What is a good child friendly breed of dog?

jackieglasgow

skiTTish I think labs are lovely dogs too, but I was bitten om the bum by one when I was about four, and still have the ring of fire to show for it, if you would like to see!

dollparts

small wonder anyone would ever dare to buy/rescue a dog when all it seems to me is people just want to put people off for reason upon reason.

I know how Cleopatra felt because I have felt exactly the same way when I have asked for advice.

You get all the 'oh have you thought about this, considered that', etc etc. Whatever is meant by it, it comes across as condescending, patronising and smacks of the plain godamned inference that the person asking the question is some kind of fool that has one lonely brain cell desperate for the company of another.

Then of course there is the usual dialogue of being accused of being angry, aggressive and the like if you dare to challenge what is put to you. Seems perfectly acceptable for others to make assumptions based on what they assume is the case but if the OP questions the word of the master, they are shot down in flames and carted off to some kind of holding room until their reasons for having an opinion are examined. It is only then their suitability for dog ownership is granted or denied and on the proviso they accept that any consideration they have had with regards to a potential pet is traded for the admission they have not a damned clue what they were thinking for ever DREAMING of doing something as considerate or as forward thinking as posting on a forum BEFORE they make a final decision.

There you have it.

Harsh? Maybe.
Shirty? probably.
Accurate? Yes. From the perspective of someone that has read these kind of threads on this board far too often for her liking.

cleopatra4485

dollparts wrote: »

small wonder anyone would ever dare to buy/rescue a dog when all it seems to me is people just want to put people off for reason upon reason.

I know how Cleopatra felt because I have felt exactly the same way when I have asked for advice.

You get all the 'oh have you thought about this, considered that', etc etc. Whatever is meant by it, it comes across as condescending, patronising and smacks of the plain godamned inference that the person asking the question is some kind of fool that has one lonely brain cell desperate for the company of another.

Then of course there is the usual dialogue of being accused of being angry, aggressive and the like if you dare to challenge what is put to you. Seems perfectly acceptable for others to make assumptions based on what they assume is the case but if the OP questions the word of the master, they are shot down in flames and carted off to some kind of holding room until their reasons for having an opinion are examined. It is only then their suitability for dog ownership is granted or denied and on the proviso they accept that any consideration they have had with regards to a potential pet is traded for the admission they have not a damned clue what they were thinking for ever DREAMING of doing something as considerate or as forward thinking as posting on a forum BEFORE they make a final decision.

There you have it.

Harsh? Maybe.
Shirty? probably.
Accurate? Yes. From the perspective of someone that has read these kind of threads on this board far too often for her liking.

Exactly my thoughts. If the self righteous people had it their way, no-one would own dogs apart from them. Or dogs would all live in shelters until the perfect perfect dog owner came along (whatever that is)

If the dog has a loving family, food, water, walks, attention, care... then I would say that is the perfect dog owner. Everything else is just white noise.

bouncydog1

In response to your post of "have I ever looked after a dog and a young baby" the answer is a very truthful yes. We had cocker spaniels for many years before our child was born and had one left when she came along.

That one died when she was a few months old (pre-crawling etc) so we took the decision to buy a puppy when our daughter was 15 months old. We had a springer spaniel.

We have a large garden and the dog was also exercised outside of the garden for several miles per day off lead. However it was so difficult managing the dog and the toddler as the dog wanted to play and jump all of the time (like most puppies do). Oh and before others judge, it wasn't just left in the garden to get on with it.

On lead, going for walks with the buggy was difficult as puppies need several months of training before they will walk quietly along beside you. The dog also used to cry if I took the buggy out and left her home and would often pick up the baby's toys (and you can't run the risk of your toddler putting in her mouth what the dog has had in hers because of risks like toxicaria etc).

We got through this, but it was a lot more difficult that I ever imagined it would be, being an experienced dog owner, and I was simply trying to point out that you might have a lot more work than you imagine.

Springers are fantastic in nature and great dogs with children but far too boisterous for babies/toddlers and they need a huge amount of exercise. If you do go ahead with your plans, please do not consider this breed as being suitable.

Cockers are lovely, but you can get aggression problems with the solid colours, particularly the reds.

mrcol1000

cleopatra4485 wrote: »

Exactly my thoughts. If the self righteous people had it their way, no-one would own dogs apart from them. Or dogs would all live in shelters until the perfect perfect dog owner came along (whatever that is)

If the dog has a loving family, food, water, walks, attention, care... then I would say that is the perfect dog owner. Everything else is just white noise.

