Whats a good breed for a 3 year old?

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Whats a good breed for a 3 year old?
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naynay32120

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Joined: 1/30/2007

Posted: 5:33:44 PM 1/30/2007

I have a three yr old who is dying to get a puppy. We are looking for something small and non aggressive!! Any ideas from people with experiance would be great!

Halosfire

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Posted: 5:44:27 PM 1/30/2007

Go to build-a-bear workshop, and get them a stuffed animal. Getting a living thing for a child that small is a big mistake.

krdavis602

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Posted: 6:04:01 PM 1/30/2007

Wow, that was rude! I don't really think that the 3 year old is going to be taking care of the puppy. Anyhow. I have children and dogs....And depending on how small you want to go...most small dogs are not very tolerant with small children. I have english bulldogs..and they love kids. and they are not too big to have in the house. This would have to be my pick..Good Luck!

monkeyeatbutt

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Posted: 6:22:25 PM 1/30/2007

I have a boston terrier and a Pug and they both love both my girls (ages 3 and 6) Rocky (the boston) has been aroud lilly sence she was tiny and has always been fond of her. Bullwinkle (Pug) is our new puppy so far he has been great with the kids. Lilly will sit on the floor almost all day letting him hop on and off her lap its so cute.

I'm gonna trade this life for fortune and fame
I'd even cut my hair and change my name

davis85

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Posted: 6:31:42 PM 1/30/2007

Beagles make great family pets but I recommend a young adult dog (of any breed) in a home with a toddler, rather than a puppy.

monkeyeatbutt

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Posted: 6:49:14 PM 1/30/2007

pups and kids can be a good mix if your kids are well behaved and you keep an eye on them. We have had no problem with lilly and bullwinkle but I keep a close eye on them and both my girls were tought at very young ages to respect animals. It was not easy expecaly when you have family that tells them to kick there dog when it took tghe kids cookie.

I'm gonna trade this life for fortune and fame
I'd even cut my hair and change my name

pyrmom

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Posted: 7:33:43 PM 1/30/2007

I have had mixed breeds, Labs and now Pyrs, all with children from infancy up. It's more the temperment of the breed, the pup itself and how you train the child not only the pups. I have never had a problem with any dog in my home being food or toy aggressive, nor have I had a child that intentionally tormented a dog.

I (personally) prefer the bigger breeds as they are a bit less fragile and you don't have to worry about broken bones if a toddler accidentially stumbles and falls on the dog.

"Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful".

Wandering_Spirit

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Posted: 7:42:10 PM 1/30/2007

Remember the idea of a dog and child is WONDERFUl... but what if somewhere down the road you decide it's too much to handle? What will happen to the dog? A dog is a 12+ years commitment. Be aware of that.

I prefer a large breed for kids, My favorite include the American Staffordshire Terrier, Springer Spaniels, Samoyeds, Rottweilers, and Newfoundlands.

If you INSIST on a small dog I suggest something sturdy, Pug, brussels griffon, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, French Bulldogs, and Beagles.

~Wandering Spirit~

allaboutdogs

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Posted: 7:58:48 PM 1/30/2007

I would say all of herding dogs are great with kids, and most of hunting dogs too. Some toy dogs are great, as long as the kid is good with the dog LOL From the toys I would recommend Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, they have no aggression at all. I always say, as long as the parents are responsible, most dogs will do fine, and remember that no dog is a toy for kids and no dog will be your babysitter either.

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself"
- Josh Billings

Wandering_Spirit

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Posted: 8:12:28 PM 1/30/2007

I semi agree with the above posts, be careful with LARGE herding breeds like Bearded Collies and German Shepherds, they can be bouncy ones as young dogs, and by the age of six months will weigh as much as your three year old and might knock her down unintentionally.

Avoid the Beauceron and the Belgian Malanios. Not good pets.

