Terrible parenting…. A dog, no matter how friendly, is still an animal. Dogs and babies should be kept apart, it is a disaster waiting to happen. That dog is well over 100 lbs, it could have easily smothered that baby. That dog isnt “hugging” -hugging is a primate instinct, not a canine one. Dogs dont hug each other. In fact, in the 3rd picture, it looks like the dog is asserting domincance over the baby. Big no no.

Grip, whine, bitch, moan…repeat after me, “It’s going to be okay.” Just enjoy and get over your opinions as far as how horrible this is. I’m definitely not a real lover of animals, but even I can see this is okay.

For Sale: 1 Bull Mastiff. Eats anything…LOVES children!

Dog owners and lovers are THE WORLDS STUPIDEST LOT. It won’t harm the baby, oh how cute! One bite and that child is gone..how dare you endanger that childs’ life you freakin idiot!!

I HATE DOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and their owners as well.

that was crazy! Im a new dad and i would never put my child or watch someones else child be smothered by a animal. I love animals ,im a dog man honestly i real do but im more responceable when it comes to a child. check yourself,

awww most amazing thing in the world and all you ass holes who think that sweet dog is going to attack the baby need to go somewhere else and stop complaining. that dog is one of the safest places in the world for that baby to be near at this moment. that baby is protected.

I LOVE these pics! I too have an English Mastiff and yes, they are HUGE… BUT… they are the most gentle dog that you can get. I’ve read these comments and those that think that the baby is in jeapordy should spend a few minutes researching the breed before being so stupid! My 8 MONTH OLD granddaughter was eating cheetos in her high chair one day and my dog reached up and grabbed the last one off of her tray. My granddaugher (without missing a beat) grabbed my mastiffs jaws, reached her hand INSIDE the dogs mouth and RETREIVED the cheeto! My dog just looked at her as if to say “Well, ok. Guess you get the last one.” This child is NOT in danger. This dog would lay down it’s life for this baby so people.. get a grip and do some RESEARCH!

I can’t believe that animals are smarter than humans. That dog look sooo happy on top of its pray. It’s dominating that baby! And the stupid parents think that’s so cute.
If we as rational beings do stupid things, much less a dog that is completely irrational!!!!!

Very cute picture, thanks to all involved. hav question tho : in the last pic is the baby’s head bending dangerously backwards

Is it just me, or does it seem like people have seriously started to fear dogs in the past 5 or 10 years? It doesn’t seem like people were always so irrationally fearful.

I can’t see anything wrong with these photos. It looks like the dog adores the baby. And by the way, there’s no question of the two being left unattended, obviously, someone is there taking the photos.

I am in animal resuce, went to the Gulf after Katrina to pull dogs who were lost or abandoned in the storm, and own a pit bull mix (along with other animals). I would never, ever, ever let my dogs display any kind of dominance over a child – it shows a total lack of understanding dog psychology.
My pit mix loves to “play fight” just like my chihuahua loves to sit on laps. It is in their breeding. I had to carefully support a pack order that has the smaller, older dogs on top and the pit mix on the bottom. I live with four cats and four dogs who get along, BUT I have to keep supporting the pack order to keep the peace! It is a lot of work.
p.s. these dogs are not always sweet and gentle, I can attest to that after working with dozens of dogs who were going to be put down unless they could be rehabed. Also, please do not forget the woman who was mauled to death in SF and the most recent tragedy at Ving Rhames home – bullmastiffs mauled a caretaker they had known for years – it is important to remember to always respect how much power these dogs have and educate yourself about how to work with them. The folks who took the photo, I hope, understand that the child must be dominant over the dog – not at all demonstrated in this photo.

We used to own a brown lab that was really mean and my parents were talking about getting rid of him before I was born but decided against it. Then when I was three I snuck out of the house one night and they found me in the morning curled up with the dog.

I’m not quite sure but I think I’m still alive.

Recently we got a dog from the Humane Society and she was shy and skittish at first but now she allows my year-old cousins to crawl on her and pull her ears. She’s one of the calmest dogs I’ve ever owned and throughout my whole life I’ve owned at least thirty dogs (most of which were strays which we kept for awhile before finding homes for)(Also, this isn’t counting the ten puppies my yellow lab had).

