I haven't and wouldn't leave my mid content, BB, or my dd alone with children. There are times when BB looks at children like they were aliens, ( My youngest is now 15.) and my dd just plays too rough. They might be just fine with them, but it only takes that one instant for a accident to happen.

I have a new grandson due here in December. Will BB and Shilha be left alone in the same room with him? Absolutely NOT! It really surpises me when we have company over and they tell me, "Oh, don't worry, they'll be fine." This is your child you're talking about here. Even if you are willing to take that risk, I'm not!

Kathy

I have an 8 yr. old daughter, and an upper mid-content female that stays in the house. They are best of friends, but I would never dream of leaving them alone together.

Ashley can do just about anything to Natashia, and when she gets fed up with it she simply walks away. I don't think Natshia would try to hurt her, but you can see the chase instinct as they play, and I'm not willing to take any chances. On the other hand, I do know that nobody could harm my girl with Natashia around :)

Joe

I'm afraid I have to agree with the others and say NO. Taz, my old female would die before she would hurt a child. The smaller they are the better she loves them. Would I leave her alone with my one year old granddaughter? ABSOLUTELY NOT.

As for my other three guys --- I wouldn't put a child down with them unless I was where I could kank them back up. I don't know that they would hurt them but I am not going to find out. Fasa - my old male has taken 3 years to get over the neighborhood terrors (Little boys) throwing rocks at him. My other two are young - less than two. They could hurt a child without knowing what they are doing. I don't believe in leaving any small child alone with a dog of any size. We need to remember that a cocker spaniel to a small child is proportionate in size of a wd to us.

Pam

I'd vote no ....they wouldn't be a good companion for children under the age of 12....the children poses too much of a danger to the wd at that age....the irresponsibility of the child with good intentions may not read body language well enough and provoke a self defense attack.....and I'd hate to get a dog larger than a child is which in my opinion is a accident waiting to happen....think more of a cocker or a taco dog and even then keep close vigil while they are together...

Robert W.

Well, my Spirit is EXCELLENT with kids over the age of three. It seems height is a requirement for Spirit, unless you happen to be a kitten. Then you get smooched. She's gentle, & sweet. She does NOT particularly care for the terrible two's & three's... but she likes babies.

She's also extremely gentle with the Elderly. I think she may be an exemplary woofer (i'm admittedly prejudiced). I would trust her around anyone. But I don't....(cuz I'm a worried mama).

Rhi loves people, if you smell like a person, & you look like a person, then you're a person & must be smooched immediately. But she's NOT gentle. Therefore, I wouldn't allow Rhi with kids under 12, because of the danger of an accidental tipping, or scratching. She uses her paws alot, and she's mouthy.

So, I'd say, no, they're generally not real good companions for kids under 12, because they play different, & because of some of the Laws. Better safe than sorry.

Kat

Are wds good companions for children under 12? No...small children may challenge the wd without knowing it due to their height making eye contact. They make high pitched prey noises and run...both may have a wd taking a bite out of the child. Wds tend not to place children on alpha lists.. and should never be left alone with a young child. I'm sure the list goes on.

Annie

For my part, I'd say no. My Dakotah is a sweetheart . . .but, at 90 lbs (10 months old), he just doesn't know how big he is. He doesn't mean to be rough, but all that weight has to go somewhere. I trust him to behave around kids . . .to the best of his knowledge (no biting, etc), but I don't think it's a good idea, especially with smaller kids that he outweighs by a LOT!

--Shana