What is the best small dog to get for a 3yr old?

Question

I am considering getting a dog for my daughter. I have never had a dog before. Which dogs are best with children? Anyone have any experiences with a certain breed that they would recommend?

Answer 1

I recommend that you wait for a few years. Three years old is too young for a dog, it is not a plaything. A toddler doesn't understand that pulling tails and ears is NOT OK. A toddler cannot take care of an animal. If you have never had a dog, then you probably don't understand that having a dog is just like having another child to worry about. You have to feed it, discipline it, train it, walk and/or play with it for at least an hour a day. Playing with your toddler will not give it the exercise that it needs. You need to see that someone is available to take care of it if you want to go away for the weekend. Most dogs cannot be left alone for more than three or four hours without getting into some kind of trouble (peeing or pooping in the house, barking, tearing up things, digging up your yard). Your child should probably be 10 or 12 years old before they are old enough for a dog. Buy your child a stuffed animal.

Answer 2

A small dog, you don't want a lab.

I would recommend a Miniature Schnauzer. Schnauzer's don't shed, and they have excellent temperaments. I grew up with Schnauzer's and our latest puppy was purchased when my daughter was 8 months old. She dances with the dog, pulls his ears, tail, and never nips, barks or bites her. They are easy going and good lap dogs.

When you do get your dog, go for a puppy, stay away from shelters. I know this is not the PC answer, but all that shelters are full of is other peoples problems. Also the dog will do better "growing up" with the young child.

Purchase one from a breader or a small privately owned pet store. Stay away from the Petland's of the world, all they do is "mill" their dogs and charge $900 for an AKC dog that a breader would sell to you for $400.

Answer 3

Some of the breed suggestions you have received have been good (Beagle, Boston Terrier). I like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, too.

Most importantly, I recommend getting an adult dog. Puppies and toddlers are a recipe for disaster. I'm sure people have both together and do just fine, but since this is your first dog, get an adult who has been temperament tested and who has lived with young children and ADORES them. Your life will be much easier.

And, don't forget the mixed breeds!

Answer 4

Actually, I would be careful about choosing a small breed, as they tend to be more fragile and less tolerant of a child's rough play. That being said, I grew up with Boston Terriers, and they put up with me dressing them up and pushing them in doll strollers. :-P Another breed that is larger, but good with kids, is the Boxer. I know a family who has two Boxers, and three young kids, and they all get along great.

Edit: I forgot to mention that the only thing you have to worry about with Bostons is that they tend to have bulgy eyes, which makes them prone to injury from fingers, toys, etc.

A good place to look for a pet is petfinder.com. I might be nice for you to adopt an adult dog. For one, you won't have to deal with a puppy's housebreaking, playbiting, etc. Also, adult dogs are less likely to get adopted than puppies because they aren't as little and "cute", so you can adopt a dog that might otherwise not get a home.

Whatever you do, keep in mind that no matter how reliable your dog is with children, never leave him and your kids alone together. The most docile dog will nip if something hurts them enough.

Answer 5

Hi I am also researching a dog for my family. My daughter is two and I am looking at a smaller dog also, but not for my daughter(she is still too young to care for a dog will be for some time) for me. Most dogs can be great with small children if raised with them. I know people who have chihuahuas with toddlers (though most had the dogs first). Its true that getting a puppy is like having another toddler a lot of work, but well worth it. The dog I am looking at is the Boston Terrier they dint get to big usually 25lbs max, tend to be good with children, dint bark excessively. They aren't too small for me to worry about my toddler being too rough they are pretty hardy. I wouldn't really recommend a Yorkie or a chihuahua just because of their size toddlers tend to be rough and clumsy. Do research on line. Go to your local petsmart or petco and stop and ask people about their dogs: good with kids, easily trained, etc. People love to talk about their dogs. Maybe take your child over to friends or family who have pets to get her use to the idea and teach her to respect the animal. Never leave your daughter alone with the dog ever. Good luck with your search it will be a lot of work ,but it is well worth having a canine companion for both you and your child :)

Answer 6

mutually with your infant being a undeniable desires infant it makes the region slightly greater not person-friendly. in spite of the undeniable fact that by ability of how you worded issues it makes it look greater like he became an abused infant quite than a handicap infant. if it is the case you should get in this appropriate away. Being aggressive in the direction of animals is an early sign of having violence issues later in life. They (toddlers) will try waters with aniamals and take hidden agression/issues out on animals via fact they sense that they are in a position to wreck out with it. At 5 years previous nevertheless there is time to get a company grip on the challenge formerly all people else, be it your son, the canines, or all people else for that rely being harm. My terrific advice may be to take a seat down the child down and talk with him on an person-friendly point. Ask him why he harm the canines, does he understand what he did harm the canines, etc etc. while you're quite worried approximately how he reacts to speaking with you or you hit upon that it is not the 1st time he has performed this i might get him to a infant psycholigist formerly it gets worse. i understand a handful of folk who've handicap toddlers and while they locate that the child is disillusioned or that they are actually not prepared to speak they have them draw photographs. many circumstances the child will draw how they sense or issues they have refrained from even understanding it. terrific of success mutually with your difficulty, merely remember to proceed to exist ultimate of the challenge. that's confusing and deliver you into tears, yet something tells me that it would be nicely worth it interior the top.

Answer 7

I had Golden Retrievers & Labrador Retrievers growing up. My husband grew up with German Shepards. Any dog is good I suppose but if the child is 3, the parents of the child are the ones really responsible for the dog and it depends on your lifestlye as to what kind of dog to get. If you are busy & travel alot, you would not want to get a high maintenence dog that needs lots of excercise. Talk to your local SPCA or vet office to get their thoughts.

Answer 8

A 3 yr old will do nothing but torment an animal. The kid will lose interest, the dog will get too big, it'll end up in the shelter. I've seen it many times. Buy her a stuffed animal.

Answer 9

A MINIATURE SCHNAUZER! They are the best little dogs around! They don't shed, they are playful, they aren't ankle bitters but they will let you know when someone is in your yard or at the door, they love they whole family but will mainly attach itself to one member for the most part, they are easy to train, extremely smart, good pets all around. Not every household has one so you would be unique. They come in black, black/silver, slat/pepper, white.

Answer 10

Get a beagle. They are about the best dogs for children. Also before investing in a pet for your child teach him/her how to treat them. Also if you get a pet get one that is a few months old, or be prepared for a four legged baby..... Also provide toys for dog, it's natural for pups to bite in their play, but if you give it a toy when he/she bites will learn that biting toy is ok, biting you is not. And never hit with your hands because then pet will fear them. use rolled up paper and swat gently on snot and say NO, to whatever behavior you do not approve of. Also in housebreaking, NEVER rub nose in feces, it can cause infections. GOOD LUCK