I’m not presuming that I know everyone’s dog but the least you people could do is give the parents the benefit of the doubt that they know their dog.

If i hear one more comment about how unpredictable dogs are i’ll puke. People are idiots and that’s the truth. The only way that sweet dog would hurt that baby would be if he stepped on her. Not cool but it would be the parents fault not the dogs fault. I love the i killed nazis with my bare hands comment

We have a Brazilian mastiff @ 175 pounds, 2 Boston terriers,and a 2 year old. With out any training to do so our mastiff is very respectful of our daughter. I don’t think anyone who has commented on this set of pictures was even there. Not one of you has any idea what went on. The comments on bad parenting was really uncalled for, you would have to say that about anyone who has a large gentle dog. My two take naps together should I have CPS called on me? No.. there is way too much fear instilled in people these days.

Dogs are mans best friend …….
But we should be careful with … it it s an animal anyway

Come On Guys!
THis dog is PLAINLY responisble and it’s not exactly eating the baby is it!
Get a grip!
That dog is absoloutly NO danger to that baby & you ALL need to get a grip on reality.
If the parents where that worried, then they wouldnt have had the baby in the backyard in the first place,
Its ridiculous how narrow minded you people are.
Get a life and think next time.

Have you heard of cases when other animals accept other kind of anymals to feed them, and help them servive? that goes to readers. Dog has human attitude which I can see from a pic. Maybe that’s a reletive of yours?

Regarding:

“Dogov Says:
February 12th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Dogs are beasts. True, they can be man’s best friends, but they can also be child’s worst enemies. I wouldn’t trust a yorkie with my child, let alone a molossoid like this. And I _like_ dogs! ”

Yorkies are pretty nuts, like yourself, but an italian mastiff is, like most huge dogs who have nothing to fear, incredibly friendly and perfectly safe.

Parents and family members-I, too, love animals. Grew up with pets and our children now have pets and children of their own. Pets are animals-it matters not if they are inside and sleep right next to you on the pillow. I know toddlers that bite each other when they are provoked (twins at 2) dogs may be members of the family but this poor little baby is too close to the dog. Please beware, I know others warn against the dangers of pets snapping. It happened to our dearest friends this past week. Their 8 month old granddaughter was attacked by the family pet-upscale family-inside pet that they’ve had for 4 years. The little girl is still hospitalized and may loose an eye. New york state animal control will have rabies test back tomorrow and the dog will be put to sleep. The family is devestated. Never say it won’t happen to you.

This was one of the scariest series of photos I can imagine! We were just discussing this on a “list” this morning and someone sent this link for us to see… and we all agree… this dog is exhibiting an Alpha attitude! This is NOT cute or adorable! This is scary! I would NEVER leave a child alone with this dog.

Goodness. People are too crazy. Yea, the pictures are cute and I enjoyed them, but I do see reason to be concerned, and I am a HUGE dog lover (always took in strays and found good homes for them, kept some). I can’t believe people would label someone as being a dog hater or not familiar with dogs because they have the common sense to be concerned. Most people who are the most familiar with dogs AND with children would say the situation in those photos is not the best thing for the parent to allow. Vets and animal control officers know how unpredictable, even the best trained animals, can be sometimes. True “dog” people know that dogs don’t typically view an infant as a human and it is easy for them to view them as prey. Pediatricians are familiar with cases of children hurt or disfigured due to a “friendly dog” encounter. I work with a woman whose whole right side of her face is forever maimed from a “friendly dog, who wouldn’t hurt a flea”, that attacked her when she was a child. And when a child is attacked, people say all kinds of stuff like, “The child must have done something wrong” or “the dog was not well trained”. Where are people’s priorities?

I understand both side, sure the dog is big, he could suffocate the baby, or worse become agressive, but i dont think any parent would let their dog or any dog get close enough to their child if it had an agressive streak towards little ones. You dont know this dog, and your not this kids parents so who are you to judge? It seems like some of you will do much worse to your kids with all your “worries” making them afriad of their own shadows as they become older. That dog will be that kids best friend for the rest of his life.

