Which small dogs make good pets with families with small children?

I'm interested in:





Chihuahua


Min-Pin -- heard these aren't too good around kids though?


Daschaund


Sheltie





Any small breeds that you'd recommend? Don't need the lecture about small kids around pets - I already know not to let my small child tug on the dog or annoy it. This would be a family pet, not specifically for a child. |||See, it's not just the tugging on ears and stuff that gets me worried. It's the fact that kids don't know that if they don't want the puppy to play with something and chew it up, not to dangle it in it's face. And face it, you can't watch a child 24/7 with a puppy.


This is the number one reason dogs get put in shelters. Parents don't catch the whole 'child waves hands in dog's face as a puppy, and thinks it's cute that the puppy nips and "plays" with the kid's hands', and it grows up to be a 'puppy bites kids' hands and attacks strange children who try and pet it because it thinks it's dangling hands in it's face' which leads to pet parents giving up that cute little pup.





But I can see you want a dog, so here's a little info on the breeds:





Chihuahuas are ratting dogs. They need lots of exercise. They're very smart, too, so need lots of training because they can get to where they feel they have a choice in whether or not to do what you ask.





Miniature Pinschers are very headstrong dogs who do what they want, when they want. They take a lot of training, and a lot of socialization as well as a firm hand to let them know when their actions are not appropriate. They're more than willing to stand up for themselves, which leads to confrontations when Sally Mae or Billy Joe want to dress the dog up as a barbie or yank it around by a leash to show their friends. Also, are very high energy. Needs a lot of mental and physical exercise.





Dachshund: Like any working breed, this breed, though extremely friendly and loyal, is also very smart. They're natural escape artists. The smallest hole, the tiniest gap, and ZOOM they're out of there. They also like to get under feet to find out what you're doing.





Shetland Sheepdogs are actually not 'small' dogs. Some can get to be almost the size of a doberman. They are herding dogs and very snippy when not trained not to be, which, in the case of dangly hands and running children, can be either fun or disastrous. You must take charge immediately because this is one breed that was bred to be able to just be let go and herd sheep on their own, with no orders from their masters. Which means they'll likely herd your children around and nip at heels and fingers if not taught early on that this is not appropriate behavior. A very excitable, very intelligent, very high energy breed, this would be best for soccer moms who take jogs two to three times a day and have no problem showing the dog who's boss.





As with any dog, I would suggest taking puppy obedience courses. Not just so you can learn to train them, as I'm sure you know already how to, but more for socialization, so the pup can learn to handle company of people and other dogs, and so it doesn't decide to go run off and jump all over new people and new dogs who could potentially be dangerous.|||I would not get a Chihuahua!!





How about a miniature schnauzer???


The breed is generally good with children, recognizing that they need gentle play. Miniature Schnauzers are generally highly intelligent and easy to train. They are highly playful dogs








And Shetland Sheepdog or "Sheltie" they are excellent family pets, Shelties do especially well with children if they are raised with them from an early age; however, their small size makes it easy for a child to accidentally injure them, so supervision is necessary.








How about a ::::


English toy Spaniel is an affectionate and easy-going family dog, and its alertness and attentiveness make it the ideal hunting companion. An intelligent dog, active and eager to please, an English toy Spaniel is easily incorporated into a family setting.








And about The miniature pinscher:::


The miniature pinscher is an energetic, playful, and friendly dog that thrives on owner interaction. These are typically categorized as "one, or two person dogs", but with socialization, they can be integrated into families, and get along with other dogs, pets, and children. Children, especially younger ones, must be encouraged to act gently and responsibly around this smaller breed to avoid injury for both parties. Socialization as puppies will help ensure they can co-exist and interact with other dogs as adults.








Well good Luck and i Hope this helps!! :)





|||I would not advise ANY of those four small breeds with children. Chihuahuas are naturally fairly nervous and are skeletally delicate- accidental injury would be common with kids in the home. Min Pins are about the worst dog you can choose with small children- they are delicate and tend to be nippy when irritated. Dachshunds, because of their long backs, are not good for homes with small kids who are clumsy and may inadvertently fall on them- spinal cord injury would be the end result. Shelties are yappy and a herding breed. Without a 'job' to do, they can and will herd your children, often with nipping.





