The best dog breed for a child?
I have a friend that is thinking about getting a rescue dog for a Christmas present for her 7 year old boy. She already has a dachshund (4 year old sausage dog)
I love my sweet natured toy poodle and have suggested that poodles are a good choice to get along with her dachshund.
But, it is going to be a rescue dog, so there may not be a breed as such.
Any suggestions from you dog loving MFP people?
I love my sweet natured toy poodle and have suggested that poodles are a good choice to get along with her dachshund.
But, it is going to be a rescue dog, so there may not be a breed as such.
Any suggestions from you dog loving MFP people?
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Replies
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My pitt/boxer mutt is the best dog with kids I have ever seen.0
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stuffed.0
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We have a little King Charlies - He is idea, knows his place and hasn't got a bad bone in his body0
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stuffed.
Wrong.
Kids can choke on the stuffing.0 -
stuffed.
I am so sorry that you are stuffed...how sad :yawn:0 -
I think labs are the best kid dogs hands down but rescue dogs can be problematic depending on what they've been rescued from. I'd be more concerned with the dogs temperament than its breed.0
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My pitt/boxer mutt is the best dog with kids I have ever seen.
I am sure that there will be lots of staffies and boxers in `care` do you think your dog would get on with a little daschund also?
You have to remember there is a dog there that is used to being a family member0 -
German Shepherd!!! Smart, loyal, active, and very good with people and kids. If you get them as a pup and bring them up you wont ever have to worry about anything with him around.0
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My Jack Russell is great with my 17 month old. We got her at the shelter, but we tested her with the baby before bringing her home. She is so sweet and gentle even with the occasional tail tug or leg pull.0
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My sister and I both grew up around my family's blue heelers. Most mild mannered dogs I have ever worked with!0
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Golden doodles are great, as are female beagles. Males tend to wander a bit more.0
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Is the adult prepared to walk, insure, feed and pay the dog's vet bills when the child loses interest in the Christmas dog?
Serious question and not trying to be nasty at all. It's just there is nothing more heart-breaking than a rescue dog going back into rescue kennels because his/her new home didn't work out.
(dog rescue volunteer)0 -
We have a little King Charlies - He is idea, knows his place and hasn't got a bad bone in his body
And they are such a cute dog to see running along, when I take my little poodle out I never worry when I see a King Charles comes running over chasing a ball.0 -
we have a Cocker Spaniel-Dachshund mix and our kids love him he's super good natured. Have also heard that Samoyed's are really good with kids. Not sure what size of dog you are looking for0
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Something tiny and fwuffy. Actually, they could be terrors. I dunno. If I had a legion of tiny, fwuffy dogs, I'd try to train the to be attack dogs just because.0
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Your friend will need to worry about ALL breeds of dogs and what her current dog will tolerate, along with her 7yr old.
As for my house, we got a german shepard/border collie mix from the humane society. She's awesome with our 4 kids. We only had 2 kids when we got her and our dog was great with the next two additions.
Your friend will just have to take her child and dog to see what will make the best fit for them0 -
Is the adult prepared to walk, insure, feed and pay the dog's vet bills when the child loses interest in the Christmas dog?
Serious question and not trying to be nasty at all. It's just there is nothing more heart-breaking than a rescue dog going back into rescue kennels because his/her new home didn't work out.
(dog rescue volunteer)
Oh believe me, she worships the little sausage dog she has already, and I think the new little Xmas present, is going to an addition to her caring nature.
I think her main concern is that it will get along with her dog and a breed that her child will feel at ease with...also that it will be a rescue.0 -
Just don't try to actually bring the dog home on Christmas-- that's way too much stress for a new dog, especially a rescue.0
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I've been involved in dog rescue for over 20 years and it's really about the temperament of the individual dog more than anything. The most bites were from dogs who were made anxious by the loudness and high activity level of children. Look for a dog that loves to be right in the middle of the fray, not one that shies away from it. Breeds from the retrieving and herding groups are usually the best bet, but again - it's the individual that matters. The worst dogs with kids I've seen are the sight hound and toy groups.
And I know people will jump on me for this, but I wouldn't put a mastiff/molosser type with little kids and small dog. You always have to acknowledge and respect what a dog was bred to do. Generally speaking dogs will express their gene characteristics whether you teach them to or not. Pointers are going to point, herders are going to herd, and fighters are gonna fight.0 -
Your friend will need to worry about ALL breeds of dogs and what her current dog will tolerate, along with her 7yr old.
As for my house, we got a german shepard/border collie mix from the humane society. She's awesome with our 4 kids. We only had 2 kids when we got her and our dog was great with the next two additions.
Your friend will just have to take her child and dog to see what will make the best fit for them
^^This is the answer. I worked in shelters, doggie day care and did a little behavior training. The dogs will or will not get along based on the dogs' temperament and your friend's ability to control both of them and her child. She really needs to take her dog and child to meet and spend time with any dog she chooses if she has any doubt. The doxie may end up being the biggest problem.0 -
I'm 38yrs old and grew up with dogs my whole life so I speak from exp. Personally I wouldnt get a rescue with any child unless the rescue is very young, like under 6 months and even then you might be taking a chance. You never really know the back round of a rescue. I'm not saying I'm against rescues, but dont recommend it with a child. My kids 19yrs old and 15yrs old have grown up with 2 rottweilers, boxer, and now we have a pit bull. Rotties and pits are frowned upon by people who know nothing about dogs, and I can say my dogs have never bit anyone its all how you raise them.0
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stuffed.
