White shepherds are great dogs! But they are a little bit bigger than a lab! lol
Heres mine when he was about 2. Hes 4 now:
Much prefer long haired GSD's...
Suitable dogs with young children
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Much prefer long haired GSD's...
She was 12 last week but I didn't tell her it was her birthday; you know what these females are like, she would have wanted a card, flowers, fancy meal etc, etc .... best to leave her in ignorance ........ I had a drink to toast her old age, that was enough. lol
Believe it or not Staffys are fantastic with children. They are known as 'nanny' dogs due to their protective nature over children.
My two staffy pups were introduced to our household when my daughter was two and we have never had an issue, infact the only time they have so much shown any aggression was towards any of my family was when I was playing 'monsters' (a form of catch with me having my t-shirt over my head lol) with my now 5 year old daughter. They tried to get between me and my daughter as they must have thought I was going to harm her and gave a few menacing half-hearted growls towards me as a warning. That must have been hard for them as growling at the 'pack leader' is not conducive to pack hierachy yet thier protective nature against the youngest/weakest obviously shone through.
Like all dogs, it is how they are raised and letting them know there position in the 'pack' and consistanty reinforcing this.
My two staffy pups were introduced to our household when my daughter was two and we have never had an issue, infact the only time they have so much shown any aggression was towards any of my family was when I was playing 'monsters' (a form of catch with me having my t-shirt over my head lol) with my now 5 year old daughter. They tried to get between me and my daughter as they must have thought I was going to harm her and gave a few menacing half-hearted growls towards me as a warning. That must have been hard for them as growling at the 'pack leader' is not conducive to pack hierachy yet thier protective nature against the youngest/weakest obviously shone through.
Like all dogs, it is how they are raised and letting them know there position in the 'pack' and consistanty reinforcing this.
Each to their own. Couldn't imagine how much vacuuming you'd need to do with a long haired one, he sheds so so much! Its ridiculous!
Everyone thats replyed bar the haters will post on there own experience. I was brought up with German Sheps and Staffs which were fantastic. I currently have a staff and staff x pitbull and both of them LOVE kids. Never hurt them and never will, but I strongly belive thats how they've been trained and are never put in a situation were it may happen.
If you google (breed) attacks toddler I've no doubt you will find most breeds have, its just the pitbull type dogs and bigger dogs that get reported. I remember posting a thread about a month ago about a lab attacking a toddler. It was in small print on a news website.... why I wonder?
If you google (breed) attacks toddler I've no doubt you will find most breeds have, its just the pitbull type dogs and bigger dogs that get reported. I remember posting a thread about a month ago about a lab attacking a toddler. It was in small print on a news website.... why I wonder?
Its not the breed that's important, but its character and training. Staffs are really good dogs for families, but you'd think they were all child killers with all the crap you hear about them.
Get a puppy, train it well and it will grow alongside your child and they'll have a fantastic bond.
I agree with the mentions about NEVER leaving a dog alone even for 30 seconds with your child, no matter how much you trust it.
Get a puppy, train it well and it will grow alongside your child and they'll have a fantastic bond.
I agree with the mentions about NEVER leaving a dog alone even for 30 seconds with your child, no matter how much you trust it.
I had a Border Collie while growing up, I learned to walk by holding onto her and she'd walk slowly so I could try and do the same. When I fell she would come and help me back up and try again. Best dog ever 
I still miss her, 10 years after she died. 
I still miss her, 10 years after she died. Max is about 23" tall so hes pretty small for a shepherd, he's about the same size as a normal lab, although I have seen him dwarfed by some aswell.
Also he doesn't shed/moult only being a single coated GS but their is a lot of hair
KaHn
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Depends on how big your house is, but I'd go with a rough or border (or even cross) collie, or a (cocker, or springer) spaniel if your place isn't big enough for a collie, as they can be quite big.
But both dogs have a very mothering nature, I was brought up with having my aunt having spaniels, and my girlfriend has collies, and they love being around kids.
But both dogs have a very mothering nature, I was brought up with having my aunt having spaniels, and my girlfriend has collies, and they love being around kids.
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this, I always feel sorry for dogs with young children
I can vouch for this.
My German Sheppard was a cross, and not as big as yours. Yet, when brushing her, I managed to fill a whole black sack with malted fur... That being said, she was a beautiful dog, incredibly intelligent and really friendly towards the family and adults (worth brushing in other words). She did have a problem with young children, but when she was a year or so old, a four year old with down syndrome tried to yank her tail off, she had a problem ever since.
