Small Dogs Good with Children

Dogs come in various sizes, ranging from very small to very large. In fact, the record for the world's smallest dog is held by a Chihuahua which weighs only 18oz, and is just 4 inches tall (or should it be 'short')! On the other hand, the record for the world's largest dog is held by an English Mastiff which weighs a whopping 290 pounds!

When choosing a dog for children, a number of factors need to be kept in mind. People are tempted to select a dog based on its looks. However, looks can be deceptive, as a cute, innocent looking dog might be aggressive, and a strong, stern looking dog might be docile. Hence, it is important to choose a dog based on its temperament, rather than its looks. Some dog breeds are known to be very friendly and gentle, while other dog breeds have a reputation of being rough and feisty. However, one should not select a dog based purely on its breed either, as there are always exceptions. The temperament of a dog depends on the individual dog, as much as it does on the breed it belongs to.

Another factor that needs to be kept in mind, while choosing small dogs for children, is the temperament of the child who is going to be with the dog. If the child is boisterous, the dog should be energetic, sturdy, and patient, so that it can take all the rough-housing it might be subjected to. On the other hand, if the child has a quiet nature, a dog who is gentle, calm, affectionate, and sensitive will be more suitable.

It is also good to have a dog that is easily trainable, so that it can be trained to behave properly with children. This will ensure that the child is safe with the dog. However, it is not a good idea to leave a young child alone with a dog.

Small Dogs Good with Children

The following is a list of small dog breeds that are known to be suitable for children, because of their gentle nature. However, as mentioned earlier, there are always exceptions to these breeds, and each dog should be judged by its individual behavior.

Boston Terrier: Terriers are excellent pets to have. They are friendly, loving, and gentle dogs. The Boston terrier is very loyal and protective, especially towards children. He is playful and sturdy as well, which makes him a perfect pet for children who are energetic. Boston terriers also make good guard dogs.

Jack Russell Terrier: Jack Russell terriers are playful and fun-loving dogs. They are friendly and outgoing, and love to be active and play games. They are also gentle and kind at the same time. They are fiercely loyal, which makes them excellent guard dogs. With a Jack Russell terrier around, one can be sure that no strangers will be able to trespass their house.

Beagle: Beagles adore children, and love to play with them. They are gentle, and love everyone in the family, including any other pets that may be in the house. They have a lot of stamina, and enjoy being outdoors. However, they shouldn't be left alone outside the house, as they like sniffing and roaming around, and may dig up the neighbor's yard!

Pug: Pugs make for a great pet, as they are deeply loving and loyal. They love human companionship, and are very sensitive and affectionate. For this reason, they are considered to be the best small dogs good with small children. Pugs look like a miniature bulldogs, and are really cute.

Chihuahua: Chihuahuas come in two types, the long coated variety, and the short coated variety. You can choose one according to your liking. Chihuahuas are feisty and confident dogs. They are also gentle and good-natured, and enjoy sitting on the lap and being petted. One should note that Chihuahuas are fragile dogs though, and hence more suitable for older kids, who will know to handle them gently.

English Cocker Spaniel: English Cocker Spaniel is also one of the small dogs good with children. Cocker spaniels are intelligent and sensitive, and love human company. They are affectionate and happy dogs, who will lick their owner's face, and wag their tail excitedly when they see him. They are also lively and like to play outdoors, which makes them fun playmates.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: These are small dogs good with young children, as they are good-tempered and patient. They are quite sturdy, despite their small size. They love to be hugged and cuddled, and follow their owner everywhere. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels also get along very well with other pets, even cats! However, because of their friendly nature, they don't make very good watch dogs.

Dachshund: There are three types of Dachshunds - long haired, wire haired, and smooth. They are very energetic and tenacious, and can be quite rambunctious at times. They are, thus, small dogs good with children who are naughty and active. They are not very sociable with strangers, and hence, should not be left alone outdoors. They make good guard dogs because of this quality though.

Papillon: Papillons are active and high on energy, but calm and gentle at the same time. They are very patient and obedient, making them small dogs good with kids. They are easy to train, and are fast at learning new tricks. One needs to note that these are delicate dogs, and hence, not ideal for young children, as they may not handle them with care.

Shih Tzu: These are happy, playful, and fun-loving dogs. They love to be around people, and are very affectionate. They also like being at the receiving end of affection in the form of hugging, cuddling, pampering, and petting. Shih Tzus are gentle and quiet lap dogs.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi: Corgis are loyal, protective dogs. They are extremely fond of children, and, thus, are considered to be ideal companions for young children. They are dependable and responsible and make good watchdogs. They are also lively and enthusiastic, and quick to learn new tricks.

Bichon Frise: These dogs are very sociable. They are lively and cheerful, and make wonderful companions. They are not outdoor dogs, and prefer to stay at home and play with everyone in the family, especially children. Bichon Frise have white, fluffy coats which need grooming. They are small dogs good with children, as they are not at all aggressive.

Lhasa Apso: The Lhasa Apso is a hardy dog. These dogs are steady and confident and make excellent show dogs. They are devoted to their owners, and become quite attached to them. They are also playful and mischievous, but need to be treated kindly and gently, as they don't like to be manhandled.

Havanese: These dogs love to do tricks and enjoy being the center of attention. They are really fond of children, and like to play with them. The Havanese are gentle and affectionate, and need to be talked to gently, as they are also sensitive and intelligent. They are robust dogs, and hence perfect for children who are boisterous.

One cannot rate dogs as good or bad. What is an ideal dog for a family depends on the family, and the qualities that they are looking for in the dog. A dog that may be right for one family may not be right for another family. The above-mentioned characteristics of various small dogs good with children will help in finding the ideal dog for the family.