Pailin Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 (edited) I think there are suitable and unsuitable dogs and pups amongst all breeds. I personally have a mixed breed, medium sized dog that I adopted from the RSPCA as a young pup. I've no idea on her breed mixture- she could be anything bull arab, am staff, dalmation, staffy, working breed... I don't even bother guessing because there are many possibilities. I viewed at least 10 puppies (from different litters), they were all about 10-12 weeks old and she was the only one there who didn't excitedly jump and scratch my 3yr old daughters legs and she gently sniffed my 6month old son (who was sitting on the ground), nuzzled him and walked off exploring and sniffing around. She would not have been my first pick but her nature and gentleness were so obvious that she was perfect for a family. I adopted her and we have never looked back. Her nature continued to be loving and placid, and with continued training of both children AND puppy we have NEVER had an issue. She adores my children and follows after them into the funniest of situations at times. My point is that I think it is about the pup or dog and their individual personality and energy level. I am sure most breeders will agree that amongst their litters there are varying personalities, some are laid back and relaxed and some are very full on and outgoing. I think it is about picking the right energy level and personality pup for the right home and then being consistent and dedicated to training and controlling the interactions until both dog and children know what is expected of their behavior and act appropriately. Edited May 13, 2013 by Pailin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakti Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Being around families who mainly foster children I have found nothing beats a well-brought up Newfoundland with small children. As everyone has pretty much said there are always individual dogs of any breed who are excellent or not-so-good with kids but I do think as a generalisation that Newfs are wonderful with kids...the biggest worries would be a toddler being accidentally stepped on which is unlikely or a small child being drowned in slobber...much more likely! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Podengo Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 All of the dogs I grew up with were brilliant with kids (GSD, Dobe, Ridgeback x), but they were all raised around children and we were well trained ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic.B Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 (edited) I don't know much about breeds in particular, but I know my JRT was incredible with the littlies. I knew this when I saw my 6 month old nephew (who was on my lap with Tip next to him) with his fist down Tip's throat, trying to pull his tongue out. Tip was just looking at me begging for my help with extracting the hand..... Tip was inehaustable, and kids loved that, but he was really gentle with them. The other individual dog I know is a lab, and I have NEVER seen a more gentle dog with his 8 month old human brother. It is inspiring to see. So I would say it depends on the individual dog. Di Sorry, I have not read through more than two or three posts though I have to ask why "Tikira" thinks it is ok that any child IS GIVEN (under adult supervision) ANY oppotunity to interact with a dog so poorly? ETA Sorry not the Op. Edited May 13, 2013 by Nic.B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 I think it's best to wait until the children are 5 yrs of age personally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosetta Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 (edited) I don't know much about breeds in particular, but I know my JRT was incredible with the littlies. I knew this when I saw my 6 month old nephew (who was on my lap with Tip next to him) with his fist down Tip's throat, trying to pull his tongue out. Tip was just looking at me begging for my help with extracting the hand..... Tip was inehaustable, and kids loved that, but he was really gentle with them. The other individual dog I know is a lab, and I have NEVER seen a more gentle dog with his 8 month old human brother. It is inspiring to see. So I would say it depends on the individual dog. Di Sorry, I have not read through more than two or three posts though I have to ask why "Tikira" thinks it is ok that any child IS GIVEN (under adult supervision) ANY oppotunity to interact with a dog so poorly? ETA Sorry not the Op. Agree - no dog should have to put up with that type of thing. Though I am sure Tikira doesn't really think that is OK :) Edited May 13, 2013 by Rosetta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tikira Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Fair question Nic.B They were being supervised very carefully by more than one adult, but in this case a few second lapse in actually having our eyes on the baby was enough to have this happen. I do realise it should not have, and it never did happen again. Di Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRT Lover Posted May 13, 2013 Author Share Posted May 13, 2013 Thanks so much to everyone for the many and varied replies. I'm quite pleased that people have had positive experiences with many breeds with little kids. Now to narrow it down to our circumstances! We are looking for a non-shedding or low-shedding breed (only through a preference to not have a house full of dog hair), small to medium sized so as to be portable and not too damaging on timber floors inside, tough enough and with a coat that will be relatively easy to maintain living on a property, compatible with horses, not a mad digging chewing puppy for too long, and of course good with toddlers. This will count out quite a lot of the suggestions but it was an exercise in proving to ourselves that you don't have to have a lab or a golden retriever if you have kids! