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What Are The Best Breeds Of Dogs For Young Families


tobie
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Hi Everyone,

I am interested to hear peoples thoughts in general what are the most suitable breeds of dog for families with young children ie toddlers and preschoolers.

I am aware there is alot more to choosing a dog breed but wanted to know from peoples experience what dog breeds are better suited to boisterous young children.

Thank you :)

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I don't believe any breed is "suitable" as such.

To many what ifs/

Boisterous young kids & a dog ,well i guess it depends what you call boisterous & how they behave all the time & what behaviour you expect from a dog & then the kid/dog combo .

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Kinda hard to say which breeds would be suited without any other information.

Some other basics like inside or outside? How much exercise are you willing to give? How much training you are willing to do? any other activities you want to do with the dog?

Do you have any personal preference on size, even a coat type?

Edited by LisaCC
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Hi Everyone,

I am interested to hear peoples thoughts in general what are the most suitable breeds of dog for families with young children ie toddlers and preschoolers.

I am aware there is alot more to choosing a dog breed but wanted to know from peoples experience what dog breeds are better suited to boisterous young children.

Thank you :)

A stuffed cloth copy of say a BC or boxer.

Let the kids run riot with that. Then introduce when older to the living dog.

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Typically the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is more than suited to live with boisterous children. They love the rough and tumble. The question is, is the average family suited to life with an SBT. If you can meet their exercise requirements and provide the mental stimulation and companionship (living in the house with the family) then they aren't called "the nanny" dog for no reason.

Providing the family can commit the time required to raise an SBT puppy, I've never said no to a family having one of my pups. I've got several living in very rowdy all boy homes and they thrive.

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We had two SBT while the boys were growing up - both great dogs.

Our oldest son was 8 and the youngest was 2 years old when we got the first dog for them. Sadly we lost this guy when he was only 3 years old.

The next SBT came along when the youngest was 5 and the oldest 11.. He stayed with us until he was 14.5 years old.

I totally agree with Wreckit - you need to make sure you have the right environment for them.. Not so much, are they right for you..

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We introduced a Dalmatian into our family when my children were quite young.

Several people told us not to as they were boisterous dogs and the kids would get hurt.

Getting Georgia was one of the best decisions we've ever made. She is perfect as an only dog in an active family. Family orientated, placid, loves to camp, bike ride and go anywhere with us and she is as quiet as a mouse.

Most people don't even know we have a dog until they are at our door. She hardly ever barks.

We don't regret getting her at all. And the kids have been able to grow up with her.

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And she is brilliant with all the kids that come here.

Edited by perrin
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Growing up we had a few family members with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. They seemed to cope really well with kids and other house hold pets and had such a gentle nature. Kids need training as well as the dogs to keep a happy medium of course. :)

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My children grew up with Weimaraners, pugs and a couple of mongrels. They were all great dogs. I'm not sure I could say any were better than the other. They were all different and my children were taught to interact with them according to each dog.

The pugs always appeared to the favourite dog with their friends though.

Edited by ~Anne~
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Going at this from a "desirable traits" rather than a "which breed" first I'd be looking for:

* A steady, non-reactive temperament and a dog that is not going to climb the walls if it misses a walk on the odd day (that's the reality of family life)

* An easy care coat (one less thing to do)

* A dog big enough to cope with kids without fear reactions but not so big that it cannot sandwich into the car with the kids (that's giant breeds out).

* A non-protective temperament so that it won't want to "defend" its kids from visitors if games get rough.

* Either a very high bite threshold or very high bite inhibition.

* A low incidence of expensive health problems.

* One that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to buy.

Add total supervision (a MUST for children under 6), appropriate training and socialisation and these are the breeds I'd recommend a family consider:

LARGE - Pointers, Labrador Retrievers

MEDIUM - SBTs (avoid the blues to lower the probability of allergy issues), Whippets

SMALL - none until the kids are older.

If the dog will not be inside, don't get one. You're asking for total over excitement every time the kids step into the back yard.

