What breed is best with small children?

[jackiesdaisy1935]

I think there are many breeds that are wonderful with children. In my case we have two Schnauzers, Perry and Daisy who are not good at all with small children. In fact not to say all Mini Schnauzers do not tolerate small children well, but we have six Mini Schnauzers in our immediate family and not one of them are fond of children. We have two, our Daughter (no children) has two and our Son (one older grandson) has two and I would not trust any of them around small children. I don't know if this is the
terrier terror thing or what. We love our babies, but have to be very careful if there are children about.

[petspoil]

I have the same problem with my three schnauzers. They don't like small children. Have to be very careful when small children are around. Before hearing from you I thought it was only my dogs problem.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Petspoil, I have been on this post for quite a while and you are the first one with Schnauzers, finally. I see on the Schnauzer rescue board they usually don't adopt out to anyone with small children. Do you have Minis? We have two minis a salt and pepper and a black. Perry and Miss Daisy. If you would like to see our minis we have a web site http://schnauzerville.homestead.com
We surely love our Schnauzers.

[Angels3]

The senior vet at our uni vet clinic told me that people often ask him which are the best breeds to have with children. His answer is King Charles Cavalier Spaniels and Shetland Sheepdogs. He says that both are neither too big or too small. Both tend to have non-aggressive temperaments & be family oriented. He says that the additional things shelties bring are high intelligence for training and guarding/herding abilities.

[Karen]

I do think it varies dog to dog - I know a Sheltie who is not at all good with children. I would go for the bigger dogs - I grew up with a German Shepherd mix who was wonderful with kids. Shepherds are also herding dogs, of course, and she always kept track of all us kids (my family, and any neighbor children), especially with no grown-ups around. No stranger ever got more than halfway down the driveway with Sheba on duty, yet I - I was a toddler when they got her - could do anything to her. At our first meeting, I staggered over to her (she was a full-grown stray who "followed my cousin home") grabbed her tail and yanked with all my might. My Dad was ready to leap between the dog and I, but Sheba just turned her head slowly toward me and growled softly. That was it - she became family at that moment, and put up with other loving torture from me (hey - I was little!). We also had a Saint Bernard who was fabulous with kids, and a Great Dane who was a sweetheart with them, too!

[Daisy's Mom]

Even though she can get annoying, I have to say that my aunt's yellow lab is a saint to put up with my little cousins. When they got her, Ben was 5 and Maggie was 3, and they tortured that poor puppy! She never once bit them, even though she is SO hyper. But I think that if you bring up almost any dog around young children it has better chances of being good with them. My Basset Daisy spent her puppyhood with my little cousins allaround her and she is very tolerant.

[Sudilar]

My first GSD was wonderful with my children even though we had him before the kids came. My Great Pyr was also perfect for kids. Both my present GSDs love kids, too.

[Pam]

Although I think small dogs are precious and I have owned them, out of my 4 poodles I would vote for my standard poodle (45 lbs. of gentleness and tenderness) for being great with children. Though I loved the others dearly and never had one so much as growl at a child, they did sometimes seem a little nervous around children because of a child's unpredictable actions. I guess because of their size they feel they may come out on the short end if anything were to happen. I'm sure there are others out there with small dogs who do very well with children, but I'm just talking about my own case.

[shais_mom]

My greyhound Shaianne, is great with my nephew Jacob. And with my older (younger?)cousins. She follows Jake door to door b/c she knows that he will open the door to freedom soon.
My sister's dog is a springer/lab type mix and is extremely tolerant with my nephew. It is amazing. We are careful when he is around Shai, since she is not used to it, but she adores him.

[raynie]

BOXERS!! they are known to be excellent with kids. also the STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER is nicknamed "the nanny dog" for their love of children.

[Corinna]

I have had Springer Spaniels all my live they are great family dogs they will watch all members of the family. Our current dog Merlin has differnet times that he has duties (his choice) for each person. The top is to watch the boy (teen) and mom. Dad can take care of himself. They are sturdy and large enough to wrestle around, but small enough to keep in apartments. We have had large breeds as well newfys and st.bernards they just don't realize how big they are.As with cockers at this time too many peolpe are breeding springers so learn about the breeders in the area and talk to several check with many vets , humane socity if they have had run ins with any of the animals from the breeders . If you chose one from a shelter visit several times and spend lots of time and take it for walks out around the grounds ( advice for all animals) With children it's important to know the most you can about the animal your bringing in. Sorry to those who think animals are moe inportant than kids, but I am not one my children always come before my furkids . I also am one who is careful about what I bring in, If it doesn't seem to be a SAFE animal the kids are not allowed in that area of our home til I think it is or till the animal is placed. I have reabilitated dogs so they are family orented and placed. I received them aboused and very nasty out of the 12 I have worked with only one was not able to be placed safly and I felt he would not adjust to any one and I had to have him put down & year old chow male gotten and just turned loose in a yard and food thrown over the fence once a week. I felt so devistaed after 2 years of working on him he still would not change toward any one I was the only one he didn't bite 'but I didn't allow myself to be in a postion to get bit.
I have had to take in lots of "cute" shelter dogs who had bad habits to break or people didn't take the time to spend more than one trip to the shelter.Sorry folks my pet peeve One trip to shelter and not getting the full story on an animail worked a avets office too long putting down to many sweet faces just becouse people are not informed. Glad for this form and people checking it to become informed. Off my soap box now Good luck finding the perfect family companion for the kids . One last thought it will be a family pet cuz it should be around after kids are grown if the right care and health given and a breed with a medium range life expectancy. Ok done now Corinna

[ilovehounds]

Hi, I don't want to start a fight with any sheltie lovers but my parents have had five shelties and I wouldn't trust anyone of them around kids. Im not putting the breed down because not all shelties are like that but just be carefull. I would suggest a german shepherd, a beagle or a golden retriever. Just do your reasearch long and hard before choosing a breed. You can try your local animal shelter, Im sure there is a kind loving dog waiting for a home there :0)

[I Love My Aussie]

I think the Welsh Corgi (the pemrole probably are better "nannies"), the Australian shepherd (they know how to keep them in your site), and the Flat-coated retriever.

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*Get a Grip Get an Aussie*

[I Love My Aussie]

I meant to say PEMBROKE not PEMROLE

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*Get a Grip Get an Aussie*

[Logan]

I'm basing my opinion on the experience we have had (me growing up and in my adult life).
I think retrievers, golden or labs, are wonderful companions for children. I will say that my usual Honey is good with two or three, but I do not trust her in large groups of kids. I agree with whoever said that having the puppy grow up with the kids is a good idea.
Other breeds that I have been exposed to that were wonderful with kids are: Cocker Spaniels, English Bulldogs, and Mixed breeds (lab/retriever mixes especially). I'm sure there are more, just can't think of them right now.
As you can tell, I like big dogs. But one day, I will have me a nice lap dog too. One day........