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheridan Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Thanks so much to everyone for the many and varied replies. I'm quite pleased that people have had positive experiences with many breeds with little kids. Now to narrow it down to our circumstances! We are looking for a non-shedding or low-shedding breed (only through a preference to not have a house full of dog hair), small to medium sized so as to be portable and not too damaging on timber floors inside, tough enough and with a coat that will be relatively easy to maintain living on a property, compatible with horses, not a mad digging chewing puppy for too long, and of course good with toddlers. This will count out quite a lot of the suggestions but it was an exercise in proving to ourselves that you don't have to have a lab or a golden retriever if you have kids! Stuffed toy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Except for maybe the size(although i think of Josie as medium sized because she is shorter than my kelpie), my basset baby girl ticked all your boxes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 What about a dachshund, the big kind not a mini Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 non-shedding or low-shedding breed (only through a preference to not have a house full of dog hair), small to medium sized so as to be portable and not too damaging on timber floors inside, tough enough and with a coat that will be relatively easy to maintain living on a property, compatible with horses, not a mad digging chewing puppy for too long, and of course good with toddlers.[/quote]The bolded bits are muchly up to the owner ...correct choice of DOG , not breed , training, and supplying the dog with what it needs to function as a confident and secure member of the household. My 'nanny' as a baby/toddler /preschooler was a Cattle Dog X ..... who would not allow anyone near me or allow anyone to pick me up ..but would allow me to take many liberties with him .. who protected me and small cousins from snakes ... Next came a lab , who was my brother's nanny , mostly . She was with us most of the time if our parents weren't ...would run & 'tell' Mum if we were hurt, or doing something naughty ...and who let us do anything with her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zug Zug Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Whippet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 (edited) Whippet Only if allowed to sleep inside and not allowed to free range. Edited May 13, 2013 by Haredown Whippets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRT Lover Posted May 13, 2013 Author Share Posted May 13, 2013 Sleeping inside is a definite....in fact would be inside pretty much all the time while we are home. Our house yard is reasonably well fenced but the dog would come with us off-lead around the property. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clyde Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 My Pug is all that. Generally good with other animals, great with kids and a tough little dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Sleeping inside is a definite....in fact would be inside pretty much all the time while we are home. Our house yard is reasonably well fenced but the dog would come with us off-lead around the property. You would need a very secure area to leave a Whippet when you were not there i.e inside or a secure dog run or secure yard. Mine come with me around the property, are well socialised with stock but are not permitted to go into paddocks with stock. They only go into paddocks when invited or taken in on a bike or in a vehicle. They never went in with the horses as I had one who would stomp on them as soon as look at them. They do come on the bikes etc when we move stock. They have had pet lambs raised with them - yes they play and all go for walks together. They of course and not left with lambs etc without supervision. They sould liek they would tick many boxes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remarkabull Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Doberman. I grew up with them and they always looked after me and were endlessly patient. My own children grew up with one too and often used him to help balance while learning to stand and walk. He was gentle and tolerant and always a gentleman. I was quite firm with him as a pup and he always seemed grown up (never really behaved like a puppy, even when he was one) and I trusted him like no other dog I've met. Friends of ours took in a p/b Doberman puppy that was to be PTS for being the runt of a litter. Husband's brother was the vet who got permission from the breeder to give him a go. Well, that Dobe boy grew to be exactly the same as the ones you describe. When our friends had their babies, he was the perfect nanny dog. As the children grew he was just as you say.... patient, tolerant & gentle. Totally trustworthy & helpful in being a 'walking' instructor. He lived to a good old age & helped his 'kids' into their teenage years, too. Some dogs truly deserve the title.... Best Dog. He did. It's funny you say that. When Sarge died we had him cremated and I received a call from the crematorium asking what I'd like on the box containing his ashes. I managed to blubber through my tears that all it had to say was Best Boy, because that's what he was and thats what everyone else said about him :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Anne~ Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 I don't know of any pug that is non shedding. The hair is one of the most common reasons for them to be rehomed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nevafollo Posted May 14, 2013 Share Posted May 14, 2013 Easy to manage coat and non/low shedding dont exactly go hand in hand! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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