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!

ideally grab his muzzle and stare him down while you tell him off

Please,please no

Telling off for growling and doing this is a fast track to teaching the dog to bite. Please read some up to date training advice on why this is a really bad idea for any dog.

Fucking hell Cats that's awful advice.
Never threaten a dog to get your own way. Never grab a dog that's already showing fear signs.
Never try and stop a dog growling. It will just cut out the warning signs and snap instead.

Please dont listen to Cats advice OP (or anyone) - its all so wrong. Especially the taking food (cant actually believe people still think this is right) and grabbing the dogs muzzle and staring it down?!

Why someone would want their dog to be scared of them is just beyond me and it will be those sort of actions that lead to a dog retaliating and ending up being PTS through zero fault of their own. Totally irresponsible and has actually made me quite angry.

Also, again, dogs and toddlers are absolutely fine together, but I would give serious thought to getting a new puppy with a toddler purely due to the effort involved in training both at the same time. It is doable but if you haven't had a dog before I'd probably hang on a couple of years.

The kennel club website has a tick box quiz you can fill out and it will recommend breeds that are suitable for your lifestyle. We got our gsd puppy when our youngest was three and a half but she was as desperate for a puppy as the rest of us and I really hammered it home to the kids about giving the dog space and how i would send the dog away again if they didn't behave properly around him. He's nearly a year now and he's such a love so it's not impossible but it would've been easier if we had waited, no doubt about that...

Cats - that's absolutely the most awful, stupid advice.

Please don't spout crap and please don't get another dog ever.

Thank you for taking the time to post, I'm going to do some serious research into why dogs behave as they do and how to be a good dog owner, does anyone know of any good books I could read.

In Defence of Dogs by John Bradshaw and Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson.

Jeez I thought most people accepted dominance theory was bullshit now

Jesus Christ catsanddogsdc - what the actual fuck?! That's a disgusting way to treat your pets. Teaching your dog to be obedient by cowing them with abuse is horrific!

OP there's also a great FB group called Dog training advice and support. Lots of files about bringing a puppy home and training etc. Run by people who don't use force or abusive methods. Free and good advice.

I have a toddler and two mixed breed rescues; one lurcher and one Romanian stray x samoyed. Neither child nor dog has ever bitten the other. But then I never leave them alone and unsupervised.

The advice I would give you would be to take things slowly. Don't get a puppy - they're all teeth and bursts of energy. Something 18 months - 2 years will still be able to grow up with your child, but without the first year of soul-draining puppy madness. (If you want a puppy, wait until you have a teenage child!) Talk to Dogs Trust - they won't automatically turn you away just because you have a child. Meet the dog many times before taking it home. Don't be afraid to say no if it's not right for you.

Breed-wise, I do think Staffies are great with families and kids, but they can be hard work with other dogs depending on how they were socialised when they were little. Whippets and skinny lurcher breeds I have found to be a bit nervous/headshy (but still lovely). Small breeds, terriers in particular, I would be a little wary of around a young child, but then every dog is different and I'm sure there are lovely safe terriers out there! I personally would avoid spaniels (esp cockers), collies, huskies, anything with brains or a high work drive.
Also, personally, as I'm single, I would probably avoid a really large dog, just because in an emergency I would struggle to lift it into my car, so anything under 20kg suits me, but that's relatively low on my priorities list when picking a dog!

I am a little wary of getting an older dog because I would like to meet its family and see what temperament the parents are etc. Also it's hard to know what the dog has already been through.

True, very true, but puppies are (IMHO) bloody awful, and I've had much more trouble with the one dog I've had from a pup than any of our older rescues (my family is a bit dog mad, so we've had a fair few dogs between us)

It's like people though - meeting someone's parents is no guarantee of their personality

If you go for an older dog there's no need to meet parents to guess at personality...they already have one, you can meet the dog.

We have a border collie. She does try to "herd" our toddler but is otherwise awesome. I'd go for a caring/herding breed over (for example) a ratter. I personally would not go for a terrier or a dachsund (but as pp have said, there will be people with stories for any breed!) That may mean a bigger dog but you've got the space and you're going into eyes open so will make the time. My vote would be a lab, springer spaniel or collie. All super natures and train up really well - you'll totally get back any puppy class investment.

