What are the top 10 dog breeds to own if you have small children?

Hi! Thanks for the question.

This is a very subjective question so I got different sources although
the lists are quite similar as well. Our first link from Reader's
Digest provides a top 10.

Beagle
Bulldog (French)
Cairn Terrier
Cocker Spaniel (English)
Golden Retriever
King Charles Spaniel
Labrador Retriever
Old English Sheepdog
Poodle
Pug

"The Ten Top Breeds for Families"
http://www.readersdigest.ca/mag/2000/09/dogs_01.html


Our next link actually provides the top 20 dogs for families. This
will give us more choices.

"Top Dog Breeds for Families"
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/top-dog-breeds-for-families/page1.aspx
 

Search terms used:  
"top 10" ten dog breeds families kids children

I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.
                                                          
                              
Regards,                              
Easterangel-ga                              
Google Answers Researcher

Thanks for the multiple sources.

Lab mixes and golden retriever mixes are very mild mannered. Purebred
versions tend to be more highly strung, as is true with most pure
breeds.

Going to the pound and letting the dog or cat pick you works best.
Letting the dog interact (under carefully monitored conditions) with
your kid(s) will let you see how it will react to them while being
poked, prodded, and played with.

Pet ownership is a two-way street, however, and your child or children
must be taught the proper way to behave with a dog or cat. No teasing,
no pulling of body parts, and no messing about with them while food is
involved is a smart start. While the dog must understand it is the
lowest member of the pack, your offspring need to know that being an
alpha dog has responsibility as well.

Best of luck with your new pet!

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is one of the only dogs described as
good with children by the AKC(American Kennel Club). A quate from the
AKC website:

"coupled with its affection for its friends, and children in
particular, its off-duty quietness and trustworthy stability, makes it
a foremost all-purpose dog."

Even Dog fancy describes the Staffordshire Bull Terrier as fond of
children, with no qualifiers. Labs and retreivers are described as
good with kids "when supervised"

Originally bred in England is nicknamed the "Nanny Dog" for it's love
for kids and gentle temperment with kids. Only problem is... it looks
like a Pit bull.

http://www.akc.org/breeds/staffordshire_bull_terrier/index.cfm

http://www.dogchannel.com/dog/breeds/profiles/details/article_3714.aspx

http://www.dogchannel.com/dog/breeds/profiles/details/article_3631.aspx

Get a medium or large sized dog, because the children may accidentally
injure a smaller breed. In addition many small breeds are rather
high-strung and may not take kindly to a child's attention. Goldens,
Labs, Staffordshires, Rottweilers, Dobermans, and Newfoundlands are
all patient with children despite any reputation some of those breeds
might have, although the Dobermans in particular may often get tired
of the child and walk away, but a proplerly bred and trained dog will
not be aggressive. Any dog must be supervised with small children,
although this is as much for the safety of the dog as for the child.

I worked for many years with a man who loved Staffordshire Terriers,
and if properly  bred, your opinion is absolutely correct.  They were
bred originally as fighting dogs, that is, fighting other dogs.  And,
the reputable breeders will destroy any LINE that bites a human, thus
keeping the breed safe. Those which bite humans are usually raised by
people who want vicious dogs, and treat them accordingly.

However, my friend got rid of his Staffordshire terriers. Why? Because
so many people are afraid of them.  There have been many cases where a
Staffordshire will lick a child, and the parents scream with terror,
and call the police to report a biting dog.

Thus, not a good idea. Tragic, because they are great dogs, great with
kids, but today is a litigious time and that must be considered.