When we want to adopt a dog we must take into account various factors. A very important one, if we have children, is to welcome a dog that is patient, gets along with the little ones and supports without aggressiveness the pranks that children's minds are capable of plotting. If we do not have a very spacious apartment, and this factor also counts, the solution will be to adopt a small dog. Of course, we will always have to inform our son/daughter so that they know how to interact with the dog without hurting it. Remember that adopting dogs teaches your children values, responsibility and rapport.
On our site we will show you some breeds of small dogs for children that combine both factors: size and character. Of course, the mixture of these breeds can also be ideal for children, so we encourage you to visit shelters and protectors in search of a dog that meets the characteristics that we will see throughout the article. Read on to discover the best dogs for kids.
Pug or Pug
If what you need is a small and calm dog for children, the pug is perfect. The pug or pug is a very gentle breed of small dog, ideal for living with children. It is not especially active, although it is affectionate and tender. His sweet looks and loy alty will make him the best friend any child could wish for.
One thing that we should always keep in mind is that any animal, like people, has its own idiosyncrasies. In this article we will talk about the usual traits of the breed and its general suitability. The pug, therefore, due to its tendency to be calm and un alterable, is a magnificent option for a small dog versus children. Of course, you should know that the pug can suffer respiratory problems due to excessive exercise or excessive heat. Supervise the animal and always explain these particular details of the breed to your child to ensure that the animal is well.
Bichon Frize
The Bichon Frisé is a small dog with an excellent size. It is ideal for living with children in small spaces, since it does not exceed 4 kg. In addition to being very pretty and furry, it is a particularly obedient dog. Of course, it is more active than the previous dog, so with the Bichon Frize your children will enjoy running around and discovering the world together. He has an average lifespan of 12 years along with a sociable and jovial character
In the past, it was used as a circus dog, or for shows in general, due to its ability to stand on two legs. If we teach our son what positive reinforcement consists of, he will surely learn to train it in a very fun way.
On the other hand, it should be noted that the Bichon Frize can get excessively dirty and will need to go to the dog groomer for regular cuts. Keep that in mind before adopting one!
Prague Mouse
The Prague mouse is considered one of the smallest dogs in the world It does not exceed 2.5 kg and its lively character, intelligent and active make him a great lover of games and exercise. It is the perfect dog for the most active and inexhaustible children as it is tremendously athletic. Of course, due to its size, it is also a more fragile dog, so it is not recommended if children are very young because they could inadvertently hurt it.
In addition, he is also very intelligent and obedient. You will be able to explain basic obedience tricks to your children and help them put them into practice to stimulate this small but amazing dog. Similarly, and as with the aforementioned dog breeds, you must make sure that the child understands that it is a very small and fragile animal, so a bad fall or blow can cause severe damage and, therefore, a really expensive visit to the vet.
Coton de Tulear
The Coton de Tuléar dog lives an average of 15 years and does not exceed 4 kg. His character extroverted and cheerful make him another of the best dogs for children, in this case of all ages. However, the ideal for this breed is for the house to have a small garden.
The Coton de Tuléar is a dog somewhat nervous and moved, which is why we recommend that it has a small garden, patio or terrace. In addition, it is characterized by being soft as cotton and being very playful, so it will not miss a minute of the company of your children.
It is also a breed that will need periodic coat care, so you should take this into account before adopting it. Likewise, if he is not given enough exercise, he can start to be nervous and even stressed. Regular walks and physical activity will be essential to adopt a dog of this breed.
Toy and toy poodle
Both the Toy Poodle and the Toy Poodle are ideal small dogs for children due to their size and character. Also, if you are looking for noble dogs for children, the poodle can be the perfect companion for your child! Starting with toy, it does not exceed 2, 5 kg, so as happens with the Prague mouse, it is not recommended for very young children. The miniature poodle, on the other hand, usually weighs 4 to 7 kg, so which is more suitable for children of all ages.
Both types of poodle stand out for being very intelligent, as they are ranked number two on the list of dogs Smartest by Stanley Coren. Therefore, they are very easy dogs to train, obedient and faithful. This breed loves to learn new tricks and keep their minds active, so it's a good idea to involve children in their training and play sessions.
It should also be noted that they are somewhat eccentric dogs, as they love to be cuddled or go for walks, and they need specific care to keep their coat he althy.
