Which breed?
 

Hi, I was thinking in about a year or so about getting a dog for my children. When I was younger I begged my mom and dad to get me a dog and I finally got one at 13 but I want my children to experience goin up with a dog at a youger age unlike me. I have always loved american bulldogs like chance from homeward bound http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png I also like bull terriers the target dog and cane corsos. If I would get one in about a year or two my son would be 3 or 4 and my daughter would be 1 or 2. Which breed I listed is good with toddlers? I think I'm leaning toward getting a american bulldog cause Ive always wanted one http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png I have heard they always druel or some have dry mouth and dont druel as much is this true? Give me your thoughts.

Thanks

Honestly I would not be bringing a dog into your home until your youngest is atleast 5 or 6. I know many shelters and breeders will not put a dog in a home with youngsters. American Bulldogs could easily knock a young child over, not to mention getting hit with that tail hurts. Many of us on here have dogs and young children but it seems that more times than not we had the dogs first. I'm not saying to not go out and get a dog, every family and situation is different. But I would advise waiting until your youngest is atleast 5. Having a infant/toddler and a well trained adult dog is not always a picnic. I can't imagine 2 toddlers and trying to train a puppy at the same time. Wait until your children are older so you have the time to devote to properly training this dog.

Ok. Thanks. Never thought about them getting hit with the tail but I was thinking bout them getting knocked over. Maybe a smaller dog would be better. I like minature bull terriers. Would they be good with toddlers? I think I might hold off till my youngest is 3 or 4 then think bout getting a dog. I just thought if I got a dog soon that they wouldnt be scared of a big dog.

The problem with small dogs is they can be more easily injured by a rough playing child. I have a medium size dog and at this point she is still bigger than my daughter. But thankfully she knows to get out of her way. And she has gotten a little rough with the dog. Which is why I have to know where everyone is at all times. I don't allow them together unsupervised. Ofcourse my daughter is only 10 months old this month. The thing with dogs and and young kids that I've learned is you have to supervise at all times. Too many things can happen. Kids can get hurt, dogs can get hurt. They can hurt each other. I would definately wait a little while if I were you. As far as the Minature Bull Terrier, that is a question for someone else. I'm really not sure. I mean the "Pit Bull" type breeds are all supposed to be wonderful with children, but it also kind of depends on the kids as well and their understanding of how to be with the dog. Personally I'd love to own a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Wonderful animals. But thats still awhile off for me.

I wish you luck on your search for the perfect dog for your family when you decide the time is right. Only you will know when your family is ready to add this new member.

SBTlove has said exactly what I was going to say, and more!


However, I wanted to add that if you could find a dog in need of a home (such as a Bull Terrier or American Bulldog) that is already known to be docile, gentle, and good with young kids.

Some dogs are mellow enough to have around even todlers, some will knock down a full grown man, by accident! http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/lol.gif

Bransen makes a very good point. In shelters there are older more mellow dogs that are in need of a home and many shelters will adopt on a case by case basis. I've come across quite a few dogs in the shelter that I have no idea why they were there. Someone had obviously put a lot of time into them. They were older, calm, and they were trained. So there are dogs out there. Some breeders also have adult dogs that they have retired from show or that have been returned to them and that may be an option too.

Again you will know when the time is right and when you have found that right dog. More times than not the dog chooses you and not the other way around.

With having young children I would want a puppy to grow up with them. I would be to scared to adopt a older dog I dont know and to be around my children.

Another thing i would like to add to this topic has to do with your children being old enough to understand the cycle of life. In my personal opinion i wouldn't get my young children a puppy untill they were at least 7. So that when the time comes and the dog has to be put down or dies of old age naturally they are old enough to understand why they no longer have their best friend. A friend of mine bought a puppy when his son was born not realizing that when his son is between 11-13 (more if he's lucky) he will have to explain why the dog isn't around anymore. I think that would be alot harder on a pre-teen then it would be on a young adult (18-22). Once again this is just my personal opinion.

