I recommend Bearded Collies to anyone with kids. They’re a very nice size, and they have a wonderful temperament perfect for a family - gentle, forgiving, playful, and just plain happy. Mine never so much as looked crossly at anyone - not our cat, not the family, not strangers - not under any provocation. You can’t underestimate the value of a kind dog - you have no worries about neighbor kids “upsetting” the dog, no misgivings about letting your children walk the dog alone, etc. The heavy coat, typical sharp collie bark and relative scarcity are the basic drawbacks.
For a family dog, don’t dismiss corgis as small dogs.
Corgies are a big dog with short legs, sturdy, steady, easy to live with and most have sunny dispositions.
They do shed like mad, but practically all dogs will shed, even the ones with little short hairs do and there is always hair everyplace, if you see it easily or not.
Corgies are very good with kids too.
A friend that used to breed them said they were the one breed he didn’t have to worry it would bit anyone and if one did, it would not have been the dog’s fault.
Those dogs are also some of the cutest around, all you get while walking them is smiles coming your way, while a, say, dobie, has everyone avoiding you.
This is so do-able!
It is too bad private rescues have not been more fruitful, but a public shelter can work, too.
Go once without kiddos to screen potential candidates, then go again with kiddos.
At first visit, talk to shelter staff. Tell them what temperament/personality you are looking for. Don’t worry about breed, looks, or size right now. When you walk down the kennels, look for relaxed. A dog in a shelter that can relax is a resilient animal that can relax around two kids :winkgrin: Calm/quiet is great but remember the pup may be shut down and will grow bolder in a home. You sound knowledge and will train dog AND kids to all get along.
Tug ears, pull tail, slap sides, make loud noises, pet roughly just as your youngest will do, ask a staff person to drop or bang something behind the dog to judge the startle reflex. If the reactions are acceptable to you, then bring kids.
When kids are present, lowered/slower/stiffer body posturing would worry me. Darting eyes, lip licking, any stress signals. I want a dog that does not change posture significantly. A dog that says, “Oh mini onez. Okz whatevez. Ooo! Do mini onez have chicken nuggetz? For meeeee?!”
I wish I was nearby: I would love to help you pick an older, family-friendly pound hound! Good on ya :yes:
Nothing Pit anything…sadly, for every one of their huge vocal fans, there are a ton of detractors and people who have experienced their dark side.
http://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs-pit-bull-myths.php
Boxers are great, easy to train when they’re under a year old and while active, if they’re trained, are easy to live with.
I had a lovely female who I trained not to bark in 45 minutes over two evenings…and no, absolutley no abuse at all. They adore children and love their families. They are fun, poor situational awareness though, and when their muscular body and bony head hits you in the knees, you sure know it.
I’m picking up a tri-color rough collie female this afternoon (8 months old) from a breeder. I wanted a “softer” dog than my boxer and my last one was so great, I was a bit afraid I’d be comparing her with my old dog and she’d never quite be as good, which I thought would be unfair. The collie was also raised with cats! Hopefully less drama).
Good luck with your search, Boxers are wonderful.
Jealous! would love to be getting a dog…
I have a couple of friends who are big collie fans for families. They are remarkably chill and tolerant of kiddie chaos.
I grew up with a poodle (don’t know which type, but he was about 15 lbs?) who was a lovely dog, very devoted and smart, but did get out and run all over the neighborhood, which got old.
Good luck, keep us posted!
Love!!! my Sammys! 
They definitely seem to love kids (and people in general), and so far the ones I’ve had have been very trainable, like going to the barn and be active (but not too active ;)), and are just good all around dogs. Yes, there is hair, but I find the border collie’s hair (and smell) to actually be worse sometimes!!
While not in your area, Danielle of Mid Atlantic Samoyed Rescue is an amazing resource for Sammys and Sammy rescue http://www.samrescue.com/ I’m sure she could help you with connections near you if you need them.
I love Whippets with kids. They are so calm and affectionate, but they may not be great in your climate. I had them in VA, and even in our winters they wore 2 or 3 turnout blankets. From my understanding, Greyhounds are also great.
I have a Queensland Heeler, I have had 3 so far, and they are good with kids. Very protective and they do not roam, like my favorite dog breed, the Golden Retriever. They also give you alot of dog for their size. They are house dog sized with big dog personality
Talking about greyhounds - we have had two recently, all the way from Colorado. They were absolutely the most lovely, beautiful dogs, but when considering Flash’s criteria, thought they might not be what she wanted. They are quiet, calm, easy dogs to have around, very loving, but not sure ours would have enjoyed the rough and tumble with smallish kids.
When choosing a breed, we decided they all come with some breeding deficiencies,
and lots of healthy dogs are bred all the time from all breeds. This breed may develop this, or that breed may develop that…we just hope we can pick a normal dog with good temperament.
Fact is, we have had so many of dogs in my lifetime, from childhood onwards, and all have been adored during the time we had with them. But many Boxer people say they will never have another breed, and with CoCo, she is so smart and sweet.
if you want something docile, I’d stay far away from boxers and ridgebacks and pointers. Even retrievers can be a bit on the wild side. How about one of the big draft breeds like the St. Bernard, Leonberger, or Bernese? Docile, almost always good with kids.
