It really depends on how well behaved your children are and the general temperament of the dog. I know a Golden that is purely evil. She seems to plot ways to terrorize the neighborhood children. I know, through students at my training club, that even the most docile eight year old lab can be pushed over the edge if children are too rough (27 stitches to a 3 yr. old boy with a stick. It was one self-protection bite!). Shelties and border collies can be more than nippy and both breeds are prone to fear behavior in households that are too rough for their tastes. Papillons are so often at the vets for broken bones from unruly children that many breeders do not allow people with young children to buy them. These dogs are all great family dogs, but care is needed for each one.

Dogs bred and trained for protection are usually the worst family dogs. This is because their aggressive traits have been heightened and they are more willing to take action to protect themselves and their perceived property. I have, however, met several former "trained guard dogs" that were wonderful housepets. The children in these households, however, were well trained as well.

It is just as easy to train the dog to be good around children than it is to teach the children to be good around the dog. Unfortunately, the dog's only way to let you know that the child is too rough is usually catastrophic in a household. The best way that a person can insure that a two year old and a dog of any breed get along is to watch the behavior of the two year old and correct any aggressive tendencies in the child. Teach the child that, no matter how much the dog looks like a toy, it isn't.

It is a myth that any breed of dog is a better family dog than another. Some individual dogs are a bit more impatient than others. The best way to counterract this is by choosing the dog through research and by meeting the dog. When you go to visit your prospective new dog, use these suggested criteria:

Clap your hands to get the dog's attention and call the dog (Here puppy!, Here boy!, etc.) with your arms held wide and up. If it comes to you, that is a good sign. If it has no interest in you, don't buy the dog.

Cuddle the dog. If it cuddles back (i.e. doesn't fight to be free) it is a good sign.

Stamp your foot on the floor near the dog. If it jumps a little or doesn't jump at all and doesn't run away you that is a good sign.

Look directly into the dog's eyes. If you see playful glee in those eyes it is good. If you see a dull nothingness or the dog is doing everything it can to look away, the dog is most likely not very bright (difficult to train) or may be overly submissive (potential fear biter). If it growls or snaps, you probably do not want the dog around children. The looking away is common in many puppies, however, so use your best judgement.

If the dog circles you while looking at you the whole time, it is sizing you up. This dog is overly dominant and will be very difficult to train. You generally see this behavior in adult dogs.

Roll the dog over on its side. If it does this willingly after just a few seconds, the dog will most likely be good around children right out of the box. If the dog tries to bite, growls, or fights too much, the dog is probably not for the household containing a two year old.

Keep in mind that puppies will be puppies. Nearly all puppies are hyper and may be unintentionally destructive. The larger the dog, the greater chance of accidents.

Hope this helps.