Also, it's worth noting that even if the dog is ok with young children, there's nothing stopping your child doing something like that to the dog and who knows how the dog may respond.
We decided 8 months ago to get a dog. We have a young family and spent a fair bit of time looking into what would be the right dog for us and importantly spoke to a lot of reputable breeders.
My initial desire was for a border collie as I had always been around one, however after speaking to the breeder and discussing our family she believed it would be better to wait until the youngest was at least 5 or 6.
As others have mentioned it is important, critical even, that the dog learns its place in the house. Border collies also require a substantial investment of time to ensure good behaviour.
I am assuming that you have had dogs in the past (as an owner not the child of an owner) and that you also have someone who will be at home for 90% of the time during the day to look after the puppy.
In the end we went with a Beagle from http://www.annavah.co.uk , we spent a long time talking to the breeder and meeting her puppies as well as the parents and also allowed her to meet our family.
Poppy is now well settled into the family and patiently puts up with the girls (2.5 years and 9 months) pulling her hair, grabbing her face etc. The kids can also touch her food and toys etc.
One thing that you may benefit from is to purchase a crate for the dog. Not to lock her in, but to allow her to retreat to somewhere that is hers / safe away from the kids.
My initial desire was for a border collie as I had always been around one, however after speaking to the breeder and discussing our family she believed it would be better to wait until the youngest was at least 5 or 6.
As others have mentioned it is important, critical even, that the dog learns its place in the house. Border collies also require a substantial investment of time to ensure good behaviour.
I am assuming that you have had dogs in the past (as an owner not the child of an owner) and that you also have someone who will be at home for 90% of the time during the day to look after the puppy.
In the end we went with a Beagle from http://www.annavah.co.uk , we spent a long time talking to the breeder and meeting her puppies as well as the parents and also allowed her to meet our family.
Poppy is now well settled into the family and patiently puts up with the girls (2.5 years and 9 months) pulling her hair, grabbing her face etc. The kids can also touch her food and toys etc.
One thing that you may benefit from is to purchase a crate for the dog. Not to lock her in, but to allow her to retreat to somewhere that is hers / safe away from the kids.
why take the risk, i wouldnt bother, also, you might as well have a turd on a lead,
****enarse mutts
Haven't read any of the other posts but thought I'd share my experiences. We had a baby, turned 1 yesterday. We got a Black Lab a week after she was born. The thinking was they'd grow up together and become close.
It kinda works, since we've had him we've been stupidly strict when he is around the baby. This means that even if he is running full pelt through the house, he'll come to a complete stop before he gets near the baby. He knows how important the baby is which unfortunately has had what could been seen as side effects.
Anyone who he isn't certain of that touches the baby he will growl like mad at them. We haven't had any actual physical aggression yet, but it can get a little scary for those that hold her.
He soon learns the people we trust so he soon stops but its something we're working on.
Anyway, I couldn't really hope for a better dog with behaviour round the little one and he's generally a great pet. The baby pulls and climbs on him without any issue.
He also changes her nappy but that's another story.
It kinda works, since we've had him we've been stupidly strict when he is around the baby. This means that even if he is running full pelt through the house, he'll come to a complete stop before he gets near the baby. He knows how important the baby is which unfortunately has had what could been seen as side effects.
Anyone who he isn't certain of that touches the baby he will growl like mad at them. We haven't had any actual physical aggression yet, but it can get a little scary for those that hold her.
He soon learns the people we trust so he soon stops but its something we're working on.
Anyway, I couldn't really hope for a better dog with behaviour round the little one and he's generally a great pet. The baby pulls and climbs on him without any issue.
He also changes her nappy but that's another story.
When I was 3, we had a Rottweiler named Ben. I have small fragmented memories of crawling all over Ben, following him outside without adult supervision, trying to ride on him like he is a horse, poking and prodding, etc. Ben just lapped it all up with the patience of a monk. Personally I would not leave my kids (if I had any) alone with a dog, but as proven in Ben's case, it really depends on the dog.
King Charles Spaniels are brilliant with Children. We had one he was lush and had him from been a pub but had to let my friend have him because of new job etc etc.... and he would have been left alone all day and that just wasnt fair.. we see him when we want and they are totally amazing with kids.
They lie around a lot and are so cute but can be playful at times as well
They lie around a lot and are so cute
but can be playful at times as well