The three breeds that are most suitable for homes with children, in my opinion, that would be classified as small, are Pugs, Boston Terriers, and French Bulldogs. Due to their sturdier skeletal structure, they are less easily damaged and tend to be more tolerant of the antics of children and less prone to nervousness and nipping in an active home. Really, though, a medium to large breed would be a much better choice with small kids in the house.|||Any of the breeds will do fine with proper training and socialization. My friend's Daschund was never around young children, but with a little time, managed to adjust just great to their new baby, so that increases my favor with this breed.





Min-Pins are very VERY active, and often get over excited with all the commotion of a child.





Shelties are amazing dogs. All the way around.





Chi-- Just remember, it's tiny, but it's still a dog! Exercise, training, discipline, rules and boundaries, and it will do fine with the children.|||I agree with you about the mini pin but you can't generalize either. They are extremely active and love to play but sometimes they can roughhouse and of course if you have small children that wouldn't know what to do they could end up getting hurt by accident. You would need to train the mini pin to be gentle around small children. I tell you from experience.





Right now I have 2 chihuahuas both male and female and they are GREAT with my 2 yr old daughter.|||Wow...you hit the tri-fecta for mini-breeds that like to bite! Chihuahuas and Min-Pins are NOT NOT NOT good pets for small children. They are too fragile and they will bite to protect themselves ( as well they should!) Dachshunds are a bit better, but they have long backs that can be easily injured if they are played with too roughly, and yes, they will bite to protect themselves also. Shelties are herding dogs, high energy, high coat maintenance, not known to be really great with small children...they are famous nippers when they get excited ( which is often!)


Why don't you think about a Pug or a Corgi...both are sturdy, and fairly low coat maintenance, have good temperments ( though Pugs are better that way) and do well with children. Neither is a tiny toy, but they're small enough to be comfortable in a smaller living space.|||I highly recommend a Pug. We have had one for almost a year and a half. Just make sure you buy one from a reputable breeder and not from a pet store. They are great around children, they do not bite, they love to play, but, they also love to take naps. They are people dogs, so they do like to be wherever all the action is, but, he/she will sit on you for hours, yet play with the kids when they want to.|||i have a chi.


and the book for it says that it is fragile for kids.


the bones break VERY easy.


and its painfull when playing(shes a puppy haa)


but chis are the smallest so the most fragile.





ALL dogs are good with kids. its how you raise it. you can raise a typical family dog to not liek kids. so it wont be a family pet.


the main problem is the kids arnt good with the dog.


kids do not know how hard they are doing stuff.





|||None. What happens should the dog lunge at your child when you aren't looking because your child did something to it when you weren't looking? The child will tell you the dog bit him/her for no reason, and the dog then get's to go to a shelter.





Get an adult, large breed dog. Or the Sheltie, but make sure it's an adult. Sheltie is the best choice in your list, because they aren't a small dog.|||i would recommend a yorkie! yes they require their human to groom them frequently but all the hard work is worth it.i have two children and the youngest is nine but i do daycare in my home ,the youngest being one and i have taught the kids (and pup)to respect each other and everything has been great.the biggest point is just the fact that children and adults included learn to give the dog its own space to go to get away from what could become a stressful or harmful situation.i think yorkies are a good breed all the way around.good luck with your soon to be new family member!|||a papillon! they are adorable for one, they look like little furry foxes! they are very well tempered, we have one that use to play in the play pin with my son! they play tug of war and never has nipped at him even when he accidentally has hurt him! his names todd :)





oh and they hardley shed!! big big plus!!!|||Small breeds usually don't love kids. I have a Jack Russell an she hates all the kids in the family! It's so funny because when relatives come over they need to keep their kids away from her rather than our Pit Bull! He's a sucker for the munchkins!|||my papillon loves kids of all sizes.|||Silky terriers. |||daschounds are great with kids my bff has 3 and they are just so sweet and get attached to their owners|||terriers