What is the best dog breed for families with young children?

[LSK]

I have had terriers all my life and what I have found is that they are very good with children if you take the time to really teach the child how to treat the dog. HOWEVER, I have also found that they tend to turn into old grouchy men when they get older and then they can get snippy if someone accidently hurts them…it is probably from arthritis and just getting old. I know that labs and goldies are good family dogs as well as being good hunting dogs. AND they are easy to train - ok, easier to train than scotties…

 

[LovedMyAlydar]

We have golden retriever and a sheltie. Both are super with our 5 kids and 2 gradbabies. They both tolerate lots of tugging, suprise wake ups by falling toddlers, etc.

I think alot of it has to do with how they are raised. Any dog can be good or bad. I have seen horrible growling snarling goldens as well as happy go lucky pitbulls. It is the breeding and the history. And if you get a pup, be sure to pay attention to the momma dog. She is the pups first teacher and if she is nervous and snappy chances are the pups will be as well.

Also, when looking at pups, make sure they will roll over on their backs, let you play with their paws, hold their muzzle, as these are all submissive behaviors.

Good luck.

 

[iamscifimike]

My parents have a Shih Tzu… and It keeps biting my kids!! We now must insist that the dog is seperated from them when we visit. It breaks their heart.

I would be wary of rescuing a dog. Sometimes they come with baggage. I onced worked with a woman who tried to find people to adopt dogs. She found out I have young children and recommended I don’t resue any of “her dogs”.

Boxers!! my poor puppy

 

[Light_Seeker]

English Springer Spaniels! I have one and they are perfect for what you want. They are overall: great with kids, are not “yappy”, rambunctious, energetic, love to play (my dog constantly wants to play), but are intelligent and extremely loving. Look into one. They are known to be great for families.

Absolutely! I have never seen a dog as loving or intelligent as a springer, & I’ve owned many different breeds. Ours knows every neighbor & friend by sight & ignores them, but if a stranger walks up, he barks like a killer is coming to get you until you tell him to knock it off. They are the best with kids, I have to keep telling the girls not to ride him like a horse. They’ve been bred to be bird dogs, and have very soft mouths - they won’t clamp down or bite when horsing around and playing - so important when you have toddlers. Loving, loyal, smart, easily trained, playful, and crave human interaction. You can’t go wrong with a springer for a family pet that you can also take bird hunting if you desire. Bad side is they are long haired & shed, so a trip or 2 to the groomers every year is needed. Their floppy ears need to be kept clean, or infections could happen. Also, springer spaniels, along with other ‘sporting dogs’ such as labs & golden retrievers have inherent hip problems, usually showing up in older age, so carefully checkout the lineage at your breeder.

 

[Light_Seeker]

I would be wary of rescuing a dog. Sometimes they come with baggage. (

Unfortunately, I have to agree.

Years back I adopted a ‘rescued’ irish setter. Perfect dog in every way, except when anybody wearing a uniform was around … like a policeman, mailman, ups driver, etc. The dog would go nuts and go for the throat unprovoked!

Only thing I could imagine was his previous owner must of wore a uniform, and beat him, or severely mistreated him messing up his head.

 

[NMJenny]

I agree. Labs are one of the best with children. They are so even tempered with children. My brother had a lab for a few years before my nephew was born. Baron (its name) was very gentle with my nephew.

The only thing is they tend to be chewers when they are pups so keep a lot of chew toys around or your furniture will pay.

Labs are wonderful dogs with children–loving and playful. However, let me heartily second that comment about labs being chewers–six years ago we got a pair of lab puppies and they actually chewed a wild rose bush in my back yard down to the ground! And the bush was about six feet tall and four or five feet wide…

 

[mahalia]

We have been trying to decide which dog breed would suit our family but we can’t seem to make up our minds - please help!

We have a very large, fenced yard and would like an indoor-outdoor dog who can join in walks/jogs, keep up with our rambunctious, energetic kids, yet be gentle/non-aggressive with them. A dog who gives a warning bark would be useful but we cannot stand “yappy” dogs. “Snappy” dogs are also out…as much as we will be supervising play between our three young children and the dog, there will inevitably be a tail pulled or a paw accidently trod on and we just can’t have a dog that will retaliate with a snap.

We are pretty much open as to small/medium/large and shorthair/long hair
etc.

Any suggestions?

My favorite question, since dogs are not only my hobby but a very very important part of my life.
I didn’t read what others replied, I will just give you my suggestions, two of them: Bernese mountain dog and Landseer E.C.T.
These are both big dogs with long hair, but known by their unbelievable loyalty to family and kids. They will be patient with them and never too tired or lazy to play.

