Dangerous Dogs

What dogs are dangerous to children..I know Akita's are. How are German Shepards. My husband really wants to get a German Shephard. Thanks

Re: Dangerous Dogs

First of all, any dog can be dangerous with kids...even a little chihauha can bite and show aggression, so the important thing to remember is never let a dog alone with a child. And it's also important to remember that it's how the dog is raised, not always the breed.

With that in mind, akitas aren't so much aggressive towards children as much as they are very protective of their owners. From what I read about them, they are one owner dogs, meaning they are not always a pack dog, so they may look at a child as something that might hurt their owner. Shepherds are also very protective of their owners.

I grew up with shepherds since the age of 7 to now. My childhood dog was a shepherd mix and her mom was my cousins shepherd. My cousins had them, my grandparents still have them. I love the breed. We tried to ride them as ponies, attach sleds to them, dressed them up, pretended they were godzilla, theusual. All of ours are fiercely protective of their families but loving and affectionate to everyone. With the 2 shepherds my grandfather has now, the male has a different temperment than the female. The female was great with my small cousin, but the male had to be kept away from her (she was 5 when we did this) because he lunged at her. But he was never around little kids because we got him when I was 21 and I was the youngest person he was ever around. He didn't understand this little person. The female was different.


Would I get another shepherd? Yes!!! But I don't think that it's the best dog for a first time dog owner.

Re: Dangerous Dogs

any dog can be dangerous...but I believe that its how you train them.

We have a 7mth old German Shepard puppy (pics in album) and she is wonderful...she is VERY smart and such a baby....not a mean bone in her body.

If you have any questions about shepards you can FM me :)

also we have three dogs...the other two are Pitbull mixes and they are both sweet and loyal dogs

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As said by the above posters ANY dog can be dangerous. I grew up with an Akita and he was the sweetest most lovable dog to us. To people outside the family not so friendly but that can be the case with any dog. It is how you train them. My BFF had a German shepard and Cleo is wonderful with the kids but needs to be locked up when company comes over.

Message edited 12/17/2007 8:38:43 AM.

Re: Dangerous Dogs

ITA with the above posters, but I will caveat that with the following: If you do not think that you are capable of properly training and controlling any particular breed of dog, then do not get it. I am not saying it to be harsh, and of course you are already concerned, hence your post here, but even though many of us were raise successfully with large breed dogs (I myself was raised as a baby with a German Shepard/pit/chow mix), there are some additional training methods and knowledge that you need to employ in order to raise them. I know a man who got a shelter dog & did not know that it was part Pit. He was completely unable to train the dog and the story unfortunately did not end well. He now has a spaniel that he was able to train perfectly. It really depends on you.

Maybe if we knew more of what you were looking for, and what kind of training/research you are willing to do, we could better help you decide?



ETA: my 4 lb Chihuahua is the WORST dog with children, whereas my Shiba Inu (a descendant from Akitas) is amazing with DS.

Message edited 12/17/2007 8:43:55 AM.

Re: Dangerous Dogs

Dangerous Dogs are defined by behavior, not breed.

Re: Dangerous Dogs

Totally agree with the above posters.

There are no dangerous dogs. Just dangerous humans who make loving dogs into "dangerous " dogs.

Please make sure you are ready for a dog, they are fifteen year or more commitment and need a lot of attention. If you decide to get one, go to your local pound or rescue. Save a life and adopt.


good luck.

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Re: Dangerous Dogs

Re: Dangerous Dogs

Posted by DaniRella

Posted by Diane

Posted by LifeIsGreat

Dangerous Dogs are defined by behavior, not breed.

I agree

same here

a relative of mine had a pitbull while i was growing up - i ADORED that dog - she was the best - the sweetest, most loyal and lovable dog you could ever meet. i have met POODLES who are meaner than she was...

it is in how you raise them, train them and care for them.

i truly believe that all dogs are good - things may happen to them that can change their demeanor but they are all born good - usually people eff it up for them.

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I heard german sheppards are great with kids. I always had mutts, who had part german sheppard and they were lovely with kids.

Now i have a puggle and hes a bit Hyper, so depends on kids age. He jumps on people, so if a toddler, not soo good. but he loves kids, loves to lick and play.

My sil has a choc. lab, and hes a love with them, She has a 2 yr old and 2month old.. He lets my 2yr old nephew step on him, grab him and do what ever he wants. I actually saw my nephew by ACCIDENT step on the dogs Winkie , the dog did nothing... (ouch is what i said)

Re: Dangerous Dogs

Any dog can attack. Now that I have experienced a painful dog bite, I would not get a dog whose breed is known to have a very powerful jaw, but that's just me. I know that many people disagree.