However reliable your dog's (and baby's) behaviour, however well trained the dog is and whatever his breed it is always wise to watch dogs with babies and vice versa. It goes without saying that babies and untrained dogs do not mix. If your boyfriend's dog has not been obedience trained or does not respond to your commands you need to keep a distance between baby and dog until he is trained..

Babies do not know they should not pull a dogs tail, poke him in the eye or leap on him in what (to the dog) seems like an invitation to some rough and tumble. Babies and toddlers are too young to realise that hitting and poking hurts and that a friendly dog might retaliate if hurt.

A heavy dog does not realise he can knock a child over if he jumps up to greet her. Nor does he know he should never react to being hurt by a baby' Dogs cannot be expected to be able to judge whether as playful approach could be frightening or dangerous, or how he should repond to a child's screams. That's a parents job. Nor should a dog be expected to know the dangers of chewing toys she puts in her mouth, (or babies distinquish the dogs toys from hers)nor do dogs realise how frightening sniffing at her dirty nappy (in situ) is or that trying to play fight with her is dangerous.

When it comes to babies and dogs parents are the only ones who are able to see the potential dangers. So be sensible. If your baby and the dog are in the same room you should be there too. If the baby is on the floor in playful mood you should be sitting or standing between the baby and the dog. In time they will get used to each other but in the first six months or so you need to be cautious, and you will always need to show some vigilance: you would never forgive yourself if your lack of caution resulted in serious harm to your baby.
Dorothy Einon

i agree with louisehand, its how you treat them - if you leave them out all the time theyre only gonna get jealous & turn nasty. How would you feel being the love of someones life, spending all their attention on you then something happens and the only time they talk to you is when you're i their way etc. As long as you let them know they are still loved im sure they will be fine xx

believe very much that the dogs behaviour is due to the owners actions.
you should already know whether he will be good with a baby or not, deep down.

my friend had a staff n it turned nasty! its a def no go 4 me! they can b very dangerous dogs! id b extremally careful! we ended up gettin rid of our dog wen our baby was born! as dog wasnt gettin the attention he needed then ended up bitin hubby on the nose which then needed 6 stitches! & our dog was an extremally nice dog! we were still walkin him & playin wiv him, but i think he felt left out! i neva let him near baby at all as that wld just b stupid! we didnt get him put down, jus found some1 that could take him! u see all these attacks on the news & some of them unfortunately r fatal. its not worth riskin a childs life! jus thought id let u no wot had happened in my situation! xx

Thanx for your comments, I think he will be ok its juat a case of him getting used to there being a baby there, but I will be keeping a close eye on him and as you said if there are any bad vibes then he will just have to go xx

i have an 18 month old son, a 1yr old staff girlie and a baby due august 9th. staffs are known in the 'dog world' as the NANNY DOG or the CHILDRENS MAID. please dont believe the bad press.they really develope bonds with the children. harry and bonnie really are best friends. she helped him walk his first steps. very cute! she still has her limitations tho. no toys around the baby. not allowed on the sofa. must stay in her basket when harry is eating. theyre good dogs, i wouldnt worry. but obviously everydog is individual and at the first sign of any vicious behaviour id get rid. im sure there will be no problems. x

I have two staff pups, both of which are only 15 weeks old. I am not yet pregnant but obviously trying and have been for a while. Me & my partner discussed this & he said he would look after the dogs & i would look after baby for the first few weeks so they dont feel left out. I think its ok as long as you dont shut them out all the time and still make them feel like the family xx

Hi, my boyfriend has got a staff who is just over 18 months, he is like a baby himself and needs alot of attention and I'm concerned about him being around the baby which is due 25 Jul, and getting jealous, although I have heard that staffs are really good with children, can anyone who has a young staff and baby or knows of anyone let me know what there like please.