What’s better than having a little, four-pawed friend around you that can follow you wherever you go and accompany you at all times? Mini dogs are not just adorable in appearance; they are super portable as well. They have the tendency to turn into your perfect travelling partners as they are family-friendly and can easily go on an excursion with you.
Filled with love and always showcasing joy, these miniature dogs have small bodies but big hearts. Despite being alert and fast, they showcase gentle behavior with all members of the family, especially kids.
Let’s discuss the seven most family-friendly miniature Dog Breeds that would fit well into your family life but would also entertain the guests coming to your house!
Family-Friendly Miniature Dog Breed
1. Poodle
Which dog can really pop into your head when someone talks about a friendly miniature dog?
Poodle. Isn’t it?
Poodles come in four sizes, including standard, medium, miniature, and toy. There is just a little difference in their heights and weights. Otherwise, they are all considered little dogs. The miniature poodle is 11–14 in. in height, while the toy dog is even smaller.
These dogs are super-gentle in nature. This makes them a favorite amongst the kids. Their even temper ensures they not only play well with the kids but also take good care of them. As these dogs are really intelligent, it’s possible to train them in the shortest possible time. Hence, they easily learn to be gentle with kids and take care of them when the elders are not home.
This small dog breed is a dependable one. In active households, you can expect them to be super lively yet extremely cautious. They will not cause you any trouble with their shenanigans.
These play pals of small children tend to develop a spatial kind of bond with kids. This Quora thread suggests they love to cuddle kids and thrive on their lovely giggles.
Thanks to their small size, these dogs can easily reside with their pet parents in urban apartments that have limited space.
2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Looking for a small dog to house train and stay with your kids while you are away at work?
A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is what you need!
This dog, which has a double coat, weighs between 5.9 and 8.2 kg, making it one of the smallest dogs available. PetMD describes that their smooth coat is small in size but really silky in appearance and feel. The floppy ears give them a comical appearance, making them a favourite of the kids.
They are affectionate and display a loving personality to elders as well as kids, just like the Cocker spaniel. These dogs are a great fit to be excellent companions for kids. As they have a small size themselves, they’re most likely to play with the children without hurting them in any way.
As per this Reddit Thread, there is no dog better than the Cavalier for the kids.
Oh, some people also suggest it is an amazing toy breed for empty nesters, ie, homes where the kids have grown up and moved out while the elderly parents are still there. They make great companions for the seniors as well.
3. Norfolk Terrier
A terrier that is loved by families is the Norfolk Terrier and is one of the friendliest dogs out there!
They are extremely sociable, Purina mentions. As a matter of fact, they love to be surrounded by people. Alone, they can get bored and destructive. However, when there are lots of people around them, they feel joyous and playful.
One thing that you need to consider here is the high prey drive of these dogs. Make sure you socialise them really well, or keep them away if you have very small dogs.
Just like the Border terrier, these dogs are also friendly with other animals. Hence, if you have a multi-pet home, this dog is a great fit.
Who knows, it may end up becoming your family cat’s best friend?
With minimal grooming needs and an easy-going nature, they are one of the longest living dogs out there that have the tendency to stay healthy and active for years!
4. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a fun dog to be around! Compared to big dogs that keep sleeping most of the day, small dogs like this one are active at all times and keep the family members entertained.
For other animals living in the same house and kids, this breed is a great companion. They are gentle and showcase a friendly personality to others. Also, they are highly adaptable. This means they will be happy even if you take them from a massive house with a big backyard to a small apartment. They will deal with this shift while showcasing a playful personality.
Oh, and this dog with a weight of 12 to 18 pounds can easily fit even into a small cupboard, making hide and seek super entertaining!
What makes them a great fit for families with kids is their high tolerance levels. They will showcase great patience even when a toddler in the house keeps throwing tantrums throughout the day! Rather, it would try to soothe the kid by cuddling it with its super velvety, plush coat.
5. Havanese
Yet another amazing family dog is the Havanese.
This small breed is an adorable one. It loves its family to the core and is super-attached to all family members.
However, this affection comes with a downside. They can showcase separation anxiety if you stay away from them even for a few hours. It’s not a good idea to leave them at home alone, as it would impact their psychology immensely.
WebMD claims that with early socialisation and training, it’s possible to mould their behaviour.
These dogs don’t really bark a lot. Hence, the small kids in your home won’t be disturbed when they are sleeping after a long day of mischief.
Just a point of caution: If you have big kids in the home, make sure they don’t mishandle it (out of love, of course). These dogs are delicate, and playing with them roughly can impact them physically.
These low-shedding dogs are also low-maintenance when compared to most other pets, and you won’t have to worry about taking them to professional groomers repeatedly.
6. Biewer Terrier
Despite being extremely intelligent and smart, the Biewer Terrier knows how to entertain kids by being silly with them!
These small dogs have a height that ranges from 7-11 inches, making them appropriate playing partners for kids. They are exceptional partners for children as they know how to take good care of them while playing. Just like the Boston terrier, these dogs are extremely loyal to their pet parents and showcase an affectionate nature.
In terms of their energy, they resemble the Cairn terrier. They are active and agile, keeping the entire household entertained all the time.
Their intelligence makes them easy to train. However, you may need to start early to ensure you get to reap the benefits of having a well-trained dog.
As they are small, you don’t need to take them for long walks and give them strenuous exercise sessions compared to other dogs that are big in size. Short walks and a game of fetch are enough for them.
7. Pug
This tiny package comes with a lot of energy packed into it!
Pugs are great companions for both kids and elders. The best part about having them is that you can easily take them with you while travelling. Just like the Miniature Pinschers and the French Bulldog, they will easily sit in the plane and travel with you.
These dogs have a special desire to please their owners. However, sometimes they can be extremely stubborn, and training them gets a bit tricky. This is why a great deal of patience and love is required to train these dogs.
These charming dogs shed year-round. Also, if there are people in the house who are allergic, this dog may trigger those allergies. Hence, the decision to bring them to a house should be made considering these possible issues.
Conclusion
A miniature dog is a great addition to a house, especially when it has kids. These little pets have affectionate personalities and bring a lot of love to the house. They are full of energy and never get tired of playing with the kids. Oh, and when they get tired, you’ll witness a beautiful view of them snuggling your kids and sleeping peacefully.
Little dogs surely know how to add magic wherever they go!
