Kid friendly dogs
There are some breeds that are usually better with
kids than others, but of course, there are always exceptions to this rule. There is no single
dog or breed that is completely trustworthy with
kids. Even though Labs and golden retrievers are usually great with
kids—they’re patient, gentle and playful—there are individual
dogs who can have social or genetic defects that can make them aggressive. For example, American pit bull terriers are usually portrayed as dangerous with
kids, but in real life they are the best companions for
kids. They have a great fondness for
children, so the bully breeds are sometimes called nanny or nursemaid
dogs. But like any other breed, whether it’s a Lab, golden retriever, or a bully breed, they all need proper socialization and training to be brought up
children-friendly. It doesn’t matter what breed—dogs should never be left alone with
children. Make sure your sleeping infant is secured and far from the
dog’s reach.
Almost any
dog can be a great pet or a potential biter, but there are a few breeds out there that have tendencies that you should know about. The predatory instincts of some
dogs are stronger than those of others. Examples are northern breeds and terriers. Even though it is rare, some
dogs can think that the crying of a baby is wounded prey and respond in an according manner. Herding
dogs will herd livestock, other pets in the family and your
kids. This can be potentially dangerous or frightening, especially if the
dog is bred to use its mouth to heel livestock. This can create a tension between the child and the
dog, because their teeth can cause unintended bruises and cuts. Terriers are other sharp
dogs, they can be mouthy and nippy. They need to start socializing with
kids early, because quick hands and running feet can make them snap. If
dogs such as Akitas, mastiffs, pit bulls, Dobermans are not properly socialized, they can be dangerous because of their strength, even though they are believed to be wonderful protectors of
children. Small
dogs lack strength and size, so they do less damage, even though they are believed to be the most common biters. A large guardian
dog can be dangerous if he feels possessive over a toy or over food.
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