What is a good child friendly breed of dog?

jackieglasgow

Cleopatra you're being a bit harsh on Hethmar, she's only playing Devil's advocate. She has been volunteering in rescues, and has lots of experience of people dumping dogs for barking amongst other things you and I would think too insignificant to worry about. I can't believe the reasons people decide that they don't want an animal. To you or me barking might not be a big deal, to your neighbours it might, or to someone else it might be enough reason to get rid of a dog. And lots of dogs don't handle being left alone at all, whether they have a heated kennel or not, and it can make them ill. You wouldn't know this if you got a newborn dog, and I think Hethmar is just making sure she's putting thet point across. I'n not being critical of you leaving a dog alone, I do this, but I do think it might be better to get a slightly older dog who is known not have a problem with this.

foreign_correspondent

Oh, and I agree with the poster who said not a daschund for around kids - they are not very tolerant dogs - they are spirited dogs bred for badger hunting! I saw one jump about four foot to bite a woman on the nose a while ago.

However, no breed is child friendly - some will tend to tolerate more sensory exploration from children than others (as I am sure you know, babies and toddlers are very likely to poke dogs eyes and noses as to a baby they are just shiny tactile things) but any dog is capable of retailating if hurt... which can mean a snap or bite - so any dog, no matter how placid, must never be left alone with a small child, and all interaction must be carefully managed.

I think you really need to think this through carefully, or you could have a disaster on your hands.

cleopatra4485

It goes without saying, surely that you don't leave dogs unattended around a small child? May I add we are moving to a rural location, only one house next door to us no main roads near by. I don't think I am being harsh, because I am being made out to be a cruel animal owner and I see absolutely no issue with leaving a dog in the garden for three daytimes in the week, especially where we are moving to (yes very secure garden)

MellyB_2

mrcol1000 wrote: »

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?

I have a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and he is the most loyal loving dog I have ever met. He was a rescue dog too so he was checked if he was fine with cats/children. He loves kids but his favourite thing is going for a run and then sitting next to me on the sofa on a night!

I know some people get a bit scared with staffies (someone walked into a hedge to avoid him when we were walking him last year!) but he's such a lovely dog. My mum has a cute Lhasa Apso and she is so viscious when she wants to be - people just think because she's little she's fine and that my dog is the scary one!

They are known for being very good with children...

se999

hethmar wrote: »

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.

I've only been bitten once, and that was a dachshund too. Bite went through thick jeans.

cleopatra4485

se999 wrote: »

I've only been bitten once, and that was a dachshund too. Bite went through thick jeans.

Ok dashshund crossed off the list.

sarabe

I think it would be very unfair to expect a dog to cope with being left all day when you go back to work, especially if it is used to you being around most of the time for a year.

Why don't you get a cat? They are far more independant and would cope far better with the sudden change in lifestyle.

The dogs that are going to be better with children irrespective of breed are the ones who are going to fall apart when left.

MellyB_2

Oh and picking up on what people have mentioned, do you have somebody that could come and walk him occasionally during the week?

My fiance's dad is retired so he come most days to take him out for a walk (although at the moment bf is redundant so our dog is getting plenty of walking!) also my mum lives around the corner so it's useful that she is near too....

geri1965_2

What about a Cavalier King Charles spaniel? They are adorable, we had one when I was young and he was docile to the point of being stupid.

cleopatra4485

Yes my mum doesn't work and would be able to come and walk the doggy for 3 days a week, you all are talking like I would be away all week. I could even drop child and dog with the mother thinking about it