Child friendly big dogs

Khannie

My wife's leaving work in the new year and I love dogs. We live in front of a large green area, so I'm pushing for a dog (since there'll be someone in the house all the time now, we could properly look after one).

We have an 8 year old, and we hope to have more children one day, so any dog we get would have to be tolerant of babies / small children.

I like big dogs. My dog of preference would probably be an alsatian, but obviously that's a no-no.

Any alternatives that people would recommend?

Child friendliess is the overriding factor, but being a decent guard dog would help. Our house is very exposed (corner house), so security is an issue.

Thanks in advance.

Sandals

Put simply, a Labrador.

Heinrich

Labrador or Golden Retriever are splendid animals!

Dyr

Why is an alsatian out of the question? I've had a few and they were amazing with kids, its as much the dog's temperment and its upbringing that will make them kid friendly as it is the breed.

Hellrazer

Ive a Labrador and a Samoyed.Both are brilliant with the 2 kids (8 and 3)If I had to choose one Id go for the Samoyed for the whole reason that hes a big softie and will even let the 2 kids pull out of him/play with him etc and not bat an eyelid.

Hes a great guard dog aswell.

masteroftherealm

yeah a lb for definite everyone Ive known have been brilliant with kids. or a stbernard.

the_syco

Its not how big they are, but their upbringing. I know of people who have small kids and a west highland terrier, and they get on grand, but for some reason my west highland terrier hates small kids. The family we got her off had small kids, so I think she doesn't like them from there. As someone said, its all about their upbringing.

Some dogs are cute, but you still have to know their boundries.

Example: made had a dog (golden type dog, 2 or 3 foot high, forget breed), which got on great with the kids in mates family, and kids in general. Got put down as a neighbour approached it from behind, and pulled it collar. Now, if the neighbour had done this from the front, it'd have been no problem, but some dogs (such as this one) tend to act defensivly, and just turnd around and bit the neighbour.

So cute loveable dogs, or any dog, has their boundries, so be carefull. My advice: ensure that the dog likes small kids, and you should be ok.

RedorDead

Our family have had 3 generations of boxers and never had trouble. They are completely docile animals and excellent around children, even when provoked by poking slapping standing on paws etc..

junkyard

You could also consider a Burmese Mountain dog, great with kids and a good watchdog. There is a breeder in Limerick, PM me if you want details.

ApeXaviour

From personal experience: firstly get them as puppies so you can bring them up. Lab, golden retriever, alsatian or alsatian mix. Springer spaniels are not huge but are probably the most tolerant dogs going. Will sit there and take complete crap off children. Even if the kid hurts it, it'll just walk away.

Do not get Pit bulls imo they have aggressiveness bred into them, dobermans to a lesser extent. Boxers are fine docile animals that sometimes get lumped with those other two when they're actually very gentle.

hadook

My early years were spent with a german shepard who did part time nanny work - all my baby pictures have Sheba in them somewhere close by me. She adored me & I was fascinated with her. My mother swears that the dog was the best babysitter she ever employed

Other dogs we had as kids were a collie, a lab & a cocker spaniel. I'd recommend all bar the collie - he had oodles of energy & was a (much loved) hyper handful!

Wokie

I'd agree breed as such not so important, but upbringing and temperment are. Though you can get unlucky. My friend researched well and got a Golden Cocker who was great with her kids (ranging from 4 to 12) but snapped at a neighbours kid. We took her as we've no kids. However, I walk her with my nieces and nephews (10 & 14) every week and now that she's getting to know them she's more friendly towards them...wouldn't trust her an inch though!! My other, collie x that we got from ASH is absolutely perfect with the kids and everyone else - almost too friendly!!! He's a good size and looks as though he'd make a decent enough guard dog but no:) It's actually the Cocker who guards best:)
I'd recommend checking out rescues - the people who run them know what they're talking about and will make good recommendations!

meditraitor

Hope you get your way, personaly I have always wanted a couple of red setters, by all accounts they are stupid dogs but very friendly and child friendly......

Roar

I'd say a lab. my mother got a b!tch for her house and she's absolutely brilliant with my 6 year old brother, very friendly animal altogether.. very easliy trained, never strays from the garden..

Nala

Labs and Golden Retrievers are generally very friendly and gentle.
Almost all Guide Dogs are either Lab, Golden Retriever or a mix between the two, because they have great temperments.

ApeXaviour

Nala wrote:

Almost all Guide Dogs are either Lab, Golden Retriever or a mix between the two, because they have great temperments.

Indeed. With the only common exception being German Shepherd (Alsatian):

http://www.modernpooch.com/archives/byrontheGermanShepherdGuideDog.jpg
http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1725000/images/_1727013_crawford300.jpg
http://www.westernwheel.com/050316/images/dog%20guide.JPG
http://reg.golfreg.com/images/uploads/659/Brenda%20and%20Spud%20Guide%20Dog%20resized.jpg

I reckon cos they're the most intuitive. Our (mostly) german shephard is the most intuitive dog I've had. They sense your mood, your intentions etc. more than most.