Bernese mountain dog - puppies (from Sapphires Bernese)
http://www.azbmd.com/puppies0928038wk.jpg

Bernese mountain dog - adult
http://www.bmdcgs.org/images/350pics/zobel.jpg

Landseer E.C.T. (careful, this is the whole name, don’t forget the ECT, otherwise it’s black and white newf which is totally different)
http://www.zoo-logics.com/fotoshonden/landseer.jpg

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For a first dog, I would always recommend a female dog, they are more easy going. But males are also okay, especially from these two species who are of wonderful family-oriented character.
Just, before taking a dog, I’d like you to ask yourselves a couple of questions

1. Can we afford a dog? Not only food, but veterinarian, toys, and stuff…
2. Who will take care of the dog’s needs? It’s not just taking it out to pee…you have to have time to comb the hair, play…
3. What happens to the dog if we go to vacation?

If you have all the right answers, and I sure hope you do, then let me say - you are making a wonderful decision to let a dog come in your lives because the more you give to that dog, the more you will receive.
Oh and if you have any questions, feel free to pm me.

God bless!

 

[newf]

Landseer E.C.T. (careful, this is the whole name, don’t forget the ECT, otherwise it’s black and white newf which is totally different

What is a Landseer E.C.T.? I believe the AKC only recognizes Landseer Newfoundlands.

BTW, I love your dog pics…and I agree Berners are good dogs like newfs.

 

[mahalia]

In the USA, “landseer” is a name for black and white newfs.

In Europe, “landseer” is the name of a different breed, as you can see in the photo, those dogs are taller, with bigger legs, different heads than the newfs.
Since you call black and white newfs landseer, in europe we added an ECT which means european continental type.

so, landseer is not landseer e.c.t.

to illustrate,
this is a newfoundland landseer

http://geminorum.com/site/foto/000001910100.jpg

and this is a landseer e.c.t.
http://psiskolafalco.web3.cz/Images/Inzerce19.jpg

AKC puts them all together in the “newfs”, but in Europe we have FCI which separates the two.
Ok, that’s too much kinology for this forum

 

[newf]

Thanks for the clarification. And thanks for the pics…they are wonderful.

 

[Altesse]

Go to your local animal shelter and check out the dogs there. They are many and in need of good home. They get all types of dogs including purebreds. Check out petfinder.com.

With a purebred, you have to worry about genetic problems due to inbreeding.

The key is finding a reputable breeder. They are primarily concerned with the excellence of the breed do a lot of good at eliminating genetic problems.

These breeders will only have a few animals and a few, carefully planned litters.

They will just about make you sign over your firstborn child to get one.

Beware of breeders that breed more than one breed of animal; (They have rottweilers, springer spaniels and chihuahuas and/or breed “designer” dogs otherwise known as really expensive mutts).

This is a big red flag.

Another is that they don’t show or have any animals that have completed a breed championship in the pedigrees of their breeding stock; or any animals other than their own in the pedigrees of their breeding stock.

If you aren’t going for top notch breeding a **real **mutt from the humane society is good.

 

[mary_bobo]

Go to your local animal shelter and check out the dogs there. They are many and in need of good home. They get all types of dogs including purebreds. Check out petfinder.com.

With a purebred, you have to worry about genetic problems due to inbreeding.

The idea that purebreds are inbred is a common misconception which I do not agree with. But one must remember that there are people who breed dogs, make money and use the same stock over and over. Then there are the true breeders, the keepers of the breed, if you will, that spend many hours educating themselves and researching every litter that they breed. These are the people I refer to as “breeders”.

True, there are many purebreds that end up in shelters, but I think you would be hard pressed to find one from a reputable breeder as I have mentioned above. Those kinds of breeders keep up with the puppies they breed and most have a “take back” clause in the sales contract.

Having set up a volunteer program at a shelter in Florida, I formed the opinion that while there are many wonderful dogs that wind up in a shelter and that would make wonderful pets, many of them should never be rehomed. You should be able to count on the temperament of a dog and many shelter dogs are of such poor breeding that this will not be the case. Again, I am not saying that a shelter is not a good place to get a pet. Just educate yourself before you go and don’t let “cute” influence your selection.

Off my soapbox now.

 

[johntkd]

We have been trying to decide which dog breed would suit our family but we can’t seem to make up our minds - please help!

We have a very large, fenced yard and would like an indoor-outdoor dog who can join in walks/jogs, keep up with our rambunctious, energetic kids, yet be gentle/non-aggressive with them. A dog who gives a warning bark would be useful but we cannot stand “yappy” dogs. “Snappy” dogs are also out…as much as we will be supervising play between our three young children and the dog, there will inevitably be a tail pulled or a paw accidently trod on and we just can’t have a dog that will retaliate with a snap.

We are pretty much open as to small/medium/large and shorthair/long hair etc.

Any suggestions?