If you were prepared for a hairy giant, a Newfoundland!

Edited by Haredown Whippets
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Hi Everyone,

I am interested to hear peoples thoughts in general what are the most suitable breeds of dog for families with young children ie toddlers and preschoolers.

I am aware there is alot more to choosing a dog breed but wanted to know from peoples experience what dog breeds are better suited to boisterous young children.

Thank you :)

A stuffed cloth copy of say a BC or boxer.

Let the kids run riot with that. Then introduce when older to the living dog.

:mad Seriously what awful advice... You really can't put blanket judgements out there like that. Each family should be judged on their own merit.

One of the pups from my last litter went to a family with a three year old and two primary school aged children. When I met the family the children were all very good with dogs (even their three year old) and the parents had very good control of their children. They also ticked all my other boxes as far as requirements for a puppy family goes and my now 11 month old pup is thriving with them.

I met another family with young children when considering homes for the litter. The way the children acted around my adult dog and parents reaction (or lack of) to the children's behaviour told me all I needed to and I didn't have a pup available for that family.

I think Haredown Whippet's list is very good.If you are an active family maybe have a look at Brittanys too.

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I've rehomed a number of Fauves into homes with children and actually prefer them as homes for this breed. Fauves adore children - in fact at shows such as a Royal when the Fauves are on display they nearly turn themselves inside out trying to get to children, even Fauves who haven't grown up with children are the same.

I've yet to meet a Fauve who isn't great with kids.

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I've rehomed a number of Fauves into homes with children and actually prefer them as homes for this breed. Fauves adore children - in fact at shows such as a Royal when the Fauves are on display they nearly turn themselves inside out trying to get to children, even Fauves who haven't grown up with children are the same.

I've yet to meet a Fauve who isn't great with kids.

Doh - forgot the Fauves - an undiscovered treasure of a family dog IMO.

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In my family there has always been dogs. With myself and siblings, with my children, with my siblings children. No issues at all BUT we are dog savvy people.

Would I recommend just any breed to a new family who had no experience, no probably not. Also depends on what is meant by young family. No dog experience I would probably suggest waiting till the youngest is toilet trained before you get a puppy and start all over :laugh:

Both the GSDs and Lapphund have been fantastic for me with my girls.

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Wow I didn't expect so many replies. Thanks everyone as I really appreciate everyone's input. I am having a lot of trouble deciding on a breed as I love so many different breeds so I thought I would ask other dog people for their thoughts and experience with what breeds maybe better suited to young children. In the past when selecting a breed of dog I never had children so things were easier. By boisterous I just mean that my kids can be noisy at times (like all kids) and I know some dogs may find that a bit overwhelming. Otherwise although young they are pretty good with dogs as I am always teaching them the appropriate behaviour around all animals and they are always supervised no matter what as we all know it is never worth the risk.

I posted on here not all that long ago as our old large breed boy passed away after losing his battle with cancer and we now have a lonely large breed girl. Plus I would love another dog. I am experienced with dogs having owned small and large breeds over the years plus having worked in animal welfare for over a decade, I also used to show my dogs before I retired them due to their age. I was considering getting a Cocker Spaniel but am just unsure as there are so many other breeds I love.

Now that I have children it does make things a little harder when choosing a breed as I have to make sure the dog will be happy and suited to our situation.

I have been thinking maybe a medium sized dog would be best as it will be easier to take the dog with us. Large breeds can take up a lot of room and now having children we have to take so much stuff with us that we are running out of room in our 4wd.

Our girl sleeps in our lounge room. She is snoring at the moment next to me LOL. Very lady like. My hubby does work back very late some nights so I do feel safer knowing that our girl is there. I would like a breed that would also allow me to feel safe when my hubby is not here. I also do enjoy clipping and grooming dogs so am not turned off by long haired dogs.

I will stop rambling now as I could go on forever. If anyone has any advice they can offer it would be appreciated.

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