My son rescued a shepherd mix 2+ years ago. Very sweet disposition, but she and I like to play roughly. Every now and then, she'll draw blood when she nips me on my hand or arm. When I react like I'm hurt, it's like saying a magic word, and she pulls back.
We were playing last weekend, and my 5 YO grandson joined in. She was playful with him, too, but not as rough as with me. He was able to handle it, his dad has a huge Labrador, probably 125+ lbs.
There is no doubt she would protect us if the need arose. I need to walk her more, though. She weighs 90+ lbs, though she should weigh 65. My sons "promised" me they would do all that...we know how that turned out.
Listen, whenever you have a dog, especially a large dog, around a small child, you have to be incredibly vigilant.
If the dog attacks, for whatever reason, the child has no defense at all, and a dog can kill a child in one bite.
A dog can kill a full grown man in one bite to the wrong area of the body, but with a child it’s much worse.
Make sure you know exactly how that dog is and what triggers it if anything.
Take no chances with a child. It might be wiser to keep them separated.