Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks family/kid friendly?
 

We think we may have found a family daycare facility that we like for our little boy except they have a Ridgeback in the house. Owner/daycare provider says it is good with kids but, the thing is BIG. Weren't those dogs bred to hunt lions? I realize that any dog regardless of breed can turn bad. Would you leave your kid with a family who lets a dog like this roam about?

Back in the early 70's, my grandmother had a German Shepard and a Ridgeback named Shelly and Georgia. Both were great dogs, but the Ridgeback was my favorite of the two. She was the best when pulling me on a skateboard.

As with all dogs it depends on how it's treated.

Kick it in the nuts and, well you get a lot of stitches and a few scares.

I would NOT leave a kid in a daycare where dogs run free!
And I don't even like kids, go figure....
Seriously, I wouldn't.

No, I would not. Whether a ridgeback or any other dog.

How do you know this dog is great with kids? Because they say so?

My neighbor has one, it is completely docile. His first baby is due in a few weeks but I don't foresee any issues.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2570/...6114226bf2.jpg

Even if you don't foresee problems, I wouldn't leave kids alone with any dog.
Certainly not in a daycare where there to many uncontrolable circumstances.
Too many things can go wrong, and it only takes one.

Is the dog really allowed to run lose with the children? That'd be a no go for me, breed of dog is a non issue. Any dog no matter how docile will react if you stick a pencil in its ear.

A friend of mine with small kids was thinking of getting one and I researched online that it is not highly rated with kids.

My daughter has a ridgeback at her house with her three little kids. the dog is very sweet, unless you are a racoon, in which case he goes nuts and barks and chases them up the trees. He is an outside dog, but is allowed to come in with the people into the walk-out basement. He also keeps the foxes away from the chickens. but has always been just fine with the kids.

We have a Weimeraner and a Ridgeback.
We have 2 boys- 3 and 6.
The 3 year olds favorite dog is the Ridgeback. She is so much more laid back and docile than the Weim.
We also 'dog-sit' for a co-worker. His Ridgeback is around 110lbs. Again- completely docile with the kids. Just completely laid back.

oh wait, not a ridgeback...her husband Wanted a ridgeback, is what I remember. The dog they have does not look like the posted picture above. They have a black and tan hound. His name is Guiness... get it? black and tan.. Maybe that's why he chases racoons.

Whoa....the question here is not about whether this particular dog is great with kids or not...it should be why the hell is the dog in the house when family day care is happening.

Is this licenced care you are looking at (more stringent controls) or a private operator?

If this family daycare operator thinks it's OK to have a large dog inside with other people's kids whilst in her care and custody...I'd be wondering what else they think is OK too....just how competent is this operator?

a dog looking after his kids, yes
any dog around strange kids , NO

Rika

Not a chance.

Never in a million years.

Have you met the dog?

Worth repeating.

Absolutely agree. Just because the dog is great with your kids, doesn't mean it will be great in a daycare environment.

and this is how many 'attacks' start..
dog will clamp on the offender..
telling the little one NO..
little one reacts by screaming and pulling..
game on..as a real puppy would become submissive..

Rika

The fact that you're questioning that answers your question.
My suggestion is NO. (Please don't do it and make sure the owner knows why)
How many threads of dogs gone crazy on people have you read in PP??