Wow - some of you ppl are crazy. Relax guys it's just a cute pic (for all you know they may be taking bath together, baby feeding the dog etc) - and true, the parents are not dumb to place them together if they know the dog (of that size) is unpredictable - the dog, is their baby too and they trust it. So all you external parties, please STFU and let the family have a great time and memories
Desirae and rickroden -- I have been an animal behaviorist for 20 years I have worked with some of the worlds biggest animals for things like movies and photoshoots as well as working closely with abused animals being rehabilitated and re-homed.
The very fact that you react so strongly in the negative aspect of this photograph shows your own ignorance more than anything.
This dog has no posturing indicating it is a threat to the child and I myself have recently had the joy of having a child with my wife and we have 3 large dogs 2 of which were abused and rehabilitated and I wouldn't hesitate to let my dogs protect my child.
Whilst I agree with you there are circumstances where the above picture would seem to be irresponsible especially dogs like Neo Mastiffs I've never met a better natured breed.
Infact I would be more hesitant to leave my child with a smaller dog say a Terrier or even a Shi Tsu simply for the fact that the smaller dogs tend to have bursts of irrationality not all of that breed but certainly a larger percentage that the Mastiff.
Most people who claim big dogs are dangerous have never spent more than 2 minutes with a big dog, in my opinion big dogs are far more docile than smaller dogs, the whole big dogs are dangerous thing is sensationalized media blowing things out of proportion.
I can't decide if it's amusing or pathetic that as soon as I got to the last photo the first thought that came to my head was "now let's see how many comments there are complaining about letting a dog near a baby". I think if this individual wanted your parenting advice they would have posted questions for you to answer instead. The time your spending sitting here criticizing this individual's parenting style could be spent with your own child. I think automatically assuming a dog will attack a small child is the same as racial profiling humans. Just because one person/animal did something (which many others may have also done) does not mean that all will. If you don't know someone, even a dog, don't judge them.
Whilst dogs do bite seemingly unexpectedly there are warning signs even if its quick. The child and dog are no doubt being closely watched. The breed of the dog doesnt automatically mean that it is a dangerous one or a safe one either. For all you know this could be one of many children that the dog has grown up with from being a puppy and therefore is used to children. My dog for example.. is terrified of adults especially men, and will try to protect us from them by getting ready to attack if needed. (he's not so protective now that the order of house has been established n he no longer is trying to fit the role of "alpha male" so hes fine with new people) ANYWAY .. with children he adores them..my nephew is his best friend (5yrs) and they have been friends since he was very little. His previous owners had 2 little kids whom he adored just as much. There is always a risk.. but then there are risks with everything and a giant possibility that happens once in a blue moon is less of a risk than adults that can do a lot of damage. And actually the pose the dog is doing in the 3rd picture is in fact notorious of playful.
People are so dumb when they comment. Thats awesome that YOU would never put YOUR child with a big dog because of YOUR fear but that doesn't mean that no one else finds it acceptable. WHICH IT IS. When the fuck will humans realise that it's not the breed/size of the dog that affects their behavior it's the way YOU bring them up. Wanna talk about dogs turning on people than i guess you can never have a babysitter for your kid because people are 10 times worse than a dog would ever be. Yes, i agree to not leaving the dog unattended with a child but thats your responsibility as a parent and pet owner to not make a stupid mistake.
rIckroden you have to be the dumbest living thing on this planet. Im not going to explain why, just know there is one human being on this planet who is probably hundreds of miles away from you and to their very core finds you to be a moron of incredible proportions.
I think it's irresponsible parenting to let a 200 + pound dog roll around on a 10 pound baby. Babies have a soft spot on their head and this dog could easily have damaged the babies brain. All around not a good idea.
