Dogs are an essential part of the family, but if you have young kids, it can be tricky to find a miniature breed that’s gentle and patient with them.
If you’re on the search for a dog breed that’s good with kids, you’ll want to check out this list! Below you’ll discover a handful of the top breeds and how to figure out which one is right for your family.
6 Miniature Dog Breeds That Are Great with Kids
1. Puggles
A puggle is a mix between a beagle and a pug. Because they’re small, they’re easy to pick up and transport, so you don’t need to worry about them knocking down a small kid. But perhaps one of the most important aspects is their personality. Puggles are easy to train and very affectionate. They’re also quite forgiving. Better yet, they’re easily trainable.
Finding puggle puppies for sale can be difficult, but it’s important to look around for reliable and ethical breeders carefully. You might also consider adopting one.
2. Papillons
This toy breed gets its name from its butterfly-like ears. A papillon tends to have a very happy disposition and is always up for playing. Papillons can grow up to 11 inches high and weigh anywhere from 5-10 pounds.
Besides this, papillons are somewhat easy to groom despite their long hair. Thanks to their calmness, kids can learn important dog caring skills (like how to brush or trim their hair) without fear of them getting aggressive.
3. French Bulldogs
French bulldogs are perhaps one of the top miniature dog breeds for kids. In fact, an American Temperament Test Society survey found that French bulldogs had one of the best temperaments around people, especially kids. Whether they’re infants or elementary-school-aged, this breed knows how to be gentle and delicate.
However, because of their pushed-in snouts, French bulldogs can have trouble moving quickly sometimes. So while they can run and play, they might need more breaks than other breeds to calm down. Because of this, French bulldogs might be better for families who don’t plan to be as active with them.
4. Cairn Terriers
Historically from the Scottish Highlands, Cairn Terriers are extremely affectionate dogs. They love to cuddle and are surprisingly active despite their small size.
They can get a little jealous, though, if attention is turned away from them. This is why it’s important to make sure to fully socialize them early on with both other pets and people and reward them for good behavior.
5. Shih Tzus
Shih Tzus work well with kids and have a very laid-back attitude. They’re also typically good around other dogs. Their coats come in a variety of beautiful colors, too, like black and white, silver and white, and even red.
The one major downside is that they enjoy vocalizing their thoughts. In addition, Shih Tzus tend to bark a lot, so you might need to give them activities and rewards, so they learn to stop this.
6. Pomeranians
This fluffy dog weighs only about seven pounds and is less than a foot tall. But despite their size, Pomeranians are lively dogs that love to play and interact. They’re also good watchdogs and can help protect and watch over your kids.
How to Determine the Best Dog Breed
If you’re still unsure which breed is ideal, consider these aspects.
If They’re Good With Other Dogs
Some dogs might be great around kids but not so much with other canines and could become aggressive and territorial. If your home already has a dog, check if your desired breed will generally get along with them. If not, it could cause some trouble that might inadvertently hurt your kids.
Consider Their Size
While all miniature breeds are small, some are smaller than others. Therefore, it’s crucial to determine what size you’re looking for so you can better prepare yourself for lifting and transporting them.
Check Their Energy
Just because a dog is playful and happy doesn’t mean they have high energy. If you have kids that want to play a lot with their new friend, make sure that the dog can keep up with them. Otherwise, the dog might get a bit overwhelmed, which could stress them.
Look Into Their Patience
Most dogs are patient with kids, but some might not be, depending on their personality. You’ll want to confirm that they stay calm even in potentially uncomfortable situations (like a child pulling on their ear). While children should always be taught to respect dogs, it might take some time for them to learn that. So it’s important that the dog is gentle and patient as they learn.
There are plenty of miniature dog breeds that work well with children. If you’re searching for one, consider the ones listed above. They not only have a great disposition but tend to be low-maintenance too.
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