Best dogs to have around children?

[Dobbs94]

Are there any specific breeds that are especially good around young children? Or any tips on how to introduce dogs into a home with young children.

Thanks

Staffies and sighthounds have a great reputation for being very tolerant dogs, however there are always exceptions to the rules. I've known highly strug terriers become best friends with children and laid back lurchers who shouldn't be allowed within reach of children.

Your best bet is to approach a reputable rescue and look for a dog with a known history, proven around children or one who has been living in foster with children for more than a few weeks.

Dogs Trust are highly regarded rescue who have no blanket rules against small children. They'll also guide you through the introductions and offer on going behavioural support if it's needed.

Great post from D0oinMeCleanin, I would just add that you should be upfront with any rescue about the sort of home you can offer. How long will the dog be left alone, how many walks a day, are you an active family or do you prefer more of a potter around the park, etc. Often that might help lead you to the perfect family dog for your family, and be a breed or mix or mutt you'd not even considered!

Thank you very much for your posts! I'll take that on board

I don't think its breed specific. IME some dogs are nervous of children, some tolerate them, and some actively seek out the company of children. As others have said, a good rescue will pick a dog for you which has been child tested.
However even children who love dogs need to be trained from an early age to respect their space and understand basic training and dog body language...and when they have friends around they need to be trained as well

Any dog that you've raised from a pup and put the appropriate training into would be a good bet. As Bubble said it's not breed specific, although if you're rescuing one I'd look at puppies first as you'll never know with an older dog what they've been through before.

Growing up we had Schnauzers and they're super good with kids, I have 5 & 3 year old cousins and he'll let them cuddle him and jump around with him. He always knows boundaries such as he'll tug a war with my dad a lot tougher than me or my brother and especially the littles. They're known to be really good with kids! (Plus they don't shed which my family has always loved)

It's not just about raising them from a pup as some temperament characteristics that can predispose to aggressive relations e.g. Fearfulness, have an inherited component. You either want a dog from a reputable rescue with a known track record with kids, or if you get a puppy you need to have met the parents and be confident that they are calm and confident with children

This site has excellent advice on how dogs and kids should interact
drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/kids-and-dogs-how-kids-should-and-should-not-interact-with-dogs

It's not the breed it's how that particular dog is raised from a puppy to adult as well as their genetically inherited temperament - some dogs regardless of breed are more nervy than others and more likely to be worried about the sudden movements and noises that children make and as such take longer to get their heads around the idea that children aren't something to be worried about.

Having said that there are certain breed characteristics that it would be silly not to pay attention to when getting a dog. Some working dogs can be pretty twitchy if they don't have a job to do and this can spill over into behavioural issues, some dogs have historically been bred for fighting which of course affects who is breeding and owning those dogs and for what reasons. Others for years have bred for their ability to think independently and go off and do their own thing, and unless you are an experienced owner of those types of dogs then it might not be wise to bring one into your life when you have children taking up a large bulk of your time.

So there are no good or bad dog breeds for kids, just certain breed characteristics, temperament traits and ways of raising dogs that can make them comfortable around children.

I personally would go to a reputable breeder and meet the mum or go to a rescue where the dog has been fostered inside a home so you know for sure how they are around children.

There is also a great book called 'Happy dogs Happy kids' that walks you through how to introduce dogs and children and keep them both safe and happy.

Good luck in your search :)

I think labradors are popular family dogs for a reason. As are cockapoo's.

We have a grey/whippet/deerhound cross. Our lurcher is great with kids, and very soft natured, as are many sighthounds, but I know other sighthounds who nip and jump and are maniacs. No guarantees!

You can have very different personalities within a breed/dog type.

We chose a dog on character rather than breed, we were openminded but I had a vague preference for a lab or a collie. However, We came across this lurcher who was rejected for being too meek/lacked hunting instinct/was too submissive. As a pup she was socialised with kids and was very comfortable around them.

Basically, go in with an open mind and see what comes your way.

I have a 7 year old collie x who I've had since 8 weeks old we got him when DS1 was 2 he has always been fantastic with children. We had DS2 when he was 2 and is very gentle, loving and playful.

My dog is a chihuahua cross Jrt and althoughpeople think that he's probably a hyperactive snappy ankle biter who is a not a good breed choice around kids.
He's nothing like that he loves kids and let's my nephew age 2 and neices ages 2,6 & 7 play with him, hug him and dress him up and has never once even grumbled about it and he loves falling asleep with my nephew every chance he gets.
That's because I've raised him with them around from a pup and they have handled him from the beginning so he knows what's acceptable with them he plays much different with me than with me or other adults with them he's more calmer and gentler when he plays.
So I say get a puppy a breed or cross breed that suits you and raise it with your kids.

We have a jack Russell bitch that's good with our kids. Well behaved, under controlled. As a dog owner the most important thing is control & command... We often get told how well behaved our dog is...

I'd say its as important who the owner is, as the breed of dog you get...

Golden retrievers too

Basically anyone can tell you "my breed is good with children" that doesn't mean that the dog you get will be good with children - it's about the individual.
Pick a breed that fits with your lifestyle in terms of grooming/training/exercise etc. Go to a decent breeder or rescue and get as much info as possible.