Dogs require a lot of attention and some dogs can be extremely sensitive, which means they are not always best for small or young children. When you have children who want a pet there are several things you should consider. Below is a list of dog breeds that do well with children as well as some dog breeds that do not.
Dogs That Love Children: German shepherds are our first dog on the list for being great with children. Despite the size of the German shepherd you will find that they are sensitive and very hardy dogs. They will tolerate a lot from young children such as tail pulling or hair pulling from children that are not aware of how it can hurt the dog. German shepherds are working dogs, but they also love a lot of affection and attention. They do well in households that have walking age children, especially older children that may return home from school and play in the backyard with them.
Poodles tend to do well with children as well. You may not want to have a poodle with infants or toddlers as they can be a little sensitive, but they love the affection and attention the children are willing to offer. Poodles are very active dogs inside and outside of the home. This means, they like being played with as well as trained. They can be sensitive so well behaved children are really the best types of households for them.
Golden Retrievers love children. In fact the best dog breed you can have for your child is going to be the Golden Retriever. You will find that they play, learn well, and shower affection. Most Golden Retrievers tend to follow children around as if they have adopted the care for that child and become some of the best companions as the child ages.
Labradors are also very good dogs to have around small children. They may need a little training to help with the proper socialization and commands as they can get quite rowdy, but they are hardy and not too sensitive. They tend to take the abuse of a toddler rather than lashing out.
Dogs That Tolerate Children: Bulldogs are usually very loyal and loving to their owners, however they do not do well in abusive homes or where they will be picked on a great deal. Bulldogs tend to like peace and quiet over little children pulling on their ears or screaming.
Old English sheepdog's can be in either category. It will depend on when you adopt the pet. Old English sheepdogs tend to be very loyal, affectionate and vie for attention. When you have an Old English sheepdog before children they can display very jealous behavior making them only tolerant of most children.
Great Danes are wonderful dogs, full of life and happiness. If you have a Great Dane in your home you can be assured that they will do well with any type of child; however they have landed in the tolerant status because of their size. The Great Dane is a very large and muscular dog, even with socialization training they can harm smaller children without meaning to do harm. Though they love being around children it is up to the parent to decide if they can be trusted with infants or toddlers even when the parent is in the room.
Anatolian Shepherd Dog's are not the best dogs to have around children. They are a fiercely independent dog that does require attention. They do not tolerate children, and in some cases have been known to carry off children left unattended. The Anatolian Shepherd dog is meant to guard as well as protect the home from animals. Their instincts are to carry small prey to their owners during hunts as well as protect the home.
About the Author:
Ashley Peach is a writer for the website dog bowls.
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8 comments:
My dear ashley
IF you ever happen to be wandering around the neighbor of washington state, PLEASE come visit my every so vicious [he said with tongue firmly planted in cheek] Anatolian, who just so happens to live with two Great Pyrs, and 8 llamas.
Oh YEA, bring as many children as you like PLEASE!!
Your description of an Anatolian is the most blanket sterotype lacking any basis in truth I have yet to hear unless of course you happen to live in turkey, where maybe, jut maybe there might be bedtime stories floating around like yours designed to scare little children and keep them from harassing the flocks.
So ALL Golden Retrievers love children simply because they are Golden Retrievers? I hate to burst your bubble but there are Goldens out there unsuitable for children.
On the other hand, you might want to check out a couple of real live Anatolians to find out what they're really like. You'll be shocked to find that Anatolians are often used as children's companions, not to mention the fact that they are trusted with newborn lambs and other vulnerable livestock.
I would love to email you some pictures of my son who is now 5 years old and has been around Anatolians since he was 18 months old. Anatolians are a great and gentle breed that are wonderful with children. I would trust all 4 of mine with any child big or small. With any breed there has to be boundaries and discipline to make them great but to stereotype a breed that apparently you have never encountered because you would know what a beautiful soul they possess. It would be great if you would meet a few before posting such a statement about them. They are truly loving and wonderful dogs with children.
As someone who has lived with Anatolians for more than 20 years, I can unequivocably state that you have NOT done your homework on this unique breed. I don't know where you got your information, but it sounds like someone was "pulling your chain". This is the ultimate "nanny" dog, and I would be more likely to trust a child to one of my calm gentle Anatolians than to a rambunctious Golden. What YOU have to understand is that these are "GUARDIAN" dogs, not "GUARD" dogs ... and there is a WORLD of difference! In Turkey, mothers working outside will tie a rope around the waist of a small child and tie the other end around their Anatolian's neck. Would you do that with a dog that "does not tolerate children"???
Ashley,
you're not familiar with the breed obviously. You really should stick to writing about that with which you are knowledgeable.
Our Anatolian is AMAZING with our children (4 and 5 yo). I would go so far as to say, far too generous with them. Love the breed, can't wait for our second one.
Hi Ashley,
I must say that you are completely wrong in your description of Anatolian Shepherds disliking children. Most like (some love) children.
I don't have kids, but my Anatolians (I have 4) go gaga over kids, even ones that just run up to them and throw their arms around their necks.
In Turkey, Anatolian's are trusted and have be used to watch over children while the mother/father attend to gardening and other tasks, knowing the child is in very capable 'paws' and no harm will come to the kids with the dog watching over them.
Also, Anatolian's are not used in hunting - they are flock guardians, not hunting dogs, not herding dogs.
Yes, Anatolian's are protective of their flocks, family and property, but they are friendly and accepting to visitors and will usually only watch to make sure all is well. Plus these dogs will only use the necessary effort to deter a predator or tresspasser (usually barking is all that is needed to make something move on pass what the Anatolian is watching over).
Please check your sources and facts before you publish such rubbish in the future.
Christine
Ashley, you are so terribly wrong about anatolians. I don't know where you found your information but it couldn't be further from the truth. I have had four anatolians and all four were wonderful with children!
I currently own a Great Dane, and two Anatolians, and all three are superb with young children. My two year old grandson is shadowed by my dogs, who are very careful with him and adore him. His family lab, same age as my youngest Anatolian, is a hyper dog who knocks him down in her enthusiasm and is oblivious to her effect. Perhaps the experience my dogs have had with newborn miniature horses, that weigh as little as ten pounds at birth, has taught them to be gentle with youngsters? The Anatolians live with the herd 24/7, and they have protective instincts, not murderous ones. My tiny foals sometimes bite the dogs, paw at them, and even step on them, and all the dogs do is move out of the way. How's that for tolerance? The best "babysitter" in the dog world, IMO, is an LGD like an Anatolian.
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