What breed of dog should I get if I have a small child?

Question

I have a 4 years old daughter, and my husband and I really want to get a dog. We never had a dog before and we live in an apartment in a city - its a very large apartment though. I am nto sure what breed we should get. I know it should probably be a small dog, but do you have more suggestions?

Answer 1

What it really boils down to is the individual dog. Ideally you want a dog that's been raised with kids and has proven himself/herself to be good with them. You could also get a puppy to raise with your kids but it'll be a lot of work and you'd need to be prepared for training classes for basic obedience, working on training at home, housebreaking, crate training, teaching the dog what's appropriate to chew on and what's not, etc. Be prepared to have your workload around the house increase doublefold if you get a puppy.

Medium sized dogs tend to be a better choice than other sized dogs. Small dogs (chihuahuas, papillions, etc.) can frequently become overwhelmed with the activity level of children to the point they feel threatened and think they need to defend themselves. Giant breeds (saint bernard, mastiff, etc.) can be great with kids but problems may arise simply because of the massive size of the dog and the small size of the child - giant dogs can inadvertantly harm children. However, there are always exceptions to rules. I think your best bet would be to check out your local humane society or www.petfinder.com and look for some dogs available for adoption. Responsible humane societies perform behavior assessments of their dogs and would require that the dog meet your children before bringing it home to ensure that everyone gets along. You may also be able to find a dog through an owner who needs to rehome theirs, however, it's important to be aware that not every owner will be completely truthful and there's always the possibility of an owner fibbing about their dog's behavior so they can get rid of it easier (i.e. you ask, "Has the dog ever shown aggression towards a child?" and they respond, "No" even though their dog has growled or nipped at a kid.)

Don't forget that it's important to teach your kids how to treat dogs with respect. Children should not be allowed to tease or provoke the dog. Also, no matter how well-behaved of a dog you get it's important not to leave your 4 year old with the dog unsupervised.

Answer 2

As has been mentioned before small dogs are not the best for kids. They can be hurt easily and will snap.
Here are some suggestions.
Get the dog that has been known as the "Nanny Dog". An American Pit Bull Terrier. They are so great with kids. I have had mine lay on the floor with my grandson, when he was a month old, for an hour. My grandson is a year old now and the Pit will put her head in his hand and let him play with her ears while she licks his toes. I would go for a female as they are not as big, mine is 55 lbs.
Another dog that is great with everyone is a Beagle. They can be very energetic and will need exercise, means walks. Some can get pretty loud and howl when left alone. They usually do not get over 25 lbs. Mine is a mutant freak of nature and is about 40 lbs. They are clowns and chow hounds. Here is a shot of my clown:

http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa19/rcordellft2/?action=view¤t=Snoopyinpillows.jpg

What ever you decide got a book for the breed so you know what you are in for.

Start at your local shelter. They may have the mutt you really want. There is nothing wrong with a mongrul. Some of the best dogs I have had were mixed breeds or unknown breeds.

Answer 3

Definitely a golden retriever! I grew up with them and know people who have them now with small children. I know it is all down to the training etc but golden retrievers are very good tempered and are a good all rounder family dog.

Over the years my family have had many lovely pedigree dogs but as a family dog the retriever wins hands down!

Good luck in your search it can be a difficult choice especially when you have a small child to think about, but at least you are considering the options first and not rushing out and getting one on impulse.

Also it is far better to introduce a dog to a family where there are already children as some dogs can get very possessive about their owners and they can become very jealous if suddenly the attention is not always on them. Sad, but a fact I'm afraid. All too often over the years I have come across couples who have had a dog for a few years and then suddenly a baby comes along and the dogs behaviour changes.

You do sound like responsible people so go for it, everything will be fine!

Answer 4

DO NOT get a small dog!

That's a huge mis-conception.

Reality is, preschoolers like to pull things, like floppy dog ears. They fall on things. Small breeds are not very tolerant. They can be quite snippy. Also, if the child falls onto the dog, the child could *accidentally* seriously injure the dog.

Get a larger breed, they are wonderful with kids. Maybe a Labrador Retriever, or a Great Dane, although I'm not sure how you feel about a dog of that size.

Or better yet, go to petfinder.org and find a dog. Many shelter dogs are temperment-tested by a behaviourist, and you will know exactly what you are getting. Petfinder will tell you whether or not the dog is good with small children.

Answer 5

In all honesty, truthfully I don't really recommend small dogs for families with children that are young. Accidents like dropping the dog, leaving the dog on the bed and it jumps off.
Truthfully these things happen even with adults but, more so with children.
The dog could break its neck, get a concusion, or break a leg. Thes are very common in small dogs. And these accidents cost a fortune.
If the child was 9-10 years old and responsible then I would say yes but, with a 4 year old I don't think they are responsible enough.
Wait a few years and then you might consider getting a dog.

Answer 6

It sounds like you might not have much luck with dogs. Despite it being a large apartment, any mid to large dog would be miserable, so you're right on that aspect of having a small dog. However, you have a four year old that may unintentionally (or intentionally) terrorize a small dog. Any toy breed will be too small and they can accidentally get hurt. Something a little larger like a puggle or beagle might work, but beagles tend to howl and both shed, I don't know how open you are to shedding. If you go to AKC's website you can research more by breed size and personality.

Answer 7

I think you should go with a Yorkshire Terrier. They only weight upto 7 lbs and there height reaches upto 8 to 8 inches tall. This dog is intelligent, lively, and fearless. They focus entirely on their owner and are extremely affectionate. It has been said that a Yorkshire Terrier requires more human companionship and attention than any other breed. The Yorkshire Terrier can be territorial and likes to have their space respected. They are tolerant of younger and older children if treated with care. The Yorkshire Terrier can also be somewhat independent and assertive. They get along well with other pets. The Yorkshire Terrier requires minimal exercise. They are suited for short walks and ideal for APARTMENT LIVING or homes with small yards. They love to chase shadows, lay in sunbeams, and tug of war. The more attention this breed receives the better.

I hope this helps!!!

Answer 8

small dogs sometimes arent great with kids however king charles spaniels and havanese are great family pets
also spaniels i have a great brittany spaniel but he wouldnt do good in an apartment since he need an 1 hour + of exercise each day
so i would recommend a low energy dog that is friendly
why not check out your local shelter to find the perfect dog or petfinder.com

Answer 9

Get a puppy lab.Labs are great family pets,smart,friendly and loyal and easy to train.Reason I say get a puppy is so that the puppy grows with your daughter and kids usually want to help out a little bit as far as maybe feeding.If you get a small dog it will more than likely get attatched to one person.Also alot of small dogs are usually agressive towards kids.

Answer 10

Unfortunately, I'd say German Sheppard is THE best dog to have around children. But they get really big.

I remember when I was young, my Dad went to Germany and brought home a German Sheppard (already trained and everything)...he was so cool. I'd steal the cookies, and if Mom went to pop me, Caiser'd bark until she backed off.
And then one time I got out of the car and locked it while it was on, so we had to get a guy over to get it open. Caiser ran at him and bit him (not hard, but enough to get the threat through and to hold the guy)...God I miss him!