Dog breeds that won't turn on children

[Chickpearocker]

I really want to get a dog but with having a toddler I'm terrified of getting a dog that would bite it seriously hurt him. Are there any breeds that are safer than others, or less likely to turn. I've been told that surprisingly smaller breeds can be quite viscious even though they look small and innocent. Please help!

Whippets and Staffies were mentioned on here a while back by a vet as being the two breeds she had never been bitten by.Staffies have a reputation for being good with children and I struggle to imagine a vicious whippet. We have had 5 dogs including two staffies, who were much better natured than the collie cross, dachshund and petit Basset Griffon Vendeen that preceded them.

I find staffies very scary to look at, whenever I meet one in the park I am always frightened. Surprised to hear they so child friendly.

I'm another who would say don't get a puppy when you have a toddler. Our youngest was eleven when we had Eric and even at eleven she found the nipping and biting stressful. She was old enough to be left whilst I spent every twenty minutes taking him into the garden to toilet and old enough not to leave toys about to get destroyed.
As for breeds my friend's Saint Bernard is possibly the most laid back mountain of a dog I have ever seen and brilliant with dc whereas my little poodle cross is demanding of time and attention and whilst he hasn't ever bitten I don't think he's a dog suited to young dc (probably because he isn't often in contact with them) as he likes calm and quiet and attention on his terms.

I've been bitten by a daft Staffie (by accident, I think, as it was aiming for the ball-throwing thingy I was holding).

They do seem generally nice but very powerful little dogs.

OP, you're frightened of all staffies? I'm sorry but with every post you're coming across as someone who really doesn't know much about dogs at all. I would wait another few years at least and do some research in the meantime.

Gingersstuff could you point out how I don't know anything about dogs? Yes I am frightened by staffies they have a bad reputation, I have no doubt they are loyal and brilliant dogs but where I live they are owned by the most disgusting abusive people who are so aggressive themselves I am not sure whether to be more frightened of them or the dogs. They abuse these dogs, I'm not surprised the dogs themselves become aggressive.

Don't believe the media hype about Staffies op, especially as most attacks are reported to be by a staffie "type" - whatever breed that is??? Wonder if its new?

And try to steer clear of generalisations - something which responsible dog owners don't do as that can lead to complacency. So yes perhaps you aren't ready for a dog tbh, good that its come up now rather than later.

Not sure why they are scary to look at? They look like a dog. With a head, mouth, ears, and paws.

(Id be more frightened of the owners personally, given they will be the ones the dog is trying to please but that doesnt lend itself very well to the "all are evil and scary" shiteola)

Very patronising, and not very nice GahBuggerit but on the day that is in it I will not fill this world with more unpleasantness.

Wasnt actually being patronising, or not very nice, just honest, it is good that its come up now isnt it as you have said yourself? And if you look further upthread you will see Ive actually supported you.

I find it rather distasteful that you have used today as a dig. Well done you.

I didn't use today as a dig I just don't want to disagree or defend myself today.

We have huskies, and have found them to be great around kids.

No. There is no breed that won't harm a child. That's like saying is there a race that won't kill people, are Asians more likely to than Hispanics? It's all down to an individual basis. But there are some dogs who respond to certain triggers more than others, terriers for instance will just get more aggressive the more noise and fuss is made. Hope that helps

God don't get a st bernard. They should only be kept by people with expertise, strength, and time.

ExConstance we had an all out aggressive whipped while growing up... he was put down at age 2, after he bit his way around the family.

(He was a classic show dog, with lots of titles... but never a family pet. Luckily we never had a litter off him.
The point I try to make is, there is no guarantee for any dog. Dogs are hunting carnivores and that needs a certain amount of aggression ... that is the only thing we know about the individual dog before we share our home with it.)

If you have enough time to deal with both then personally I think small children and dogs can work well, BUT you have to be prepared to put in a lot of training time for that first year.

Get a smallish dog. definitely not a lab or GS and FGS NOT a boxer (fighting breed and the most difficult dog I ever owned) or a highly strung breed like a visla. I have mini poodles, but there are lots of suitable breeds around that size. If the dog ever snaps the risk is much lower.

Socialise them from day 1. Lots of handling, experience of other children etc. You want them to expect to be pulled around a bit.

