Best dog for kids?

Hi my advise is not to get a puppy at all but an older dog, already trained maybe from a rescue. That way you avoid the chewin/bitin puppy and adolescent dog that can scare kids and of course jump up and generally cause bedlem. Screaming frightened children will only trigger this off even worse. Good rescues can advise because they have observed the dogs, know why obviously they are there and also the dogs are fully grown and their personalities developed. Pure breds can be dicey because of bad breeding and you can get Cavliers with bad hearts, cocker spaniels with awful temperment, etc. if you don't know the breeder well. A solid settled labrador/retriever type or cross would be my first instinct but again, at a rescue, you can walk the dogs, get to know them first before final choice is made. Been there, done that as they say and we have a gem of a pet now!
 
Hi,

I have a West Highland terrier. We got her when she was three - her previous family moved to Spain. She was a little girl's pet. She has a lovely nature - very quiet and placid but good fun. The neighbourhood kids all stop and give her a scratch and a pat. She just stands there and loves the attention!
Since we got her we've met lots of other Westie owners and they all say that they are great with kids. A lot of a dog's behaviour is down to how they are treated and their training.

Best of luck!!
 
My parents have a Westie and she cannot be trusted with young kids, ufortunately. When my parents got her there were no young children around so the dog was never exposed to children. Now as the grandchildren are arriving the dog has to go outside when we visit with junior. Not the Westies fault of course, but something we didn't realise at the time.
 
Our neighbours Westie would bit an adult never mind a kid! She just can't tolerate anyone calling to the house and coming in who is not part of the family. They even got a dog behaviourist in but she couldn't do a thing with her and suggested putting down the dog which it may come to yet, especially if she goes for me again!
 
If you don't mind a big (with emphasis on big) dog, then a very placid breed of dog we once had are Newfoundlands. Very intelligent breed also. Our guy had multiple kids hanging out of him at times and just put on a mournful look. Because of their bulk they look intimidating to a potential burglar, but they're more likely to lick them to death if they get close.
 
If space is limited, then I reckon a small dog is a better bet than a larger dog. One common breed that is generally reckoned to be suitable for small children is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. If you are looking for something a little more unusual try a Pug. Extremely affectionate and very good with small children. Also, less problems with territoriality if new kids arrive on after the dog gets settled in. Either way, I wouldn't take on a rescue dog as my first dog. Better off to get used to a *relatively* easy dog as a puppy from a reputable breeder on your first dog and look at taking on a more challanging dog down the line. Just my 2c worth.
 
Space isn't a problem at all as we will be able to have plenty of room outside for a dog to roam.
My main concern is getting a breed that can be trusted with kids......I prefer relatively big dogs myself as we had lovely big dogs as pets growing up.
Not sure I could cope with a Newfoundland though.....
 
It's more about the up bringing of the pup and the personalities of its parents than the breed of dog imo - socialization directly affects a dog's aggression level. With the proper training, even dogs that have a bad reputation can be wonderful pets. I have seen aggressive labradors and quiet dobermans. Dogs are pack animals and look on their family as a pack - if they are trained properly and socialised early you shouldn't have a problem. We have a jack russell and a boxer and never had a problem but I don't think you can generalise and say all jack russells and all boxers are dream dogs, anymore than you can say that about any breed. Ours were trained and socialised early which is the crucial factor imo.
 
I'd never recommend a cocker...we had a golden cocker when we were young and they are a very snappy dog despite us spoiling our guy. He used have masehed spuds and chicken like the rest of the family for dinner. I have since come accross at least 3 other people andf have seen it on the internet that golden cockers are a bad dog with kids.
Our neighbours have a Cav. King Charles who gets on great with their kids. We have a 5 year old girl who worhips, i mean worships dogs and she plays with him a bit and hes great with her.
 
We had a Cavalier who was a darling but heart defects are common with them and she only lived for 6 years. But they are gentle and kind and loving, more like a child at times than a dog!
 
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