If you are a dog lover having kids, finding the right canine for your home can be challenging. While choosing a fur baby for your family, make sure it is patient and calm enough to tolerate your kids’ excitement.
While some small breeds are too fragile and nervous for a family with kids, others are known for getting along well with children of all ages. Such dogs are generally protective of kids and can play endlessly with them.
Wondering how old should be your child before adopting a pet?
The best idea is to wait until your child turns 4. But it ultimately depends on the children’s individual maturity levels. According to the American Kennel Club, the kids aged 5 to 9 can take up a little more responsibility whereas children above 10 are capable of day-to-day pet care.
These 7 small dog breeds are suitable for households with kids.
Best Small Dog Breeds for Kids
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Breed Profile
Height: 12 to 13 inches
Weight: 13 to 18 pounds
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are loving fellows with an affectionate nature. They are friendly with everyone, including children. Cavaliers enjoy gentle play and cuddling sessions with their family members and are small enough to fit in their laps.
Their moderate exercise needs make them well-suited for smaller places and easy to travel with. You can take your Cavalier on a stroll around the park or neighborhood with your kids. This toy breed thrives in social environments where they get a chance to socialize.
Cavaliers’ expressive eyes, floppy ears, and feathered features give them a gentle appearance that matches their serene personality. Their easy-to-maintain coat does not require trimming, but regular grooming helps prevent mats and tangles.
2. Bichon Frise
Breed Profile
Height: 9.5 to 11.5 inches
Weight: 12 to 18 pounds
Life Expectancy: 14 to 15 years
These adorable lap dogs, having a Franco-Belgian origin, look like a real-life teddy bear. Their fluffy coat, playful personalities, and affectionate nature make them great companions. These intelligent dogs can impress a crowd with their liveliness and charm.
Bichon Frises are more than happy when spending time with their family. They are gentle around people of all ages, whether kids or the elderly. Teach your kids to treat them gently and respectfully, and they will turn out to be the friendliest canines.
These hypoallergenic dogs are an excellent choice for allergy sufferers. However, they are prone to respiratory issues due to being brachycephalic. Professional grooming sessions every four to six weeks make your Bichon Frise look its best.
3. Havanese
Breed Profile
Height: 8.5 to 11.5 inches
Weight: 7 to 13 pounds
Life Expectancy: 14 to 16 years
This breed was originally developed in Havana around 3,000 years ago. These charming and social lapdogs have a friendly disposition. Their easygoing personality and love for companionship led them to become the national dog of Cuba.
Their small yet sturdy build makes them exceptionally good with kids who are respectful. Your child will love teaching fun tricks to this lovely and smart fellow. The long, silky coat of these hypoallergenic dogs has regular grooming requirements.
According to PetMD, they form strong bonds with their owners. Havanese are prone to separation anxiety and do not tolerate being left alone for too long. They are exceptionally intelligent and playful, which makes training a piece of cake.
4. Pug
Breed Profile
Height: 10 to 13 inches
Weight: 14 to 18 pounds
Life Expectancy: 13 to 15 years
Pugs are the smooshed-faced canines who were chosen as companions by the Chinese emperors. This toy dog is known for being good with children due to its friendly, outgoing, and gentle nature. Their small yet solid build makes them well-suited for apartments or homes with limited space.
The Latin phrase “multum in parvo,” meaning “a lot in little”, truly describes Pugs. They love being the center of attention and try to win your heart with their playful antics. From chasing their tails to snorting and grunting, these funny pooches will do anything to make your kids laugh.
Pugs need daily walks to stay fit, but you have to be careful while exercising them on warm days, as they cannot tolerate hot weather. Their short coat is easy to maintain, but sheds a fair amount. Regular brushing can help get rid of loose hair.
5. French Bulldog
Breed Profile
Height: 11 to 13 inches
Weight: Under 28 pounds
Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
Frenchies are adaptable and playful dogs who love to accompany you in whatever you are doing. Their compact size, affectionate personalities, and unwavering loyalty make them ideal for households with kids.
Frenchies are sometimes confused with another kid-friendly dog, the English Bulldog, in appearance. However, Frenchie’s large bat-like ears set them apart. These curious, playful, and less vocal fellows make wonderful companions for your children.
French Bulldogs require moderate daily exercise. They have a short and smooth coat that does not require extensive grooming. You simply need to brush once a week to remove loose hair. Make sure you do not overheat or over-exercise them as they are brachycephalic.
6. Papillon
Breed Profile
Height: 8 to 11 inches
Weight: 5 to 10 pounds
Life Expectancy: 14 to 16 years
Papillon is a small dog with butterfly-like ears. These smart dogs enjoy lounging on their owners’ laps and are a great choice for families with children. Just like their name, Papillons are the social butterflies, having friendly, outgoing, and energetic personalities.
They are hardy, active, and intelligent despite their compact size. They make great pets for first-time pet parents and people who love travelling—you can carry them anywhere. Their long and silky fur requires moderate grooming, including brushing a few times a week.
According to PDSA, these gentle and playful dogs require lots of daily exercise. Two to three walks a day or engaging in dog sports provides adequate physical and mental stimulation. Papillons are obedient and highly responsive to training.
7. Shih Tzu
Breed Profile
Height: 9 to 10.5 inches
Weight: 9 to 16 pounds
Life Expectancy: 10 to 18 years
Shih Tzus are the charming and outgoing dogs with puffy coats. These irresistibly cute canines were originally bred to be companions. Shih tzu puppies are very small and fragile due to which means they might not be suitable for families having kids under 5 years of age.
However, fully grown Shih Tzus are sturdy enough to get along with kids. So, it is important to supervise Shih Tzu puppies around kids so that they do not get hurt. Shih Tzus make wonderful playmates with gentle and respectful kids.
Their luxurious coat requires daily brushing when left uncut. Some pet parents trim their Shih Tzu’s hair into a “puppy cut” for easier maintenance. They require minimal exercise—daily short walks and indoor play sessions with family will suffice.
Conclusion
Many small dog breeds are too fragile to be a part of households with kids. But these family dogs are sturdy enough to become your kids’ playmates and guardians. If you are planning to adopt such a dog for your family, one of the breeds mentioned in this article will be a great fit for you!
