Cleoppa asked:


This is basically a theoretical, planning-ahead sort of question. I don’t have a spouse, a house and can’t get another dog at the moment.

But many people on here and elsewhere say that having a dog when you have an infant isn’t a good idea. I agree, but I also see so many stories about babies growing up with wonderful, protective dogs.

If I ever have a kid, I definitely want a dog that is so devoted and so protective of him. The kind you read stories about… shielding the kid from the fall-off of the balcony, protecting the baby from rattlesnakes, that babies learn to walk holding on to…

So… if you wanted a dog like this and didn’t have a kid yet, what would be your strategy?

I realize having a baby and puppy at the same time isn’t a good idea. But if you get a dog a year or two before the baby… What breeds would you think are the best choices for infants? What kind of training would you do before the baby came (like, before the baby was even created)?
If you’re giving suggestions for breeds, I prefer rarer breeds. Just a personal preference, but I’d be more interested in breeds that aren’t in the top 10 or even top 20 or 30 maybe.

A few breeds I’ve thought might be a good fit include Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and American Foxhounds. But I haven’t done extensive research. These are just two breeds I’ve come across in my reading that seem like good fits.

Start a Doggie Daycare