Had to comment: 1) This is very cute!!! 2) I see people's point about how the situation COULD become dangerous. However, allow me to point out a few things: a) As stated by someone else earlier, many more people kill babies through: murder (e.g. intending to kill the child), accident (e.g. dropping the child), unintentional abuse (e.g. complete loss of temper/mental illness, shaken baby syndrome), abuse or neglect. And yet, we allow ALL KINDS of people to have babies: substance abusers, the severely mentally ill, the ignorant (e.g. those who have no idea how to care for another human being let alone a child), the physically/mentally/emotionally abusive, those who neglect children, those who are known to abuse animals...we allow all these people to have children. So many children suffer at the hands of such people b) People trust their kids to family, friends, neighbors, day care providers, teachers, etc. While most of these people are safe (just as most well trained dogs are safe), there are some who hurt children. And yet, you put them with your child knowing full well that the person you are entrusting your child to could very well be a harmful person. And don't tell me about screenings. Screenings can miss things or things come up after the screening.
So all you haters: just look at how happy the child is and enjoy the picture. Assume child and dog are carefully watched.
You pointed out that you raising saints and shepherds and loving them proves nothing. lol irrelevant. I was just angry that we all made opinions of it being cute and that he just started blurting out that we are idiots for thinking that.. what the hell is that.
I also noticed rickroden changing his name to a different username and comments on this to make it seem people are actually agreeing with him.. lol
And we shall forever bubble our children. Living in fear is not living. And for those that are soooo worried, keep in mind whos ever taking the pictures is watching the child. People are rediculous. I have seen children who are afraid of dogs not because there "bad" or "evil" but because the parents instill that fear on them. I cant imagine my childhood without my dogs. And SURPRISE i never was once bitten. Imagine that...
I'd like to preface this by saying: I'm not an expert at anything. I can't tell you what to think or do. I do not have (or particularly want) that right or responsibility. Everything I state here is simply my opinion, my response to what I've seen and read.
It seems like some people accused the people present while taking this photo of not being cautious enough. Then, other people defended the dog, and/or dogs in general. This confused me. I was almost certain that it was human error that was being put on trial, not an animal's. In fact, I'm pretty sure that in this entire discussion not one person has explicitly stated that the dog was doing something wrong. It even seems that both sides feel, almost overwhelmingly, that dogs are fantastic pets. Personally, I have only ever witnessed this to be true.
That said, I don't think that there's anything wrong with taking precautions. Personally, I don't talk on my cell phone while driving, I make sure there's a lifeguard present before swimming in the ocean and I lock all the doors at night. I know that the chance of anything horrendous actually happening might be minuscule, but I still do them. I would rather be over-prepared for the 99% than under-prepared for the 1%.
Of course, this doesn't apply to every situation. I don't test all my meals on the off chance that someone has decided to poison me or stay in the house all day because I might get hit by a car. We're all human beings. We can choose which situations require special attention or precautions and which do not. When these choices involve another person, especially those we love, they can become even more complicated. The fact that everyone responds so vehemently one way or another speaks to this. There's nothing wrong with it. We're acting as we're meant to.
Whether or not someone decides to share these responses in a respectful manner or not...well, I suppose that's just another part of being human.
My dog does this all the time to me. Does that mean it should be staying away from me as well? A dog can kill anyone even a adult. If you are paranoid about being around them they will sense it. And your children will grow up to fear and never get close to one. My children were around the dogs when i brought them home from the hospital. If your going to criticize at least know what your talking about. Don't speak about dog behavior unless you are a dog trainer and have worked with them all your life.
I've owned 2 German shepards, 2 Rottweilers, and now a pit bull never have any of those dogs harmed a child or even came close to harming a child my 10 month old plays with my pit bull all the time they are best friends. So don't judge if you don't truly know what your talking about its quite ignorant
When im playing around with my boxer this is how we usually end up with him on top, does this mean he thinks he's in charge? Nope he knows who is the Alpha in this family!
Source: A Baby's Best Friend
Reader Comments (112)
Very cute!!!!!
Wow - some of you ppl are crazy.
Relax guys it's just a cute pic (for all you know they may be taking bath together, baby feeding the dog etc) - and true, the parents are not dumb to place them together if they know the dog (of that size) is unpredictable - the dog, is their baby too and they trust it.
