What is a good Small Breed dog for a family?

Question

I'm researching small breeds. I'm hoping to find a small breed that is pretty good with children and families.

A breed that would be forgiving you know?

You know how Golden Retrievers are good with Kids and they let children pull and tug on them without problems?

I'm hoping to find a small breed that I can feel comfortable with my future children(none yet, but hopefully soon on the way)

I don't want a dog that would be mean to my children and family.

My mother once had a mini schnauzer and Cockapoo, and they were just MEAN to everyone but her. Is that normal?

Any ideas please?

Mixed breeds are okay as well.

Thank you

Answer 1

I have a miniature dachshund and he loves my nieces and nephew. He is very playful and was very easy to house train as well. Great dog all around.

Answer 2

I have a Golden Retriever and yes he will let kids pull and tug on him, BUT you have to train a dog to do that. Properly socializing a dog is what you must do with any dog.

Answer 3

**** tuz are great dogs with kids.Well ever one really.

Answer 4

I can honestly say that the best family dog I have ever known is a king charles cavalier...they are fantastic pets sooo tolerent, loving, placid, furry lol, I had one for 9 years and she was amazing......I  miss my baby!!!

I now have a Lhasa Apso and although she is a lovely dog she isnt as tolerent and friendly!!! but we loves her all the same...

Go for a King charles you wont regret it!!!

Answer 5

in may, i bought a ****-zu. i have my very first baby on the way. he is tottaly friendly, very playful and extra fluffy. he loves everyone that comes in, i sometimes tell him everyone is not his friend because he wants to say hello to everyone and everything. also, you should kno he was already nuetered when i got him. i dont regret my choice and my baby is due any day now i am glad i was able to train him and i cant wait for my son to grow up and love my dog like i do. good luck

Answer 6

No, that is not normal for a mini schnauzer. I am owned by two of them. Both females. One is three years old in December of this year the other is a year old in January 09. They are far from mean. I will admit they do bark when someone comes over, but as soon as whoever it happens to be pet them, they quiet down. They think that everyone that comes over is coming to see them!! I have 3 kids, mine are teens, though, and she loves them all. A previous answer is correct in saying that if you socialize them, they will not be so inclined to be afraid of other people outside of their family. My older dog is learning this, as I didn't know much about dogs when I got her, and I was afraid to let anyone else hold her outside our family. So, she is quite attached to us. She is leary of other people, but I am working on that. I now know the importance of socialization of dogs and am working on this with the older one and it is coming pretty easy with the baby. They are great pets, learn quickly, very smart. The only negative I know of is the grooming factor. I groom my dogs myself now, didn't use to, but learned. Grooming of any of the small dogs like poodles, mini schnauzers, bichon, yorkies, etc. require grooming which can run anywhere from $30-60 dollars, depending on where you live. Hope that helps. good luck.

Answer 7

I suggest a Boston Terrier.  I have never had one but I knew a couple of people who had them and they absolutely loved those dogs.  I have done some research on Boston Terriers and they are a compact and sturdy dog that are good with kids and they generally get along with every living creature.  They are prone to some health issues such as breathing problems (from their short flat faces, like Pugs) and heat stroke (on hot days).  However, it does not seem like they are prone to as many problems as Chihuahuas are.  They are not a fragile dog like a Chihuahua.  Boston Terriers do not shed very much and grooming requirements are very low, like those of a Chihuahua.

As far as those dogs that were mean to everyone but your mom, that is not normal.  I have found out that, after watching many episodes of the Animal Planet show It's Me Or The Dog, it's a behavioral problem that can be corrected.  Those dogs sound like they were protecting your mother from people they considered to be intruders.  

Answer 8

Small breeds that are un-socialized will form a strong bond with their owner only. Not all small breeds are like this though. Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs are playful friendly and sweet. Basset Hounds are incredibly tolerant of children but they are a bit large. But if you want fluffy those wouldn't work for you. Spitz breeds are very fluffy but are independent and generally don't take well to children. Poodles are very high maintenance but friendly and fluffy.Toy group dogs, (i.e. pekingese and pomeranians) also don't really appreciate children, they think they are the children and they want to be only children. Cocker Spaniels are very friendly and loving, they are sweet, affectionate, high energy, and family oriented. They require quite a bit of grooming and if you shave them down they won't be fluffy.

Answer 9

A Malti-poo (Maltese x Poodle). My aunt got a Malti-poo, Daisy, for her 2 kids last year, the dog is definitely the perfect family dog, she's about 5 lbs full grown, and shes fluffy too. Shes very smart, loyal, affectionate playful and durable.

Answer 10

Head to http://www.petfinder.com and find some small dogs in your area.

But, the biggest thing is that your kids should not be pulling on them and tugging on them.  Small dogs are very fragile and breakable.  If you can't teach your kids that that is unacceptable, then a small dog is a bad choice for you.  Small dogs can also be very very nippy, especially when prodded and poked.  

Head to a rescue group and find a dog that's fine around kids and can handle the noise and activity.  

