5 Top Dog Breeds For Young Children
If you don’t already own a dog, it is important to choose the right breed for your family. Deciding on getting a pet, much less what type of pet, is a very tough decision. Once you and your family decide on getting a dog, it is important that you find the right dog that fits your family’s lifestyle. For those that have young children, you need to find a dog that is suitable and one you can trust. To help with your search, listed is information on five types of dogs that are the most suitable for having around young children.
1. Retrievers
This category consists of both Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. Both dogs are loyal and devoted family members and can be easily trained. These dogs love the outdoors and will play very well with your young kids. Kids usually tend to have more patience with the dogs than adults, which will help the bond between the dog and the child and help to train the dog to behave properly. Retrievers make great companions for kids of all ages.
2. Poodles
Poodles come in a variation of sizes, which gives you the choice of what size of poodle would best suit your family. This breed can work with the best of them – hunting, swimming and retrieving! They are also extremely intelligent and do well in all dog sports. Their affectionate and patient nature makes them a great choice for families. Another plus with this breed is the lack of shedding.
3. Pug
Pugs are a smaller breed, yet have the personality of a big loyal dog. These stocky little wrinkled dogs have been described by breed experts using the Latin term “multum in parvo” (”much in little”). This breed is incredibly sociable, preferring the company of humans over other dogs or pets (though they usually do get along with them). They seem to have a special bond with children and love to play.
4. Irish Setter
This is a larger breed of dog, yet they are calm and love to be within a family. They are loyal and enjoy watching over young kids. These dogs are eager to please, so they are easily trained to follow commands and day-to-day behavior. Originally, these dogs were bred for Hunting, but they also make a great family pet.
5. Bichon Frise
The bichon frise is a smaller breed that looks like a big cuddly white fluff ball. They have happy-go-lucky spirits and are faithful and obedient. This breed stands out from other small dog breeds because of their lovable personality. The bichon does however require regular grooming, but because of its small stature does not have the hip problems like larger dog breeds.
All of the above listed breeds are proven to be great family pets, especially those with small children. These breeds range from large to small in size, yet all of them have the best qualities that you can find in a dog. I’m sure that any of these would be great additions to a family with children.
Mary Hickman
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/5-top-dog-breeds-for-young-children-680818.html
What SMALL dog breeds would you reccommend for young children?
We have a 2 and a half year old who is dog crazy. We have decided to treat her to a puppy. Which SMALL breeds are best with young children and are NOT prone to lots of health problems? Thanks
in regards to the concern with my daughters age, she has experience handling small dogs (my mums) and is very gentle with them so i am not concerned about that really
wolves???? rhinos????? I dont really get ure humour!
cats
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i would never give a pet to a child under 5 years old. especially a small dog who are notorious for being nervous.
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jack russel !!!!!!!!
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jack russel, cant go wrong!
or maybe even a miniture jack russel (not joking)
border terriers are sweet good natured dogs as well, face like an otter. i got one.
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Yorkshire Terrier, Iv got one and she’s lovely and has never once snapped at my 2yr old daughter even after her pulling her hair or dragging her off the sofa or bashing her with her toys.
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give her a stuffed animal, she’s too young!
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i would suggest visiting your local animal shelter and adopting a pup that is over the teething stage.
when it comes to health, it all depends on where you buy and who your breeder is. a lot of health disorders that small dogs experience are simply due to inexperienced and faulty breeding.
puppies are absolute land-sharks and it’s terribly sad watching people get rid of puppies because of snapping/chewing/etc when it’s perfectly natural. not saying you would, but it happens quite often.
i hope you find the perfect dog for your family. please do consider adopting.
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You should check out this site, when you see a dog that looks like it has a good description – Research it!
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/329746/small_breeds_of_dogs_thats_good_with.html?cat=25
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/343411/20_of_the_best_dog_breeds_for_homes.html
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArVRavcfq6WounBwcPo00wrty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20100205015543AA71nDc&show=7#profile-info-HXdpxWVMaa
Smaller dogs arent really the best for small children.
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Rhino
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My honest opinion is 2.5 is still too soon to bring a puppy into the house. Children of this age cannot separate a live puppy from a toy and can pull ears, tails and make a puppy’s life a misery – with respect, and not knowing your children, or you. Of course, it can be done, but it would be far better to wait until your child is over 5 years.