I like and trust dogs more than most people. But if you know a thing about dog behavior, you know the dog is not hugging the baby, he’s dominating it. That should never be allowed. I’m not saying get rid of the dog, I’m saying show the dog his proper place in the pack.

I wonder how old this baby is by now. Probably 10.

This is a Neo NOT a Bullmastiff. Bullmastiffs don’t even come in this blue color. Having a 150pd cane corso mastiff myself, I would not leave him alone with a baby,BUT this baby was not alone and obviously the parents know what signs to look for that their dog is under stress.I doubt they would jeopordize their babies life or their dogs since it would surely be put down if it hurt a baby.And to the person who said dogs are uncapable of having feelings is a frikin MORON! Dogs actually get scared, depressed, excited,angry. They are a social creatures, just like us humans are social creatures. they mourn for when a pack member dies.I think that would constitute as having feelings.Also he is showing dominance, that is exactly what my dog does to other dogs to assert himself. But it is not aggressive and i’m sure in time he will learn that the baby is a leader if the parents teach him that.

for all the people who think negative of these photos should watch the dog whisper!

on another note
very very cute pictures!

Some people can be so naive and ignorant. The bond between my boys and their Staffordshire Bull was inconceivable. This photo is awesome!! The innate ability to bond with mother nature on all levels is what’s to be perceived here.

AA++ Nice pic!!

Goodness. People are too crazy. Yea, the pictures are cute and I enjoyed them, but I do see reason to be concerned, and I am a HUGE dog lover (always took in strays and found good homes for them, kept some). I can’t believe people would label someone as being a dog hater or not familiar with dogs because they have the common sense to be concerned. Most people who are the most familiar with dogs AND with children would say the situation in those photos is not the best thing for the parent to allow. Vets and animal control officers know how unpredictable, even the best trained animals, can be sometimes. True “dog” people know that dogs don’t typically view an infant as a human and it is easy for them to view them as prey. Pediatricians are familiar with cases of children hurt or disfigured due to a “friendly dog” encounter. I work with a woman whose whole right side of her face is forever maimed from a “friendly dog, who wouldn’t hurt a flea”, that attacked her when she was a child. And when a child is attacked, people say all kinds of stuff like, “The child must have done something wrong” or “the dog was not well trained”. Where are people’s priorities?

These are the cutest pictures I have ever seen and show the true personality of mastiffs. I have two mastiffs, Harley and Daisy, and they are the most gentle dogs I’ve ever had. We got Harley a couple weeks after my little brother was born and he wouldn’t leave his room! If Harley wasn’t in Sam’s room, Sam would scream his head off! Once Sam started kindergarten, Mom would have to take Harley to and from school when dropping him off. It was a daily ritual. Sam would be lost without Harley.

There’s moments in between the three pictures. Plenty of time for a parent to judge what the dog is going to do.

Love the dog, love the pictures. Would love for more to hit the net.

I have a mutt (mostly beagle) and a newborn and he is curious of the baby and will sniff her just as this bull mastiff does in the first part of the pics. Generally larger dogs, as some other people have already noted, are more tolerant of children (toddlers pulling on them etc) whereas small dogs are much more likely to snap. But I have to say I was a bit surprised with the picture before the actual ‘hug’ because that could have been dangerous without the dog intending it to be. Our friends own a bull mastiff and the other day our niece walked into the house (she is almost 3) and the dog ran up and knocked her over. He was happy to see her but his exuberance could have caused her serious harm – as it was she whacked her head on the floor. So just be careful.

