When people bring home a pocket-sized dog breed, they’re often a little worried about the care involved since these little guys can be fragile. Having a small dog as a pet isn’t hard, but kids do need to be taught how to interact with them properly.
And if your kids are really young? That’s where certain small breeds with gentle, patient, and big-hearted personalities come in handy.
Some people usually think only medium to large breeds are safe around kids, but plenty of small dogs are just as great for families with young children. Why? Three big reasons: they tend to be tolerant of noise, used to a bit of teasing, and okay with the occasional rough handling that comes with kids.
That said, for a smoother experience, it’s smart to pick a breed whose activity level actually matches your lifestyle.
Below, we’ve rounded up some popular breed choices for families with small kids. Take a look and pick the one that fits your household best.
Ideal Pocket Dog Breeds for Families with Young Children
1. Toy Poodle
The Toy Poodle is one of the smartest breeds around, known for its intelligence, hypoallergenic coat, and the close bond it forms with family members. Agile, friendly, and self-confident, Toy Poodles make excellent family dogs and are quick to train. They respond really well to training sessions since they’re eager to please and thrive on praise and treats.
Toy Poodles typically live 10-18 years, though health issues like Patellar Luxation, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), and dental problems call for a bit of extra care.
According to AKC, they weigh no more than 6 pounds, so daily walks and some playtime at home go a long way in keeping them active and healthy. They can be excessive barkers, so it helps to keep them busy with engaging activities.
They’re a great match for young children too, since they play gently rather than roughly and pick up basic manners pretty quickly.
2. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier is small and delicate in size but carries a big dog personality. Fiercely loyal and deeply affectionate, this fun-loving breed is a great fit for families with young children, especially owners willing to put in time for training.
Yorkies were originally bred to control rodents in textile mills, but today they’re loved for their courage, elegance, and charm.
Their lively spirit and eagerness to please make them adaptable to almost any lifestyle, though consistent training, socialization, and supervision are still important. They typically weigh no more than 7 pounds and live for about 13-16 years.
Beyond being a wonderful family companion, their alert nature also makes them great watchdogs, quick to bark and let you know about any unusual sound, threat, or stranger nearby.
3. Papillon
Papillons are bright, eager-to-learn dogs, making them one of the most trainable breeds out there. They’re known for a happy, intelligent, energetic, and friendly temperament. Given their athleticism, small size, and delicate build, they do best in active families, and kids should be taught how to interact with them properly.
Papillons are easy to spot thanks to their butterfly-like ears and their high energy levels, which they’re always ready to burn off outdoors.
They love walks, agility training, and obedience work. Their silky, long coat needs regular brushing with a slicker brush. When trained and socialized well, they also tend to get along nicely with other pets.
Papillons live for about 14-16 years, though owners should keep an eye out for common issues like collapsing trachea, dental disease, and luxating patella.
4. Shih Tzu
Nicknamed the “lion dog,” the Shih Tzu is loved for its charming, affectionate personality that makes it a natural lap dog and a great fit for homes with small kids.
They love spending time with their family members and are considered family-friendly thanks to their outgoing, clever, and affectionate nature. Shih Tzus weigh around 9-16 pounds and live for about 10-18 years.
They do well in apartments too, but training should lean on positive reinforcement. You might notice a bit of a stubborn streak during training sessions, so it’s best to start early and keep things short and sweet, according to PetPlan. Their long, luxurious coat needs regular grooming and the occasional trim when it gets too long to manage.
For gentle kids, a Shih Tzu makes a wonderful playmate, always up for games like hide and seek or learning a new trick or two.
5. Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka
The Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka is a charming, curious, and playful breed with a big heart and an even bigger spirit. Weighing around 6-9 pounds, they make ideal lap dogs that are cuddly and affectionate through and through.
They’re still pretty rare in the US, but in other parts of the world, they’re known as wonderful family dogs that thrive on their owner’s love and attention.
You can spot this breed by its body, which is longer than it is tall, along with sweet, alert expressions and graceful movements. Their double coat is thick and soft, and when styled with pins, the large curls look absolutely adorable.
That said, keeping the coat in good shape takes several brushing sessions a week. When it comes to training, they’re eager to please and pick up new cues and tricks pretty quickly.
Starting training and socialization early also helps keep their excessive barking in check. With good care, this breed can live up to an impressive 20 years.
6. Havanese
The Havanese is a high-spirited, hypoallergenic breed that’s responsive, intelligent, gentle, and affectionate. They’re easy to train, but they shouldn’t be left alone for long stretches since they’re prone to separation anxiety. All these traits combined make them wonderful family pets that get along beautifully with young children.
These lively little dogs love being around their people and are happy with a moderate amount of exercise and playtime.
They also enjoy activities like obedience training, agility, nose work, and scent walks. Being small and sturdy, their silky coat needs daily brushing, though for easier upkeep (something even kids can help with), a short puppy cut works great too.
Training and exercise sessions are genuinely fun with a Havanese, since they’re whip-smart dogs, and kids love teaching them all sorts of tricks.
7. Pug
The Pug is an ancient breed that originated in China, once bred to be a favorite among royals. Today, it’s a wonderful family companion, compact, easygoing, clever, and just a touch stubborn. This quirky little entertainer loves being the center of attention and is always up for playtime and plenty of cuddles.
Generally, Pugs are easy to train and respond best to positive reinforcement. When it comes to exercise, though, these laid-back dogs tire easily and prefer short walks over long ones, as Omlet notes. Their popularity comes down to that expressive face, loyal devotion, and playful nature.
Combine all that with their laid-back personality and genuine urge to bond with their humans, and you’ve got one of the happiest, most wonderful additions any family could ask for.
Conclusion
All these breeds make loyal, lovable companions that thrive on their owner’s care and attention. What’s even better is their lifespan, since having one as a pet means you get to share so many of life’s precious moments together. But to keep them healthy and fit, exercise alone isn’t enough. A quality diet matters just as much.
These breeds are generally safer to be around kids because they’re highly trainable, and their endless energy helps them bond with children during playtime. That said, even the most family-friendly dogs need kids to be taught how to interact with them properly, and supervision should never be skipped.
