Dogs and Kids

A frequently asked questions is what dog would be good with the kids. There are exceptions to every rule, but I'm listing below breeds considered to be less than charming with children - especially when children do what children do. As a general rule, well- behaved larger breeds are almost always more tolerant of children than the toy breeds.

Which Dogs are best with Children?

Breeds That Commonly Have Problems With Children

These breeds might be considered if you have experience with and understand the breed and have careful, considerate, respectful children. Training and professional help might be essential, especially for the larger breeds. Be vigilant.

Pit Bulls - Most adore children, but, when bad, they're awful
Lhasa Apso - Most are very cross with children, sometimes adults, too
Toy Poodles - So tiny they may be injured by children and bite out of self defense
Dachshunds - Not very patient with the little ones
Rhodesian Ridgeback - A very dominant breed
Mini Pinchers - Big dogs in a little body - can be fierce
Heelers - Nip at children's heels and herd them
Pekinese - Intolerant
Chihuahuas - Almost always prefer adults - most are very intolerant of children, especially toddlers.
Rottweillers - Can be great if raised with them, but also may consider a child an inferior
Some Malamutes - Ditto
Chow Chows - Can be very cranky with the little ones - one person dogs
Giant Schnauzers - A very dominant breed that often challenge even adults
Dalmatians - Many are very excitable and prone to jump on the kids
Some Dobermans - There are sharp individuals that are not suitable

Now don't give me a lot of static about this list. It's just a guide - there are exceptions to every rule - look at the individual dog. If your favorite breed is unfairly listed or not listed at all, vigorously protest, but write Dr. Tortora, not me.

Warning signs in any dog: Guarding food or toys. Growling and snapping (duh!). Mounting your children (yeow, like they are breeding them - this is about dominance, not sex). Guarding his bed, your bed, or an area he has claimed as his. Do not let children play tug of war or wrestle with the more dominant breeds - when the dog wins, he feels empowered. Don't let the kids wrestle with a shy, withdrawn dog, either. They may interpret this as aggression and retaliate.

Please, be especially watchful with your toddlers. Should a dog give a warning growl, they don't recognize the threat and don't back off. Don't leave your toddler alone with any new dog unsupervised, even for a minute, until you know they can be trusted. And for God's sake, don't leave a food bowl out and allow your toddler to crawl up to it while the dog is eating. One snap, even an unintentional reflex one, could be disastrous - even little dogs have big teeth. One positive note - studies have shown that infants that have animals in their homes the first year of life are less prone to develop all kinds of allergies and asthma. So, your pet could actually enhance the health of your child.

The best choice for young children is a dog that was raised with young children and has an excellent history with them. We have many of these - owners must give up dogs for many reasons - allergies, divorce, death, and disability. These dogs should be attentive, loving and adoring even if their tails and ears are pulled, feet stepped on, and hair ruffled. They should seem to prefer children to adults. This is not to say that children shouldn't not be taught to treat dogs this way, but kids will be kids. A two year old just might clobber the dog with his toy truck - which is why we don't recommend the toy breeds for smaller children. Teach your children to respect that pets have feelings, too.

The second best choice is a young dog - a year or under, who is gentle, mildly submissive, touch insensitive (meaning that if you squeeze their paws, they don't yelp - they have a high threshold of pain). When introduced to the kids, they should pay close attention to them, and their should be lots of tail wagging. They dog shouldn't be afraid of the kids or run from them even when the kids are coming on strong, as only kids can do. Avoid dogs that show disinterest to children, seeming to prefer adults. Avoid those that seem stressed or spooky around children. Run like the wind if the dog growls, or is over-stimulated or over-excited by them - the way that a dog that doesn't like cats acts. You don't want a dog that perceives your children as prey!

The third choice would be an adult dog that, although not proven with children, has all the qualities above. This should only be tried by dog-experienced parents willing and able to supervise and notice signs of trouble.

The best advice I can give is to ask the Pets & People adoption counselors which dogs would work best your kids. Be honest about your kids - if they're little monsters, clean up your act before subjecting any dog to them. We have fostered some of them and may know if they're kid lovers. We've also handled them, given them shots, and pulled them out of cages. Many have been around for several months. If they're testy with us under stressful situations, they shouldn't go to kid homes. Many of our people have years of experience working with 1000's of different dogs and can steer you towards a kind gentle one. Be patient, it could take several visits to the shelter before a suitable match is found.

We can't give you any guarantees, but we will steer you away from ones that we think could be a problem in your home. If you like the dominant breeds (Rotts, Pits, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Giant Schnauzers, etc), consider one that's mixed - many are tops with kids as well as being extraordinarily healthy. They are survivors, and most are still here because of their good behavior, not because they are valued as a show dog or breeder.

Breeds Known To Be Exceptionally Good With Children

Breeds Exceptionally Good with Proviso

St. Bernard - Most are great, a few are awful
Great Dane - Must be obedience trained or they knock the tykes down
Old English Sheepdog - Most are great, a few are awful
Great Pyrenees - Best if raised with kids
Irish Wolfhound - Need to be trained not to jump, etc.
Otter Hound - Ditto
Akita - Should be raised with children
German Shepherd - Avoid shy shepherds
Golden Retriever - Avoid ones that have not been raised with children
Collie - Ditto
Irish Setter - Need to be trained
Cocker Spaniel - Some over-bred ones have personality defects

Breeds Best With Considerate, Respectful Children

Children & Strange Dogs

On a more general note, teach your children, the earlier, the better, to not pet or approach dogs they encounter while out playing. If they meet up with a dog running loose - to not stare at the dog - this could be perceived by the dog as aggression. Tell them if the dog approaches them, to not scream or run. There is no way they can outrun the dog and this could provoke an attack - the dog night see them as prey. They should stand like a tree, and gradually back up to safety. Should the worst happen and the dog attacks, to roll up in a ball and protect their face and neck. To play dead, until help comes. Dogs running in packs are more dangerous than a single dog. If one attacks, the others join in. A pack mentality develops even in dogs that are otherwise not aggressive. The most dangerous situation can be a dog that is tied to a stake. Should your child enter it's small territory, the chances of being bitten are excellent. Staking a dog can make the best of them aggressive.

All of this is not intended to scare the bejeezus out of you. Most dogs, like most strangers, are perfectly safe and not a threat, but one never knows. As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention...

Almost all dog bites and attacks are preventable if you are knowledgeable and exercise caution and good judgment.

Housetrain Your Puppy in 7 Days