David, not every dog that's looking for a new home has a problem. Sometimes owners in the military are forced to move overseas where they can't take their adult dog and would love a good home for the dog with a family. Sometimes owners are too busy, and other times when people decide to share a house their dogs don't like each other so one ends up looking for a new home.

The hunting dogs are a perfect example. Will the new owners care that the dog can't hunt? I think not. They will appreciate the devotion and companionship of the dog, and what made it unsuitable for the last owner will be a moot point.

When I worked for a vet there was a pup that had horrible allergies that was turned in. The vet found a home for the dog with a client's son up in Michigan. The dog didn't have allergy problem there are was great, hardly the hairless bag of bones that she used to be.

As long as they check into the dog's history, they should be able to find a perfectly suitable dog.

Yes, I too fundamentally agree with Todd's post. If you are an intelligent prospective dog owner you should be able to (with help) find the correct temperament within a certain breed of dog.

BUT, I also agree with one of Brad's previous posts. He stated that there are people on this board that have grown up with protection breeds or are heavily involved with them. That equals a lot of experience and maybe a slight amount of bias towards these breeds. The average pet or prospective pet owner does not have that kind of experience. Even a good breeder might not be able to prepare these people for some of the problems that can arise from a physically powerful dog with strong drives being in an inappropriate home.

I still stand by some of my original comments and I never recommend a protection breed of dog as a first dog to anyone who asks for my advice, or research information. Of the 4 people who asked for my advice (3 didn't listen) 2 gave their rotts away (dominance/rank issues), 1 has his GSD stuck in the backyard and won't train him, and 1 is living happily ever after with her 2 Hungarian viszlas.

Since I've got three kids ages 2, 4 & 8, I thought I'd throw my experience into the thread. I've got a working Malinois that may be to hard for competition (probably it's my training abilities). Any way this dog will tear a groomers hand off but as of this moment is excellent with my kids. I don't trust my dog or my kids for that matter to be alone with each other. But my four year old boy is the only one in the family that can actually wear that dog out. They will play fetch for two hours. Every retrieve is the same. The dog comes within three feet of my son, my son tackles the dog, grabs the ball, gives "out" command and throws it.
I am more concerned about strangers approaching my dogs than my family. I'll say this one more time for the record. I don't trust my dog or my kids. All kids can be cruel, heartless monsters with no conscience (at least the good ones). Another thing. I make sure there is NEVER any food around when my kids interact with the Malinois. I don't want to tempt fate. One last thing. If my kid ever bit my dog I'd shake the snot out of him and maybe (depending on the damage) have him put down. That's why working dog owners should have more than one kid.

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If my kid ever bit my dog I'd shake the snot out of him and maybe (depending on the damage) have him put down. That's why working dog owners should have more than one kid.

Cool <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I needed to laugh. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

This young family has enough on their "plate" with a six month old infant who demands 24/7 attention and care. I've seen too many "throw away" dogs end up at the pound or worse (6+ month purebred dogs of all types and sizes) simply because the adults gave little thought to the demands, responsibilites and expense of adding a dog to their household in addition to attending to their responsibilities as new parents. When asked "why" they are giving up the dog..the standard universal reply is.."we just don't have the time to give the dog the attention he/she deserves; Maybe in a couple of years when our baby is older". Too bad for the dog..maybe another home will come along..maybe not. Had these people given any forethought prior and decided to wait; the dog would not be in a homeless and possible death situation.

As far as the cocker spaniel breed goes..that's a big no no for family's with children. I've had several nice cockers within my foster care and placed within homes with no children under roof and no usual child visitors. That was the best I could do or hope for in addition to stressing that this is not a breed of dog that is typically good with children.

Most children age 4 and older have a better grasp and understanding as to right or wrong..depending upon the home training provided by their parents.

Children raised in a supervised dog enviroment with experienced handlers for parents are in a different class as opposed to those who are inexperienced. My hat is tipped to you that take your responsibilities seriously but there are far too many inexperienced handlers with dogs that don't.
A 10 year old boy was visiting relatives and was told to stay away from the locked kennels that housed the uncles' husky dogs. The boy was bored in the house and went outside to play. When the parents were ready to they called out to the boy..no answer. someone looked in the back where the kennels were..the boy had climbed the fence that surrounded the kennels and into the kennels. There he laid..a bloody mauled mass.. and dead.

I think we need to differentiate American and English cockers. There's about the same difference as German and American GSDs, only they were lucky enough to split the breed.

Originally posted by Barbara:

A 10 year old boy was visiting relatives and was told to stay away from the locked kennels that housed the uncles' husky dogs. The boy was bored in the house and went outside to play. When the parents were ready to they called out to the boy..no answer. someone looked in the back where the kennels were..the boy had climbed the fence that surrounded the kennels and into the kennels. There he laid..a bloody mauled mass.. and dead. What the hell does this story have to do with the price of tea in China? I guess this 10 year old boy fails in some way to fall into the 4 year old rule?! These were kenneled dogs that obviously were not raised with the boy and an everyday part of this boys family.

I'm having a VanCamp moment as this thread is starting to get on my nerves.

Ringsport raised a good point about trusting a dog around small children.

They can not be left unattended. I don't care what the breed. No matter how much you "trust" the dog, a dog is still a dog. This is also to protect the dog as well as the child. Picture this scenario. You leave the room for a second. Your 3 year old grabs the dog's toy. Dog goes for the toy(in play) but gets a mouthfull of hand in the process. Kid screams. You run in the room to see your childs hand with a bite mark, maybe some blood. Your child says "fido bit me!" Now, the child isn't always capable of telling the full story so you are now left wondering what really happened. You may have a pretty good idea that it was an accident but who knows? Maybe you don't.

Bottom line, if.... and only if you can provide the right supervised environment, have "dog experience" and select the right dog, all can work out just fine.

Chuck..To spell the point out for you ie--10 year dead kid. Adults must take the responsibility to supervise their children 24/7 when in the company of dogs be they kenneled or otherwise; known to them or visiting. Their duty as parents and guardians of their children's well being failed with this tragidy and any other dog/child mauling for that matter. The fact of the matter is..the parents put their visiting and enjoyment ahead of their full time job as parents by allowing the child to do as he wanted and out of sight with the child clearly disobeying.
I see this "new child rearing method" within my professional and personal life everyday..the parent instructs..the child pays no attention.

So to get back to the origial post of asking if a Rottie adoption with a six month old infant is a good idea...I don't give a damn about the breed; the infant is the deciding declining reason. Infants crawl before they walk and pull and tug on whatever is within their little paws reach. The parents should take this to heart..get the kid thru infant/toddler years..provide guidence as to what is acceptable and what is not..and when the child proves that he/she can be trusted to obey..then.. think about getting a dog..then they get to start all over again with the dog's education.

Will someone please stop this ride??? I want to get off!!!

A 10 year old boy was visiting relatives and was told to stay away from the locked kennels that housed the uncles' husky dogs. The boy was bored in the house and went outside to play. When the parents were ready to they called out to the boy..no answer. someone looked in the back where the kennels were..the boy had climbed the fence that surrounded the kennels and into the kennels. There he laid..a bloody mauled mass.. and dead. Here change this to a 10 year old boy was bored climbed a fence fell in a pool and drowned.

Um, a 10 year old was left alone and bored and was looking in the drawers of a dresser gun goes off...

Please what an example. This has nothing to do with the fact that a family CAN have an infant be diasabled and petite, and CAN have a dog too!!!

Get off your almighty high horses and understand that people with 'lives' make excellent pet homes.