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You might have a problem finding a good breeder that will sell a puppy to someone with a child that young. I never would. My age cut-off is 4 for girls and 5 for boys. A 2 1/2 year old is not capable of knowing how to pick up and carry a puppy correctly, and as all puppies bite and nip, the child would drop it immediately. You can’t possibly monitor the child every time child and puppy are together and kids will be kids. Puppies are cute and cuddly, children want to pick them up, and puppies can easily get hurt, especially the puppies of the smaller breeds. Why not get a puppy size stuffed dog and work with your child to show them how to hold and carry it, and wait until she is 4 before actually getting a pup?
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Breeder/obedience trainer
mongrels are the best ones
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I would go to shelter and get a small to medium dog that has been raised with kids. A dog that is 3-4 years old would be good.
Young puppies and kids really don’t mix.
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Wolfs.
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Westies!! . Westies are spunky little white dogs who don’t have the neurotic behaviour typical of small dogs.
Maltese or maltese cross. Generally, these a good tempered little dogs. Not quite as fun as the westie but friendly.
Cocker spaniel. They’re a medium sized dogs but a real push overs. I used to have one and they are the cutest, funniest things. Warning though, they get fat easy. Great with kids.
Careful with small dogs though, as they are often nasty, nippy and neurotic. I would have breeds with high energy levels (like jack russels) as they can be too excitable for infants, and definitely don’t get chihuahuas and the like.
When buying your dog, make sure the breeder is good. Check the temperament of the parents (if possible) as the pups will most likely be like this. Make sure the pups have been getting lots of stimulation (toys), exercise (a large play area) and socialisation (play with other dogs or people) so they’re happy, well-tempered dogs and not shy, scared and unsociable. When picking your pup, check which ones come up to you and want to play (good) and which run and hide (bad). Nipping is normal for pups, they’ll grow out of it with training and time. However, most dogs no matter how shy will become friendly and warm with a loving family and tender care.
After picking a pup talk to the breeder about what food to give it, and other general care.
Enjoy your new pup and best of luck!!
Almost forgot. Another reason for a good breeder is that they often selectively breed their dogs. That means they pick happy, healthy dogs and breed them together. This produces dogs with good personalities and with as few genetic problems as possible. The pup will cost more but trust me, a happy healthy dog with little or no stressful vet trips is worth the money. And don’t make your pup exercise too heavily (going for jogs, jumping an obstacle course, etc) coz this may damage growing bones.
Hope I haven’t scared you out of a pup…nah, it’ll bring so much joy =)
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There is plenty of advice given on this site:
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/427
TBH, you don’t choose a breed for a toddler, you choose a breed for yourselves, bearing in mind that it has to live with your child. Nearly all breeds can live well with children – especially if they come from a caring breeder who breeds for temperament and the new owner takes the time to train the puppy and the child.
I would never get a dog from rescue if I had a young child. Some rescues (especially breed rescues) are fine and assess a dog’s temperament well, others do not and since people are rarely homest about why they are giving up their dog, it’s a big risk if you later find out that the dog cannot tolerate young children.
For every reply you get saying get xxxx breed, they are wonderful with children, you’ll have another one saying don’t get xxxx breed because they are terrible with children!
Personally, I’d go for a Cairn Terrier!
http://www.midlandctc.co.uk/singlepage/puppypage.htm
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I personally own two Yorkies. The female is 4 lbs and is going on 10 yrs old! The male is 3 yrs old and is 12 lbs (much bigger). Sometimes when you buy a small dog from where ever, they will tell you the dog is small because most of the litters have been small. Every now and then one is a little bigger. Just keep that in mind they cannot guarantee you a teeny tiny dog. It is impossible. That is how I ended up with my 12 pound dog. But I love him to death. Remember also any dog under 20 pounds is considered small. Terriers are fun animals because the are small, their coats are like human hair. Their disposition is usually very good. They are sweet animals and cute. Puppies love to go for walks and run in the yard. They are protective of the family not in a mean way, they bark at strangers, etc. (at least in my case my male has bark of a much bigger dog). They are quiet in quiet house, young puppies of this breed don’t mind being poked at. The won’t usually snap if you pull their tail or pull their ears (stuff kids do). I got my 10 yr old dog when my niece was 3. This breed will stay by your side and follow everywhere in the house. They love being a part of the family and want to know what is going on at all times. Also, if you have never had a small dog in your house remember that they are there, they tend to get stepped on sometimes because they are always right next to you. You will get used to this in about a month of having a dog in the house. People say small dogs yap, not true. It is how they are raised. My dogs bark when someone comes to the door or I come home. Little dogs are great because they eat very little. I feed them Iams which is more expensive but because they eat so little, the better food saves on vet bills later on because it is more nutritious for the dog. As long as any dog you choose is loved, fed well (never table food) and taken the vet every year, you will have a friend for life with very little health problems. I would say any Terrier or Chihuahua would make a great pet. Remember, the initial expense of the dog, crate training, food is about $18 a bag which lasts a month, month and half, tags and license where live, vet bills for shots run about $200 a year. Also, when you decide on your dog PetSmart has obedience classes which help the dog sit stay and come when called. I thought it was not necessary. My first dog did not go. My 2nd dog went and he is more sociable with others and other animals because of it. Over all the love the dog will give you will outweigh any cost. You can also look on line for the breed you like and it will tell you the temperament and if it is good for children. Smaller dogs are better because children are small. They can grow up together. Little dogs can live up to 15 yrs if taken care of. I wish you well.