Well now, I just want to say there are tons of adult dogs that are great with children.

Just because you get a puppy doesn't mean it's going to grow up and love your kids. I'd rather get an adult dog that is already mature (3 years +) so I at least know it's personality.

That is your personal choice and to be respected. I just wanted to add sometimes the older shelter dogs get a bad rap. Some of the best dogs you will find are older dogs. Its not fair really that they end up in the shelters, but some of the best dogs that are out there are older rescues and sadly they are less likely to be adopted the older they are. A lot of people won't adopt an older dog because they don't know their history and fear they will turn. Even a dog that you have trained and know the history and have had since they were 9 weeks old can turn. But its all a matter of preference. I've had senior dogs, I've had adults, and I've had puppies. All have been great. The only downside to a senior dog is you don't have as much time with them. But then again you are never guarenteed years with a dog. Anymore I try to stay in the puppy-3 years old range. The nice thing about an adult is they have already come into maturity and you will get a good idea of their personality. Where with a puppy you won't know their adult personality until they are atleast 2.

I almost always recommend to families with children to adopt an adult dog atleast 2 years of age. With an adult its Usually, not always, but usually what you see is what you get. Obviously there will be behaviors that may need some modification, but same with a pup. They all want and deserve love. But don't count out an adult, you may find the perfect dog in one.

I'm not trying to sell you on an adult I've just seen a lot of people pass up a great dog due to preconcieved notions and fears.

older dogs in a shelter are the BEST bet. growing with a puppy is hectic, it can get your kid bit, mouthed, smacked, knocked over, and then brought to a shelter. my best low mait less hyper dogs came from a shelter, and didnt have any temp issues.

with that said, i dont know anyone with BT's, but from seeing the BT's here, i wouldnt worry about a BT being harmed by a kid, rather, the other way around.. psycho little critters lol.

yes depending on what lines you go for, am bulldogs can either be big druelly things or very dry mouthed. though the more dry mouthed dogs are high drive working dogs, and would probably not be best suited in your home if you arent doing any type of work with the dog.

Bransen and SBT have already said what I was thinking.http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/biggrin.png

I do agree on an older dog though. I remember what my mom had to deal with when we got a boxer puppy, and 2 young kids. I'm one of those folks who grew up with a pup, and when he died (I was 13), it was awful. I'd had rats and cats die, but having your childhood dog you grew up with die is pretty sucky.

I have a few friends who are raising puppies and young kids. One actually has a 10 month old American Bulldog, and holy crap. The kid just turned 2, the dog at 10 months is about 100 pounds and full of energy as well as hard to handle. Last time I was there, on at least 3 occasions the dog got the zoomies, and barreled over the kid. And twice her wagging tail hit him in the face and he got a bloody nose. The kid's used to it and thinks it's funny, but not all kids think that way.

Another friend got a 2 year old retriever/chow mix from Animal Control (she was an owner surrender, surrendered for financial reasons). She's an amazing dog with her 3 kids (a 13 year old boy, and 2 little girls under 5). Gentle, calm, very easy going, and loves the kids.

Older dog from a shelter? No.

Older dog from a knowledgable, quality rescue where the dog has spent at least 6 months in the same foster home with children of the same age as the OP's? Deffinately.

I wouled NEVER advise putting a dog with an unknown history and temperment in a home with toddlers, and from any shelter no matter how nice they are and how much they tmperment test, that's what you're getting. It COULD wind up being a great dog. It COULD end up being a mess and hurt your kids. The temp. tests done in shelters mean very little in that environment.

An older dog that has been in foster care around kids of the same age for at least 6 months has had a chance to settle in and show it's true temperment. What you see is what you get.

---------- Post added at 11:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:12 PM ----------

OP...an older dog with a known temperment is safest for children of any age. A puppy may grow to have an unstable temperment, it's generally not until the onset of puberty that dogs begin to show signs of poor temperment, and minor issues will often become more serious between the ages of 6 months and 3 years.

An older dog (3+ years) is generally past the stage at which the true temperment has developed, therefore...no surprises.

