What dog breed is best with kids??

sheramber

Paradigm wrote: »

How can anyone help when none of us know the OPs experience with dogs, age of children, housing, working hours etc etc? Too many variables...

Just pointing to a rescue dog isn't really any help as most rescue centers don't know the dogs history &, in my experience, trying to adopt one is a nightmare.

I prefer a puppy that I can train to how I want it, not someones cast off with whatever, unknown, problems it might bring.

Just my opinion

My recue dog was put into the pound at 4 weeks old, saved from pts by the rescue and fostered until he came to me at 10 weeks old.

There are plenty of puppies in rescues.

My second rescue was handed in from a home at 2 years old due to owners ill health. She walked into my home and settled as if she had been here all her life.

She is excellent with children and other dogs., obedient and responsive.

We have not had one minute's anxiety with her.

On the other hand I had one pup from a breeder who became reactive to other dogs at 10 months old and remained so until he died at 12 years old despite many trainers' and behaviourists' input.

candygirl

GwylimT wrote: »

I believe the staffie is the only breed that is recommended for young children.

Yep aka the nanny dog!I have two oap staffies, n they' re fab with my little Grandkids:D

lovinituk

Katiehound wrote: »

Since questions are being asked about beagles may I suggest a Lakeland Trailhound? These are ex-racers, or may be young dogs which have never made the grade because they don't actually like racing!
My first trailie went on to get her KC Good Citizen Gold (first of the breed ) and met 11K (yes, I mean 11,000) local children when working for Blue Cross visiting schools & youth groups.
Okay they are hounds, are food orientated because that is how they are trained,can develop professional deafness when the nose is down! but they are also cuddle monsters.
The backgrounds to the dogs are known to the coordinator- some are brought up with children or cats for example.
I got my 4th trailie in May. He is not only a beautiful boy but so gentle too.
See my dogs here: stories 1 & 6
http://www.trailhoundwelfare.org.uk/category/stories/
For more about the breed, rehoming etc look here:
http://www.trailhoundwelfare.org.uk/

Are they generally larger than beagles?

Katiehound

lovinituk wrote: »

Are they generally larger than beagles?

Sorry for the delay in answering- been away!

Yes, they are larger than beagles.
The smallest girls can be like long legged beagles and the largest boys almost as big as a working foxhound so there are wide variations in size (and colouring and coat length.) Saying that they can curl up into pretty small bundles- that's how mine liked to sleep- curled. My first girl tried valiantly (in the middle of the night!!) to curl up in my friend's cat basket when we were staying overnight.
I think they are adorable. I have had my new boy 7 months now. He loves going to dog training, is reliably house trained and adores snuggles. He is a big hit in the kennels too.
If you are interested in meeting the breed I suggest you contact either Sue or Eileen via the website http://www.trailhoundwelfare.org.uk/
to see if anyone where you live has hounds that you can meet since they are rehomed across the country.

Ophie

just adding to this debate. We as a family have had dogs for 40 years of various breeds and all but one have been fantastic around children. That said, I wouldn't trust any of them alone with a child as that is asking for trouble.

The list of dogs is as follows;

West Highland White Terrier
Golden Retriever
Jack Russell (the only one that had to go as she wasn't safe around anyone)
Rottweiler x2
Clumber Spaniel (the best dog in the world EVER)
Springer Spaniel (totally insane and a nightmare to train)
Labradoodle x2 (current dogs, pains in the backside, but wouldn't hurt a fly if they could help it)
Hairless Chinese Crested (current dog too)

I fully believe that a dog is suitable for a family by how it is trained and treated, however, there are some dogs that despite your best efforts are not meant for family life. But you take the risk of that happening every time you open your life up and share it with an animal.

My Chinese Crested is according to the vets that performed the spay the complete opposite of everything they thought about Cresties. They are apparently shy, snappy and unfriendly. Mine on the other hand is very alert, over confident and has never bitten anyone or anything and loves everyone she meets. I bathe and groom her at home.

The labradoodles are chewers, the fact they still have their teeth is amazing, they had to be crated for nearly the first two years of their lives to save the kitchen from them, they ate fibre glass from the back of the fridge... the kitchen cabinets... lamps... wires... everything they could. They are 3 in November this year and the chewing is still an issue, but slightly less of one at the moment. They are huge animals standing 36 inches at their shoulder and very poodley to look at in stature and coat. They have to be groomed every 8 weeks, so if you're looking for a cheap animal they aren't it!

Depends on what you want from an animal...