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I have had dogs my whole life, basset hounds, brittany spaniels, labs, beagels, chihuahuas and now yorkies.
It’s a very bad idea to get a dog for a child that young. They are too young to be able to respect animals as living creatures, children treat animals like toys. Until the child is older it would be better to get it a toy instead, you can get ones that move and act like dogs so it will teach them, and no harm comes to a living animal.
Besides, because of the way children treat dogs it is very likely the dog will bite if irritated enough, are you willing to take that risk?
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We always had Large dogs when my children were small and had no problems – you probably find that a Lab would probably have some of the best temperaments for any dog breed – same with Great danes – they are very loving and Goofy – what a laugh but with small breeds – depends on how much you want to spend and how much time you have for grooming – At present I have a Tibetan Terrier (from a rescue centre) and he is a very docile dog though at times can be very vocal. The breed is very intelligent and needs stimulation, only one known health issue (eyes) by from a reputable breeder recommended by the various Tibetan Terrier Clubs (links below) .
An alternative breed would be the Keehond – beautiful and protective of his pack ensuring no harm come to his pack – this dog looks like a mixture between a Pomeranian and a Husky but is small – will need loads of grooming
Alternatively go to the dog’s trust website and ask them the question (or better still talk to them) because there are some lovely mixes that are small and have beautiful temperament + they might need rescuing as well.
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http://www.the-tta.org.uk/TibetanTerrier.htm
http://uk.wrs.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oG75MDCWxL_FQAGv9LBQx.;_ylu=X3oDMTE1NTU4bDU5BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMgRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA1VLMDcwMV83MDE-/SIG=11sqeggn3/EXP=1265457795/**http%3a//www.dogbreedinfo.com/keeshond.htm
http://uk.wrs.yahoo.com/_ylt=A1f4cfwWCmxLbFYAp6hLBQx.;_ylu=X3oDMTE1ZDVkYnJjBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNARjb2xvA2lyZAR2dGlkA1VLMDcwMV83MDE-/SIG=12feo26ce/EXP=1265458070/**http%3a//www.dogstrust.org.uk/az/b/babiesanddogs/default.aspx
to be hoones nothign small is good for kids they both as puppies and babies want to discovery the world so they could harm themselfs i got rottie pupps they not any more they 2 years old but i got my firts pup when my baby was over one yearand as pup already was bigger that my baby was great as i experience her meeting other little dogs she always come up with scraches and sometimes now she scared f it so if i be you i will go for german shepared they great with kids or lab believe little dogs are good when kids at leat 6 or more but i believe u make the right decision good luck
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i personally think an older dog who is used to young children would be alot better than a puppy.
little kids tend to pull dogs ears and tails and the puppy wont like it and will snap and bite at the child.
you need to wait til your child is older before you get a puppy.
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Definitely a Bichon Frisé – non-moulting soft-coated white fluff balls with big black nose. Excellent temprement and good for those who may have smaller homes or are not able to take them for exceptionally long walks. Ours was there from birth for 2 of our 5 children and for twin grandkids and she was brilliant and the only breed of dog I would trust near a baby. She had a different bark to tell me when the kids were up to mischief or near the doors. They aren’t chewers either and get on well with cats (ours starte producing milk and fed the kitten we got!). On the downside I know two people who got boys (get a bitch) and had weeing problems with them and you need to brush them and have them clipped as their coats never fall out. Also ours had no interest in toys (even dog toys). I really miss her
( and Bichon cross breeds are not the same. If you are after a bigger more active dog then my friend swears by wheaten terrier (also non-moulting). DO NOT GET A JACK RUSSELL as they are snappy, chew everything and shake every toy (and cat) like they are trying to kill a rat!
