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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OK, sounds like most people think it's a bad idea. I was thinking a larger/mid-sized breed like a lab or, oddly enough, an English Sheep Dog (my grandparents had one), or a standard poodle. Definitely something that wouldn't get smooshed.

I see videos of people rolling around with these dogs all the time. Is that not really the case? Is it not specific to the breed, but just the individual dog?

I wasn't thinking he would have unfettered access to the dog for touching, but more that a dog might like having a kid like that around because the dog would want that kind of attention, and the result would be less touching of everyone else.

We are teaching appropriate boundaries, but as a PP said, this is his "love languages," and if I can find a way to help him get what he needs while still curbing his encroachment on other people's space, I'd like to do that. I thought a dog might help a lot.[/quote]

You realize, OP, that videos of people and their dogs are just a few minute clip of the every day? Yes, some dogs appreciate lots of one on one physical contact, but others are not wired that way. Our dog needs to be roughly 2 feet away from you at all times, but is not a "hands on" dog most of the time - even though, I have lots of videos of us cuddling and such. The difference is, we let her come to us when she feels like it, because hey - it's her body and space.

The problem is, OP, your son does not understand boundaries, and he needs to understand them before you get any dog. Even a dog that will play and cuddle needs alone time, needs to be left alone if hurt, not feeling well, tired, eating, etc. If your child does not understand boundaries, some dogs will have no hesitation in teaching him, which for dogs it's NOT rude to snap, growl, and even bite.

I've had OEs, bearded collies, Great Danes, and a bunch of other breeds. While temperament is often somewhat elated to breed, there are no guarantees and each dog is their own "person" with different likes, dislikes, and tolerance nice levels. [/quote]

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