So all you external parties, please STFU and let the family have a great time and memories
Desirae and rickroden -- I have been an animal behaviorist for 20 years I have worked with some of the worlds biggest animals for things like movies and photoshoots as well as working closely with abused animals being rehabilitated and re-homed.
The very fact that you react so strongly in the negative aspect of this photograph shows your own ignorance more than anything.
This dog has no posturing indicating it is a threat to the child and I myself have recently had the joy of having a child with my wife and we have 3 large dogs 2 of which were abused and rehabilitated and I wouldn't hesitate to let my dogs protect my child.
Whilst I agree with you there are circumstances where the above picture would seem to be irresponsible especially dogs like Neo Mastiffs I've never met a better natured breed.
Infact I would be more hesitant to leave my child with a smaller dog say a Terrier or even a Shi Tsu simply for the fact that the smaller dogs tend to have bursts of irrationality not all of that breed but certainly a larger percentage that the Mastiff.
Most people who claim big dogs are dangerous have never spent more than 2 minutes with a big dog, in my opinion big dogs are far more docile than smaller dogs, the whole big dogs are dangerous thing is sensationalized media blowing things out of proportion.
End rant
I can't decide if it's amusing or pathetic that as soon as I got to the last photo the first thought that came to my head was "now let's see how many comments there are complaining about letting a dog near a baby". I think if this individual wanted your parenting advice they would have posted questions for you to answer instead. The time your spending sitting here criticizing this individual's parenting style could be spent with your own child. I think automatically assuming a dog will attack a small child is the same as racial profiling humans. Just because one person/animal did something (which many others may have also done) does not mean that all will. If you don't know someone, even a dog, don't judge them.
wow, it's nice to see a baby and a dog playing. the baby loves it.
Oh give it a rest! I think it's adorable!
..and I agree with Kaiti. Suck it Nick!!
Amazing pics. The dog looks like it's the kid's protector.
More than a best friend Dogs treat babies as their baby. Its more of a mother-child relation than friends. :)
Whilst dogs do bite seemingly unexpectedly there are warning signs even if its quick. The child and dog are no doubt being closely watched. The breed of the dog doesnt automatically mean that it is a dangerous one or a safe one either. For all you know this could be one of many children that the dog has grown up with from being a puppy and therefore is used to children. My dog for example.. is terrified of adults especially men, and will try to protect us from them by getting ready to attack if needed. (he's not so protective now that the order of house has been established n he no longer is trying to fit the role of "alpha male" so hes fine with new people) ANYWAY .. with children he adores them..my nephew is his best friend (5yrs) and they have been friends since he was very little. His previous owners had 2 little kids whom he adored just as much. There is always a risk.. but then there are risks with everything and a giant possibility that happens once in a blue moon is less of a risk than adults that can do a lot of damage. And actually the pose the dog is doing in the 3rd picture is in fact notorious of playful.
People are so dumb when they comment. Thats awesome that YOU would never put YOUR child with a big dog because of YOUR fear but that doesn't mean that no one else finds it acceptable. WHICH IT IS. When the fuck will humans realise that it's not the breed/size of the dog that affects their behavior it's the way YOU bring them up. Wanna talk about dogs turning on people than i guess you can never have a babysitter for your kid because people are 10 times worse than a dog would ever be. Yes, i agree to not leaving the dog unattended with a child but thats your responsibility as a parent and pet owner to not make a stupid mistake.
rIckroden you have to be the dumbest living thing on this planet. Im not going to explain why, just know there is one human being on this planet who is probably hundreds of miles away from you and to their very core finds you to be a moron of incredible proportions.
I think it's irresponsible parenting to let a 200 + pound dog roll around on a 10 pound baby. Babies have a soft spot on their head and this dog could easily have damaged the babies brain. All around not a good idea.
Had to comment:
1) This is very cute!!!
