Doberman with children?

[Quangle]

can anyone advise? I know nothing about dogs and don't really like them so I may be worrying unnecessarily but I'd appreciate the advice of people who know about dogs. The parents of my DCs' friends have recently got a Doberman - 3yo rescue dog, that's all I know. My children are at their flat relatively often (without either parent - under supervision of nanny who herself doesn't like dogs) and are not familiar with dogs at all. I've tried to train them not to approach a dog until they've asked the owner if it's friendly but other than that they have no idea how to behave around dogs. How are Dobermans likely to react to children they don't know? DCs are only 6 and 4.

No way would have a little kids in a flat with a dog

There is nothing in your post that indicates that leaving your children in this situation is a good thing. I wouldn't but then again I am not a lover of these type of dogs.
Also I imagine a big dog like this likes space so being cooked up in a flat cannot be a good thing

My kids would not be visiting the flat.

Keeping a doberman in a flat isn't a good idea to start with plus it's rescue so could have ill treatment history. How did they get this dog from the rescue with them being in a flat? Leaving kids with this dog really isn't a good idea.

Dobermans are lovely dogs, a bit neurotic perhaps. We always had Dobermans as I was growing up and there were never any problems. That said, I would not leave a young child alone with any sort of dog - not even a pug.

If they leave the doberman alone then it's unlikely the doberman would bother them. They're just not that sort of dog. Look dangerous but are very soppy.

Dobermans are lovely dogs but, like all dogs, need a lot of love, care and attention.

Given that it's a rescue and so you can never be sure of its background and also, is living in a flat (indicating it had been sourced from a pretty crap rescue centre that won't have looked into its background), I wouldn't feel comfortable about leaving my children in its company.

And we have a massive, hairy gsd!

Wow, I feel really sorry for a nanny who has to work in such conditions. .

And no, my children would be going nowhere near that flat.

It's impossible to generalise based on the breed, or that fact that it's a rescue. It depends on the individual circumstances. You're right to be cautious at least until you know more.

I would want to know things like -- where did the dog come from (reputable rescue organisation or local pound?), what's its history (is it from a family home or is it a stray with unknown background?), are the parents/nanny experienced with dogs (and with supervising safe dog-child interactions), would the children ever be left alone with the dog (this should be a definite 'no').

I wouldn't even get into a conversation about this. The answer would be No.

I suspect that the fact that a large breed like a Doberman is in a flat under the care of the childrens nanny who does not like dogs with other peoples non dog savvy children suggests that the rescue is not that reputable. I cannot imagine a good rescue approving that.

My general dog rules for children...

No running or sudden loud noises when approaching a dog.

No hugging.

No pulling of anything.

No giving (sharing or general waving) of food. (Unless it's dog treats with the owner's permission)

No playing with dog toys unless the owner says it's ok.

Dogs lying out of the way, in bed or otherwise should be left alone.

Dogs prefer to be approached sideways and to sniff a hand before it touches them...and the head is not always the best place to stroke, the back of the neck or back is better.

A dog looking at you with it's eyes showing the white and licking it's own lips is asking you to go away.

A dog on its back doesn't always want a tummy rub - with some dogs it's asking you to leave it alone, always check with the owner.

Other than that, I wouldn't worry at all about breed and I've had large dogs in flats, unless it's a tiny space it makes no difference to anything. Gardens are handy for housetraining, but walking is where they get exercise.

thanks this is really helpful. Sounds like I'm not being 100% ridiculous to feel anxious about this. I will talk to the parents (who are lovely and actually quite neurotic themselves about other things so I think they will appreciate where I'm coming from). I will also brief my children and my nanny and we will try to do playdates at ours.

I was surprised at the breed - I'm sure they are responsible enough to do the walks it will need but a smaller breed just would have seemed more suitable to a flat and a family with young children who have other young children to the house.

It's not necessarily a problem to have a large dog in a flat or small house (and some flats are quite spacious and have their own garden). I agree the arrangement here sounds less-than-ideal though.

No, you're not being ridiculous. I have dogs, and love dogs, but it's a fact that not all dogs are suitable to be around children, and not all owners are as responsible as they should be. So you have every right to ask questions, or in the end, if you're not confident it's a safe situation for your children, to say no to them going there.

NEVER leave children unattended with a dog they do not know, regardless of breed.
I have a lovely , affectionate dobie had her since puppy , but i would never trust her alone with a small child, thay are all unpredicatable children and dogs
Also a rescue dog in a flat , asking for trouble if you ask me .

I looked into getting a Doberman a while ago, decided against it because I didn't realise just how much exercise they need. I have read lots about them and understand that some can be nervous, I decided that it wouldn't be a suitable choice for me and my 5 year old. I would be uneasy about this situation as the dog has not been raised with the family as well.

I looked into getting a Doberman a while ago, decided against it because I didn't realise just how much exercise they need. I have read lots about them and understand that some can be nervous, I decided that it wouldn't be a suitable choice for me and my 5 year old. I would be uneasy about this situation as the dog has not been raised with the family as well.

I looked into getting a Doberman a while ago, decided against it because I didn't realise just how much exercise they need. I have read lots about them and understand that some can be nervous, I decided that it wouldn't be a suitable choice for me and my 5 year old. I would be uneasy about this situation as the dog has not been raised with the family as well.