Family Dog Suggestions

danih

We took on a rescue cavalier king charles a few years ago. He was 2 1/2 years old.

He is a lovely natured creature. The breed has a reputation for being v affectionate, easy to please and train, and great with children. Max has fully lived up to this, even though he was an adult when he came to us.

Kinski

If your going to get a pup from a breeder please consider looking for one through the breed club that most breeds have, they're usually very good at weeding out bad breeders, the kennel club have in the past (I'm sure there must still be some on there ) registered litters from puppy farmers and that's a place you certainly don't want to get a pup from. When you decide on a breed join the club and find out as much as you can about the breeder as some of the very good ones have waiting lists sometimes a couple of years long. I've got an ex puppy farm breeding b**** and she was a right mess when she came to me, just to give you an example here's the breed club for Bichons http://www.bichonfriseclubofgb.com/, there will more than likely be a club for the breed you choose.

Bunny82

Rummer wrote: »

All of our current and previous animals have come through rescues however our local dog rescue centre have been less than helpful when we have enquired and do not like to re-home dogs to families with children under 12.

There are other rescues further afield which we will consider contacting however having looked at their websites many are again reluctant to rehome to families with children under 12.

I hate these ridiculous blanket bans rescues seem to have more and more these days. Do you have a Dogs Trust rehoming centre within a reasonable distance? They're usually really good assessing a potential home on an individual basis.

Bella_b

If you go to your local library there are usually books about finding the perfect breed for you etc.. and usually have a rating system for how friendly the breed is for children.

We had a cavalier king Charles spaniel whilst I was growing up. I'd say they are good for children 4+ and ours lived till 13!

Tibetan terriers are also extremely good around children.. & I'm not just saying that because I have one! The books says 5* for children and I would agree. We also researched the breed a lot online before we got one six years ago & all the websites said extremely good with children. They are usually small to medium dogs between 10-15 kg!

Great companions too!

UKTigerlily

I have to say the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, they are marmite dogs as people either love them or hate them but they are one of only two breeds the KC state are good with children & they really are.

I have a rescue Staffy x (probably 3/4) for almost five years & she's the ideal dog, with children she's very calm & gentle but will play well with older kids. The only worry would be a younger one may be slightly boisterious & bouncy but an older rescue may well be calm like mine is, she also walks well on the lead & doesn't pull at all

Very little grooming is needed, no clipping or anything like that & little moulting, they're a good size & intelligent when they want to be. Mine was five when I got her & she used to be a Pets as Therapy dog too, it's one breed i'd definitely look into, I know the looks can put some people off but we should never judge by looks!

anarchied

UKTigerlily wrote: »

I have to say the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, they are marmite dogs as people either love them or hate them but they are one of only two breeds the KC state are good with children & they really are.

I have a rescue Staffy x (probably 3/4) for almost five years & she's the ideal dog, with children she's very calm & gentle but will play well with older kids. The only worry would be a younger one may be slightly boisterious & bouncy but an older rescue may well be calm like mine is, she also walks well on the lead & doesn't pull at all

Very little grooming is needed, no clipping or anything like that & little moulting, they're a good size & intelligent when they want to be. Mine was five when I got her & she used to be a Pets as Therapy dog too, it's one breed i'd definitely look into, I know the looks can put some people off but we should never judge by looks!

Nout wrong with a staffie snog!

codemonkey

I do love a staffie. We were hoping for one of those when we got Captain Dumbass but couldn't find one who could be left for 4 hours. Maybe just unlucky.

I second the Dogs Trust suggestion. They were brilliant, didn't mind us visiting every weekend, were very blunt about the problems with some of the dogs we fell in love with, and found us our rescue dog (spaniel x lab), who is currently curled up on the sofa next to me, demanding to be scratched behind the ears and breathing like Darth Vader (he does this when he's happy).