Often rescues and breeders wont entertain families with small children  or any children in fact in a  way I agree in some circumstances the dog  can be  way down in pecking order and first to go if there is a problem.
But then I have to say my children were brought up with dogs and so was my grandaughter Shelley
Shelley ( age 9 )  always stays with me at weekend and the first thing she does it ask to see which dogs are in for homing and play with my dogs tonight we were watching come dancing on the telly she was sat on the floor and Annie my young  black lab was lying with her head on her knee Shel stroking her head probably without thinking about it,when she stopped Annie looked up at Shel so adoringly I felt quite touched at how much they love each other.
I have a lovely picture of Minnie ( also black lab)who sadly died last year aged 2 and a half she also adored Shelley the picture I took was of Shel when she was poorly and Minnie was  snuggled up to her Shel says she made her better.
Children and dogs with mutual respect are a wonderful thing.

I despair of children of kids who are bought up with no knowledge of how to behave around dogs....the ones who run screamig when a dog goes near them...you just know they're going to get bitten eventually by some over excited puppy
Archer

Yes thats the key no knowledge and have to say (sorry dont like to harp on the rescue theme but) many rejected dogs are because they have children or whatever.
But when its right when they are brought up right with dogs there is nothing nicer to see than an adoring dog and child loving and respecting each other

I was on my way home from feeding the birds this morning and there were two little girls, I guess around 8 to 10 years old. They had a yellow Labrador on the lead. Every time they stoped the dog sat quietly beside them and as they moved off the dog was up and walking beautifully to heel. I passed by thinking to my self how lovely they looked.

Best wishes, John

Yep....when kids and dogs are 'right' its beautiful .Must admit my daughter has that 'certain something' when it comes to dogs.They just warm to her.When in the ring whereas they 'show' for me ,they 'glow' for her.I have actually had a judge comeup to me after competition and tell me she could see the adoration in my dogs eyes for Kimmi.....I posted a piccy on another forum the other day of him looking at Kimmi and you can see the love
Archer

Mattie,
A girl who lives near me, I suspect about 11, walks several dogs. One day I stopped her and asked her - how many dogs do you have?? She said "they are not my dogs I walk them for other people and they pay me"  "how much do they pay you" I asked - "oh about 50p a week" she said. Then she said "Each dog is different   - one likes to go to the park and play with other dogs, one likes the beach, one likes to walk on the street, one likes when I just cuddle it etc etc etc. She is brilliant with her charges.

I think children and dogs can have a beautiful relationship. I think children can come to such relationships with no baggage.

Hi Mattie

I have an 18 month old newfie and girls aged 2 and 5, the dog adores them and they do her especially the 2 year old who has grown up with her. They know she isn't a toy and to be gentle with her (the roughest thing they do is give her a big hug) and the dog is really gentle with them evens though with me and the OH she stands on feet, claws you for attention, try to trip you up, sits on your knee which can be very painfull.:) Its lovely to see my 2 year old sat on the floor with the dogs head in her lap which unfortunately doesn't last long as this means the 2 year old can't get up but its cute while it lasts.:)

Nikki

Glenys

You know my views on this :)

Flo has been brought up with Labs all her life and Indigo is the same :)

They are so very much together in all we do and that is the way it will always be :)

They love each others company and have so much fun ! :)

I can sit and watch them for hours playing together and snuggling. Priceless :)

Lucy
xx

Having pets is great for kids - if the parents are capable and sensible. Its a great way to learn about putting others needs first, dogs keep the fun in your life way past childhood ( the 20 somethings I work with are far too stuffy and boring for me!) about learning patience,responsibility, respect and trust. Its lovely when parents are there to hold the line. At a neighbours house last night I watched the 4 year old deliberately stand on their lab to get past, and he laughed when I stopped him doing it twice.. mind you they used to let the pup jump up and pull kids clothes. Funny how folks bring their dogs up like their kids...

Lorelei,

"Funny how folks bring their dogs up like their kids"

You've hit the nail on the head there :)  It definately depends on how the dogs and the children are brought up, some of my eldest childs school friends weren't allowed near my dog because they didn't know how to be kind to them, now she mostly bothers with people who can respect animals.  Both her and my little boy are wonderful with dogs, even dogs who are wary and don't like children are happy around my children because they know how to behave :)  Interestingly there is one little boy in my son's class who I've never been able to take to (not like me at all) and when I took my pup to the school this child had no respect for her and was told by me to back off and leave her alone because of his behaviour - he has a dog at home his mother just smiled :rolleyes:

I have had both sides as a breeder with pups, where kids and dogs have enriched each others lives, and also where the pup and children just were to much for parents to cope with.  Unfortunately it is hard rto predictr which way ti will go when you ahve seemingly sensible nice families having a puppy, and maybe has more to do with the individuals than the situation per se.

My Lexi's brother has a very close attachement to the little boy he lives with,a nd the feeling is mutual.  As soon as the pup wakes he is waiting for his freind to come down to play.  He has a titual with his blanket which he presents to this little lad (about 6 years old) and the boy stands on the blanket and the pup (no wonder he has such a powerful neck) pulls him around the floor on it.  They are also always making up games, playing hide and seek, and just cuddlong up together, in fact they are inseperable.

Now the little lad was born into a household of 3 Elkhound males, but he is especially attached to his pup who is the first pup in the household since he was born.

Many times at out ringcraft we have had children come with their dogs (and parents) and done the junior handling and the dogs have just been so "of course I will" and it's lovely, and you see them always having fun with their dog (others are only in it to win it :( )

I think half my baby photo's have me cuddled up to one of my grandparents boxers, (yea baby photot's don't get seen much thank god!)

My brother has always been someone who little dogs have taken to, he will get down on the floor and play with them, It always used to be mainly italian greyhouds, whipits and cavvies!

on this note I also see this affection between dogs and adults, in and out of the ring you can see the devotion in the dog to its mum or dad! and it is lovely to see no-matter the age of the owner, the love the dog will give, but can see the speciality with children.

It just proves that not all children are bad, there are some angels left :) (need and angelic smilie!)