Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

We're considering getting a dog, but I want to look into which ones are good with kids first. Thanks!

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

my pup, a maltese/shih tzu is GREAT with kids, he's been around kids age 1 and up and the worst he's done is lick them too much....he's great with them.

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

Are you looking for a small dog or a big dog.

We have a Golden Retriever and we did alot of research on them - they are wonderful with children.
We'll know how good in a couple of months after I give birth to our first child.

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

Casey is a Golden Retriever (her pic is in my profile) . She is amazing with kids but she is big just like Marcie's Casey....my Casey is 80lbs (of goofy loveableness!)

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

I guess we'd prefer a medium size dog. I'm definitely not a small dog kind of person, but up til now i've only had kittens so I don't know how big I can handle.

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

Goldens and Labs are notorious for being wonderful family dogs - I have a black lab who has never once growled or shown his teeth. He has had babies and kids pull his tail, bite his ears, climb all over him, and never did he show any signs of annoyance or aggressiveness.

We are TTC and I am thinking of getting a lab puppy, since Ebony is 11....

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

I'd say stay away from small dogs- chihuahuas, pommeranians, yorkies, jack russells. They are small and fragile won't usually tolerate a child accidentally mistreating it.
I had a cocker spanial as a kid and she was the best! I think medium size dogs are much better for kids.

ETA: Female Cocker Spanials are prone to submissive urination- ours always peed when you said hi to her

Dog Breed Info

Message edited 3/21/2006 10:40:07 AM.

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

How about doing a search on petfinders.com??

There are so many dogs that need homes.

Please don't buy, while others die.

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

I don't think there are any breeds that are guaranteed to be good with kids, although some have better breed tendencies. I would go look at the shelters. I would suggest an adult dog because they are less prone to nip at children while teething and are more tolerant of children being around them. They also tend to be jumpy which kids don't like. I agree with staying away from small dogs, they can be frightened by children grabbing and petting them.

Going to a shelter will give you a good selection of all types of dogs and different personalities. Shelters like Little Shelter will really help you find a dog that is right for you.

I say that you really can't go by breeds because I have had a german shephard, 2 border collies, JRT, Akita and a golden - all were great with children.

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

We have a Boston Terrier. They say in write-ups they are great with kids and ours definitely is. She very people oriented. When we go on walks she wants to meet the people more than the other dogs. She'll lick you to death and follows me everywhere in the house. They shed a very little since they are a single coat short breed and are easy to take care of (minimal grooming and a smaller breed.) They are indoor dogs, they don't do well in extreme cold or heat, so that's something to think about lifestyle-wise. I love mine so much though, she really is one of the sweetest dogs I 've ever seen. (Biased OF COURSE!)

Two down-sides - they get WICKED gas - which to me is more funny, but some might be really offended. And they can get anxiety if separated for too long from their owners, but the right boarding facility can alleviate this.

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

Message edited 3/21/2006 1:21:36 PM.

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

I have a Golden Retriever and she is an absolute ANGEL. She is the most gentle dog I've ever met. I've had kids at the house who pull on her tail and accidentally step on her feet and she has never even growled at them. Sometimes she just sneaks away if she's had to much abuse lol.

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

I had a sheltie growing up! She was great with me!!

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

One of my friends growing up had a Keeshond and she was AMAZING with children. A friend in college had one too and always said she was amazing when they were children. I really wanted one but DH is allergic.

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

we have a rottweiler and they are notorius for being great family pets and very protective of the kids in their house.

Our Bailey "herds" the kids when they are running around. She barked when my nephew was climbing up stairs as an infant while we were eating dinner to alert us. My nephew also stuck his finger in her rear end and she didn't even flinch at it!

When she hears the kids in the cul de sac playing and being loud, she looks out the window to make sure all is ok.

We have raised her to be a mushy dog and approachable, whereas the breed has a reputation to be vicious, which she is NOT.

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

I know labs and golden retrieveers are GREAT with kids.

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

When we were looking at small dogs...the Pomerian breeders told us they are not always good with kids. Its hit or miss, so we decided to stay away from that breed. But I havent heard much about any others.

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

She's a short legged, smooth coated Jack Russell Terrier AKA 'Puddin Jack'

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

Do you have any children (I see that you are preggers). If not, maybe borrow someone elses kids for the day and take a trip to the shelter and see how the dog reacts.
Check your local town shelter too. They usually have lots of medium to large breed dogs available.

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

Re: Which breeds of dogs are good with kids?

Greyhounds are also goods with kids! They are very lazy mushy dogs!