Best Big Dogs w/small children in house (bullmastiff, golden retrievers, bite)

[irishmom]

Originally Posted by mpope409

This may be a silly quesiton, but what about boxers, pitbulls, or r-weilers?

My experience with Rotties and pitbulls have been positve. I haven't owned any but have friends with them and if raised well seem to be great pets. But I wouldn't consider them because of the fact that if they wanted to they can do great damage and I think children around dogs is a very unpredictable combination. I don't know any boxer owners so I can't give any insight on those breeds.

Oh as for Rotties...does anyone know the "Carl" series of children's books? Reading those will make you want a Rottie.

[mpope409]

Originally Posted by irishmom

My experience with Rotties and pitbulls have been positve. I haven't owned any but have friends with them and if raised well seem to be great pets. But I wouldn't consider them because of the fact that if they wanted to they can do great damage and I think children around dogs is a very unpredictable combination. I don't know any boxer owners so I can't give any insight on those breeds.

Oh as for Rotties...does anyone know the "Carl" series of children's books? Reading those will make you want a Rottie.

Well before that question I would never leave a toddler around a dog like that, but I wasn't sure whether or not I was doing the right thing or just being overly cautious and hanging on to the belief that those dogs are dangerous.

I never do worry about babies, though. I don't see how any larger animal could view a baby as a threat as they're very small and not very mobile. Just toddlers and small kids as they may want to touch the dog a little too roughly or mess with the food dish while the dog is eating.

[irishmom]

Originally Posted by mpope409

Well before that question I would never leave a toddler around a dog like that, but I wasn't sure whether or not I was doing the right thing or just being overly cautious and hanging on to the belief that those dogs are dangerous.

I never do worry about babies, though. I don't see how any larger animal could view a baby as a threat as they're very small and not very mobile. Just toddlers and small kids as they may want to touch the dog a little too roughly or mess with the food dish while the dog is eating.

Actually sometimes they fear babies or are jealous of the attention the new baby gets, and all that waving of the arms, kicking of the feet and crying...can really be scary for a dog. And my greatest fear when I had my new baby around my very sweet large yellow lab, she was clumsy...I always feared she would knock over the bassinet, swing, crib, playpen...what ever....she's such a clutz! She was however both of my son's favorite toy when they got old enough to reach for her....big wet tongue and all! .

So I always think if they can't be supervised better to separate them until they can be.

[weluvpa]

Bernese Mountain dog

[BrianH]

I wouldnt leave any breed of dog alone with a child, not because i fear a dog would snap, but because Children play rough with dogs. Ive never seen a pit around children, but i own a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the AKC and the British Kennel Club says theyre great with children, and its the only breed the AKC says is good with children. i call the the smiling dog as you can see from this pic i found on the net. Everytime they open their mouths its like theyre smiling.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/staffordshire_bull_terrier/


Ive had experience with two Staffs and theyre the best dog ive ever met.

Boxers are great with kids too, my cousins own an adorable one, hes just a dumb cute dog.

[Katie1]

Originally Posted by NewHomeHappy

Is it my imagination or does the Staffordshire Bull Terrier bear a striking resemblance to a Pit Bull? Forgive me if I am wrong but...

AKC reg as Staffordshire Bull Terrier
UKC reg as Pitbull Terrier

[sherrenee]

Boxers are one of the top dogs with children.

[sherrenee]

Originally Posted by vetegnc

I'm a vet - so I'll give you a non-owner point of view....
Life span of the giants is SHORT...around 6-7 years, if you're LUCKY, a great dane may live 9. I often euth St. Bernard, great danes, etc. at 6 or 7.
Labs are awesome, just a bit hyper (and in general...general, I say, not to offend.....chocolates are the worst!). Some labs are laid back....they're in high demand!
Boxers...great attitudes, very hyper, they're at the top of the list for about every genetic bad thing to happen to it! (I'd never get one b/c I know too much!)
If I had a large breed...hmm....if I could guarantee a golden wouldnt have the allergies (I've had a run on them!), I think I'd get a golden.....
Good luck!
PM if you want more info!

I have 5 Boxers and I havent had any health problems from them (they range in age from 9 years to 8 months). I think the Boxers that are having genetic problems are probably the ones that come from untested parents.

[southernlady5464]

My daddy had an English Mastiff named Mabel...I adored that dog. Her "deadliest" feature was her tail, she might whap you too hard when she wagged it, English Mastiff's don't drool NEARLY as bad as the Bull Mastiff's do. Mabel hardly drooled at all.

Mabel was great as a guard dog cause her sheer size kept most people from bothering the family.

I can remember my daddy walking her one time...he had a MG Midget. He drove very slowly with Mabel walking along beside him. She was too blasted big to get in the car. LOL

When we get a place able to handle that size of a dog, I told my husband I want a "Mabel". Liz

[NewHomeHappy]

Originally Posted by southernlady5464

My daddy had an English Mastiff named Mabel...I adored that dog. Her "deadliest" feature was her tail, she might whap you too hard when she wagged it, English Mastiff's don't drool NEARLY as bad as the Bull Mastiff's do. Mabel hardly drooled at all.

Mabel was great as a guard dog cause her sheer size kept most people from bothering the family.

I can remember my daddy walking her one time...he had a MG Midget. He drove very slowly with Mabel walking along beside him. She was too blasted big to get in the car. LOL

When we get a place able to handle that size of a dog, I told my husband I want a "Mabel". Liz

That's very interesting! English Mastiff don't drool nearly as bad as a Bull Mastiff? Can I hear some other opinions on this please? Drooling is a concern so if one breed is less drooling than another, I would choose the less-drooling dog. We are narrowing down our search. Thanks to all for your input.