These pics are so cute. I love them. Dogs are most of the time wonderfull with kids. In most cases when a dog attacks (i’m not saying in all the cases) he was provoced or hurt. I have a Silky and a Yorkie and when my oldest doughter was born i was verry affraid for the reaction of our Silky because she is really jalous. Well… i couldn’t have been more surprised. They both where (even they warn’t used to baby’s)verry, verry gentle and carefull with her. The Silky even more than the Yorkie. If my little girl cried she was verry concernt and wouldn’t leave me alone until i took care of her. Once my oldest (running around wild) accidently stept on our Yorkie’s paw. The dog cried and could hardly walk (i had to rush to the vet with her)but she was never aggresive to my little girl. I always told my kids to be verry gentle with the dogs, they are FRIENDS to play with and NOT TOYS!!! Well… they get along perfect and the only danger is that our doggies will lik them to dead ))))

It’s a cute photo..I am a dog lover myself.
I think that dog might be totally harmless.
But, unless the dog is strickly on a vegitarian or vegan diet…
I wouldn’t take a chance.. I wouldn’t let that tiney bitty baby near that huge size dog.
I’ve seen and heard enough unfortunate tragic incident happened on the news in the past..
But I still think dogs are friedlest creature… though..

aww how adorable i think it is soooo cute!

THREE WORDS: IRRESPONSIBLE, INCOMPETENT, DANGEROUS…. YOU PEOPLE NEED TO DO SOME BASIC RESEARCH ON DOGS AND BABIES…ANIMALS DO NOT KNOW ANY BETTER, I MEAN IF WE ARE HUMAN, LOOK AT ALL THE CRAZY THINGS THESE PEOPLE DO…AND THEY DO HAVE A BRAIN BUT THIS IS ANIMAL ITS NATURAL INSTINCT IS TO BE WILD… I HAVE A 8 MONTH OLD SON. I WAS TERRIFIED AFTER SEEING THIS. I OWN A GREAT DANE/PITBULL MIX AND I AM DOING RESEARCH ON HOW TO GET THEM ACQUAINTED. I GOT THE DOG TWO WEEKS AGO. TILL NOW, I NEVER LEAVE THEM ALONE UNATTENDED. HE IS NOT TO GO NEAR MY SON..AND ALTHOUGH HE SEEMS VERY OBEDIENT, TRAINED, AND DOCILE TOWARDS HUMANS AND DOGS, I WOULD NEVER TAKE ANY CHANCES…

I think this picture is absolutly adorable!!

So gorgeous

OMG, im totally getting a mastiff and a baby!!!

Just because some of you may choose not to leave your baby with this dog in this manner does not mean you should criticise others for it, especially not attack their parenting skills. It is amazing how some of you have commented on this cute picture of a dog and baby in a controlled environment, and completely taken the joy out of it. There is some risk to most things we do in life; we shouldn’t let that stop us from experiencing it.
So I guess what I am trying to say is stop judging others, and concentrate more on you.

They are cute pictures. I am a bit uncomfortable with photo 3 because the dog might be to heavy for the baby. I am thinking that the baby’s parents and the dog owner are familiar with that particular dog (not just a breed) and were comfortable enough with this to snap some pictures. No, the dog isn’t “hugging” the baby like we humans do. I think the captions were really intended to be humorous.

I would urge all dog owners to be responsible and supervise their dogs around children and babies. I would also urge all parents to teach their children how to approach and treat animals. Show care and compassion towards your fellow man, and the animals around us.

Very nice picture. I am sure the parents know what they are doing with their child and pet. As the owner of an American Bulldog, I have many pictures quite similar of my baby and dog. That doesnt mean I would leave my dog(or any animal) alone with my child or not teach my child how to interact with the dog. I am sure the parents of the baby in this pic feel the same way. It’s a pictuire of a cute monent for Christ’s sake, I doubt the dog is the child’s baby sitter.
And for the record, I wouldn;t leave a child alone with ANY dog, least of all a small dog. Small dogs are the worst; especially Poodles, they suck with kids.
Too many judgemental people. If you don’t like the picture, don’t look at it.

