Small/toy Breed Dogs and Kids

I have a llassa apso (sp) mix & she is very laid back. I have never seen a dog so quiet & gentle!My family has had mostly shitzus & with lots of love they too can be a very gentle dog.These dogs go about 15 lbs. when full grown.

The reason so many small breeds are not good with kids is because in their eyes children are "huge" and spontaneous with their movements and therefore perceived as a threat which will naturally make them more fearful and likely to lash out, with a growl or a bite :(
If you can find a smaller or even medium size dog that has been around children that will make a big difference.
We have had two labs, and yes they are bigger, but they are also the gentlest dogs you can imagine. Our dogs have been sat on, pulled and chased and otherwise manhandled by our children and they just TAKE IT. This is why they are, and have been for years, America's most popular family dog. Even a lab mix is usually very, very gentle, depending on what other breed they're mixed with. Just something to think about :)

Tell the rescue about your home and what you are looking for. They can point you to a dog that is a good fit. Growing up we had a lhasa/wire haired terrier cross, a cocker spaniel, and a miniature poodle (who grew a bit larger than expected). The cocker spaniel was dumb as a post, but OK with kids. The lhasa and poodle I still miss. The poodle was my best friend. And they don't really shed, either. My aunt's Boston is crazy, but her doxie is a sweetie. Friend has a pug that is also good with kids.

we got a mini schnauzer when my kids were 5 and 3 because they are small but durable little dogs and are supposed to be good family dogs. He is a barker when we are home, away from home he is quiet and awesome. He loves to snuggle the kids, my daughter dresses him up, he will bite wrestle with my husband and I but right when one of the kids jumps in he comes to a dead stop and refuses to nip them. The only thing he HATES is to be picked up by a kid. My kids know this so there isnt any issue. Even when their friends come over they tell them dont pick him up. Ive got some really cute snuggle pics of finn and the kids. They love him.

When I researched getting a dog (puppy) I found that Pug's and Boston Terriers are both great family dogs. I am sure you can find others at your local shelter or Google one of the breeds to find a specific shelter. There are rescues for both breeds here in Florida and they do intense checks before getting any of the dogs go into new homes.

We ended up getting a Boston Terrier from a local breeder and she is the most wonderful puppy. She loves everyone and is very smart and was easy to train. I would stay clear of Chihuahuas, they don’t usually do well with children.

When we were "dog hunting" most of the people we talked to said to stay away from the small/toy breeds when you have young children. Young children really need to learn how to handle a dog and our vet said he sees a lot of cases where young children are too rough with the smaller breeds and can end up hurting the dog. We have a two year old. Which is younger than your kids, but I think staying away from the smaller breeds - or at least the REALLY small (toy) breeds is a good idea. Maybe call a vet in your area and if you are looking for a smaller dog, ask THEM what to look for and what to stay away from.

Also, as wonderful as it is to rescue a dog - my husband and I are rescuers - sometimes it is hard to trust what they say about the dogs that they are adopting out. I have heard so many stories of families who have gotten dogs that the organization said was good with kids or other animals, when in fact that wasn't true. Take your time looking for a reputable adoption agency and take your time looking for the right dog for you. Be sure to spend a lot of time meeting and playing with the dog and make sure you bring your kids along and see how they act and how the dog responds. When we were "dog hunting", I found some good tips online of what to look for in a shelter dog. Good luck!!

Stay away from the small breeds. Not only because their temperments truly vary and you may get lucky, you may not, but also because you have little ones. 7 & 3 yr olds sometimes can't understand why a dog is skiddish or hides. They also always want to pick up and hold the dog. Small dogs can get nippy. Go with your instinct and get the older dog, mixed breeds are usually very smart, good dogs. Labradors, golden retrievers, laid back mellow, larger dogs that handle playing with a 7 & 3 year old and not get nippy or uptight. If you'd like smaller, try for a pug or a beagle. They are sturdy and can handle the activities of smaller children. Try to get a history of the dog and spend an hour or so interacting with it. You will immediately get a feel for the dogs nature. Beware of the overly eager, jumpy dog. Good luck.

We have a pug and he is absolutely wonderful with all three of my kids. When my babies were born he was a very protective big brother. He does bark at the TV when animals are on it, but that is the worst it gets. He snuggles with the kids, but also leaves them alone a lot. He's never snapped at my kids and they have done some pretty bad stuff to him. He just ducks his head and runs for cover. However, pugs require a lot of attention. They love affection and are the definition of a lap dog. I wouldn't have another dog. I had a beagle/pointer mix when I was growing up and it had the same temperment at my pug. Besides chihuahuas being unfriendly, have you every heard one bark. I can't stand yappy dogs.

Talk to the shelter reps and make sure they know what you are looking for. It is good to adopt an older dog but it is crucial to know what that dog's life was like before the shelter.

