What type of dog is recommended for small children under five? I prefer small dogs.?

Answer 1

Herding breeds are usually VERY good with kids, particularly Australian Sheppard's. Muts are always nice to have since the hybridization makes them a lot healthier. Consider your local animal shelters. They have a large variety and you can pick up a well trained, fixed and vaccinated animal for very little expense, and they will help you select a dog that will be well-suited to your family. They will also help you with any problems you may have.

Answer 2

Not a dauchaund, yorkie, or chiauawa, they are terrible little biters. Usually only do it when scared, and typically anything scares them. Any dog you get will bite though. My advise, go to the shelter or pound and pick out a relatively small dog, the director of the shelter will be able to tell you more or less what breed it is and about how big it will get. Take it home and love it and teach your childeren the right way to care for it. Never leave any child alone with any dog, I dont care what people say. I have heard so many stories about how the childs dog will protect the child, would never hurt it, and so on. Bull. Leaving a small child alone with a dog is never a good idea. Kids do crazy stuff. They may get a wild hair and decide to chew on the dogs tail, toddlers are very unstable, hence the word toddler, and they may fall on the dog. This is going to surprise and scare the dog and it will bite. This is what dogs do. The dog will not think about it first. It will just react naturally. Please be carefull in your selection, as breed temperment has a lot to do with it also. The larger breeds are more docile, but a smaller one can be taught to behave properly. More importantly, teach your children how to properly care for the dog, and that yelling and stomping around and running is only going to scare it. Also make sure they know not to tease the dog and to leave it alone when there is any food around. Have a pet carrier in your house where the dog can go when it wants to get away from the children. Make sure your kids know that when the dog is in its den, that means he is tired and that playtime is over, he needs to be left alone. The reason for getting a shelter dog is they desperatly need a loving home, they are cheap, and if it turns out to not be so good for your children, you havent spent a fortune on it and hopefully can find it a good home somewhere else where there are no children present.

Answer 3

You want something small? Get a cat! Children under 5 do not know their own strength and can seriously injure a small dog. Cats are able to hide from kids that get too rough better than a dog can. Having a cat will help teach the kids how to play gentle with a pet without you having to constantly supervise. It takes alot longer than just "a few introductions" to teach a child that squeezing too hard can hurt. Wait until the kids are a little older (say 10) before thinking about getting a dog.

Answer 4

I would suggest a Maltese or Papillon. Both are small breeds and not as nervous as some. However, always observe how the child interacts with the dog and supervise the first few introductions between child and dog. Always emphasize being gentle and kind to the animal with the child. This shows the child respect for animals and the fact that animals can bite if they feel intimidated or threatened. Good luck. Animals are wonderful but they can also be dangerous all depending on how they are treated and what natural instinct tells them.

Answer 5

I would reconmmend dachshund, for I have three. But you better check around first. Some breeders will not sell any of their pups to families with children under twelve years of age. If it is a small breed. On pet finders.com they list dogs that are for sale from the adoption. Check for your area, and see what you can come up with. Small dogs if treated and trained right, will not bite. I have had all three of my dogs since they were pups, and I have trained them not to bite. I get right in their faces when they eat, put my hands in the food dish, and water dish. When I play tug of war with them, I get in their faces again, and kiss their noses. So that when my grandkids come over they won't have to worry.

It also depends on your family. Do you want a dog that will be active, or one that will laze around the house. All dogs like to takes walks, so if yu walk your kids, the dog can go also.
You just have to think about everything in your life that is going on right now. Will you have the time to take care of the kids and a dog also. Puppies need to be potty trained just like a child. Up at night, potty every two hours, after they eat and so forth.

Good luck with your looking. Have a nice night.

Answer 6

None, the children are to young to really appreciate the dog.
When the kids get old enough to really get into it then the dog will be old and will most likely die, the kids will still be young (16 or so) and will be just at the age that will really hurt, not that it will not hurt at any age but they are very vulnerable.
I say hold off until they are 10 or so then they can help with the puppy and the novelty will not wear off so soon.
Get them involved with training, 4H has a good dog program, it will help the children learn more about the animals care plus it will help the children to understand responsibility.

Just my two cents

Answer 7

With proper supervision and training, I think a small child can co-exist with a small dog, provided it is the right small dog. I would err on the side of larger small dogs. Bichons, mini poodles, and coton de tulears are all excellent with kids, as are French bulldogs. Cockers don't get too big (girls are typically 20 lbs) and are fantastic if you go through a good breeder--if you don't beware! Poorly bred specimens can be nervous and nippy. There are some awesome smaller mixes you can find on petfinder--my friends adopted the best lab/dachshund/terrier mix from a local shelter who is small yet fantastic with kids! I've seen several posts praising the herding breeds, but I would be wary of them. Many dogs from this group remember their roots and try to "herd" the children much like they would their sheep. After all, they see the kids as their charges, and treat them as such. And herding often involves nipping... Dogs meant to guard sheep, such as Old English Sheepdogs, are wonderful but huge. Good luck on your quest, and be sure to consult a trainer once you settle on a pup--they can be an immense help in integrating the dog into your family and training both kids and dog to play together.

Answer 8

You will have to make sure the kids know that they have to be careful with a small dog especially if you get a puppy. Boston terriers are great dogs with kids of all ages. You can however get a book called Perfect Match and look at all the breeds and get some general info.

Answer 9

Most small dogs are terrible with children. I work at a animal shelter and we rarely will adopt small dogs to families with small children. Small dogs have shorter tempers, no pain tolerance, and are more easily hurt when played with. If you insist on a smaller breed- a corgi is ok, as long as the children are well behaved and the dog is well bred. Mixed breeds are best, but don't expect Ol' yellar.

Answer 10

there arent alot of small dogs I would recommend, however I think my 1st choice would be a shitzhu. and on the positive side of them they also dont shed. Yorkies, poodles, etc... have a higher bite tendency and I dont think its all their fault when they have a kid beating on them all the time and they cant take anymore they lash out. At least the bite is smaller then like a rottweiler or something. But I dont recommend welsh corgies as they are herders and nip childrens feet as a herding trait. I would never recommend a schipperke, they are REALLY known to snap. Border collie is ok, chihuahua- no, I have had really good luck with our pomeranian but others haven't. English bulldogs, pugs, cocker spanials I would also say no to all of them too hyper and cockers have tendency to bite ( I have one)

Answer 11

Bichon Frise dogs are small, have a good temperament, good with kids and either don't shed at all or very little. (An old boss of mine had one because her daughter had allergies and this breed was recommended for that reason.).
Another idea is to go to the local animal shelter and talk with them, very often they can recommend a dog or pet that fits with your lifestyle and kids etc. And adopting is a great thing to do!