posted 8 years ago
I have a unfixed pyrenees-akbash male who is great with kids, babies and ducklings alike. In regard to kids, it is also a matter of the kid's personality and training. I can imagine some little shits (I am a teacher and have known some) who would basically do something that amounts to asking for it from a dog (tail pulling, riding, etc), but even then a well adjusted pyrenees is big, agile and smart enough to show him who is in charge without hurting the kid. If my attempts to do things he doesnt like such as clipping his dew claw are any indication, he would just knock the kid down getting away from him. I have never seen a softer mouthed dog, as my Willie will eat the meat off a bone in my hand with great care to not hurt me. When playing with my 18month old niece, he was very gentle, though when she toddled away trying to get him to chase (saying, "chase me!") she would trip over herself at his slightest nudge, as he was trained to nose you on the hand when called over. But he would then watch over her to make sure she was okay and look very concerned. The key is really the kid though, as they need to learn to get up without crying when its no big deal and how to not get hurt around large animals, and I can't imagine another gentler way to learn than a good LGD that has been socialized with humans. In that regard, Willie is also great with unsociable dogs that often people feel wary to let play with other dogs, as he can handle their aggression and overwhelm it with playful love and communication only dogs seem to know that has won over several dogs.
This is all just my opinion based on a flawed memory