Dogs have become an important part of the family. Long gone are the days when the dog lived outside in the backyard.

There are hundreds of breed combinations available today, some purebred, many mixed breeds and recently popular are "designer" mixed breeds, which combine two popular breeds for a specific unique combination of traits.

For "pet parents" as many dog owners lovingly call themselves, integrating a new baby with a dog that has already established itself in the human pack can be a challenge. If the pet is an aggressive dog breed or has an aggressive breed as part of it's mix, it can become a serious or even fatal threat to the new baby or a young child.

In nearly all the serious or fatal dog attacks on a baby, toddler or young child, the parents or caregivers were blindsided by the aggressiveness of their family pet. The dog either did not exhibit signs of aggressiveness toward the child or the “pet parents” missed the signs, likely because they were not adept at reading aggressive dog behavior warning signs.

Many dogs in established family packs consider the new baby or child subordinate in the pack and wait, in some cases years, for an opportunity to kill the child. It may be when the baby is within reach and the mom is in the bathroom, or the dad leaves a toddler briefly outside with the family dog, both real life instances, both resulting in the death of the child.

So what's a parent to do?

If you don't have a dog and are thinking of getting one, consider getting the dog after your child is old enough to give commands and assume a dominate position relative to the dog in the family pack. Consider breeds of dogs listed below that have a history of tolerance for children.  Remember though, that every dog is unique and you cannot rely solely on the breed choice in determining its suitability around a baby or young child. If you are getting a new puppy, meet the puppy’s parents to validate that their temperament is child friendly. If you do not feel comfortable making that assessment yourself, consult a dog trainer. If you already have a dog, take care to introduce your baby and your dog carefully following the recommended steps outlined by dog experts.

If your dog is large enough to kill your child, or has any aggressive breed lineage, consult a dog expert. Fatal attacks can occur very quickly and with only one bite.

Breeds Historically good with children:

Standard schnauzer

Irish setter

Standard poodle

Bichon frize

Irish setter

Newfoundland

Collie

Bernese mountain dog

Beagle

Brittany spaniel

Mastiff

Springer spaniel

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