some dogs really do shed like nobodies business while others is not so bad. Regular brushing helps with the shedding. If you get a non molting breed bear in mind that you will have to invest in clippers or pay out for professional dog groomer

In my experience people worry about molting/having hair everywhere but so far I've found the pup bringing in mud and trailing it into the house is much worse! Personally I think if people are house proud they should think twice about getting a dog as it's not fair on the dog if the owners are constantly worrying about the mess. I turn a blind eye to it myself

Older staffy, say 4 + years. Past the bouncy stage, still bomb proof with children. Doris Banham rescue would be a good place to start.

Greyhound or other sighthound. Again loads in rescues.

Find a good rescue and let them guide you to the right dog. Keep an open mind. Breed is irrevelevent, really. It's down to the personality of the dog itself. There's always one or two who go against what they're bred for.

I know of snappy labs, whippets who are scared of rabbits and greyhounds who adore cats.

Greys and staffies don't molt much.

I agree with Bob. I think in terms of personality it is less about breed and more about the personality of the individual dog.

And with mutts, as with other dogs, you can tell the personality of the pups early on. Our pups are already showing a range of personalities, from the playful, intrepid explorer, the lazy foodie who basically eats a lot and sleeps to the very clever independent one, to the cuddle lover who can already respond to human signals at three weeks.

Some of these would be great for families with young children, while others are more suitable for experienced owners. I think all puppies come with an inherent personality that is fully evident by 7 to 8 weeks, and after that it is mostly their environment and experiences that will shape their behaviour.

'you can tell the personality of the pups early on' - bollocks you can. A dogs full personality will not show through until they have been through adolesence at about 18 months to 2 years, depending on the breed.

We have a lurcher pup. Lovely dog he is. Crossed with an Am Bull. Well socialised, well trained, great with kids, other dogs, cats. Until the day he decided to try and eat the cat and attack a friendly lab on his walk when he was around 1 yr old.

We used to have a Westie and now have a mini Schnauzer - neither of these breeds moult.

Both very lovely temperaments.

Not sure I get your point, dooing. Even a gentle dog can attack another dog, we don't fully understand the signals dogs give out to each other. It doesn't mean the dog is aggressive, unless he she is uncomfortable/ aggressive with dogs in general, not just one instance.

You are welcome to believe whatever you want, but I think the inherent personality of the dog is evident early. How this changes over time is more down to their experiences. A dominate dog may be happy and submissive under an experienced owner, and a shy dog may become belligerent with an owner who doesn't set boundaries.

An not getting along with one particular dog or cat is neither here nor there, and says nothing about the dog's personality.

A heck, DH would like a Doberman, I am far from sure about that.

I like the idea of a Beagle but have been told they can be buggers.

As for training I haven't got a handle on the kids yet so I am hoping the dog will be the first person in the house to do as he is told. (or she).

What about Tibetan terriers, I've heard good things about them ?

Dobermans are ace, but like most 'dangerous' breeds can be over exuberant as pups/young dogs.

You really can't go wrong with a retired greyhound for a first time dog. Or a rescue dog in general.

I know one Tibetan Terrier, it is a family pet and they seem happy with him. Gets pretty filthy out walking and needs spectacular amounts of washing/grooming though.

To be fair, all dogs get pretty filthy round here, we have very sticky mud in this area!

Cocker spaniels are fantastic dogs especially with children

FGS - not a doberman!! they are fantastic dogs but they are not good with children (someone is bound to come along and contradict me), they are confident AND highliy strung, they would be absolutely wrong for a first time dog owner. I would recommend the rotweiller over a doberman with children all day, but not as a first time dog. They have some quirks :)

My DP is desperate for an american bulldog, but i just wont allow it because it is a very new breed in this country, it DOES have the pit bull terrier in its ancestry and for me, too unpredictable and powerful. Saying that, i have never heard of one that isnt fantastic with children becaues they want to play ALL day.

I get your DH desire for a big dog, i have a JRT at the moment and i adore him but i miss havin a big dog around. , but he really needs to knwo what he is doing. The doberman is essentially bred to gaurd, would probably be ok with your kids but may not with friends and visitors. I used to be a vetinary nurse and have worked with lots of dogs, the ones we had at the vets were always dogs i was wary of.

For every poster who comes on and recommends a breed there will be another that says it is wrong.

Why not go along and talk to local rescue centres, even if you dont want a rescue dog they will know all the personality quirks displayed by various breeds.

'you can tell the personality of the pups early on' - bollocks you can. A dogs full personality will not show through until they have been through adolesence at about 18 months to 2 years, depending on the breed.

We have a lurcher pup. Lovely dog he is. Crossed with an Am Bull. Well socialised, well trained, great with kids, other dogs, cats. Until the day he decided to try and eat the cat and attack a friendly lab on his walk when he was around 1 yr old

I agree to an extent, although you can tell the basics, you want a puppy that is confident enough to come up to you, but not jumping all over you and bein dominant with its litter mats, you do not want the pup that shies away.

What you describe with yoru dog is adolecence, your dog was basically a hoodlum teenager and their personality does change at about 1-18months. I would be thinking about getting him castrated if you haven't already. Thing is, eating cats and small prey animals is what lurchers are bred to do. Am bulldogs, just bred to look impressive and be strong from what i have read (they are bloody lovely though) so it doesn't surprise me to read what you have read - get those balls gone! :)

oh, i just agreed with you totally actually lol

Staffie or labrador were the first ones that came to mind - it really depends so much on the individual temperament though, all dogs are different.

I would recommend considering an adult rescue dog, one that has lived in a family home with children before so can be relied on to Puppies are lovely but often they're not ideal with young kids, they can nip and be too boisterous, and they require a lot of your time and attention.

I have no problem with supposedly 'dangerous' breeds like the Doberman (have two Rottweilers myself), they can make great family dogs if socialised properly - might not be ideal for a first dog though, especially if you're thinking of buying a puppy. A Doberman pup/adolescent can be a real handful, especially if you don't have the experience and confidence to know what you're doing.

After lots of research pre children we got a female staffie, they are Nick named the Nanny dog as they are good wi I children.

She is amazing and very calm does need a lead etc. Saying that we spent blot of time training her and a concious effort socialising her at puppy classes and whereever possible. They can have a reputation for being aggressive with other dogs so need lots of time around as many different breeds from the start. We are lucky ours has so far been pecked by a blackbird and scratched by a few cats but never once hurt another, like I say very soft lol

Staffie - but only if you can put in the training and socialisation needed. They're wonderful dogs but horribly typecast.

Mine loves playing with other dogs, lives with cats, has been attacked on walks by two unknown cats and never retaliated, and adores children. She can be a bit OTT and excitable though.

Staffords are known as 'The Nanny dog'. Very good with children and people but not always as good with other dogs which may be an issue if your DC want to walk the dog. Going to a rescue would be the best idea as they will be able to help choose the dog that will fit in with your family and if you can't cope they will take the dog back (hopefully that won't happen). Also sorry but even short haired dogs moult, my Dyson full of hair and dander after each use needs to be emptied but small price to pay for the immense pleasure pet dogs give.