M altese
This is another of the best small dog breeds for kids and now you'll see why. The M altese Bichon does not exceed 4 kg in weight. He has a fun and very playful temperament that allows him to get along very well with children. Of course, it is somewhat nervous and excitable, it does not tolerate anything well when its hair is pulled, so remember to teach the little ones to be respectful with the animal.
If you decide to have a M altese puppy, you must be clear that it will need a series of regular care, such as brushing and a regular visit to the dog groomer. Their average lifespan is 12 years.
Pomeranian
With an average weight of around 2.5 kg, the Pomeranian is one of those small dogs that do not grow ideal for children due to its active nature. Despite standing out for his quite homely and family-oriented dog, he is also characterized by being very lively, noble and playful, which is why he loves to run and play with the little ones at home. Of course, due to its physical characteristics, it is very important not to leave it with very young children or those who do not know how to treat an animal in a respectful way.
His coat is long and silky, so it needs regular brushing to keep it nice and tangle-free. Likewise, he can't stand loneliness and is used to constantly demanding attention.
Little Lion Dog
Another of the most recommended small, calm dogs for children is the little lion dog. With an average weight of 6 kg, it is ideal for children of any age. It is characterized by a rather robust body with a long, wavy and dense coat. As for his character, he is calm, relaxed and very affectionate. Of course, he also likes to play, but in a less intense way than in the previous races.
The little lion dog is sociable and easy to train, whose main behavior problem is that it tends to be a barker. However, these barks can be controlled with proper education.
Cavalier King Charles spaniel
With an average weight of between 5 and 8 kg, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is ideal for children due to its balanced nature. He is active, docile, affable and affectionate, so he really enjoys the company of the little ones at home but also the elderly. He needs to exercise, like all dogs, but not necessarily as active as occurs in the aforementioned breeds.
Despite his good character, it is important to socialize the cavalier and offer him an education based on positive reinforcement
Cavachon
This is not a purebred dog, however, we can say that it is one of the best dogs for children that exist. The Cavachón is a mestizo dog that arises from the cross of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a Bichon Frize. As the two parent breeds are ideal for children, we can deduce that the cavachón is also suitable because it brings together the best of each part. Thus, it is a dog that weighs between 4 and 9 kg and has a cheerful, restless, playful, affectionate and attentive character.
The care to which it is necessary to pay more attention is its need for exercise and the maintenance of its coat with regular brushing. It is easy to train and a very appreciative dog.
M altipoo
As in the previous case, the m altipoo is a mongrel dog that arises from the cross between a M altese bichon and a toy poodle. Again, as its parents are two of the best dog breeds for children, this hybrid is ideal for living with babies, toddlers and older children. It usually weighs between 2 and 3 kg and can have both the coat of the M altese bichon and that of the poodle, so there are curly-haired dogs and dogs with smooth hair, although in general the smooth-coated variety is more common.
The m altipoo stands out for being intelligent, lively, active and somewhat dependent, since he does not usually tolerate loneliness. He is a puppy for children who needs constant company, exercise and games.
Other small dogs ideal for children
Although the above are the best small dog breeds for children, as you have seen, mongrels can also be an excellent option. Likewise, there are more breeds and crosses that can coexist perfectly with the little ones. Therefore, we show more breeds of dogs for babies and children of all ages:
- Dandie dinmont terrier
- Affenpinscher
- Peruvian dog
- Valencian Buzzard
- Bolognese
- West highland white terrier
- Beagle
- Shih Tzu
- Shiba Inu
- Cockapoo
- Puggle
- Cavapoo
- Shih-poo
- Mal-shi
In general, small dogs tend to have a stronger character than medium or large dogs. This is precisely due to its small size. Therefore, it is very important to teach children to treat the animal with respect and educate the dog with positive reinforcement, avoiding punishment and yelling.
The use of negative reinforcement will only develop aggressive reactions in the dog to defend itself, something totally counterproductive for both the animal and the children, who may get hurt. If you are not totally sure of being able to carry out a correct education and subsequent training, we recommend you go to a professional canine educator. Likewise, you can always consult this other article with larger dog breeds: "The best dog breeds for children".
In addition, we recommend these other articles:
- Activities for children and dogs
- How to avoid jealousy between children and dogs