In a shelter kennel situation, dogs can behave very differently from how they would behave if they were perfectly cmfortable and relaxed in a home situation, so temperment tests may be meaningless in this environment depending on the indiviadual dog's ability and methods of coping. As this will be dfferent with each dog...the tests are for all intents and purposes meaningless.

A dog that has been living in a foster home for a long period of time has been allowed to settle in and become comfortable with her surroundings. It can take several months for a dog to really start to show it's true colors...good and bad. Long term fosters that are in a home with young children are the safest bet for any family.

As the owner of a toddler and a young dog I agree an older one is probably a good bet. I got my dog when she was 3 and we had her until she was 14 (a dalmatian) and she was a great dog already set in her ways. We got lucky and found a wonderful dog for our son now but even I have my moments where I wonder what I was thinking. My son (2 1/2) is at the same stage in life as our 'pit bull' (1 1/2) which is that hands over ears "la la la I dont hear you" stage. So its times 2. Fortunatly we got so lucky in finding Harley hes low energy and very obediant but even the most obediant young dog gets excited and just yesterday my son took off chasing him and when Harley ran past him he knocked my son down and he landed face first on the tile floor (nothing major thankfully, my son was back trying to chase the dog -a no no espically in the house- within the hour) but it is a lot of work. I can only imagine what it would be like if Harley was more typical in his energy level for a dog his age. Id be bald!

I also agree with getting a dog with a known temperment. We got our lab when she was about 8 months old (I was pregnant) and when she had her first heat she became EXTREMELY DA. She got into a fight and redirected and bit me pretty good and from that point on I did not allow her near my son. It became very difficult for the dog and my son because the dog had to stay outside and my son was not allowed out in the back yard (fortunatly for her the redirecting was part of her bratty teenage years and she did out grow it but I still dont fully trust her and Im alway ready incase she acts up when my sons around, I still wont walk her myself because I dont want her that close to my son) But if we had been able to see her temperment now we would have never gotten her. Shes a VERY high energy VERY stubborn VERY DA dog which makes for a HUGE handful when you also have a young child around.

I would suggest what Gatorpit said and go to a rescue and find a dog thats been living with people with kids around the same age as your own. Get a dog that you will know the temperment of, one that has past its maturing stages and one thats already got some basic training under its belt... it will be worth it. Maybe once your kids get older you can add a second dog, a puppy to your household if thats still what you want, but with young kids I do recommend a slightly older dog for now (and if you do want to get a second dog down the road keep in mind with the first dog that you wont want a dog thats DA or potentially DA unless you can handle crate/rotate along with rasing young kids)

Why do people always have this thing about their kids growing up with a dog? Realise the dogs best years will be when it is maybe 2-5. I always feel it would be much smarter to wait until the kids are a few years old so that by the time they are 12 and want to play with the dog, it is still young enough to keep up. Otherwise the kids will quickly lose interest in a tired old dog. No point having a dog in its prime when the kids can barely walk.

I have heard bull terriers will not tolerate teasing so I would personally shy away from one around kids. When I was a lad my friend had one which ripped his friends ear off. Staffordshire Bull Terriers I would trust around kids before almost every other breed. They are AMAZING with kids for some reason.

That's how I feel about Saint Bernards and Newfoundlands. Huge ass dogs, but man they're good with kids as long as the dog is trained not to jump up on people.

I would totally recommend the shi tszu ( ack spelling!!! )

I got a puppy when I was five years old and that dog lived to be 22 years old.
they do not shed and are said to be hypoallergenic and make great family pets. The only down side is ear infections and of course the grooming requirements but we kept ours shaved minus his beautiful tail.

My husband considers the breed to be a prissy dog and would not even consider letting me have one after my beloved best friend crossed the rainbow bridge.