As A former dog trainer if it were my kids i was getting a dog for hands down a lab or a golden retriever, they have one downfall that being they have exteneded puppy stage ( usually about 2 years) BUT they are very intelligent,loving and will without doubt protect your kids, another potential downfall could arise if you smack/spank your kids as stated they are extremely protective of family members but kids take front row with them…
and for the record you do not have to buy a “registered” lab, golden if you can find a mix with at least 50 percent they are almost as good overall
unless they are crossed with something really notoriously dumb like a hound

 

[Bobby_Jim]

I would suggest a Mutt.

 

[klnmmbay]

We have a Labradoodle…absoultely love her…all the best qualities of the poodle and lab combined.

 

[leaner]

We’ve been looking in the shelters for THREE months – driving all over the city (spread out western city – 20mi to the other side) and have yet to “win” the race for a dog that fits our needs…my dh says I’m too picky…I just want the “right” dog for us and have yet to find one that I “can’t live without” – I’ve also been working with two rescue groups in the area – same story. Already taken or not what we’re looking for (too big, sheds, snippy, etc). I know I’ll probably get flamed for this, but I don’t see anything wrong with someone who’s dogs had puppies offering them for sale – do they really have to be an AKC registered breeder? Can’t someone just say "hey, my bichon and schnauzer had puppies; if you’d like to buy one, I’m charging this much for them (assuming it’s a reasonable price, not some $700). Sure, the idea of puppy mills is repulsive, but I just don’t see a problem if someone wants to sell the puppies their dogs have; it’s not irresponsible to leave your dogs unfixed if you’re planning on selling the pups; now if they fit any of the descriptions of backyard breeders with 12 different dogs that breed 50 puppies every year, sure, but someone who says “my dog has puppies every three or four years, and I am offering them for sale” – I just don’t see that as a federal crime…

let the flaming begin…

 

[kell0618]

We have been trying to decide which dog breed would suit our family but we can’t seem to make up our minds - please help!

We have a very large, fenced yard and would like an indoor-outdoor dog who can join in walks/jogs, keep up with our rambunctious, energetic kids, yet be gentle/non-aggressive with them. A dog who gives a warning bark would be useful but we cannot stand “yappy” dogs. “Snappy” dogs are also out…as much as we will be supervising play between our three young children and the dog, there will inevitably be a tail pulled or a paw accidently trod on and we just can’t have a dog that will retaliate with a snap.

We are pretty much open as to small/medium/large and shorthair/long hair etc.

Any suggestions?

Golden Retriever. Excellent companions and sturdy enough to take all of the rough and tumble poking and prodding of young children. They shed a lot, but I couldn’t imagine our home without a Golden in it.

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

 

[JoeSchmeau]

What is the best dog breed for families with young children?

A well-trained dog!

 

[Gardening_Mommy]

I’m amazed that only one other poster recommended my favorite:

SHETLAND SHEEPDOG aka “Shelties”

They are sweet, not too small, not too big, very patient. They will herd your kids away from strangers (and water; they don’t usually like water). Ours loves to chase feet; not people, per se, just your feet. They run in circles when excited. They are total homebodies. Ours got out of the fence one day (we think the meter guy left the gate open), and Duchess just sat on the front porch, one bark every 30 seconds, until we realized where she was and opened the door. Badly bred dogs have given the breed a reputation for yapping, but ours never does.

My DD bugged her too much once (DD was about 14 months and had the dog sort of cornered; usually Duchess would just walk away when she’d had enough). Duchess snapped her teeth in DD’s general direction to tell her to stop it. Duchess had never done this before (and hasn’t done it since, either), so DD was startled and started tearing up, but before she could actually start crying, Duchess was vigorously licking her face to apologize and DD wound up giggling and trying to run away from a slobber bath!

When DD and DS came home, Duchess sniffed them coming in the door, then quickly figured out that they were now part of the herd. Being the smallest, they obviously needed guarding, so she positioned herself alertly near wherever they were napping. (She also gives us adults “the look” or a single bark when we’ve stayed up past our bedtime. )

We adopted Duchess from a Collie/Sheltie rescue association. Her previous owner had had a stroke and couldn’t take her into the assisted living facility, so the owner’s son rounded up what vet records he could find and gave her to the rescue association.

We only brush her once every few weeks, and the vet says she’s the best groomed Sheltie in the practice, so don’t let the fur scare you. (although there is the fall and spring “blowing coat” when there are little tufts of fur around the house for a few weeks… you just have to brush a little more.)

 

[OSUbride0708]

i think a golden retriever is a great family dog to have, not to mention a beautiful dog. if you’re worried about hair and shedding, i think a golden-doodle (retriever and poodle mix) is a good idea. you might want to go check out some dogs at a shelter or pound, and get a feel for their temperament. two of our dogs were chow-chow mixes (don’t know what they were mixed with) and they were awesome dogs, very smart and great, sweet personalities. you can always tell a dog that has a loving personality.
my dog i had since i was 4 (just died the christmas before last at 15 yrs old. she was a cocker spaniel poodle mix and had the best personality ever, she was so loving. i really would love to have another cock-a-poo someday.