What type of dog breeds deal best with toddlers?

T

Tara $

New member
Yes, I know the toddler has to be trained as well :)
He knows "soft touch" and never when the dog is eating or drinking stuff like that. It will still be a few months before we decide he can handle a dog (I see dogs get hell from kids and seem totally fine, but I still feel bad for the poor dog)
We have been teaching him how to handle other dogs in various ways, he is NEVER and will never be left alone with a dog. I probably wont let him alone with a dog until he is moved out lol.
Thanks for all the helpful answers.
 
It totally depends on how well the adult in the household supervises interaction and teaches both the child and dog how to live with one another.

NO dog is going to be okay with a toddler pulling, pinching, hitting, or climbing all over it. NO dog is going to sit around and let a child scream in it's ears or shove foreign objects in them. NO dog should even be EXPECTED to tolerate any type of abuse like that. Period.

There is no universal "toddler proof" dog, unless you count toys or stuffed animals as an option. All individual dogs are different, as are individual home lives of said dogs. Just because one person knows a Labrador Retriever that is perfect with kids, does not mean ALL Labrador Retrievers will be.

In general you want to find a dog that is sturdy enough that a little bit of rough treatment or play won't hurt it - something over 15 pounds and stocky. Short fur, low shed. Unless you're highly active and able to drain the dog's energy to prevent hyperactive behavior, i would also avoid high energy dogs.

Then you work from there on proper supervision and teaching the child how to interact with the dog.
 
Not so much a breed question but a type question. I would say get an older dog from the Humane Society, I just worked with one and he was literally 'bomb proof', calm, sweet to everyone and other dogs. Make sure you retrain your new dog for obedience just so you know what he/she knows.

Never leave a young child unattended with a dog, even for a moment, unexpected things can happen and the result can sometimes be bad.

Best wishes
 
Boxer. Boxers are extremely loyal to friends and family, while also being very protective of loved ones. They have goofy personalities and are very playful/active. I have an 80lbs Boxer and a 4lbs teacup Yorkie. They do not have any problems together. Just make sure you train any dog to be good around children and other dogs.
 
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