My eldest child is 4 and keeps raving on about wanting a puppy and my youngest is just 20 months.Personally i would prefer a labrador/retriever as i know these are great family dogs and soft around children but on the otherhand i know how big these breeds get so i am wondering if there might be a smaller breed out there which would have the similar temperment as a labrador etc.Any ideas would be much appreciated.Thankyou

A staffordshire bull terrier is a perfect dog to have with children, I got one when my daughter was a few months old. She was fantastic around my daughter and the kennel club and the majority of dog trainers refer to them as nanny dogs as they are great around children. As with any dog it should never be left alone with children.

Ive Heard and Seen for myself that Beagles are Very Soft and Wonderful around Children, Ecspecially if Raised around them.I would mainly stay away from any kind of smaller Terrier as they are VERY Hyper Active and probably wouldnt be good with younger children.

basset hounds are very mild tempered and kind loving dogs-the only problem is they can be noisy.

My sister has small children which have grown up around her dogs. They are both Shitzus and they are very playful and soft.If you have your heart on a labrador type then how about a CollieXLab as these look very similar to labs and have really good personalities, but don't grow as large as a full pedigree Lab.The only thing I would say is that any dog can turn nasty if not trained well, so you need to think carefully before buying a dog as you will be having a young toddler around it.

I agree with you on the Lab as a choice! They are wonderful family pets.

hi i think a weimeraner would be good especially if you enjoy walking.weimeraners are very loving and very child friendly.they love being around you they are very protective of you and there very calm.i have 3 children and my weimeraner is 2 years old.i took him to dog classes which really helped but you dont need to take them to classes you can do basic training your self at home just need a few treats :-).

My friend swears by King Charles Spaniels as great family dogs, particulary for smaller children

Go to your local dog shelter/pound and get a mixed breed with some lab or retreiver in it. Maybe spaniel, beagle or such. Avoid terrier mixes.

Well there ya go, get a labrador/retriever since you know about those dogs. It Will make you feel more comfortable, and im sure your kids will just go nuts haveing a dog. And im sure you will be happy too having a labrador/retriever in your house. Its a DOUBLE PLUS for everyone!! Enjoy your new labrador/retriever.

My children are not as young as yours, but we recently got a bassett hound puppy and she is wonderful. Besides all the puppy habits (like potty-training and nipping), she is a great dog. She does bark, but I wouldn't say anymore than any other dog. They also make a gadget that you can place in the room with the dog that will activate when they bark-it will emit a sound that only the dog will hear that will discourage loud and annoying barking and/or howling. We had a black lab and we ended up giving him to a friend because he was too big to be an inside dog. He also chewed on anything and everything except for his chew toys!

I would go for a small dog - yorkshire terrier maybe

I've had several dogs and worked in a shelter, since your children are so young,a lab puppy if not a good idea, they are great family dogs, but with young kids in mind, they take a very long time to settle down, they are constant puppies untill five or so, and since they are so big it can be a hassle with young small children. When they are both in or above kindergarden a lab would be great. IF you want a small dog, don't got mininture, young kids, not matter how well behaved,can intentionally hurt little tiny dogs. Terriors aren't realiable with small children and prefer older children (gradeschool) Just because a dog is bigger dosen't mean worse, Saint Bernards are HUGE but their disposition is a gentle giant, unlike labs who are rambunicous. (the saint was just an exampe not a recomendation) Frankly any dog would work other than the general ones mentioned, rescue dogs are great, but be wary and visit them several times, dont' just go and pick one out, you need to see what they are like since you do not know what sort of home they came from.Good luck (personally I have a golden retriever which are also amazing with children of all ages, even as puppies but they are servely overbred so more prone to health issues, and there is the long, LONG hair)

rememeber reading poll of the most incidents that occurred from dog bites and nips.And guess what was top offender.Labrador.well they are so popular and there are so many about.They are animals.it would take an exceptional dog not to nip or bite a 20 month old child if the dog was to be subjected to rough treatment from the child.all dogs can bite.All dogs can be equally good with kids.But never trusted.

labradors are fine! They only get to about above your hips when they're fully grown and are so gentle with children! Just make sure u train them not to jump up when they are a puppy as it can scare u to death when a 2 year old fully grown labrador jump up all of a sudden!!!also, labs act like puppies for ages! They soon settle down when they are about 3 years old. But this is great for your kids as they can play with them all day long!P.S. smaller dogs are OK, i guess, but little dogs tend to bark alot more and scare the life out of your 20 month old child! golden retrievers and labradors are perfect 4 u. i suggest to get a lab or golden, although labs are the best choice as they dont have masses of fur! (but both breeds shed twice a year) P.P.S. make sure your research ur chosen breed carefully. Find a local vet and tell them about your lifestyle. they may suggest a better breed 4 u. and as soon as u get ur puppy, make sure u take it to the vet on the way home to make sure that theres nothing wrong with it as if there is, u wont be attatched to the puppy and then give it away again! (although u get attached 2 a puppy as soon as you see one!)P.P.P.S. Good luck!

I wouldn't give up my lab personality for anything. He loves the little ones. Some labs are smaller than others, females more often than males. And, I heard that Goldens are better family pets, but they take longer to get out of puppy stage (at least 2.5 years). My lab didn't play rough as a pup, and always respects the little ones. The tail is the only thing I'd worry about.

A puggle is the best pet for young children. Since it is a mis breed between pug and beagle there are very few health problems and there are very friendly and playful.

a boxer i have 2 children myself ages 2 and 7 my youngest jumps all over the dog pulls her about she just lays there and lets him get on with it also they are a well known breed for being very good with children i sometimes think she pays more attention to the kids than me and my partner she has a very good temperament and loving and loves to play so i would definately recommend a boxer dog i hope this helps you

I'm not going to suggest 1 particular breed but a magazine. If you get a copy of Dogs Today magazine it has pictures of a couple of hundred breeds in the back along with some details of each. Once you have chosen some likely candidates they also have telephone contacts for general advice and specific breed advice. I'd suggest speaking to specific breed advice people on the breeds you have chosen and then go from there. If you can't choose between a couple of breeds once you have done the above then I suggest contacting breeders of those breeds in your area and arranging to visit. Most breeders are happy to have visitors and you can then make your choice.