Are Labradors good with small children?

[Herchy]

Hi there,
We are really wanting to get a dog, and DH has always wanted a chocolate Lab.
I have only ever had Mini Foxie's as a child, and was wondering if Lab's were good with kids?
Do they mind being hit, poked, prodded etc?
If not, what breeds are good with children?

Space is not an issue as we live on a farm

[RockabillyLove]

Best kids dog EVER- Great Dane.

Our two year old sits on her Dane's head and all you hear is a grunt. She'll walk over her instead of around her and she won't even move.
She gets a real kick out of hand feeding her doggie kibble bit by bit, and the Dane is so gentle and careful of not biting her hand, even though Scarlet sticks her entire hand in there.

And the dog's size deters anyone who has any intention of breaking into your home or hurting your kids.
But for all their height, they are so gentle and loyal, and intelligent.

Best bet, go to a rescue centre and let your kids meet a few family-friendly dogs.
That way, you save a life, get a family pet, and no chew-it-all ****-on-it-all puppy stage to worry about.

[springbride]

We have a Golden Retriever & Boxer and they are both great with kids. I think a lot depends on the way the dog is raised and its background.

Good Luck

P.S I would love a Chocolate Lab too.

[mumzdaword]

Any dog can be good with kids..just depends on whether they are brought up with them and how they are brought up...

The only problem with larger breeds is that going through puppy stage they tend to get over excited and being bigger than a toddler can tend to knock them over accidently....

[Harlequin]

If they are properly trained/socialised. Yes.

www.wheredopuppiescomefrom.com.au (i'm posting this in every dog-buying thread )

[blackdog]

Yes, labs are generally good with kids. My cousin breeds chocolate labradors and she has four kids so her puppies are fairly kid-proofed from birth and have all had good temperaments so far.

If you can handle a labrador puppy then go for it. They are a lot of work and stay in puppyhood for ages, and they chew everything in sight and are liable to knock things over, including the occasional child, but they are a very popular choice for families.

my kids are 6 & 8 and my Lab is three, and they all get on brilliantly.....NOW......they all need to be trained how to deal with each other

my advice is check out both parents for temperament and read "Marley & Me"

[puppiesmum]

Hi Herchy
If you haven't already got your pup I would definately say go for it as long as either you or your hubby would be good with discipline. Although I would say that with any breed.
Labs are extremely boisterous (sp?) mine are 6 and still can knock me over when they get a little too excited and their wagging tails really pack a punch, although I'm not the 'leader of the pack' and when dp tells them to stop they do straight away. They are brilliant with little kids they just need to be told to calm down sometimes.
One time on a camping trip we woke up to find a 3yo boy cuddling my bb around the neck in their bed and and she just layed there wagging the very tip of her tail.
Even with puppies they are good, my friends have a staffy and he jumps up trying to bite my boy labs face and he just sits up tall and lets him do it, he pushes him away with his paw when he has had enough.
I grew up with a lab and mum tells us my sis and I used to try and ride him and used him as a slide, he never got grumpy they are very tollerant dogs.

[AM]

Our lab is amazing with our two boys, incredibly gentle with them, but yes, she does get over excited sometimes, and has sent them bowling, we nip it in the bud now, and put her outside to run the energy off, or I will go out and throw the ball for her to fetch until she is all tuckered out if need be...they definitely do need a good outlet for all their energy

[Sheer Bliss]

As others have said - training and temperement play a MAJOR role in how good any dog is with young children.

My MIL has a golden and a chocolate lab - both are big dogs, and get very excited when the kids visit, and try to jump all over them.....the MIL's soln to this was to yell at the dogs, smack them and then tie them up for the duration onf our visit. It took me a while to convince her that the dogs and kids needed to learn mutual respect, and if every time we arrived the dogs were in trouble and tied up, there would always be a negative association with the kids and this could not be good. The dogs are both still young and still easily taught, and yesterday the dogs and kids were all well behaved around each other. I am thankful no permanent damage to the dogs was done by tying them up when we visited!

OK - long story there - sorry.......but yup, the labs are absolutely fantastic with the kids, now that they are being trained better, and able to 'play' with the kids properly!

[jaq]

Everyone I've ever met has raved about Labs and kids, and we had good friends with two HUGE dogs, both allowed inside, and they were wonderful with both our friends baby, and both of our girls. The only issue was sheer size - their tails are really powerful and they tend to wag them a lot! Toddlers need to be taught to stay clear of the danger end

What I really wanted to say was talk to the RSPCA if you have one near you. We're on the lookout for a dog for the kids, and I love the way the RSPCA are very knowledgeable about the specifics of the dogs they have, and quite firm in saying "yes, family dog" or "no, not at all suitable".

Also, especially in the city pounds, so many Labs get handed in because people don't have the space for them, or the time to exercise them properly. It's no reflection on the dogs - just the people.

But DO read Marley and Me