Sigma Force

Agree, it's not the size of the dog but how the dog is raised (if getting it from a pup) or how the dog has been raised so far. If you plan on more kids then the dog may need time to get used to a new baby because unless the dog is brought up with babies your baby will be very new to him/her. What happens when if a new baby comes along, will you be still able to give the dog the attention it will have been used to? If you can and if you can put in the time for on going training esp. for larger breeds then most breeds would be suitable. Labs are a working dog so although family friendly they need a lot of excercise throughout their life esp. as they get older because they tend to become overweight. Alsations are no longer just guard dogs, they have a good temprement and make great family dogs. It's all in the care they get in an early life so picking a even tempered pup or dog is very important. There are lots of rescue dogs who have come from homes and are perfectly fine with children of all ages, a good rescue will recommend a dog to suit your family and vice versa.

jinxycat

alsation's are great dogs, i don't see why there'd be a problem with them, i've grown up with them my whole life, never had a problem with them. they were really friendly too, if you only seen my dog now, she's a big scardy cat for an alsation but i wouldn't swap her for the world.

she's great with kids too, my friends kids love her, once the little girl kicked her and she passed no remarks of it at all, we even have that on camera, it was one of those incidents that accidently get caught on camera:) looking back on it and all we could do was laugh.

Arcadian

I wouldn't label ANY dog as child friendly based entirely on its breed. I know several alsations, all very child friendly. I also know one or two cranky labs. As others have said it's all in the training and socialisation. Many rescue centres will have child friendly dogs of all breeds, why not check out

http://petsireland.invisionzone.com/index.php?act=idx

or

http://board.irishanimals.ie/

old boy

it does not matter, we had a black gs huge brute brilliant gaurd, our 2 year old used to ride it like a pony, weve never had a dog that disliked kids,all ours have been rescued, they never let you down, weve got 30 years experience

The Bollox

Labrador would be my bet, but most dogs could be trained to know not to attack young children. I mean my aunite has a black labrador, but it ain't very nice, however it doesn't mind the babies pulling it's tail or anything. but yeah, an alsatian is a no-no, I would really like a bull dog, I think they are really cool dogs, but they are all daft as a brush!

Rabies

I think it is all about how the dog is treated as a pub will determine its behaviour around adults and children.

We have 2 young St Bernards (1.5-2yrs old) and had one for 12yrs before that. They are amazing dogs. Very playful, friendly and quite. They can intimidate strangers because of their size but that can be a good thing

Gazza22

Boxers tbh....they are great with children and even protective of them. They are also a good guard dog too. My boxers are very loyal and friendly.

Dyr

Marts wrote:

but yeah, an alsatian is a no-no

why?

tj-music.com

A lot of research has been done about that over the last few decades and quite frequently the German shepherd is mentioned to be "the best" dog with regards to children.

In fact, I use to have a German shepherd, three kids and my son of course and I have to say that this huge dog was more patient and thoughtful and brilliant than some adults are.

Ah, well, I believe anyway that dogs are the better parents but that´s another story.

thatkindofgirl

Some more non-traditional dogs that are reputed to be great with kids are Staffordshire Terriers, any kind of sheep dog (good for herding the kids! ha). Apparently Greyhounds are fantastic pets for families with children -- and lord knows there are plenty of these available in rescue (think "Santa's Little Helper" from the simpsons).


Staffie


Greyhound

A Newfoundland is an amazing dog for kids, but they are massive animals (think small furry rhino) and drool. They are so incredibly loyal though and kids adore them.


A big old newfie

Standard Poodles (they're not all small, poofy things!) are fabulous companion animals and are fiercely intelligent. I met one this summer and was very impressed.

standard poodle


We have a rescue lab, and she's great with kids.

I think the key is to meet the dog before you commit. If you must go through a breeder, make sure you meet mom and dad, and make sure the puppies have been exposed to children, other pets and household noises that would be common in your home. Also with a puppy, make sure you're ready to be laid back about accidents for quite some time. Puppies are not for the houseproud.

Steel yourself to able to resist if you have doubts. Investigating all your options is not rude, it's responsible. Bad breeders especially will try and guilt you into taking a puppy you may have decided wasn't for you. A good breeder will usually sound fairly unwilling to part with the puppy until you have proved yourselves worthy.

Good Luck!:)

Dyr

thatkindofgirl wrote:

Some more non-traditional dogs that are reputed to be great with kids are Staffordshire Terriers,

I'd love a staffie

Nala

I find in general, big dogs tend to be more gentle than small dogs. I find small dogs to be snappier.

ApeXaviour

Marts wrote:

however it doesn't mind the babies pulling it's tail or anything. but yeah, an alsatian is a no-no,

I second the why? A family brought up alsatian would have a ridiculously gentle temperment and a child could pull its tail no prob. They'd probably reciprocate in playfulness though unlike a lab who'd more ignore/tolerate it. They're extremely eager to please so are very obedient. You're probably thinking of them in their police dog role. Think about it however, they're the chosen dog for this occupation because of their tendancy towards obedience and control. They are naturally non-aggressive which is a requirement. Hence they're great dogs to have around kids

hutchie

Big dogs are great...We have 2 rotts and a staff they are great with everyone(when we are there)
You wont get better guard dogs either ,Can some tell me how to put pictures up i have a class one of them.

Rabies

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