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First off, always check your local shelter! Or Petfinder.com for a rescue animal. The best breed in my opinion is a cocker spaniel. It is not a teeny tiny dog, but they stay relatively small. Any dog can learn to be tolerant of children if you a)get them young and b)do a kid test. By kid test I mean you should be able to yank the ears and tail, press between the toes, blow on the ears, eyes, and nose, pick them up from behind, and remove a toy from their mouths without an agressive reaction. I do this a lot when I am socializing dogs at our local shelter. I regularly help familes find the "right" dog.
As for the posters that say your child is too young, that is hogwash! We have ALWAYS had a variety of pets in our home and my kids have been around them since birth. I am an animal rescue volunteer and foster animals often in addition to our own family furballs. Our kids have been taught to respect animals pretty much since birth, however I begin teaching them with our more tolerant househodl animals. While they are all great, there are a few that will go along with abolutely anything.
If your child is dog crazy, that probably means lots of excited squeals whenever they see one, a lot of running up to them and trying to grab them, that sort of thing. This is not a good environment for really small dogs who are already prone to being skittish. A 30-40lb dog would be your best bet. Also if your child has not had regular contact with a dog, "practice" for a month or two with a stuffed dog, explaining where it is okay to pet, and how it is okay to hug/handle the puppy before bringing one home.
Also know that it is a learning curve for the dog and your child, dont be too hard on either one. Once you find one with a great temperment, know that your child WILL lay on it, grab it by the neck and tail, drag it around, etc. Just try to keep a close eye, especially the first month with reminders to be gentle like a baby, but also know that your child probably wont seriously injur it. Since they will grow together, they will form an amazing bond.
Just please remember that animal adoption is for life, so if you decide it is right for your family, make the commitment to see it through no matter what, dont give up because it is too hard. There are still days when I get frustrated and debate about which one I would rather get rid of my 8yr old son or his dog when he runs around the house, encouraging her to chase and bark, even after I just told him not to rile her up. There will be good and bad days, more bad then good until training is complete and you have settled into a routine. Expect a 6 month adjustment period.
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In response to your question and one of the answers. Do not get a yorkie with small children in the home… yorkies are extremely fragile. I would say a Westie or Pembroke. Never leave a child alone with a puppy/dog… always supervise your child. Children need to be taught how to properly handle a pet. In some cases when a child is bit… it’s for the simple fact the child was rough or mean with to the pet.
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35 years experience.
pugs are great pets and are very friendly
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Although notorious for health problems cavalier king charles spaniel’s are brilliant with children of any age. I have two and they love children but have the personalities where they are so keen to please you can easily train them to behave how you want them to behave around your young child as well as being very tolerant.
I wouldn’t get a terrier with a young child, I think looking at what a dog has been bred for tells you alot about their nature and there are few terriers who have grown that far away from the terrier instinct.
Getting over the cavalier health problems means looking out and paying for a dog who has been bred by a responsible breeder. Pups and their parents should be heart and eye screened and parents should be over the age of 4 years so any serious issues can be spotted and they can be removed from breeding.
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Small breeds and kids don’t mix. Small dogs have bones that are fragile and can break if dropped. I would wait until the kid was 5 or so before getting a puppy. Raising a puppy is a lot like raising a kid. If you are set on getting a dog get a bigger one.
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Toy breed pups and a child that young are a recipe for disaster. I understand that you are proud of your daughter for her abilities, but she is TWO, and you can’t guarantee any behaviors at that age.
There is a good reason why reputable breeders do not sell to families with children under a certain age, and if you check the small breed rescues, they have the same policies.
The people who are suggesting you get an adult larger breed dog from the shelter are giving you good advice.
Puppies are quite a lot of work, and having a small child and a puppy is double the work. You really need to think this through better.
To give you an example, just these last two weeks we have taken in two dogs the family gave up because they were not good with their two 17 month old twins. Turns out the dogs were fine, but the family had no time to train them and take care of the kids. We are now in the process of negotiating with a woman who is trying to rid herself of her dog for the very same reason-she doesn’t want to take care of the dog and the kid.
I am not stating that you will eventually do that as well, but the majority of small breed dogs are given up to rescue because they were not trained and are not good with small children.
Please do not add to this number. Some of them we can’t take in and they get euthanized for no good reason other than a bad choice on the part of the owner.
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Toy breed rescue volunteer.