For instance, we have a 6 yr old Toy Poodle and when we got him as a puppy, daughter was 10. He has never been around little children, is frightened of them, although he will chase them down which is not good. We keep our eyes on him so that he is never alone around a young child because we honestly don't know how he would react.

We have a 13 yr old American Cocker and he is as sweet as can be and we won't have him much longer due to cancer. We are making sure his last days are comfortable. He has been a good dog and best friend to our 17 yr old daughter.. we got him the summer before she started Kinder and she is a Senior now. The only negative I would say about the american Cocker is horrid shedding. We keep his hair cut short.

Our other dog is an 8 yr old English Cocker and she is smart as a whip and LIVES for chasing her tennis balls. She is a great dog.

Overall... the 2 English Cockers we've had were better than the American Cockers. The American Cockers have had more ear issues, etc. If we ever got another dog, we'd opt for the poodle family... I love the non shedding. Potty training the poodle was not to bad since he has been raised with the Cockers who were well trained.

Good luck.

I have a couple of thoughts.

I'd be cautious about getting an 'older' dog when you have younger kids. You never really know what the dog is capable of, what he/she has been through, etc. I personally wouldn't take a chance like that, no matter what the size of the dog (my niece got her face bit up by a chihuahua).

DO NOT get a chihuahua. I have one. No matter what you do, they will go potty in the house. I've tried everything. So has everyone I know with a chihuahua. They just won't be fully house-trained. The ONLY reason we still have ours is because he's my 8-year-old's dog, and she's ridiculously in love with that dog. I would say the same about dachsunds (weiner dogs).

I've heard great things about poodles and pugs. I have a Boston Terrier as well who is absolutely fabulous with the kids, but she was horrifying to potty train (the breed is notorious for that). If I were you I'd check into those three breeds.

Also if you wanted to consider a bigger dog, boxers are incredible.

Chihuahuas are not the friendliest.I have a Rottie and a snhauzer.
I got my snhuazer from a rescue and we love her.Very smart and easy to train.Also mybhusband and kids are pretty picky about what type of dogs because of their allergies..I've have dauhsuand before but they are a bit hard headed. I would recommend a snhauzer.
If you adopt from a pet foster mom she could tell u about their personality to try to match you up also...Good luck!

I would be careful getting a 'cute' dog and go more for breed and personality of the dog. Chihuahuas are not good kid dogs. Cockers aren't either usually. But I'd look for a dog more like a Cocker, maybe a mix, that are sturdy and yet gentle. A Poodle/Cocker mix is good or something like that. When you get an older dog you don't know the temperament either. Just be careful with kids involved.

Boston terriers are fabulous family dogs. The only thing is that some rescues are super selective (overly?) about adopting to families with young kids.

I have heard from a number of people that Soft Coated Wheaton Terriers are very good with kids. They are not really small, but they are not big, either. I have a Newfoundland - very big but the best breed there is with kids of all ages. The best rescue place I know of is HART, but they are in Canada. They do adopt to families in Michigan. They would be a great place to start, just to get information and maybe a referral to somewhere else. They are really helpful there. Good luck in your search!

We have a chihuahua! Do not get a chihuahua. Generally toy breeds are not good with kids because they are hurt easily then become nippy. Our chihuahua doesn't bite my kids(well she has before) but she is quick to bite other kids, I always have to put her up. My 16 month old always wants to touch and pester her and I have to always make sure they are separated. It's a pain. I have never ever allowed my kids to pick the dogs up. We also have a pug and he is the best. They are small but fat and sturdy and just like to be around people, I have taught my kids from an early age to be nice(meaning big trouble if they are mean to the dog) so there is zero anxiety when the kids approach or are around . He really is funny and fun but lazy too. Some cons are he sheds like crazy, he is sensitive to weather gets too hot or too cold easily, and he has bad skin allergies and some dental problems. It is well worth the money to buy good quality food. We have a rough collie too who is the absolute best kid dog ever, but he is about 75lbs so that might be out.

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We have a chihuahua! Do not get a chihuahua. Generally toy breeds are not good with kids because they are hurt easily then become nippy. Our chihuahua doesn't bite my kids(well she has before) but she is quick to bite other kids, I always have to put her up. My 16 month old always wants to touch and pester her and I have to always make sure they are separated. It's a pain. I have never ever allowed my kids to pick the dogs up. We also have a pug and he is the best. They are small but fat and sturdy and just like to be around people, I have taught my kids from an early age to be nice(meaning big trouble if they are mean to the dog) so there is zero anxiety when the kids approach or are around . He really is funny and fun but lazy too. Some cons are he sheds like crazy, he is sensitive to weather gets too hot or too cold easily, and he has bad skin allergies and some dental problems. It is well worth the money to buy good quality food. We have a rough collie too who is the absolute best kid dog ever, but he is about 75lbs so that might be out.