Comments on: What is a good dog breed for families with young children?

By: spicychica_shel

spicychica_shel — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:13:59 +0000

Many dogs can be good with kids as long as they are well-trained. I think golden retrievers, labs, and beagles are among the best.
References :

By: MANDYLBH

MANDYLBH — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:51:59 +0000

With children as young as yours are I would not get a puppy. They like to jump and nip when they are young. While no one has mentioned them, boxers are great with children if raised around them. They are protective also. Check with a Boxer Rescue in your area and see if they have one that will meet your needs. I have 2 rescues and they are GREAT. Good luck !
References :

By: Marna O

Marna O — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:39:59 +0000

Don’t assume by simply choosing a breed that you will get the right puppy. Temperament and personality can still vary. There are exceptions to the rule. There are aggressive Goldens, there are sweet pitbulls. Then, how you raise it will have a lot to do with the "molding" process…..just like kids.

When you go to look at a puppy, look at the entire litter. Particularly with young children, you do not want the shy one that sits in the corner and acts afraid. Neither do you want the wild, wooly, jumping up and down pup. Pick the more quiet, but curious puppy. The one that willingly comes forward. The one that does not struggle when you pick it up, the one that will calmy lay on its back when you roll it on the floor, or hold him in your arms as a baby. The one that doesn’t startle when you clap your hands. The one that will follow you when you walk with encouragement from your voice. These are cues that the pup naturally sees you as its leader. Do not feel you must choose a pup from just one litter. Shop…..this is a life long choice!

Most Goldens are happy fellows, so the jumpy one you had was one of those exceptions. Goldens and Labs (btw there is no "breed" called the Golden Lab. A Lab is a Lab. They come in yellow, blac and chocolate) have been breed for decades as service dogs, so care has been taken to focus on easy going temperament. But that does not mean every Golden or Lab will be this way. The kennels still breeding them for hunting (their original purpose) have more high drive dogs….as my daughter’s very high power, very active one. (Have you read "Marley and Me")

If you go with a purebreed, find a REPUTABLE breeder!!!! Make a list of questions and if they can not answer them, go elsewhere. Have the parents been checked for such as hip dyspasia, eye problems, von Willebrands…etc (do your research of what breeds are more prone to particular health problems). Any dogs in the pedigree have obedience titles? What is health guarantee? Get all in writing.

You might want to contact a local guide dog program, or CCI (is it Canine Companions for Independence?) There are dogs that for minor reasons do not "graduate" to the next level, but have been trained and are wonderful dogs.

Breeds: I would not get a very small breed for young children. Often they can be very nervous and nippy and just their small size can be fragile for young children. Nor would I necessarily get a giant breed; though often very gentle, as a rambunctious pup their sheer size can easily knock a toddler over.

Breeds: Collie (particularly look into "smooth coated" collies..they are gentle and sweet with children), Golden, Lab (though I don’t have them and would not get one for me). Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties) are extemely smart, (have shown and raised them for about 25 years, along with my 2 kids) easily trained, do not pick the shy or nervous one! Also Australian Shepherds…smart dogs, but be sure not to pick the most active puppy.

I would not get a Border Collie (I have one and LOVE her). If you do not have time to play and play and go jogging and do herding or agility, they will drive you bonkers!
References :

By: Robert G

Robert G — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:18:59 +0000

The lab is the friendliest dog out there
References :

By: jaggie

jaggie — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:13:59 +0000

I have 2 bernese mountaindogs and they’re great with children also with the smaller ones. In summer they’ve been a lot around 2-year-old children, 4-year-old children and some children who were older than 6. And they loved the dogs they went playing with them, hugged them and everything and it all went smooth. Even when they’re pups, they’re comparatively calm. Of course you need to raise them well, but you will have a great dog then
References :

By: ann a

ann a — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:06:59 +0000

I would never recommend a large or giant breed as the pet of choice for small children unless the children were big for their age, the parent were experienced in handling and training, and it was an adult dog. Hard for small kids to cuddle a dog that is bigger than they are.

A herding breed is excellent with young children.

Go here to see the breeds http://www.akc.org/breeds/index.cfm?nav_area=breeds

Look under "Breed by Group" on the left and find the herding group.

Shelties, Aussies, Corgis…..(Herding Group)

I grew up with Boston Terriers (Non-sporting group). They were GREAT!!!

When you are on the page for that specific breed, there are links on the left to the "Breed Club" and "Breed Rescue" .

Check out breed rescues. The Breed Rescue for a breed akes a great deal of time to get to know the dog,its temperment, behavior and level of training. They go to great pains to match the right dog with the right person.

(By the way you say "jumpy" Golden. I’m guessing it was a field bred Golden – high energy, independent minded, … Field bred Goldens and show/obedience bred Goldens are the same breed but their temperments are different by miles and miles.)
References :
43 years training showing handling teaching

By: Dalmatian Rescue

Dalmatian Rescue — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:44:59 +0000

Not Dalmatians…….They are too agressive with younger children.
References :

By: s_ringler

s_ringler — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:02:59 +0000

Old English Sheepdog. I have had them in my house since I was little. My cousin would grab food out of his bowl and he would just look at her. I mean we never encouraged her to do that but she did. She pulled up on him. they don’t shed and are very lovable. They do have a tendency to "herd" little ones into cupboards and walls. They do require grooming but if you keep them kind of short "puppy cut" then they aren’t too bad. Sheepdogs love the cold and snow. Sheepies are a calm breed that love to cuddle. We always adopted adult sheepies so I couldn’t tell you about the pups. They aren’t water loving dogs although they are exceptions. They are very protective of their families.

Hope you find a breed that fits you best.
References :
oes.org

By: patricia b

patricia b — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:27:59 +0000

Cocker spaniels are great dogs for kids very protective and loyal. I have a Golden retreiver and he's great to one thing to do with them is exercise.
References :

By: Meggz21

Meggz21 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:56:59 +0000

try something like a collie, great danes can be quite calm once they get out of the puppy stage. dobermans are actually excellent family dogs, once they're around 10 months they are quite calm and require very little grooming (they don't need to be brushed and only need baths 3-4 times per year). bloodhounds are really great too, not jumpy and really tolerant of everything.
References :