To the poster who didn’t realize that TYPING LIKE THIS is annoying and abrasive, you need to do some research. First, Neapolitan Mastiffs are protective dogs, if the person they consider their master seems cool with some one, as a person is wont to be with their child, then they consider that person their responsibility to protect. If anyone feels entitled to ask how they know that their master likes someone or doesn’t, dogs are the only species, according to a recent study, that can tell a person’s emotions based on their facial expressions; people tend to be happy with their baby. Second, as far as hygiene, the world is a lot less clean then we’d like to think, and babies end up getting into insane stuff as it were, lose change on the floor, and a lot of stuff like that which are breeding grounds for disease. As far as weight, we have to step back and understand that that baby was probably covered by that Dog for all of 10 seconds, and also, look at the pic, his mouth is free and breathing. As far as crushing, that dog is obviously not going dead weight, as the animal control officer (if we believe that is what she was) who commented earlier said, the dog is getting a smell he likes on him, so not laying, rubbing, there is a difference. Besides that this camera wasn’t magical, there was a person there holding it and if he thought the child was in danger he would’ve intervened. Also, this would be hitting the lottery lucky to just happen upon whilst holding a camera, for the first time, this probably happens more often than you may think between that dog and that baby, and the first time or two the parents probably were worried but didn’t know what to do, and then just realized that there was no danger. Also, as far as the Dog’s instinct to be wild, as logical as it sounds, these dogs are domesticated, and most need a lot more provocation than a child who is still too young to stand on his own two feet can deliver to go nuts. Its the dogs who don’t need that provocation who make the news and shape public opinion. Also, as I was getting to earlier, Mastiffs protect family, so to those people who say “everyone says my dog is just fine,” and then the pooch goes postal, its usually on someone they don’t know too well, or the dog was just crazy, and that is a small percentage of dogs.

It is obvious who knows dogs and who does not in this posting! I have a Neapolitan Mastiff and am due with a baby girl in January. You better believe we will be having plenty of photo opportunities with both our “children”. I can’t wait for the cute pictures to come!!!

i love
that pic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you didint see the italy tv that this same type of dog kills a chlid of one year . is true it was with his grand mother at italy.14/02/09

People need to stop freaking out. I let my dogs lick my baby all the time and yes she is still alive (can you believe it). It is a sign of submission and acceptance. The only problem I see with this is the possibility the the dog may hurt the baby accidently. But no way would that dog hurt the baby on purpose. People who don’t see that know nothing about dogs.

This is the SCARIEST THING EVER!! Are you people stupid! That dog is MARKING that baby and whoops babys dead in the next picture!! Get a clue!

what is wrong with all of you weird people. i know when to keep my dog away and go and hold him if im concerned. I know my dogs. I dont allow any dangerous situations, because i dont want anyone hurt, my dog or a baby. Im sure these parents know any signs that their dog is not reacting well – give the parents some credit !!!!

i am an owner of a neapolitan mastiff and they are very heavy dogs, mine is 18 weeks and weighs as much as my 15 month old american bulldog. with that being said all mastiff owners know they get too huge weights and sizes so teach the dogs early to be gentle. i have 8 kids and i have never had any kids bitten yet. mastiffs are very protective dogs especially of kids and there families. i would never leave my kids this small with my dog alone and we all know the mother didnt and if she thought the dog would throw its weight completely on the dog which the photos show it hasnt the baby wouldnt be there. you say this crazy woman’s dogs are only young it will happen. i say to you i have had an american pitbull for 13 years and it is as gentle as the mastiff. dogs are how you breed them and my last dog an american pitbull prior to these dogs died at 12 years and never hurt an animal or a person in its life.
i get angry when little dog owners make assumptions that because a dog is big it WILL attack or hurt another animal or baby. my response to them is a little dog more often than not going to nip or bite. you just dont hear about it as much because the media has a habit of giving us the big dog stories. i have a 5 yr old pug and as a pup it would chew anything it could get its teeth on, though its grown out of it, i would of all my dogs never leave it alone with a baby. you only have to ask around as to who has been bitten by a little dog and see how common it really is. more caution has to be taken with little dogs as ppl tend to think they are small and wont do much damage. big dog owners take the big dog size into consideration and are aware anything can happen and if they are responsible are always there to take action if needed.
great photos, keep em up. some ppl really need to lighten up. they are clearly taken in a controlled environment.

dog is a faithful animal but we should be careful because this is an animal and i dont like these type of pics.

My god!
I dont know what to say
What a stupid behavior of their parents.
I have a dogo argentino and how sweet she is i would never allow this.

i think its brilliant. dogs are better than people at least . beautiful art x