If I was looking for an ACD, I would go to a breeder that health tests and has had dogs that have done well in competitive obedience and with junior handlers. Hillhaven dogs come to mind. But, I'm not looking for an ACD at this point.
I assumed you would go to a good breeder, I was just saying that if you went the ACD route it might be a good idea to get an adult who you could really evaluate with children. Like I said, the ones I have worked with really weren't kid-friendly (this is more to do with typical kids - obviously there are some that are very dog savvy that would be a better fit).
Believe it or not, I actually have experience successfully obtaining, training, and handling dogs
I don't think I implied anywhere that I thought you were incompetent or ignorant, if it came across that way I apologize. You asked for breed suggestions so I gave my thoughts on what breeds I thought may be good and which ones I thought may be best to avoid. I also have successfully obtained, trained and handled dogs - including an ACD foster who had a LOT of issues. In addition, I believe I was quite a dog-savvy 10 year old. Heck, I think I was only 11 or 12 when I first joined this forum... And despite having a lot of knowledge, I still think an ACD would have been too much for me. Anyway like I said, I think an ACD is a lot of dog for a young kid and that there are breeds out there that would make a much better 'first dog' so to speak. In no way was I trying to be condescending, just honest.
Just to play devils advocate.. people say all sorts of things about JRTs... BUT loads of kids, even little kids do the junior handling with JRTs. They are a lot of dog too, yes they are smaller. But I have seen 4 year olds in the ring with well trained JRTs. Darien has been handling Kaiden since he was 5 and ran AAC juniors with Kaiden when he was 6. No I wouldnt' have handed him Dekka to handle on a show ground. But he was fine with Kaiden.
Darien would have very little trouble with an ACD even an edgy one. Sport is a lot of dog, and somewhat reactive too. He is your typically badly bred BC with loads of drive, little impulse control, bad social skills and insecurity. However Darien handles him beautifully and understands his dog. (Darien is now 11) I think people don't credit kids enough. A kid from a dog savvy home is likely better equipped to handle a difficult dog (not that I think they should) that the average person.[/B] On that note I don't see an issue with a toy breed. Darien is careful and good with puppies and small dogs. Dog savvy parents usually raise dog savvy kids.
I agree with you on the bolded point. I knew a lot for an 11 year old about dogs. I started researching to get my first dog around that age and 4 years later got Spy
I think I knew a lot more back then than the average joe did. Based on the ACDs I have worked with though, I would still be cautious giving one to a child as a first dog (even if the parents were going to oversee the handling). I am not saying that no kid could handle one because I know that isn't the case, like you said with Darien, but I think it would certainly take a very involved, dog savvy family and a child who takes a special interest and is really into dogs.