My sister has just gotten a new puppy. Weighing in at a modest 12.5 pounds, Louis the Cane Corso is currently only a fraction of his expected adult weight of about 100 pounds (and shoulder height of nearly 28 inches). My sis is delighted to have him, un-housebroken and all. But big dogs aren't everybody's cup of tea — especially if you have tiny people to look out for. So, if you're pondering your own new addition to the family, there are several small dog breeds that are great around kids.
Of course, whatever type of dog you have your heart set on, there are some important guidelines to remember. "Every dog is an individual with a unique personality," says Pia Silvani (CPDT-KA, CCBC), Director at the ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center. "Wherever you decide to adopt your dog, you should expect to receive education on the dog's background (if known), energy level, how the dog gets along with people, children and other animals as well as information on what to expect and what to do when bringing the dog home."
If you're buying from a breeder, there's no way to know how a seven-week-old puppy is going to turn out, so Michael Wombacher, owner of Dog Gone Good in California and author of multiple training books, recommends that you meet one or both of the puppy's parents. "That’s going to tell you 90% of what your puppy’s going to be." If the breeder won't let you meet them or says they're "not that great with people," that's a red flag, he warns.
When adopting a small breed, the key is to find "a dog that’s robust but not too testy," says Wombacher. He recommends avoiding any dogs under ten pounds, because anything that small or delicate won't be able to handle the playful advances of an energetic five-year-old. Silvani agrees. "Young children tend to think small dogs enjoy being picked up, carried, hugged, dressed up, and much more. Children need to learn that dogs should not be treated like a toy or stuffed animal."
So Wombacher advises looking for “a small dog with a big dog personality.” If you're looking for compatibility with kids, he recommends against breeds like Yorkshire terriers, who are "a little delicate and sensitive on the whole;" chihuahuas, who "tend to be testy, neurotic, fearful, maybe even a little too small to handle what kids can dish out;" and Shiba Inus, who are "very testy little dogs, more like cat-dogs, and their threshold for being manhandled and roughed up is very low."
But no matter what kind of furry friend you opt for, Wombacher's fundamental rule is that dogs and children should never be left unsupervised together for any reason until the child is 10 years old. This is because of the high risk of dog bites: About 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and young children between five and nine are the most likely victims. In Wombacher's experience, this usually happens only when children are left alone with a dog, even for a short time. "I couldn't be more emphatic about it," he says. "You shouldn’t allow yourself to have a false sense of confidence because you think 'my dog is so friendly and would never.'"
So, until your kid turns 10, you'll want to make sure you're helping him learn appropriate ways to interact with your fur baby. "Show your child what gentle, enjoyable petting looks like. Teach him to stoke and scratch your dog in her favorite spots," recommends Silvani. But don't forget the fun, she adds: "Teach your child to play structured games with your dog, like fetch, tug, and hide-and-seek. Training games, trick and clicker training are also a lot of fun for both kids and dogs."
You'll also want to teach your dog the best ways to interact with humans of all sizes. "You may consider enrolling your dog in a reward-based pet obedience class with an instructor who welcomes children so that your child can learn to be with his dog in a gentle, effective way," says Silvani. "Involve your child in the day-to-day care of your dog such as feeding, potty training, exercise, and respecting the dog's resting time."
Bichon Frise
Despite their diminutive appearance, Bichons Frises are hardy little things, according to DogTime. They love to play and are known to be outgoing, happy pups. "They’re big enough [to handle kids], friendly, [and have a] tolerant disposition," says Wombacher. But be prepared to shell out for haircuts: DogTime says that professional grooming is a requirement for Bichons, unless you want to take the time to learn the tricky techniques behind it.
Beagle
Beagles are about as friendly as they come, according to Animal Planet. They're active, cheerful, and a good fit for children. Wombacher says, "They will be playful and fun with a kid, although they can be a bit more stubborn and difficult to train." That's probably because they are determined to follow their nose — Animal Planet warns that they can't be trained out of it.
Maltipoo
Maltipoos, a cross between a Maltese and a poodle, are active and charming, according to DogTime. They're gentle, easy to train, and a good fit for first-time dog owners. And it's not just the Maltipoos that are great with kids — "a lot of the poodle mixes can be fun," says Wombacher. At the very least, the names certainly are enjoyable: affenpoo, corgipoo, double doodle, shmoodle, sheltidoodle...
Miniature Labradoodle
...and, of course, the miniature labradoodle. Wombacher calls these "fantastic family dogs — you rarely see behavior problems with them, [and] they don’t shed. Mostly good-natured, fun, family dogs." Because their parents, miniature poodles and Labradors, are both very active breeds, mini Labradoodles will need plenty of space to get all their energy out, according to The Labrador Site.
Corgi
With their fun-loving personalities, corgis are "big enough that they can take a licking and keep on ticking," says Wombacher. That's because, as he puts it, "they’re used to getting kicked around by cattle" — historically, corgis were bred to herd livestock. The American Kennel Club says that corgis are smart and affectionate without being pushy, and are not at all vicious.
Poodle
Poodles are known to be both smart and gentle, according to petMD. They come in a variety of sizes, and because they shed very little, they're a good fit for kids (or parents) with allergies. Of course, all that luscious fur means they will need regular professional grooming. But just think of all the possibilities for amazing poodle 'dos!
Dachshund
Dachshunds, a.k.a. hot dog dogs, were originally used for digging out badgers. In fact, their name means "badger dog" in German. Wombacher characterizes them as "tough, wiry little dogs that have a good sense of humor; they can handle what kids can dish out." Animal Planet described them as playful and affectionate, but noted that they may be suspicious of strangers.
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