If you get one from a decent breeder which we did, and if you're lucky the little dog should live around 15 or more years. Not sure how the little bugger did it but he was only put down because he started to have mini strokes and it affected his back legs to the point he could not really stand up to eat, they'd start to move inwards towards his front feet. If not for that he'd still be here....there was nothing wrong with him except the fact he was deaf and 50 percent blind and had arthritis which was controlled with metacam.

Please consider this breed! http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png
but be careful of breeders selling "toy" versions of this breed and advertising rare colors. If they want a grand or more walk the other way.

My parents got ours for around 600.00? I'm not totally sure it could have been more but this was in the 1987. He was show quality and my father used to show dogs and wanted to take this little fella out to the ring. At least that is what I was told by my parents. He was named his show name after me " sheri's china blue " but since he was born on the fourth of july and with me being so darn young I called him firecracker and for short he was known as cracker for the rest of his life...

we got strange looks from people...but he sure was a firecracker. Lasted 22 years.

http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png enough rambling on about the breed. Never had a negative experience and I think your kids would love the breed.

S.

I am not the type of mom who feels bad if the kid gets knocked over or gets whacked with a tail. Life happens, the world is a tough place. If you fall down or get knocked dow suck it up, dust off and go about your day. This applied toddlers as well as older kids. Considering how often my kids fell into tables and dressers, climbed something and fell off or even tripped over thin air I figured a dog in training knocking them down a few times while learning manners was small beans.

I decided to get my dog for me and as a pet the kids could enjoy, but primarily for me and I think that is important. Its hard to take care of a needy infant, a toddler all over the place getting into things and train a young dog/pup who is also all over the place and into things. You have to be really committed to the dog for your own reasons and you have to be serious about training the dog or you will reach a point where you just give up and the next thing you know you are placing an ad looking to rehome the dog. Organization, routine and a sense of humor when the dog gets those delicious poopy diapers out of the trash or chews a toddler toy also helps.

When selecting a dog with my young kids I decided on an American Bulldog pup (9 months old) from a Craigslist ad. I had every assurance from the owner that he was friendly and great with kids as he had been raised with them. He was mine for a week before he attacked my daughters friend and I decided to euthanize him.

I then went to a good breeder, checked out the parents and how they reacted to my kids and bought an American Bulldog pup. The parents were of good temperament, calm and friendly, physically healthy and just great dogs. Ike, my pup, is 2 years old now and I couldn't be more pleased with him. He is great with small kids and would be perfect if he didn't have an uncontrollable diaper fetish. Whenever my brother is here with his diaper wearers we have to take the dirty ones outside or Ike will find a way to get them from the trash and eat them!

If you think you are ready for a dog, want one for your own reasons and are willing to put in the extra work then I say go for it. Just remember to get a dog from a good breeder after researching them and the traits of their line. If you decide to adopt an older dog make sure you are getting one from a reputable shelter or rescue that has thoroughly evaluated it with young children.

---------- Post added at 07:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:18 AM ----------

Also remember that if you go for any of the bully breeds like an American Bulldog, a Bull terrier of any kind or an American Pit Bull Terrier you need to make sure you practice NILIF, train the dog using positive reinforcement methods and that the dog knows you are a firm and fair leader or it will walk all over you.

Sheri...shih-tzus and other small breeds are not a good idea in a home with small children. They are very delicate, and much more sensitive to unpleasant stimuli than larger breeds.

Children (especially toddlers) do not understand how to treat dogs...and it takes years to really make them understand...meanwhile they may act like they get it in an adult's presence...and act up when no one's looking. A small child could EASILY seriously injure or even kill a small breed dog, entirely unintintionally.

Point is...many small breeds dogs cannot tolerate the antics of children...they are just too small and sensitive, even if they are not being seriously mistreated by the children, they do not have the patience of many larger breeds, and are much more easily intimidated, due to their small size.

---------- Post added at 07:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:45 AM ----------

Of course...not ALL small dogs are no good with kids...It depends on the individual dog, and very much on the attitude and demeaner of the kids and parents involved, I just wouldn't reccomend it unless the parent really had a good understanding of canine behaviour and how to safely keep a small breed with small kids.