I am a dog expert and I’ll never own a specific breed if I have kids…their instincts don’t mix with excitable toddlers

A DOG expert has revealed a specific breed they'll never own if they have kids as the pooch doesn't mix well with toddlers.

Niki French, dog trainer and owner of PupTalk, has told The Mirror there is no such thing as a bad dog, but new parents should think twice about one breed.

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She says parents with babies or toddlers should avoid a boisterous and needy breed that would add additional stress in an unruly home.

Its not the Rottweiler or the XL Bully that Niki has the most concerns about - its the much-loved Border Collie.

She says just because the pooch is out of the farm and in a home doesn't mean it looses its sheep-herding instincts.

"Genetics plays a huge role in how a dog will behave in any home in the future. If both of a puppy's parents are calm and relaxed around children, there is a much greater likelihood, in a lovely home, that the puppy will grow up to be the same.

"People need to be aware of certain breeds traits, like a Working Collie may want to try and herd and nip at the heels of people in the home. This may be harder to manage with an excitable toddler, compared to when your nan comes over to visit."

The Border Collie can be known to bark and nip at people's feet with its herding instincts, something a toddler of baby wouldn't be able to deal with.

Equally a screaming or crying child could be difficult for the dog to deal with, leading to the pup acting out.

Preventing a dog from lashing out can be mitigated by training your dog well, but not all dogs will be able to deal with the noise and stress.

She says that bigger breeds breeds can knock children over more easily, while dogs with bigger bites, like the XL Bully, could be lethal.

That doesn't mean smaller breeds won't bite - Niki says its the training that really matters.

She says young children should never be left unsupervised with a dog and the child could wind the dog up by pulling its ears or tail or having food in their hands and push the the animal into reacting.

"If you have a high energy dog and a high energy child, while they may appear well-suited, they may be more likely to wind each other up. It's important to teach children how to interact safely and kindly around dogs.

"As soon as they're old enough, teaching them basic body language can have a big impact on reducing the chance of a dog needing to bite."

A Dog behaviourist has also revealed the three breeds he would always advise against getting if you're a parent.

Will Atherton revealed in a video on his TikTok page that his first suggestion was the Border Collie.

"As a canine behaviourist, I specialise in when things go terribly wrong with dogs and unfortunately, that often happens with bites towards children.

"And I see certain breeds cropping up time and time again.

"Contrary to popular belief, people think that because they're so trainable, they're easy dogs to live with," he explained.

"But that couldn't be further from the truth.

"Those herding instincts will kick in and if you don't fulfil the dog properly, which many people don't have the time or energy to do so, they will start herding your kids.

"And by herding your kids, I mean chasing them round, biting their ankles."

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