2) I see people's point about how the situation COULD become dangerous. However, allow me to point out a few things:
a) As stated by someone else earlier, many more people kill babies through: murder (e.g. intending to kill the child), accident (e.g. dropping the child), unintentional abuse (e.g. complete loss of temper/mental illness, shaken baby syndrome), abuse or neglect. And yet, we allow ALL KINDS of people to have babies: substance abusers, the severely mentally ill, the ignorant (e.g. those who have no idea how to care for another human being let alone a child), the physically/mentally/emotionally abusive, those who neglect children, those who are known to abuse animals...we allow all these people to have children. So many children suffer at the hands of such people
b) People trust their kids to family, friends, neighbors, day care providers, teachers, etc. While most of these people are safe (just as most well trained dogs are safe), there are some who hurt children. And yet, you put them with your child knowing full well that the person you are entrusting your child to could very well be a harmful person. And don't tell me about screenings. Screenings can miss things or things come up after the screening.
So all you haters: just look at how happy the child is and enjoy the picture. Assume child and dog are carefully watched.
@ Jim
You pointed out that you raising saints and shepherds and loving them proves nothing. lol irrelevant. I was just angry that we all made opinions of it being cute and that he just started blurting out that we are idiots for thinking that.. what the hell is that.
I also noticed rickroden changing his name to a different username and comments on this to make it seem people are actually agreeing with him.. lol
And we shall forever bubble our children. Living in fear is not living. And for those that are soooo worried, keep in mind whos ever taking the pictures is watching the child. People are rediculous. I have seen children who are afraid of dogs not because there "bad" or "evil" but because the parents instill that fear on them. I cant imagine my childhood without my dogs. And SURPRISE i never was once bitten. Imagine that...
I'd like to preface this by saying: I'm not an expert at anything. I can't tell you what to think or do. I do not have (or particularly want) that right or responsibility. Everything I state here is simply my opinion, my response to what I've seen and read.
It seems like some people accused the people present while taking this photo of not being cautious enough. Then, other people defended the dog, and/or dogs in general. This confused me. I was almost certain that it was human error that was being put on trial, not an animal's. In fact, I'm pretty sure that in this entire discussion not one person has explicitly stated that the dog was doing something wrong. It even seems that both sides feel, almost overwhelmingly, that dogs are fantastic pets. Personally, I have only ever witnessed this to be true.
That said, I don't think that there's anything wrong with taking precautions. Personally, I don't talk on my cell phone while driving, I make sure there's a lifeguard present before swimming in the ocean and I lock all the doors at night. I know that the chance of anything horrendous actually happening might be minuscule, but I still do them. I would rather be over-prepared for the 99% than under-prepared for the 1%.
Of course, this doesn't apply to every situation. I don't test all my meals on the off chance that someone has decided to poison me or stay in the house all day because I might get hit by a car. We're all human beings. We can choose which situations require special attention or precautions and which do not. When these choices involve another person, especially those we love, they can become even more complicated. The fact that everyone responds so vehemently one way or another speaks to this. There's nothing wrong with it. We're acting as we're meant to.
Whether or not someone decides to share these responses in a respectful manner or not...well, I suppose that's just another part of being human.
My dog does this all the time to me. Does that mean it should be staying away from me as well? A dog can kill anyone even a adult. If you are paranoid about being around them they will sense it. And your children will grow up to fear and never get close to one. My children were around the dogs when i brought them home from the hospital. If your going to criticize at least know what your talking about. Don't speak about dog behavior unless you are a dog trainer and have worked with them all your life.
I've owned 2 German shepards, 2 Rottweilers, and now a pit bull never have any of those dogs harmed a child or even came close to harming a child my 10 month old plays with my pit bull all the time they are best friends. So don't judge if you don't truly know what your talking about its quite ignorant
When im playing around with my boxer this is how we usually end up with him on top, does this mean he thinks he's in charge? Nope he knows who is the Alpha in this family!
wow cute picture that dog is such a sweetie.. how much would it cost to get a pup? would be a nice addition to our recent little arrival!