~Wandering Spirit~

allaboutdogs

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Posted: 8:17:45 PM 1/30/2007

Ok, maybe not all but most of herding dogs. But, the same applies to any large dog. I would really recommend, once you pick some of the breeds, call reputable breeders or contact National Club (all listed on AKC website) and get advise from the breeders who care how they place their pups
Wandering spirit: Rottweilers??? AMSTAFFS? but not German shepherd???
Rottweilers & AMSTAFFS (Pitbulls) are on the top of fatal dog attacks, so I would really skip them....for not experienced owner with kids

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself"
- Josh Billings

langniappe

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Posted: 8:54:24 PM 1/30/2007

Well we have Brittanys and Pembroke Welsh Corgis and they are both great with our kids. The kids are 2 and 5.

Corgi's are good small dogs. You just have to be prepared to correct them when they start to want to herd. You can break them of it, but it does take a little bit of time and make sure you wear shoes during the duration.

Usually doesn't take them long to figue out that your not happy with them when they do it, but it is instintive so they will try.

Brittanys are a good medium size breed.

Never trust someone your dog doesn't like.

ALEXnKAI

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Posted: 9:04:11 PM 1/30/2007

I think that poodles make great pets and are great with children. I had one as a young teenager and she was so smart and fun.

HuskyHauler

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Posted: 9:59:46 PM 1/30/2007

The Havanese is good with children when properly raised! :D

alicat1

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Posted: 10:20:49 PM 1/30/2007

I am completely biased, as are most people, but I believe Boxers are one of the only, if not the only breed to mention being good with children in the temperament section of the AKC breed standard.

Any parent with small children just needs to be aware they need to constantly supervise children and dogs. That means AT ALL TIMES. Otherwise--there can be serious consequences.

Boxers are like cookies you can't have just one :)

superwoman

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Posted: 3:04:43 AM 1/31/2007

How can a three year old know what he wants? lol Just find it kind of funny. There are lots of dogs out there that are known to be good with children, but are you willing to take full responsibilty for the dog?

I agree with the boxer comment. I know a lady who owns one and she has a 2 year old. It's the most gentle dog I've ever met....

Ask a question and you're a fool for three minutes; do not ask a question and you're a fool for the rest of your life.

ruffian

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Posted: 5:36:27 AM 1/31/2007

allaboutdogs "Ok, maybe not all but most of herding dogs. But, the same applies to any large dog. I would really recommend, once you pick some of the breeds, call reputable breeders or contact National Club (all listed on AKC website) and get advise from the breeders who care how they place their pups
Wandering spirit: Rottweilers??? AMSTAFFS? but not German shepherd???
Rottweilers & AMSTAFFS (Pitbulls) are on the top of fatal dog attacks, so I would really skip them....for not experienced owner with kids"

Actually according to the American Temperment Testing Society we are in more danger from our Shibas than people are from their American Staffordshire Terrier.

And if you need a reason to pass up that puppy in the pet shop watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjT0IEP-ULo

allaboutdogs

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Posted: 7:19:43 AM 1/31/2007

OK, I mean FATAL attacks not just bites......and myself, I will not sell a puppy to a home with small kids.

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself"
- Josh Billings

Minniyar

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Posted: 8:03:18 AM 1/31/2007

Alicat, that's really interesting. The lab standard says htey are gun dogs first, but are companion dogs for the family as well.

I actually think that is a little deceptive... I have yet to meet a 'mean' or aggressive boxer, so I do agree they make great family pets. But at the same time, many boxers, especially young ones, are so rambunctious, playful, bouncy and active they have a great potential to knock over a small child inadvertantly. Granted, the same is true of many other breeds, but some breeds seem naturally calmer and more careful around children than others.

Never trust a tall dwarf... he's lying about something.

irishacres

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Posted: 9:03:50 AM 1/31/2007

3 year olds and a puppy can be cute, or it can be a receipe for disaster. Whate ever you choose you will need to constantly supervise the pup and the child. I speak from experience having had 2 larger dogs before we had kids. That said, I would recommend a Schnauzer or a Corgi as good non-agressive and sturdy dogs. Plus those 2 breeds have outstanding personalities. There is no right answer to your question. But, good luck with your research and your new addition.

I like him a lot better than I like most people. To you he's a dog. TO me he's an adopted son who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly. I have no problem with any of these. <

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