Or a hound. Or some generic mix.
Oh my, I’d forgotten about greyhounds. I always had an interest in them, and before Baby #2, had wanted to adopt one eventually. When I was a vet assistant, we had quite a few clients with them and many were lovely family dogs. I remember one in particular, a very large tan and white male named Blaze… he was fresh off the track and just a stunning boy and the sweetest temperament. Maybe I’ll contact the local Greyhound rescue and get some info.
Love all the suggestions… lots I had not thought of. I’m so glad I posted, tons of great info and perspective. You guys have been immensely helpful!
Got some leads and great ideas, so we’ll see what pans out!
[QUOTE=wendy;5903042]
if you want something docile, I’d stay far away from boxers and ridgebacks and pointers. Even retrievers can be a bit on the wild side. How about one of the big draft breeds like the St. Bernard, Leonberger, or Bernese? Docile, almost always good with kids.
Or a hound. Or some generic mix.[/QUOTE]
Good point Wendy… it’s hard, because I need to balance what I like and want, with what hubby can handle, and what will be good with the kids. I like smart, athletic, active dogs… but need something that won’t take advantage of hubby, and will be friendly with the wee ones. So it is definitely a give and take!
The dog that mangled hubby’s hand was a coon hound. Don’t think he’d let me come home with a beagley/houndy type, sadly, as there are loads of good ones out there!!
Another chime in for boxers as family dogs. We don’t have kids and I always joked I was going to have get a kid for my dogs since they were so gaga over children. My two were decidedly non-hyper and were very easy to live with. I took them places often and went camping with them. They became excellent farm dogs after we moved to our farm from the city.
We now have a great dane and he is similiarly delightful and loves children, but his size is a bit much for small kids.
My local craigslist is covered up with boxers. I’d like to take them all, but my husband is the voice of reason.
We have perhaps one of the few corgis not suitable as a family dog. He is a nipper and it’s accompanied by a roar - he’s really quite the jerk, but my husband loves him.
Good luck in your search!
Collies…rough or smooth. If you’re near Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, KY, contact Tri-State Collie rescue and here is their available list.
I adopted a beautiful sable 1 1/2 year old female (Riley) over the summer. They have all types and all personalities…I’ll bet they could find a great fit for you.
This is my second collie (I’m working on my husband for another, but we have a hound and a lab too)…they are awesome with kids.
it’s hard, because I need to balance what I like and want, with what hubby can handle, and what will be good with the kids. I like smart, athletic, active dogs… but need something that won’t take advantage of hubby, and will be friendly with the wee ones. So it is definitely a give and take!
well- how about a poodle? standard poodles are smart, athletic, active dogs yet not likely to scare hubby and most are pretty good with kids. You can keep them clipped down short, no need for the silly poofs.
Herding dogs often have a tendency to nip/ herd kids, I’d stay away from them too esp. if hubby isn’t on board with controlling them.
Standard Poodles are a wonderful family dog…Great in the house, great with kids, good on the farm…good watchdogs…If you put them in a military cut they are not overly difficult hair wise…
Re herding dogs…depends on the dog. Adopting an older dog from a rescue is great way to know what their personality will be in advance. My last collie actually played tag with visiting kids…she knew when she was “it” and when it was their turn.
The new collie is still adjusting and learning that life is good and no one hits in our house.
Another idea, contact your small animal vet. They sometimes have clients who have to place a dog for one reason or another and they’d know something about the dogs history.
eta: I have a friend who has a thing for toy older dogs. Her vet found her a Chi and 2 show Paps. The Paps were retired show dogs and they’ve been a joy.
I second the suggestion of talking to your vet - large or small animal. That’s my plan for when I’m looking for the next dog. They might also know who does breed rescue in your area, and possibly which ones to steer clear of.
A friend’s husband who’s a small animal vet loves Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and says they’re among the nicest family dogs he sees. Another thought regarding temperament is the temperament of your kids; a family I know just got a young Lab who will eventually be a great family dog, but for now, the 5-year-old is intimidated because the lab is bigger than she is. I’ve known exactly two Papillons and both were great with kids but I realize that’s not much of a sample size.
another idea, if you have an agility venue or other dog training classes, they are often contacted when a dog needs placed.
I have another suggestion. Either a rough or smooth collie, or possibly a sheltie. I have no experience with shelties but have had 5 rough collies over the years. All were excellent with children despite not being raised with them or even around them much. They are extremely bidable and their major health issues (eyes and skin issues) have been known and tested for for over 20 years so I think you will see less of it than say mammary cancer in Goldens.
4 of my collies were around horses and were excellent with them also. As a teen I was quite the sight riding around my village and trails with with 3 sable rough collies trailing along behind me (and occasionally my cat).
Collies will also not challenge or intimidate your husband as they are a ‘no, no, please, after YOU’ type of dog.
