I have 6 young kids, the youngest being 20 months, and she can carry both of my yorkies around like baby dolls without incident. Obviously your friends dog is undisaplined around children. My cousin had a yorkie years back that was allowed to bite at and snap at anyone because "his bite didn't hurt that bad" and "he couldn't do that much damage". It drove me crazy. I never allowed my children to touch him. It's really annoying and makes it hard to visit people that don't want to control their animals or kennel them when you are there. You are better off not going there and just having them come visit you instead.

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I am so sorry your little boy was bitten:(

Yes, the terrier is a spunky little dog but what I love most is the fact that they are so intelligent and training is easy. I might add that when they are not neutered they are going to hump but you can't blame that on the dog.

Hope things get better for you.

I hope your son is doing okay. That must have been very scary for him! The owners should never have let him loose knowing his type of behavior. That is why when people visit my house I close them(dogs) in a separate room. No matter how well trained a dog is he is still a dog.

Do you mean you always close the dogs off when you have company? I've had dogs all my life and I've never done this.

I'm sorry for what happened to your son but all terriers should not be tarred with the same brush!
I have 3 dogs- 2 of which are terriers, Mika my yorkie and Nikki my staff (traditional staff not amstaff). I also have 4 children ranging in age from 1 1/2 to 11. Neither of my terriers are territorial in the slightest-anyone (including my kids) can take the food out of their mouths without even the slightest hint of aggression. Neither terrier has ever even growled or snapped at anyone,ever! My Staff is 6 years old and we have had her since she was 6 weeks old-she has had 3 litters of pups and anyone can go in with those pups from the minute of birth and she is just sooo pleased to see them and never displays any aggression. (I don't allow everyone in by choice, but she really does not mind) If someone were to break in our house I'm afraid my 2 terriers would greet them like long lost friends my sheepdog on the other hand might be the one to protect us and our home (although he is totally soft and gentle with those he knows). Mika is an absolutely sweet and adorable little thing and rarely barks (I mean very rarely-she's practically mute!) Infact all 3 of my dogs are quiet and they do as they are told-immediately. Good training is essential and its true that terriers can be strong willed but my will is stronger:p and my dogs know that they are at the very bottom of not just our family pack but under anyone that we bring into our home!!!

Yes, I don't trust them or the people visiting.

I crate the dogs if someone comes to the door like a mailman or ups guy. Cleo is protective and the others will just try to go home with them.
If someone is visiting with kids I will crate them too. I don't know how other peoples kids are going to be with my dogs, and sometimes I DO know how they will be and thats why I crate them. I don't think my dogs would deliberately hurt a child, but if one of them is being tortured, I cannot trust that they wouldnt try to defend themselves.