No specific dog breed is universally "bad" with kids, but breeds like Chow Chows, Huskies, Akitas, Rottweilers, and Presa Canarios often require experienced owners due to strong instincts or high energy, while tiny breeds can be fragile and overreact to rough handling, making proper training, socialization, and strict supervision crucial for any dog with children, as even gentle dogs can snap if startled, hurt, or teased. Key factors are temperament, training, and constant adult oversight, teaching kids to respect a dog's space, never approach while eating or sleeping, and avoid hugging/kissing.
Spitz breeds like huskies and Akitas are known for their stubborn streak when it comes to training. Lumbering giant breeds like bullmastiffs may knock over toddling children or anything in their path. Other dogs may get defensive around children, such as toy breeds fearing for their safety around rambunctious kids.
The 3-3-3 rule is a roadmap for the first three days, three weeks, and three months after pet adoption. It emphasizes patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement to help pets acclimate to their new environment.
However, the number one biter of children according to the Centers for Disease Control, (CDC), which collects its data from medical reports, is the Pit Bull (#1), followed by the Rottweiler (#2), and the Chihuahua (#3). There is no rating for the severity of the bites.
Growling is GOOD.
If you're reading this and you're concerned that you have a 'bad dog' because they growled – I promise you, you don't. Growling is a VERY normal and ESSENTIAL part of dog communication. It's a polite way of saying 'I'm not comfortable with what you're doing, please stop!”
A red flag dog behavior signals deep fear, stress, or potential aggression, going beyond normal misbehavior, and includes intense growling/snapping without cause, sudden aggression in a calm dog, persistent hiding, resource guarding (food aggression), freezing, destructive behavior linked to separation anxiety, or signs of extreme anxiety like trembling, lip-licking, and tail-tucking, indicating underlying problems needing professional intervention.
Here are some of the more overt signs your dog might display if they're uncomfortable with a child:
The study, published in the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, explores the risk of dog bite injuries to the face in children, and bite severity by breed, size and head structure. Researchers found pit bulls and mixed breed dogs have the highest risk of biting and cause the most damage per bite.
The "heartbreak breed" refers primarily to the Great Dane, nicknamed this due to their affectionate nature combined with a relatively short lifespan (around 7-10 years) and susceptibility to serious heart conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), making losing them particularly difficult for their devoted owners. Other giant breeds like Irish Wolfhounds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Saint Bernards also face significant health challenges, including cancer and heart disease, often earning them similar sentiments from owners.
The friendliest dog breeds for kids consistently include the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, and Beagle, known for their patience, affection, and playful nature, with other great options being the Boxer, Poodle, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and gentle giants like the Newfoundland, but remember proper training and socialization are key for any breed.
The most commonly surrendered dog type is the "pit bull type" (including mixes), often due to negative stereotypes, breed-specific legislation, and high energy levels, followed by other popular breeds like German Shepherds, Huskies, and Labrador Retrievers that may not fit owner lifestyles. Breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers (especially mixes) also top surrender lists in some regions like Australia.
The seven second rule. Put the back of your hand on the pavement. If you cannot hold it for seven seconds, it is too hot to walk for your dogs. This rule also applies to dogs riding in the bed of a pickup truck.
Place the back of your hand on the pavement. If you can't keep it there for five seconds, it's too hot to walk your dog. If you didn't know about this rule, chances are your friends don't, either.
The calmest dog breeds often include large, gentle giants like the Saint Bernard, Newfoundland, and Great Dane, along with smaller, easygoing companions such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Basset Hound, Pug, and English Bulldog, all known for their relaxed, affectionate, and laid-back temperaments, though individual dogs vary. Sighthounds like the Greyhound are also surprisingly calm indoors, needing short bursts of energy but otherwise content to lounge.
5 Dog Breeds That Can Be Challenging for New Pet Owners
Dog Breeds Most Likely to Bite
The 12 Most Abandoned Dog Breeds: These Pups Are Most Likely To Be Found In Shelters
While there's no single "number one," the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever consistently rank as top friendly dogs due to their gentle, outgoing, and loyal temperaments, making them excellent family pets good with kids and other animals, though they need plenty of exercise. Other top contenders for friendliness include Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Pugs, known for their playful, affectionate, and people-loving natures.
Dogs bite more than 4.5 million people annually. A large percentage of dog bite victims are children. There were 58 recorded dog bite fatalities. Pitbulls are responsible for 66.9% of deaths.
Pit bulls and related breeds consistently rank high in dog bite statistics. These dogs were originally bred for strength and tenacity, traits that can make their attacks particularly severe.
10 aggressive dog breeds
Dogs say "sorry" through submissive body language like tucking their tail, lowering their head, making "puppy eyes," licking, and rolling onto their backs to show they're not a threat, which are appeasement signals to diffuse tension after a conflict or misbehavior, often combined with whining or approaching and retreating. They recognize when their human (or another dog) is upset and use these signs to seek forgiveness, though it's more about reducing stress than human-like guilt.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, representing 3 days (overwhelmed/hiding), 3 weeks (settling in/testing boundaries), and 3 months (feeling at home/bonding) to help owners manage expectations and provide patience, routine, and a calm environment, understanding that anxiety is normal as they decompress from a stressful past. It's a framework for recognizing stress and fostering trust, not a rigid timeline, but it helps owners understand why a new dog might seem timid or act out initially.
Accept the fact that sometimes an individual dog will never be safe around children. It is important to talk to your veterinarian first before doing anything. Once you begin to work on the problem rely upon a behavior professional who utilizes reward-based training to address this problem.