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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Dog breeds that won't turn on children

253 replies

Chickpearocker · 21/05/2017 19:52

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!

OP posts:
Bubble2bubble · 27/05/2017 12:34

That's me wolfie 😬

user1471456357 · 27/05/2017 13:29

I don't have any options to rehome him, you can't rehome an aggressive dog.
He was my daughters dog and she couldn't cope with him, so I have had himfor the last 3 years. I just take each day as it comes.

purplecoathanger · 27/05/2017 13:31

Golden retrievers are lovely.

purplecoathanger · 27/05/2017 13:34

Dog threads always bring out the do gooders banging on about rescue dogs.

I've had dogs all my life, including some rescues. I would definitely advise against a rescue dog if you have children.

Wolfiefan · 27/05/2017 13:54

@Bubble2bubble
Good on you! I applied for Rua the setter if she was with you. Wonderful rescue. Always try and place the dog in absolutely the right home. Sadly we weren't the ones for her. But we have our pup now.

Bubble2bubble · 27/05/2017 14:11

wolfie little Rua was a stunner! She did get a lovely home though with another well matched dog and has done incredibly well.

CowParsleyNettle · 27/05/2017 15:52

My terrier has been around children all his life, my toddler around dogs.

Nothing prepared me for them not getting on. Dog is scared of child and to be honest the signs would be easy to miss unless you'd read a little on dog body language, he has never growled or snapped but licks, yawns and whale eyes when the toddler gets too much. Child needs more training.

Gradually they are allowed more time together but the dog bed is now under the dining room table as it gives the dog a 'safe' space a toddler can't get to without a bit of effort.

But, if the toddler is every poorly the dog will sleep on his bedroom floor, my dog does NOT sleep on floors, he's a terrier, he likes cushions, but he will make a sacrifice for a poorly child.

They'll be great together eventually, we just need to wait out the next few years...

Wolfiefan · 27/05/2017 16:03

@Bubble2bubble
That's the thing about that rescue. It's not about who wants the dog the most or who has been waiting for longest. It's about the best forever home for that dog. Just as it should be.

Ylvamoon · 27/05/2017 18:40

purplecoathanger so true! I've come across so many people who have been "stung" by rescue centres.... Oh he just needs a little bit of training! Oh he is shy but will love you forever! Oh he don't like other animals (dogs, cats or rabbits) but he absolutely adores children!
Problem is, for every 20 good dogs there is a nasty one. Don't risk your family for the sake of rescuing a dog- it's in a "rescue" for a reason!

Costacoffeeplease · 27/05/2017 19:47

So we're back to 'puppies and toddlers don't mix'

Costacoffeeplease · 27/05/2017 19:48

Please don't assume that all rescue dogs are there 'for a reason' - in many cases it's idiot owners, or owners who have passed away and it's absolutely not the dog's fault

Wolfiefan · 27/05/2017 19:51

Dogs end up in rescue due to marriage breakdown and longer working hours and new rental places not allowing pets and new baby and no time and lack of money and....
A decent rescue will give you a true story and try and find the best match for you. Not tuck you up with an unsuitable dog.

isthistoonosy · 27/05/2017 19:56

We have two jämthunds and two toddlers no issues so far but they need a lot of exercise. The kids and the dogs Grin
They are smart dogs and easy to train, nice temprement etc.
We got the second when out eldest was 8 months.

GloriaV · 27/05/2017 19:57

I had a rescue dog , she bit my DM, my DB, the postie and the window cleaner. Not nasty bites but enough that they felt it. I think she didn't like them invading her space and the window cleaner stepped on her by mistake .She was a collie lab cross.
I have to say that most of these dogs that attack children are described as lovely family pets by their owners.

wisteriainbloom · 27/05/2017 19:59

Why do people come on here with the sole purpose of putting people of rescue dogs?

I find that really strange, are they breeders or puppy farmers?

There are lots of reasons that dogs end up in rescue, the most common being marriage breakups ,change in working hours or unexpected pregnancy.

Lots of people are flakey and get bored too.

GloriaV · 27/05/2017 20:00

2 collies near here attacked sheep , 12 were put down. The dog rescue were going to rehome them separately in the town so it wouldn't happen again 😡

wisteriainbloom · 27/05/2017 20:01

I have a rescue and she didn't? My sister has a pure breed lab that she had from eight weeks old, just been re homed to a farm after attacking a man.

So what?

wisteriainbloom · 27/05/2017 20:01

GloriaV there is nothing wrong with the collies being re homed like that either.

CornflakeHomunculus · 27/05/2017 20:40

There are plenty of reasons dogs can end up in rescues which won't mean they're saddled with loads of emotional baggage.

A good rescue will do everything they can to get to know the dogs they have and make sure they're placed in appropriate homes first time as well as offering plenty of ongoing support.

The key word there is "good". Unfortunately not all rescues are equal and whilst there are a great many excellent ones there are also less than ideal ones who won't necessarily do the best thing by the dogs they have or prospective owners.

Whenever someone is asking about buying a puppy they're encouraged to research and check they're going to someone decent. The same applies to rescues, it's well worth digging around to make sure you're going somewhere responsible.

user1471456357 · 27/05/2017 20:43

I'm certainly not trying to put people of rescue dogs, my friends atm are trying to rehome a large number of dogs from a foreign country or they with all be euthanised.

Original poster
Chickpearocker · 27/05/2017 20:45

The problem is most of the rescue centre are saying no to children under 5. Not sure how I could get around that also I am very apprehensive about taking a risk with my child's life. Thank you for the list Bubble.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 27/05/2017 20:46

Again cornflake speaks sense.
And often when dogs attack there's an issue that isn't the dog. Attacking sheep. Idiot owner having dog loose near sheep.
Attacking people? Letting child climb all over dog. (Normally whilst videoing it to put on bloody FB) completely ignoring all the subtle warning signs that the dog isn't happy.
I would actually say it's probably much much harder to find a decent breeder than a decent rescue.

tabulahrasa · 27/05/2017 20:51

Um, I've had a sheep worrier... great dog as long as you didn't live near sheep, I didn't, that's why I took him on, no problem.

Wolfiefan · 27/05/2017 21:08

@tabulahrasa that's the point I was trying to make. The dog isn't the problem. The behaviour is. Allowing a dog to get amongst sheep causes the problem. It's not the fault of the dog and doesn't mean it can't be rehomed.

BertieBotts · 27/05/2017 22:42

OP I found this helpful when researching children and dogs. www.dogsandbabieslearning.com/2011/01/24/mamas-dont-let-your-babies-get-magnetized-to-dogs/