What is the best dog to get for young children??

[Hermione1]

Well i want it for all of us, but we have young children and wondered what breed would be best anyone know??

[sweetmonkey]

golden retrievers are lovely. very docile and usually quite calm

[Hermione1]

my auntie has one and scared the c**p out of my ds2 at the time, we are looking at a jack russel on friday, but thinking about it now not sure how good they are with kids, eek.

[Hermione1]

bump

[Copper]

My neighbour researched this very carefully and came up with - a bulldog! We were a bit worried but he is as soft as butter, and fantastic with the children (4 and 3). They got one about 1 year old, already house trained etc

[RTKangaMummy]

IMHO I would go for a labrador or retriver

never a small snappy yappy dog

[bran]

I've never had a Jack Russell, but I know lots of families who do/did. They all seemed to belong to extremes, either they were very placid and never bit, or they were very dominant and therefore quite aggressive. If you're looking at a puppy see what kind of temperament the mother has and ask if you can meet the father too. Bitches (of all breeds but especially Jack Russells) are generally better with children so try not to get a dog.

[okapi]

what about a cocker spaniel? IME 'retrieving' dogs are more likely to be safer than 'hunting' terrier type dogs - yes I know that's a sweeping generalisation - sorry to all docile terriers

[RTKangaMummy]

I think that small snappy yappy dogs are not the ones to have with children is because if you watch how they are ie always running around yapping more likely to be nervous etc

If you go for a bigger dog like LAbrador or retriver that in reality spend alot of time lazyiong around in between with the fun times but are gererally more placid

A jack russell jumped on top of our lab when she was walking on the lead the jack russell bit into her neck and would not let go and the owner did nothing so in the end I had to use my foot to get it off

Now Ok I am not saying that I was right to use my foot but I did not want to use my hand in case it went for me too the other owner didn't do anything apart from call the dog Obviously didn't want to get bitten either

Anyway There is no way I would trust a small dog with my child if it would attack another dog that was on the lead

I realise that there are people on here that would say that small yappy snappy dogs are the best thing since sliced bread but IMHO they are not

[Hermione1]

its not a puppy and it is the female jack russel. says has good temperment and nature. I think she's 3.

[elsmommy]

I was gonna say a cocker spaniel. Collies are lovely too!!!

[Lizzylou]

My Mom was told a King Charles Spaniel was best for familes with children

[SoupDragon]

I grew up with a cocker spaniel Fantastic dog. I think you need a fairly robust dog to take the not-so-gentle petting that children are apt to do.

[Hermione1]

i will consider after all we are just looking at the moment and haven't agreed to buy her, i've got to ring thursday night to see if she's already gone, but if not i'll ask the owner if she thinks she will be ok with kids.

[Hermione1]

my kids are 5 and 6 so not babies

[RTKangaMummy]

which of the spaniels is it that has the smelly ears?

[lunavix]

As a general rule, I've heard cockers, king charles (and cavalier king charles) and retrievers. If you have found a non-placid retriever, it's pretty rare!

We're looking to get a dog next year (will hopefully have a baby and a 2 year old) so I'm watching this with interest. We're thinking a labrador, because I always feel for boys walking a 'girly' dog!!

If I could thread-crash, are there any dogs particularly suitable for people with allergies?

[starlover]

a toy one! lol

[beachyhead]

my mum has a springer spaniel who is lovely with the kids......I would go with a bigger dog, lab, retriever or spaniel type......Border collies are also easy to train and therefore probably more docile with children.

I think Jack Russells are a bit too excitable

[RTKangaMummy]

Where has she been for last 3 years?

Has she lived with children?

How did she react with yours?

[Mosschops30]

Message withdrawn

[lunavix]

I've met some horrid springer spaniels, think it's all to do with the dog personally iykwim.

King Charles spaniels are hard to toilet train too.

[Hermione1]

we haven't seen her yet, she's living where she is living at the moment nor sure why she's selling but will ask when we view. been looking for rescue dogs at the moment too.

[koalabear]

labrador absolutely - universally the best with kids - you never hear about a kid being ravaged by a labrador

try the blind association - they run courses to train dogs for the blind and often try to place the dogs which "fail the course" with good families (ps. nothing wrong with the dogs - they fail for reasons such as "lacking initiative" etc) - I believe there is usually a waiting list, but they are worth waiting for as they come toilet trained

[Hermione1]

i know or have heard that jr are snappy. but agree i think it depends on the dogs. I would like a great dane really or st bernard but too big.

[RTKangaMummy]

here is the dog that I grew up with a PYRENEAN MOUNTAIN DOG

more piccys these are great with children too