A Bearded Collie? No more terriers? :(

[Rhinestonecowgirlie]

All my life, I have owned working terrier dogs. Love them to pieces and I'm a terrier girl through and through.

However, I'm now a loving auntie, with kids visiting my house a lot. Despite loving terriers, my old terrier and the terriers of my parents, often growl at the kids. I LOVE them, but they just don't show the same level of tolerance as I see in other breeds. I want to stress we never leave kids and dogs unattended, and we tell all kids not to approach the dogs (which they don't), it's more just when we pick up the baby or the toddlers, the dogs sometimes just look at them and growl or run away if the kids come too close accidentally.

Now, I'm also aware there will be some terriers out there who are wonderful with children. However, having owned lots of terriers, I believe they don't have the goofy, tolerant personality of other more childfriendly breeds.

My dear friend owns a Beardie. She is the most gentle soul! Loves kids, so tolerant, if slightly daft. I have the chance of a pup. Do you have experience of beardies? Will any of their characteristics shock a seasoned terrier lover like me? 👀

Another vote for Norfolk Terriers, they are wonderful with children. The one I know doesn’t have reliable recall though which means I ruled the breed out. Good breeders have a waiting list and I believe my friend paid around £2k as the litters are so small and many don’t want to breed from their own as the pregnancies can be risky for their little bodies.

Define soppy? My terrier spent the evening cuddled up on my lap last night watching TV (she likes Masterchef 😂). She also has bags of character - most do.

She was bred for health and temperament from long established lines. That isn’t cheap but then it’s a fraction of what I will spend on her over her lifetime. The purchase price of a puppy is really small change especially now with much higher vets bills.

Soppy and goofy, you say? Hmm. That makes me think of labradors, retrievers and setters. In my experience, male dogs tend to be more soppy and goofy than females.

Have you considered a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier? They are definitely less terrierish in personality and might fit the bill for you.

The soppiest dogs I've known have been spaniels, my friends show cocker is the most soppy dog I've ever met. Otherwise I'd say Labradors or golden retrievers are goofy and great with kids.

That said I'm a terrier girl through and through, I have a mixed breed Yorkshire/Jack Russell terrier and he's fantastic with kids. I think a lot of it is training and socialising with terriers.

cockapoos always seem adorable - haven't met a grumpy one yet, and they are usually pretty goofy

we have a mini schnauzer. Got him as a puppy when my children were 5 and 7.
He is a dream around children, adults and other animals (except the pigeons who dare to come into his garden).
He is not barky at all despite the reputation they have for being vocal.
Loves to snuggle up in the evenings but is pretty independent during the day.
His recall isn't the best though 🙄

I have a bedlington x whippet - he is really good with our toddler (they have never been left alone together and are now allowed to interact more as the toddler is able to follow instructions) and not snappy. I think the whippet half makes him a bit soppier - he's very affectionate and spends most of his time sleeping. The only real issue with the terrier side is that he likes to shred soft toys, so we have to make sure he doesn't get access.

I bred & showed Cairns & Skye Terriers for years, over forty years. Cairns are very much “ look out world here I come” most are typical feisty terriers, you do get the occasional softy but mostly they’re typical terriers. Like you I’m terrier besotted .
Skyes, now they are a complete different matter. Dour Scots doesn’t even come close. Complete “ one man dogs”. None of mine will ever even speak to even my DH! As to visitors no matter how they try to coax them they sit on the opposite side of the room & glower! They, along with Scotties, & Kerry Blues, many of whom I’ve had close experience of, are two terriers I’d never recommend for children.
But have to say at all the many shows, especially terrier specific shows, I’ve attended the rings with the most children, young, older, even babies in prams, round them have been the Staffie rings. Fabulous dogs with the most unwarranted bad reputation amongst people who just go by looks, unlike my Skyes who strangers I meet out & about drool over because of their glamorous look, only to get cursed & sworn at by them 🙄