What is a good child friendly breed of dog?

cleopatra4485

Hi all

My OH and I want to get a puppy, we have a 7 month old daughter and we are moving soon to a larger house and I am really missing having pets around. I am thinking this is the best time as I am home all day and will be for a year or so yet and then back to work in an office all day (boo hoo) I know it is best to get a puppy when someone is at home most of the day.

I was thinking a sausage dog or a pug? has anyone got any recommendations on a passive breed?

thanks

Indie_Kid

Can't give advice on breeds such as; but you're better off getting a small dog. My brother got pushed down the stairs by a big dog when he was younger.

cleopatra4485

Sorry I should have been more specific. Yes it must be a small dog, I hope your brother was ok?

kitschkitty

Small breeds can be snappy, so size isn't really an indication of temperament and pugs can have breathing difficulties and dachshunds may have spinal problems. You'd be better off getting a dog from a reputable local rescue who have fully assessed it's temperament and if it will be suitable for a home with small children.

Personally I wouldn't want to be potty training a baby and a puppy at the same time (generalization) and would wait till your baby is a bit older before getting a dog. As well as the time to supervise the dog you need to be able to take it training classes too. Babies are time and money consuming enough, never mind the basic food and vet bills for a dog, plus all the other expenses.

Time is only one issue.

cleopatra4485

kitschkitty wrote: »

Small breeds can be snappy, so size isn't really an indication of temperament and pugs can have breathing difficulties and dachshunds may have spinal problems. You'd be better off getting a dog from a reputable local rescue who have fully assessed it's temperament and if it will be suitable for a home with small children.

Personally I wouldn't want to be potty training a baby and a puppy at the same time (generalization) and would wait till your baby is a bit older before getting a dog. As well as the time to supervise the dog you need to be able to take it training classes too. Babies are time and money consuming enough, never mind the basic food and vet bills for a dog, plus all the other expenses.

Time is only one issue.

Thankyou, I am aware of baby costs and puppy costs

My main thinking for now is because, my window of opportunity will be gone in a years time as I will be going back to work, my partner is at work and I know puppies or re-homing, someone really needs to be at home to settle them in. Good idea with the re-homing dog as they will be child checked and potty trained :rotfl:

mrcol1000

You should think about a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. There are 1000's of them in resuce homes in a wide range of ages. Your easily find a house trained puppy so as someone said it wil save you the hassle. Depsite their stereotype image they are very friendly and loyal dogs. They only require a few short walks a day and a couple of long ones a week. They will tolerate young children poking them (although you should make sure they don't). They are very healthy dogs and cheap to insure. They will happily snuggle up to you on the sofa after a long hard day. Also Kennel Club puts them at second or third or near the top anyway for the best dog to have with young children. They have a bad image because of some of the kind of people who own them and mistreat them but remember all dogs even sweet little pugs have the potential to be dangerous.

My only worry is you said in a year your be going back to work. Have you thought what your going to do with the dog as it will be very cruel to leave them on their own all day?

hethmar

Yes, Im a bit concerned to that after a year of constant company suddenly a little dog finds himself alone all day, having to hold his poo and wee in for what 8/9/10 hours?
I wouldnt have thought either of the breeds you mentioned are suitable to be honest. The only dog who ever bit one of my children was a daschund and the bite went through a thick anorack, a school jumper and shirt.

Re rescues, I think it highly unlikely you would be considered suitable for the reasons already given - you have a young child and you plan to work.

Sublime_2

I second a staffordshire bull terrier. I've had 2 rescue staffys, and they've both been brilliant with kids. The 2nd one, I had when he was 3, and he was fine when my children came along a while later.

My children are now 6, and 2. My dog is 10 years old, and I couldn't wish for a better family pet. He is very tolerant, and sweet natured, and loves my children, and misses them if they're not at home. The only thing is that staffys love being part of a family, so probably wouldn't like to be left all day.

KarenBB

A friend of mine has 3 children (youngest 6) and she's also a childminder, last year she got a cocker spaniel which is a nice size. She's so lovely we're now looking for one as a companion to our golden retriever. If you get a puupy soon you have finished with the house training before you start potty training so I don't see that as a worry. I think my friends cocker spends most of it's time in the kitchen when she's caring for other children so it doesn't spend much time with the little ones and it would always be supervised, parents wouldn't be happy with their toddlers left with the cocker.

ps another frind has a staffie and people are really funny about letting their dogs play with him as some people have given staffies a bad name, he is lovely and loves it when he sees our retriever as we're happy for her to play iwth him. He's a little beauty but very, very strong.

Little_Otter

I agree about Staffies - My Auntie has always had them since I was a little girl - they have been very loving and loyal towards me as a toddler, and now her new generation are just as lovely.
As other have said - its not always about Breed - its their temperament...

Indie_Kid

We were going to get a staffie - but our spanil cross retriever was scared of her.