I think I made it perfectly clear that children should be taught not to approach strange dogs. They should be taught to ask first, then only to pet, at least that is what I have taught my three kids, and boy they are the american variety! I've read that they can be very nasty, uncontrolable etc.... this is starting to sound like an anti-kid site. Dogs and kids are both unpredictable no matter what breed or what country they call home. I love dogs and kids and attempt to make any situation where the two encounter each other the most pleasant possible. Both parties (dogs and kids) need to be taught respect for one another, but in the end dogs are dogs, and small children will always come first. That is the reality(I've said that before).

Hi Bumblebee...,
not being anti- kid .....just pro-safety, pro-manners, & pro-tection for situations between dogs & kids :D

Actually, I've learned quite a bit from you all posting about your experiences. It has given me much to think about and even use in the future. I really appreciate this forum and everyone on it :-) :D :D :D
toodles

On my earlier posting, I didn't mean to make it sound like kids shouldn't come first ... that I hope was what I also tried to say when I expressed my disgust at the way so called dog lovers were able to desecrate the grave of the little girl who died when two Rottweilers mauled her to death. My own dogs are very gentle with kids though it wasn't always the case .. when I rescued my terrier everyone said he should be put to sleep because he was agressive ... in actual fact he was terrified of everything .. and children in particular. Over the years I have resocialised him and now he loves children and people generally. He was around 2 or 3 when he came to live here .. if dogs can be retaught, then all I think is that parents can teach their children to behave properly around dogs. I always assure parents that my dogs are child safe when a child approaches. But I agree in our human society ... children can be unpredictable and the dog should be trained to accept most situations.

Excuse my ignorance, I am in London UK and my our family dog passed away one and a half years ago, we are keen to get another dog now and so I have been checking websites. The dog concerned in this case was it a Canary Dog, or a Canary cross, I had read about the reputations of them they are around 110lbs and 26 inches tall but were bred for fighting and are vicious but death, it must be pure evil, have there been cases fo this sought with bullmastiffs rottweilers, I presume many of these dogs are trustworthy if brought up correctly?

I am thinking of going for a bullmastiff, neapolitan mastiff or possibly Pyranean, Tibetan the larger flock guarding mastiffs. We had a standard poodle from a rescue centre, he was abused before he found us and went through six homes and due to us treating him very well was over protective and once attacked a postman but luckily just tore his clothes, I am 17 and my parents both have little fear of dogs, we have a seven year old niece who is at our house about one day a month so we need a breed that can socialize with the child she was good with our poodle and respects dogs, doesnt yank their ears or anything. We do want a breed that can guard the house though as there have been a recent spait of burglaries and arson attacks in our area! Any advice on this will be appreciated, thank you.