Never ever let them be dominant. I have friends who ruined a lovely dog by letting him colonise the sofa. He snaps at them now if they try to sit down. None of our mutual friends want to go to their house because he is so unnerving.

Your dog needs to know he is bottom of the food chain. You have the right to take his food bowl when he is eating, hold his collar, make him wait to be invited on furniture, put up with his ears being lifted and paws squeezed (good training for the vets) and make him sit and wait. Never let him growl or snap without a darn good telling off and ideally grab his muzzle and stare him down while you tell him off. Then send him off to be on his own for half an hour - the worst punishment possible for most dogs.

Contrary to what people say, that makes for a very happy, secure dog. He know where he stands and that he does not have to be dominant or protect anyone. I have three dogs who are regularly used to introduce small children to dogs, including at school, exactly because they are so safe and reliable. They get picked up, turned upside down, have children hold their ears and tails and they accept it all. I'd say they are as near as you can get to childproof.

BUT, I agree with the posters who say, they are living creatures and your dog and toddler should not be left alone together until your DC is older.

Growing up with a dog is a very special bond which children remember for ever, but you will need to work hard in the early days to make sure the relationship works.

indeed, no guarantees of perfect behaviour front any breed, though still struggling to imagine the psycho whippet.OP suggest you meet a staffie puppy, all wriggly and super friendly, I promise you won't be frightened then, I met a little blue bitch puppy with a pink collar in Haworth a few weeks back - one little cuddle and my maternal instincts were working overtime.

CatsDogsandDC that's absolutely appalling advice.

Dominance theory has been resoundingly debunked. I would suggest having a read of the following links:

APBC - Why Won't Dominance Die?

So You Think Your Dog Is Dominant?

Fiction - Dominance In Dogs - An Easy Read

Telling a dog off for growling is also a very stupid idea. A growl is just communication, it's not inherently bad, and by removing it from a dog's repertoire of communication you're increasing the likelihood that they'll just skip straight to snapping/biting.

Allowing children to inappropriately manhandle dogs, even if the dog will put up with it, is (aside from being unfair on the dog) doing those children a disservice. Lots of dogs don't like to be ragged around, grabbed at, poked or prodded and it's irresponsible to be teaching children that it's an ok way to behave around dogs. I'd recommend having a read through the various resources listed here, loads of great information about appropriate interactions between dogs and children.

A Husky suggested for a novice first time dog owner with a toddler?! Might be easier to rehome an elephant.

Ignore EVERYTHING catsanddogsdc just said. Telling an inexperienced person to grab the muzzle of a growling dog and stare it down is one of the most breathtakingly stupid and irresponsible things I've ever read on here, and I've seen some godawful stupid posts.

I just wouldn't have a dog in the house with children, just too much risk

Cornflake is so right ignore catsdogs totally rubbish advise. I had a rescue a few years ago that was not good with other dogs... he wouldn't growl or bark he would just bite if one came near! Took months to teach him that growling was ok and that he wasn't going to be in trouble for doing so!

Taking food away from a dog is just stupid, I'd be tempted to bite someone (or possibly worse) if they tried to take my dinner!

Boundaries and consistency make for a secure happy dog not 'letting it know it's at the bottom of the pecking order'. If anyone did anything catsdogs suggested to my dog they wouldn't be doing it much longer.

As people have said there is no such breed. I wouldnt rule out a dog and a toddler provided you know you have the time to deal with both, and accept that it will be time consuming and probably hard work. But the bond between dog and child can be amazing. Personally I would go for a small dog, purely on the basis that should the dog turn then i know I could overpower it. If a staffy/husky/gsd turned, I wouldnt rate my chances, let alone a child.

We have a problem with BIL's dog and dd2. She stares at the dog unblinking which is obviously quite aggressive to the dog but she's only 2yo and doesn't understand that she shouldn't. So I would agree with waiting until dc can properly understand what behaviour is and isn't appropriate.

I don't think I've ever seen so much crap spouted about dogs on one thread before - the ignorance of more than one poster is absolutely astounding, and extremely sad to see

Best thing you could do is wait till your kids are older before getting a dog. Under 5's and dogs aren't a great mix. I'd avoid the situation personally