Answer 11

i have 2 caveliere  king charels spaniels  they are great with kids never bite and are incredibly cute  they are really cuddly and like to play mine do have sensitive stomachs but we have found a food for them

Answer 12

As far as a breed I would recommend, I've seen families have great luck with Bichon Frises and I've never had one on my grooming table with a bad attitude.

In reality, I think you should check Petfinder.com or with a local rescue group.  Rescue groups with foster programs will be able to tell you which dogs they have that are kid-friendly and there are so many dogs without homes, you're sure to find a small and fluffy one.

Good luck!

Answer 13

Toy breeds tend to be independent and not very forgiving. Once in a while you will find a small breed that does really well with children but more often then not they prefer to not be around children. Also, toy breeds are more likely to get dropped, kicked, stepped, and sat on by little kids and their bodies cannot handle that. They prefer to be with older children who will respect them and adults. I would look into the bigger toy breeds if anything, like pugs.

My Italian Greyhound doesn't fit his breeds standard at all in the sense that he absoultely loves children and sat next to my brother and his 10 week old son just watching over him but I would never trust him around a toddler, too much risk that the child would break my dogs legs.

ADD: Bostons can have a nasty additude if not properly trained. My 9 month old Italian Greyhound was actually attacked by one at the dog park and needed to get stitches in his leg. Terriers are stubborn and need you to be up and on with training.

Answer 14

With a 'fluffy' dog its going to shed, and be groomed daily.

I would recommend a boston terrier.  Great with kids and other pets.  They don't shed either!

Answer 15

For a relatively small and friendly type of dog go for a west Highland Terrier.

Answer 16

OMG I could go on and on but I only chose one. A Miniature Poodle. They are soooo sweet. But they be protective. Let's switch, uhhhhh I know the Maltese, sweet loving, good with kids, gorgeous dogs.  

Answer 17

you could get any type of dog you will bring it up with your children so they grow up together. If you buy a puppy check out the ones who have been brought up with children hopefully of all  ages then you will know what they are like around kids. I have a springer spaniel who is totally loving to all her family, including grand children one is 18 months old and totally adores her, she has not got one evil bone in her body. good luck with your search.

Answer 18

a good small breed, for a family would be a bichon frise, there small fluffy, and loving.

here a little about them:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bichon_fris...

Answer 19

Any spaniel breed is a guaranteed family dog. Such as american cocker spaniels, english cocker spaniels, field spaniel, cavalier king charles spaniel, Brittany spaniel, and English springer spaniel.

They are beautiful dogs with lovely affectionate temperaments. Find one that will suite your family best. They love to be next to their family members best and are extremely friendly and dont have a dominant bone on them. Like any dog, they need to be raised with children in order to behave predictably around them. But most are labeled kid friendly.

Because they are such great dogs, they are extremely popular and some breeds tend to be overbred so be careful when looking for breeders. Look at the mother's personality and ask if they have any obedience titles on them or CGC. Ones from pet stores tend to be neurotic and overly submissive. I've never seen these problems in good show lines.

That is why most likely your mother's cockapoo was  probably just a very badly bred mutt.

Answer 20

Shih tzus generally tend to have a very good attitude.  They are goofy, playful, and sweet.  Mine likes to be cuddled when he chooses, but he is awesome with kids.  My cousins came over (6, 4, 2) and they mauled him and carried him all over the house.  Great dog.  Make sure you buy from a good breeder, my shih tzu has eye ulcers becuase he was poorly bred.  They can also have joint problems and breathing problems.  Just be careful.

As far as Mini Schnauzers go, they are my favorite breed of dog.  They are spunky, fun, goofy, robust and energetic.  It is true that they are very wary of strangers that are on thier turf.  BUT if socialized properly they make marvelous and handsome pets.  Case and point.  I thought that my schnuazer was beyond help when it came to kids.  He was very nippy.  My sister got a job with boys and girls club, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to socialize him with kids.  Lots of praise, treats and pats on the head.  They last time we visited, he played fetch with a stick that one of the kids found.  I didn't know that he would fetch a stick, but he was just having a ball.  If you buy from a responsible breeder, they should be able to know their pups enough to suggest the perfect one for you.

Happy puppy hunting!

Answer 21

I'd have to say a boston terrier.  They get along with everyone but can be very hyper!  I have a pug and he is great too!  A pug would be good too as long as he socializes with other people.

Answer 22

okay here's my list, you asked for it:

      GOOD FAMILY DOG w/KIDS

shih tzu

papillion

chinese crested

poodle

german shephrd

dobrman

golden ret.

lab ret.

irish setter

springer spaniel          

great dane

cavilier king charles

border collie

beagle

maltese

malamute

           BAD w/KIDS

pit bull

cocker spaniel

chauhuahua

any terrier

dalmation

pomeranian

lhasa apso

chow chow

husk

Now these are just a few, but they're some of the more popular breeds people choose.  Of course with any of these breeds you have the exception to the rule.  Anyone having any of these dogs don't get offended if your dog is in the don't get list.  they're there because "typically" they're not patient when it comes to children doing certain things to them.  And I also need to stress that it IS NOT ok to let children pull on ears, tails, legs or anything else that could cause pain to the dog.  I hope in some way I've helped you