Breeding from dogs of good, sound temperament is highly likely to result in puppies who also have good, sound temperaments but there are no absolute guarantees. Even within the bounds of a "good temperament" dogs are all individuals and it's certainly not the case that puppies will be perfect carbon copies of their parents.

I wouldn't completely write off the idea of getting a dog from a rescue. Not all rescues use kennels, many smaller independent ones are entirely foster home based (they're often more flexible with rehoming requirements as well) which means they get a much better idea of how a dog behaves in a home and family environment. An adult dog who has been living in a foster home with children is much easier to slot into your lives than a puppy. Many dogs in rescue haven't necessarily been through anything worse than their owner becoming ill or passing away, they're not all abuse cases with behavioural problems.

There's also the option of applying to rehome a withdrawn guide dog, which is also something worth considering. About 25% of dogs who begin training to be guide dogs don't make the grade for one reason or another and these are then rehomed by the organisation as pets, usually at around 12-18 months old. Not making the grade for "behavioural reasons" might sound a bit scary but when you consider immensely high standards these dogs are held to it could well be something relatively minor in a pet home.

We have a 6 yr old Norfolk terrier that is brilliant with kids of all ages, especially little kids because hes small and friendly - all children that meet him want to keep him... But, hes dreadful with other unknown dogs (known dogs fine) - hes just super protective of us and was a rescue so we arent sure what happened. We also have a 1yr old very excitable and very funny and entertaining whippet who is a bit jumpy so not great with small kids but teenagers love him and hes great with all other dogs. He will calm down in time though. Neither are hard work now in my opinion but puppies are a lot of effort, worth it to get a good dog though. Like others say its how you train them and respond to their needs.

I would have thought a miniature poodle would tick your boxes, not too large, smart, easily trainable, fun and good natured like most dogs should be when well socialised. Only if you are prepared for regular grooming bills though.Or Border terriers always seem good family dogs. I had a black lab pup when my children were toddlers, couldn't fault her, kids loved her and she died at the grand age of 16 but looking back it was very hard work with pup and two under fives😙

We've sponsored guide dog puppies for years, and the updates that come through about 'failed' dogs include reasons such as 'still runs away from wheelie bins' or 'tends to wander into the road absentmindedly', so nothing that would worry the average pet owner, but not reliable as a guide dog.

I've contacted some rescue centres, I'm in Northern Ireland, they didn't seem that keen on rehoming a dog with children in the house. Also couldn't find any guide dogs. So I'm back to thinking I will probably go down the road of getting a puppy.

I have a poodle/ schnauzer cross, he is in no way good with children, to the point that I never let him near them, it makes life very difficult.

That sounds hard, would you not consider rehiming your dog for everyone's sake? I want a family dog that's my main reason for getting a dog for my child to grow up with.

Op I am also in N Ireland. There are a lot of good rescues here, but yes many of them will not rehome with small children and for good reason - we have a culture here of dumping dogs outside or 'getting rid' when children arrive. You will have to work hard to convince a rescue here that you are not that person.

If you buy a puppy off Gumtree here you can rest assured if will have come from a puppy farm in the border counties. Please don't do that.

Bear in mind that people trying to rehome their dogs on Gumtree will lie to you - I have seen many examples of this first hand.

You can however, keep an eye on local pounds who will frequently have litters of puppies - you will possibly not have any history, but you can get an 8-10 week old puppy if this is what you want to do. You do however need to think hard about how it will work and how your toddler will behave around a puppy.

Don't know whereabouts you are but the following are a few rescues you could look at;
Benvardin
Grovehill
Assisi
7th Heaven
Causeway Coast
Mid Antrim animal sanctuary
Bright Eyes
Pet FBI
Pets Lost & Found NI
Animal Connexions
Almost Home Animal Rescue
Monaghan Spca
Doghouse Sanctuary
Perfect Paws
Rainbow Rehoming centre
Midulster rehoming centre

bloody hell how can such a small place have so many rescues and that's not all..,

Black retriever x also take dogs from Southern Ireland. They may be prepared to use you as a foster with view to adopt. I know they have at least one fosterer in Northern Ireland.