Well the problem with an attudie like that is you get your dog. Its great for a few weeks. The novelty runs out. Its too cold to take the dog out for a walk and there is something I want to watch on TV. Now its going to toilet inside. It keeps chewing the kids toys out of bordeom. What a naughty dog I must get rid of it.

All the people on this board are guilty of are forgetting to encourage you to get a dog as well as pointing out the things you need to think about and the worries. If you go back through enough posts you will find people just like you who have encountered exactly the problems people are warning about.

If you just want people to be warm and fuzzy and say "Oh its such a good idea to get a dog it will be so fun and your have such a great time" then I am sure there are other boards with people who will respond like that. Maybe you should go hunt them out.

POPPYOSCAR

Mrcol I do see where you are coming from but I think the OP is a bit fed of of being told the same thing when she has already answered the point and while it is true that it is better for a dog to have company during the day it is not essential and that dog can have a great time when the family are all at home.Better to have a loving home some of the time than a bad home all of the time or no home at all! if you see what I mean!!

cleopatra4485

I do feel like we are going around in circles mrcol1000. I am not an idiot. Do you want me to admit being one? Because I wont and we can do this all day if you like. Maybe you are the idiot? Telling me about the novelty running out and all that is very very condescending. For the 20th time.....

I know how to look after a dog I do not need to be made to realise the difficulties of looking after a dog.

I wont be leaving any dog alone at home. As I will be a home for at least another year. Even If I do go back to work, it would be part-time. and for three days a week my mother would watch, or I would hire a dog walker to come around to break the day up for 3 days.

We don't go out on the weekends, or the evenings.

I shouldn't of had to explain myself to anyone as I was only asking for a suitable breed.

kjmtidea

I did a LOT of research into what dog would be suitable for our family as we have 4 young children. In the end we decided to get 2 cats :rotfl: but I did have my heart set on a border terrier for a while, everything I read about them sounded perfect for us.
Maybe one day!

dollparts

cleopatra4485 wrote: »

I do feel like we are going around in circles mrcol1000. I am not an idiot. Do you want me to admit being one? Because I wont and we can do this all day if you like. Maybe you are the idiot? Telling me about the novelty running out and all that is very very condescending. For the 20th time.....

I know how to look after a dog I do not need to be made to realise the difficulties of looking after a dog.

I wont be leaving any dog alone at home. As I will be a home for at least another year. Even If I do go back to work, it would be part-time. and for three days a week my mother would watch, or I would hire a dog walker to come around to break the day up for 3 days.

We don't go out on the weekends, or the evenings.

I shouldn't of had to explain myself to anyone as I was only asking for a suitable breed.

It was at that point the first time it was raised that I actually spoke aloud 'for crying out loud'

OP asked for ideas on suitable breeds. She got in reply, a list of all the things she should consider, asked to play out every scenario, and even when she came back and posted that her Mum would be dog sitting when she returns to work in a year........even that wasn't good enough!

'Your Mother is going to be able to manage? Is she aware what she is agreeing to? The speculation and negativity is incredulous.

Granted people fail to prepare in many, many cases when choosing a pet. The rescue centres across the country will testify to that. However, you can surely see why people get rattled when, in the process of doing some research and asking all the normal questions, they get dragged over hot coals until everyone is satisfied they are suitable to own a dog. Caution is caution and in some cases it's helpful. I just really think some people need to simmer down and not assume OP and others are just bored morons looking for their next fad.

Again, I will say-the very reason they bothered to post in the first place speaks volumes.

So, many posters speak from experience both personal and professional. Excellent, but please do not allow what you have seen and experienced to somehow qualify you to just go ahead and assume that the reasons for wanting a pet of any description will play out in the same way in unfortunate cases.

Sometimes, it's not where the box has come from, it's the condition in which it is delivered.

dollparts

mrcol1000 wrote: »

Well the problem with an attudie like that is you get your dog. Its great for a few weeks. The novelty runs out. Its too cold to take the dog out for a walk and there is something I want to watch on TV. Now its going to toilet inside. It keeps chewing the kids toys out of bordeom. What a naughty dog I must get rid of it.

All the people on this board are guilty of are forgetting to encourage you to get a dog as well as pointing out the things you need to think about and the worries. If you go back through enough posts you will find people just like you who have encountered exactly the problems people are warning about.

If you just want people to be warm and fuzzy and say "Oh its such a good idea to get a dog it will be so fun and your have such a great time" then I am sure there are other boards with people who will respond like that. Maybe you should go hunt them out.

OP didn't ask ANYONE if it would be good idea to get a dog. She asked about breeds suited to her family. And as for warm and fuzzy.....well.