Our 1 year old daughter just loves animals, and so we are looking to buy a child friendly dog. We are leaning towards a Yorkshire Terrier... but I've been hesitant because my friend had a yorkie that used to nip at everybody who crossed her path... is this typical of a yorkie or was it just this particular dog? What are some other child-friendly breeds we could consider?
2007-10-03 13:34:36 · 32 answers · asked by Lexi 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Yes, nipping is a very Yorkie trait. Yorkies are about the LEAST child-friendly dog you can find. For one thing, no 1 year old child can possibly interact safely with a 5lb dog. The dog is going to get hurt, and then it's going to bite the child, and nobody is going to be very happy. Also, Yorkies require daily brushing and monthly professional grooming- that's a lot of time and money to dedicate to a dog when you're trying to keep up with a toddler.
Basically, you do NOT want a small dog with a small child. I know it sounds like a good idea, but it's not. Small dogs by nature are delicate, high-energy, and generally not child friendly. There are exceptions, but it's better not to risk it. The rule of thumb is that the smaller the child, the bigger the dog. Obviously, some breeds will still be excluded, but it's a good start.
Here are some good breeds to consider, including the few smaller breeds that are acceptable for children:
-Beagles
-Foxhounds
-Staffordshire Terriers / Pit Bulls (don't believe the hype, they are fabulous family dogs)
-Boxers
-Labs
-Golden Retrievers
-Rottweilers
-German Shepherds
-Newfoundlands
-Saint Bernards
-Pointer
-Great Dane
-Great Pyrenees
-Standard Poodle (NOT toy or mini)
-Mastiff
Breeds you should NOT consider under any circumstance (until your child is at least 13):
-Yorkie
-Maltese
-Chihuahua
-Papillon
-Toy or Mini Poodle
-Cairn Terrier
-Cocker Spaniel
-Dachshund
-Akita
-Husky
-Shiba Inu
-Bulldog
-Pomeranian
Please do plenty of research on any breed you consider before buying/adopting.
2007-10-03 13:50:47 · answer #1 · answered by Dreamer 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It isn't dependent upon breed but upon individual dog as well as you. Subjecting a puppy to a one year old is not adviseable at all. You might want to check with breed rescue for a breed you might like and discuss what you want and possibly they might have an older dog that is fully evaluated and would be good around toddlers - that is IF you teach your toddler, well infant really, to behave properly around dogs. At one year most children while you think they 'just love animals' don't have the congnitive skills to be capable of properly dealing with animals and you really have to have a bombproof dog - rare! - do not get a dog for your child - she doesn't want and can't care for it and will be a detriment to it - if you get a dog get if FOR YOU and your SO and make sure it is suitable around small children but only in highly supervised instances. I can't tell you how many children have their faces ripped open by their loving pets and all I hear is the parents saying how 'fufu never did that before' or 'oh they just love each other so much, I don't undersand'... either way the child suffers for the parents ignorance. There is no 'child friendly' dog. Only dog knowledgeable parents.
ADD: I agree with the person about the fish@@ great idea! Dogs should be the last choice as a pet for an infant/toddler unless you are a real dog knowledgeable person to begin with...
2007-10-03 14:04:37 · answer #2 · answered by Nancy M 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Terriers are generally a little overexcitable and sometimes are prone to nipping. My honest opinion? I think that a yorkie is a poor choice for a family pet, especially since your daughter is so young. I would go with lab (can´t beat a classic). If you don´t want a big dog, then a pug.
2007-10-03 13:41:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I would not recommend a Yorkshire Terrier for a family with young children. Yes, they can be good with children, and I'm certainly not trying to say your daughter isn't well-behaved, but Yorkshire Terriers are fragile and one fall can easily break bones. I would recommend a sturdier breed for you such as a Poodle, Shih-Tzu, Golden Retriever, Boston Terriers, Pugs, etc. There are many other breeds out there that are able to handle a young child, whereas a Yorkshire Terrier may not and could nip out of fear. There are many wonderful breeds to choose from. Good luck!
2007-10-03 13:52:54 · answer #4 · answered by liveyourlife 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Surprisingly, thought you will need to exercise like with any, Dobermans make a family. My two co-aver over my two infant nieces even helped one take her first step. They are very loving despite their nasty rep. Better than any little dog most larger dogs are. The only down fall is that they don't know if you get a young one their own size and may knock over an infant. Mine don't but they LOVE to go to the nursing homes and visit everyone and get treats they normally aren't suppose to.LOL. How can you tell the elderly No unless it is harmful. Please check out some of the larger breed dogs not just Dob es. You'd be surprise to see that toy poodles, Cockers, etc are in the top ten of the most bites. Even before Dobes.
2007-10-03 13:43:49 · answer #5 · answered by Stephanie M 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Bigger dogs. Small dogs often nip at children. The smallest "child-friendly" dog I'd recommend is a cocker spaniel.
I highly recommend going to a shelter and talking to the staff about getting a dog. It may not be the best time with such a young child, but if you're committed to keeping the dog and the child no matter what happens, it can work. Good luck to you!
2007-10-03 13:42:11 · answer #6 · answered by a gal and her dog 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
IMO, she does not need a dog at her age. It is very hard on the dog and the baby does not know how to touch or pet it and will want to pick it up. Puppies are wiggle worms and if she dropped it, it could kill it. I have seen babies her age with puppies and it is NOT a pretty thing to watch. She is also going to get bitten if you are not careful. The older she gets, the better she will understand what she can and can't do with a puppy. At a year old, she has no concept of how to treat a puppy.
2007-10-03 15:20:53 · answer #7 · answered by MANDYLBH 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We adopted a Norfolk Terrier when he was 3 months old and we just love him. He is great with my kids and with the adults too. We have cats also and he doesn't bother them either. So you may have good luck with the terrier breed. I think it is all in how you treat them if they are going to bite or not....
2007-10-03 14:37:16 · answer #8 · answered by missyandbill2000 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A great child friendly dog that is relatively small and doesn't need a lot of attention (other than cuddles) is a cavalier king charles spaniel. It is the only breed that has never attempted to bite anyone at work (vet practice), they don't grow very large although you need to ensure the sire and dam don't have heart problems as the breed is prone to this.
Have fun!
2007-10-03 13:40:01 · answer #9 · answered by doolittle 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
def. not a yorkie!! ...i've been rescuing and placing for 25 years, .....Rescue a lab, and not a puppy!!! a one year old or 2, ......yellow lab, or golden retriever, ....The little dogs, most are NOT tolerable of kids, ......In all honesty, a one year old child is not old enough to "have a pet" either. But if you're really talking for your family as a whole, a lab or retriever, is best........again, not a puppy, ....go online to Lab rescues, and you'll see plenty of great dogs.
2007-10-03 13:40:28 · answer #10 · answered by ? 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