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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Small breed suitable for home with children

42 replies

Kidakidder · 06/05/2017 20:24

Is there such a thing? We had spaniels growing up but they were gun dogs really, and my kids are still all under 8. Should we wait a few years till the kids are calmer?

OP posts:
Scrumpernickel · 07/05/2017 05:23

Cairn terrier. Small body, big personality, great with kids.

GinIsIn · 07/05/2017 07:28

Our dog is a shih tzu cross, but as she's a rescue I have no idea what she's crossed with. DS is 10 weeks. She loves him completely and he smiles every time he sees her, but I worry she will be too little to withstand the vigours of a toddler later on.

Paddingtonthebear · 07/05/2017 07:49

A shih tzu x poodle has just joined our family, she is a year old and has a beautiful temperament. She can be a little bouncy at times but she is very loving, friendly and playful, great with our 4yr old and great with other dogs. She has a great mix of both breeds temperament.

MyfatheristheKing · 07/05/2017 07:53

We have a westie and have three kids 8 and under. She's 2 1/2 now and really suits our family. She does need groomed but it not really a hassle. She's great with the kids and very loyal.

The KC website has good information in their breed centre online.

SwimmingInTheDeepBlueSea · 07/05/2017 07:55

Cavalier king Charles spaniel. But be very careful who you get the puppy from. They were a major puppy farm favourite and are still quite liked by puppy farms (so are their crosses), so have some serious hereditary health problems. Make sure you get a very good breeder, with fully health tested bloodlines.

They can do short walks or long walks - the kind of dog that fits in with your level of exercise. Equally mine can energetically play with the kids when they want him to, but be a totally lazy dog snoozing in the corner when we aren't showing him interest or be a lovely lap dog calmly curled up on your lap.

They really are fantastic lap dogs and love cuddles. Mine loves any one and everything!

They are also very forgiving dogs and not at all snappy. They just want to please, which also makes them easy to train.

SwimmingInTheDeepBlueSea · 07/05/2017 07:59

Also my DC were only 1 & 4yrs when I got my Cavi. They love him and I love him. He's been a fantastic addition to the family.

Nix32 · 07/05/2017 08:05

I wouldn't get a terrier with small children. They're not keen on being pulled or stepped on, and tend to show their displeasure by snapping.

LittlePearl · 07/05/2017 14:46

My vet told me he always recommends Border Terriers as good dogs for first time owners or families with small children. They are a bit less 'terrier-ish' than other terrier breeds. We've had two and they're great little dogs.

Mrsderekshepard · 07/05/2017 14:49

We have a shih tzu and she's the most lovely natured laid back dog. I would have 10 of them if I could. Our 3dd's love the bones of her and she's very low maintenance

EezerGoode · 07/05/2017 20:24

Nah..you can't beat a whippet for a family pet..loyal,calm,easy to train,gentle,so gentle..no shedding..no major health problems..bingo.sorted...

notarehearsal · 08/05/2017 14:45

Nix32 Ive had Norfolk Terriers for seven years. Not once have any of my dogs snapped. ( My house has always been full of children, mine and other peoples) However, I also would never allow any child to pull at any dog

Thewolfsjustapuppy · 08/05/2017 15:23

I have a calm, gentle, loyal and loving irish terrier who is amazing with children. I sometimes wonder if the person who does the internet write ups/ descriptions for Terrier breeds has something against them because they never bear any resemblance to the terriers I actually know.

SwimmingInTheDeepBlueSea · 09/05/2017 10:14

Not once have any of my dogs snapped. ... However, I also would never allow any child to pull at any dog

It's not about letting a DC pull at a dog, it's about knowing that if something happens like DC treads on dogs tail, that dog won't snap. Or if DC fall over and accidentally hit dog on head as they fall, again you want to know dog won't snap. Or like the once, when my DD suddenly, out of the blue, decided to yank my poor dog's ears, it was good to know that in the 2-3 seconds it took to stop her that he wouldn't snap.

A reason a pp said about terriers snapping is because it's more built into them to snap if something hurts them and no matter how strict you are with DC around a dog there will inevitably be the odd occasion when dog gets accidentally knocked/ stepped on.

GypsyWanderer · 09/05/2017 14:11

I have two small dogs. One is a pug and one is a Lhasa apso who is just a puppy. We also have 5 kids with the youngest being 5 years old so I can tell you my experience. I can't comment much on the Lhasa as we have only had her 3 weeks but she is lovely with the kids so far, always happy to see them every morning. But they need a lot of grooming and bathing so are a bit of a commitment than some dogs.

I definitely recommend a pug for children. They are incredibly loyal, friendly, hilarious, energetic. Totally like a kid even as they get older and slower. They absolutely love people and are shadows. They are not lazy. They still need regular walks like every dog. Mine can run around for hours and we go in a lot of hikes in the better weather. But she is still happy to cosy up in the sofa with us. You would need good insurance as there are some health issues as there is with all pure bred dogs. They are also easily trainable as they will do anything for food. I found toilet training and obedience training really easy and her recall is fantastic as she always wants to be with me.

They are such characters though! You need a dog that is bred as a companion dog such as pugs so look into the companion group or perhaps utility group such as Lhasa apsos. Stay away from the working or gundog breeds unless you have a lot of time to walk and train them.

I think pugs make perfect family dogs.

WeevilKnievel · 09/05/2017 14:22

I just chose my cavapoo puppy yesterday ( 4 weeks old so not ready to come home yet!) I was very careful about the breeder and chose one who did all the health tests.
I've been researching this breed for around a year and agree that the health tests are crucial and you may have to be on a waiting list for a while.
Saying that, I came across a great breeder who goes above and beyond with the health tests and he has a litter that's a week old now - all boys, pm me if you want his details, he's in Wales.
There's also a couple of very helpful groups on Facebook 'Cavapoos from health tested parents' also a Cavachons group.
Good Luck Smile

squoosh · 09/05/2017 14:23

You would need good insurance as there are some health issues as there is with all pure bred dogs.

Poor old pugs seem to suffer more than most though.

GypsyWanderer · 09/05/2017 16:47

Same as labs with hip issues and KC spaniels with eyes etc etc plus of course other flat faced breeds. And then cross breeds can be just as bad. They say the healthiest dog is actually a mongrel of all different breeds. Just be sure you get health checks and everything of course and do it right. Rescuing of course is of course better as you can get a dog with potential problems but not paying into the whole puppy industry.

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