i'm going to go against large dogs for small kids cuz we have a newfoundland. she is an awesome dog. barks at strangel vehicles and people that come in the driveway, loyal, friendly, intimidating to strangers, good swimmers. however, they can get pricey for the papers that come with them. our newfie is very good with my daughter. she doesn't knock her down, doesn't maul her or anything like that. sits there to be petted by her and always has. my daughter is 4 now so she's not as mean as she used to be, but even when she was little the dog was very tolerant of her and didn't snap at her. i think when you get puppies and have them with little kids and they grow together than they each better for it. i'm off my soap box now. just my opinion