Need info for a friend about Australian Shepards and small kids (border collie, shepherd)

[nightbird47]

A friend of mine is looking for a dog for the family and her four year old daughter. She had a border collie for a short while but the dog constantly tried to herd the child and nip. She found a good home for the dog and had been told that they tend to be unsuitable with children.

She adopted an aussie, and the dog is beautiful, well behaved, smart, but growled at other dogs and scared her daughter. The dog is on his way to a home without kids or other dogs and should be great for that, but the people who gave him up had children and swore he was fine with them.

She is wondering about the breed and how good they are with children. As they are also herding dogs, is the same think at play as with the border collie? Has anyone had good or bad experiences with this breed of dog and small kids. She is considering getting a puppy to grow up with her daughter instead of an adult dog. But she really wants an aussie if it was just this dogs temperment.

I mentioned rescue groups, but she can't afford 300 dollars for a dog.

Thanks and will pass on the information.

[Janecj]

I have had both. I had a border collie when I was a kid. Yes they herd but are very smart. It helps to have them when they are young. I now have an aussie. I swear she's worse. When young, they will herd you and nip at your heals and bark. I don't have children and mine doesn't care for children very much because children have a tendency to stick theirr hands in the dog's face.. I don't let children around my dog for fear she'll bite. She is a very good dog, but they learn when they are young and you must provide the proper training for them. If you don't, they will be what they will be. I think they can be great dogs with families, but they are very hyper and need lots of attention. Don't get one if there are any questions whatsoever. It may not be the best dog for them. I think a golden retriever would be more suitable. Nothing is worse than to adopt a dog or get one and then give it away. That is just not fair to the animal and not the animals fault. Owners need to be more responsible. Dogs are a life long commitment and they need understand to that. If they don't then they shouldn't get a dog.

[leorah]

Hate to say this, but sometimes the problem is with the kid and not the dog. Kids naturally want to hug dogs around the neck and many dogs don't like that. Some kids are bouncy and noisy and this type of behavior can be a problem for dogs, too.

Shepherds by nature are herders. They are active dogs that require both physical and mental stimulation. If they don't get enough activity they can turn their pent-up energy into destructive pursuits such as chewing, barking, digging and being a general nuisance.

I think there are far better choices for a home with a young child, and an adult dog would be far more appropriate than a puppy IMO.

[FiveHorses]

Originally Posted by leorah

I think there are far better choices for a home with a young child, and an adult dog would be far more appropriate than a puppy IMO.

Agreed 100%.

Have had border and rough collies - and I can see no reason why the Aussie Sheps would be any different. Regardless of age, not a great choice for a household busy with young kids. There are far, far more placid, more even-tempered, less demanding (mentally as well as physically) breeds out there.

[the painter]

As a Aussie owner and dont get me wrong I love my boys but, I would not recommend them for small kids. Especially since your freind is concerned about the herding and nipping. This is a natural instinct for Aussies. They are highly intelligent and are high energy for 3-4 yrs. They need to be involved in a job and if not they will find away to occupy their time. Also They are more responsive to just 1 person in a house which could cause problems, they may listen to you but not the child or a spouse. Now If they chose to get an Aussie I would recommend a 3-4 month old over the adult only because of the child, they would need to be raised together. An older dog would be more unpredictable. With all that being said I too would say a golden would be a better choice, they are more family orientated and calmer with children.

[Dashdog]

I agree the herding breeds are not usually the best dogs for families with small kids as herding and nipping the kids can be issues.You can teach them not to do this but it does take ALOT of work even with a puppy as it is such a natural part of them. They also tend to have high prey drives so kids high pitched screams and shreiks can get them really going. I think they usually have way too much energy as I know Phoenix ( aussie) gets what I call the zoomies when she gets excited and she takes off racing at full speed and if a kid got in her way she would knock it right over.

Jazz border collie cattle dog mix did well with my young nephews but she was a puppy when I got her and I made sure she got to spend alot of time with them. She did herd them and nip them but they were 3 wild boys who actually had fun with her herding them. She did play rough with the youngest but because she has a very inhibited bite she never bit him but she would grab his clothing a yank him all over and she would force him to do things her way as she is very pushy and bossy with kids . The youngest was rather frightened of her at times.


Dash border collie springer on the other hand was a perfect dog with kids so there are exceptions. I think some of the larger breed dogs do well with kids like my parents dog Henry who was 100lbs of collieX malamute . He loved being with small kids and they could do anything to him and he never even growled. Some of the large breeds are just gentle giants.It seems most labs and Goldens are that way .

[kareybear]

I got an Australian Sheperd last year. Yes puppies do nip and try to herd you at the beginning but you need to train your dog not to do that. Since she was 6 months old she doesn't nip anyone in this family. She sometime try to herd when a friend comes over. My australian is a gentle dog and very smart. This breed are easy to train because they get it quick. You just have to be very patient with in the first year since it is all new to you and the dog.My oldest daughter used to cry when the puppy nipped at her never broke a skin and we got a tip to use a soda can with rocks in it and shake and it would make her stop. The only problem I have is she jumps. I have a 6 month old infant and she is fantastic with her. The baby will pull her fur and she just licks the baby hands. She really tolerate it. Like I said I have the best family dog.

[pinetreelover]

My sister has an Aussie who is tempermental and growls at young kids and some adults for no apparent reason. He is a one man (or in this case, lady) dog and doesn't listen well to others. He sulks around, seems restless and is generally not pleasant and secure acting.

This nutty creature was well trained and has 30 acres and half a dozen horses to herd all day long. He is not bored, untrained or mistreated - just nuts.

Obviously, I am not a fan of the breed - much better choices out there!

[chubba]

just wondering, does this happen with shelties too? I understand they are also of the herding breed.. do they nip and people and if anyone have experiences with shelties and kids?

[Viralmd]

Herding breeds DO tend to herd. EVERYONE.

Agree 100% with 100% of what Leorah said, especially about NOT getting a puppy, but rather an older (but still young) dog.