THIS.
In all seriousness, breed plays a minimal role in how a dog and its child will interact. 7 year old boys are usually pretty rambunctious but there is definitely a dog in a shelter that would be able to keep up!
Instead of going for a breed of dog, try to judge the dog on its disposition.
Here's a simple checklist I use and recommend when choosing a new family pet:
1. Is the dog in good health? - get a professional to help you on this if you don't already know
2. When in the cage/crate, is the dog calm and curious? - both very important.
Calm - Not excessively barking, growling, jumping. Calm and timid are NOT to be confused with one another.
Curious - Using his/her nose to check you out, ears to hear you speak/hum, eyes to follow you move
3. When out of cage/crate, is the dog responsive to YOU?
Responsive - NOT running like crazy to get away from you. Curious about the outside world is great, but not bolting away.
Seems to enjoy human company
4. The dog shouldn't be food aggressive, period. That being said, I don't think kids should ever be in charge of feeding the family dog.
Keep in mind:
Age doesn't matter when choosing a dog, all ages have pros and cons and every dog deserves a second (or third, or fourth) chance
the bigger the dog, the more potential damage it can do (to humans and furniture)
the smaller the dog, the more likely it is to "get away with" missteps which may cause future behavioral issues.
Training a dog is not for 6 weeks, it is for the dog's life (if you want a happy home)
This list is for choosing a dog that you don't have to actively rehabilitate, if that is what you're going for, forget this list. lol
With all that, remember that having a dog is supposed to be fun. Turning it into a job is where a lot of people go downhill.
My "credentials":
Rehabilitated 2 dozen dogs and re-homed them with their ideal human/home
Gone on many adventures to help friends/family/clients find their new four-legged family member
Currently have 2 German Shepherds (75 and 85 pounds) that live with my 2 year old son
Good luck to your friend on their new adventure! :bigsmile:
Edit- As an alternative to rescuing from a shelter, you may consider rescuing from a local rescue that utilizes foster parents. That way, you can learn more about a dog from its foster parents and see how the dog interacts in a home environment.0 -
IMO a Lab is the best breed all around.0
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Any suggestions from you dog loving MFP people?
Lots of Bull Terriers in rescue, and subject to their history they're wonderful with kids. Incredibly friendly and loving dogs.
That said I'd echo the above about integration0 -
I've been involved in dog rescue for over 20 years and it's really about the temperament of the individual dog more than anything. The most bites were from dogs who were made anxious by the loudness and high activity level of children. Look for a dog that loves to be right in the middle of the fray, not one that shies away from it. Breeds from the retrieving and herding groups are usually the best bet, but again - it's the individual that matters. The worst dogs with kids I've seen are the sight hound and toy groups.
And I know people will jump on me for this, but I wouldn't put a mastiff/molosser type with little kids and small dog. You always have to acknowledge and respect what a dog was bred to do. Generally speaking dogs will express their gene characteristics whether you teach them to or not. Pointers are going to point, herders are going to herd, and fighters are gonna fight.
LOL I am going to disagree at least in my house.... I have raised Large breeds, Huskey's and German Shepards and my personal favorite breed Rottweilers and my Male Rottie (God rest his soul, just had to put him down in June) at 140 lbs. was a whipping boy to the Alpha dog of the household, a 12 lb. Female Bichon Frise.... She put him in his place the first day we brought him in the house and he NEVER contested his spot in the pack his entire 11 years he was on this earth.... OP we belong to a breed specific rescue called Small Paws (you can google them) that rescue Bichon Frise in over 23 countries and they have over 7000 members... We personally foster and have rescued 3 of our own... They are absolutely great with kids and very affectionate and ours have always gotten along with other (friends and strangers) dogs....... This is Abby, our Alpha dog of the house who as 2 siblings (Bichons) left (she as outlived all of our other fur kids the last 13 years with the exception of her 2 sibling Bichons) and has led a pack that included 2 Rottweilers, a German Shepard, a Huskey ,and a Lab... This breed has a long lifespan (most living into there late teens and even early 20's....
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Boxers are awesome with kids and great dogs.0
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I have a labradoodle that I adore. He is great with children and hypoallergenic too! The sweetest most gentle temperament ever!0
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Dogs aren't Christmas presents.0
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They already have a dog and are presumably responsible dog owners. Little chance of "getting bored" of the pet.Dogs aren't Christmas presents.
See if your local shelter will let you bring your dog to the shelter and let him meet some of the dogs. See which ones get along with your dog before you adopt. My shelter has an outside area where you can meet individuals away from the others.
ETA: Conversely, give the child a card that says "Surprise! We're getting another dog!" and take the child with you to pick one out and adopt. Some shelters won't adopt out animals around the holidays.0 -
LOL I am going to disagree at least in my house....
Yeah, I know someone would disagree. Individual results vary, but I was told by the Rottweiler rescue rep in my area that there's a critical period between the ages of 7 to 10 months where their training and socialization (or lack thereof) will basically set in stone whether they'll be predictable and trustworthy or not for the rest of their lives, so it's always a gamble with a rescue from an unknown situation. You obviously did a nice job with your boy, and please accept my condolences on his passing.
Come to think of it, I have heard that Bichons are good with kids! Thanks for reminding me.0
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