Would a Mastiff/Doberman puppy be a good puppy to have grow up with a 1 yr old?

My friends 2 dogs recently had puppies. Both dogs are full bread. The male is a mastiff and the female is a doberman. My son is 10 months old and he LOVES dogs. For his first birthday we were thinking about getting a puppy. I was just wondering if the Mastiff/Doberman mix would be ok to have grow up with a little kid and how well that mixed breed would be. If anyone has any advice or comments that could help with my dicision, please let me know!!!! Thanks a lot! :)

Well.. I don't know about the Mastiff, but Dobermans can be great with kids.. BUT you are talking about a mixed breed dog.. I know what Dobermans are like, but I haven't a clue what a Doberman bred with a Mastiff would be like.. BIG, is the only answer I can give you.

I wouldn't take the puppy if it was me.. Kids don't need a dog to grow up with from such a young age. You can't leave them unattended no matter what breed the dog is or isn't.. It sounds like a whole load of trouble to me.. Wait til the kid is bigger.. And don't support back yard breeding by helping your friend find homes for her dogs.. Maybe next time she will be more responsible and realize that her dogs need to be spayed and neutered, not out there making more mutts.. I am disappointed that she would mix a Doberman... Your friend is nasty!

Littlebarb : Dobermans do not have good Temperament for kids?? Considering at least 85% of our puppies go to homes with kids.. I have to say that you are totally wrong.. You are a German Shepherd breeder.. Do you not breed good temperament where your dogs are good around kids??? German Shepherds are well known to be fear biters.. Is it possible that you don't have temperament that is good enough to be around kids and assume that other breeds don't have good temperament either???

Mastiffs are HUGE dogs... your child is WAY TOO YOUNG for such a huge dogs... Dobermans do NOT have good temperment for babies.... a mix of the two really isn't such a hot idea for a child as small as yours... best breed for children that small would be a Golden retriever or a Lab......they have a MUCH better reputation with children and babies .... if your child were a LOT older (say 7 or 8) I would get a larger breed dog, but not yet...

no, it would be to big for him. It would probably knock him over on accident.

Someone suggested a Golden Retreiver or a Lab. You may also consider a Newfoundland dog. They're large dogs but very gentle, loyal and protective as well as careful of children. Do an online for dog breeds - you'll find plenty of information. That way you'll have an informed opinion and will be able to make the decision easier. Also, don't rush into anything. You could also check your local animal rescue organizaion.

I'd say go for it. If you're getting it from a puppy, it can be trained to be gentle around your son. Mastiffs, despite their size are loving and gentle dogs in general. Make sure the temperament of the parents are what you'd want for your own dog. Just be careful that you're very watchful and make sure your son learns quickly not to pull tails or ears. Sure the breed counts towards the dogs temperament but the environment, health and way the dog is treated by the owners really makes the dog. I'd even prefer to get a puppy from friends, because then you know what kind of dogs the parents were and have some indication as to how the dog will turn out. Good luck.

Having worked with several rescue missions I learned that they don't like to place puppies with small children because the child & the dog don't know how to treat each other. The pup hurts the child & the child hurts the pup.

They reccomend that the child be at least 5 or older. Old enough to be taught how to handle a puppy. But the puppy bites, all puppies bite. So even at 5 they need supervision.

Contrary to popular belief, and all the answers already given, Mastiff's are GREAT family dogs. If you get the puppy when your son in still little, they will bond and that dog will be by his side for the rest of his life. The dog is aware of his size and that breed can be very gentle and careful with kids if taught correctly. I have several friends who have Mastiff's with children and they couldnt ask for a better dog for them.