A small dog is a perfect fit for kids. They’re soft and loving, and they make great companions. Some of the best small dog breeds for kids are Bichon Frise, Pug, Shih Tzu, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Boston terrier, Cairn Terrier, Havanese, Poodle.
Each of these breeds has its own personality and we’ve found that they are the best choice for toddlers who want to be close to their pet dog.
Table of Contents
- Top 15 Best Small Dog Breeds for Kids and Families
- 1. Bichon Frise
- 2. Pug
- 3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- 4. Boston Terrier
- 5. Cairn Terrier
- 6. Beagle
- 7. French Bulldog
- 8. Havanese
- 9. Cocker Spaniel
- 10: Shih Tzu
- 11. Poodles
- 12. American Eskimo Dog
- 13. Maltese
- 14. Chihuahua
- 15. Dachshund
- Here Are Some Other Popular Small Dog Breeds for Kids
- Conclusion:
Top 15 Best Small Dog Breeds for Kids and Families
Small dogs are great for families with children, but finding the right breed can be challenging. It’s not recommended to keep some smaller dogs around young children, as they might be fragile or nervous around boisterous children.
1. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise is the smallest breed of dog in the world. They were originally bred as companion dogs for the nobility. The Bichon Frise looks like a little white powder puff. Their coats are soft and curly. They are very active and playful dogs and make great companions for children. They are the best kid friendly, playful small dog.
2. Pug
This small dog breed is not only a good companion for kids but also a good family dog. Because of their small size and weight, they can be easily carried around by children.
They are active, affectionate, and fun loving dogs who love to play with kids. They are a sensitive breed who do not like to be left alone for long periods of time.
Are you looking for catchy and cool Pug names? Check out here: 500+ Pug Names Suggestions For A Boy
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the best small dog breeds for kids because they are friendly and playful dogs who get along well with children. They have a long lifespan (9-14 years)! They are loyal and affectionate towards children. They are independent dogs who can be left alone in your home without any problems. They are not too vocal and do not bark a lot.
4. Boston Terrier
Boston Terrier is another small dog breed that makes a good family pet because it loves being around people and gets along very well with children. It is an affectionate, loyal, and fun loving breed that loves being around kids.
They do not need a lot of exercise, so you can keep them indoors without any problems. They have a tendency to bark a lot, so you might want to train them not to do so.
5. Cairn Terrier
The Cairn Terrier is a small breed for kids. It has a good sense of humor and is playful. It is an adorable and friendly dog. It is popular for its mild temperament and its ability to adapt to different environments. Cairn Terriers have an average lifespan of 13-14 years with a maximum of 13 years old.
6. Beagle
The Beagle dog breed is a very smart dog. It is also very kid-friendly and affectionate. Beagle’s favorite game is fetch. He loves to play with his squeaky toys. The life expectancy of a Beagle is between 12 and 15 years.
It is also very active and intelligent. This breed has medium-sized ears that are set high on its head. Its eyes are small and dark in color, but they are friendly, playful, and alert.
7. French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are good with kids and the best companion dog breed. It is an intelligent dog which makes it an ideal dog for a family. This is the reason that many people who have French Bulldogs choose to keep them indoors and only take them out to play with their kids.
It has a tendency to bark and howl at night, making it unsuitable for living in a house with other dogs or people.
French Bulldogs are also known for being stubborn, so you will need to be very firm when training your puppy or dog. You might also need to be consistent in your training method too as this breed is known for having different personalities
8. Havanese
The Havanese is really a family dog breed that includes kids of all ages and other dogs. They are also loyal dogs who will protect and defend their family at all costs.
The Havanese is loyal and loving to his family, but can also be a bit stubborn. Havanese are intelligent and will learn quickly. Havanese is a high-energy dog who loves to play and run around. They are athletic, strong, and beautiful small dogs.
9. Cocker Spaniel
The breed is very popular among children and adults alike. They are intelligent and easy to train. They can be trained to do a variety of tricks like sitting, standing, lying down, and giving a scratch on the head. Cocker Spaniel is perfect for families with kids who love going for walks or running around the neighborhood.
They are also very good with other pets and do well with other animals, including cats as well as small dogs. They are generally good with strangers, but they should be socialized with them from a young age so that they can get along well with people in all situations.
10: Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu dogs are very popular in the US and across the world. They are also known as Chinese Shih Tzus. Shih Tzu dogs are very popular with children and babies and their reputation as “good with kids” is one of the best.
Their temperament is very sweet and gentle, and they are known for being very loyal to their owners. Shih Tzu puppies have a lot of energy and need a lot of exercises to run off some of that energy. They love long walks, playing games, and playing fetch with their toys. If you have small children that like dogs, then the Shih Tzu may be the perfect fit for you!
11. Poodles
Poodles are very intelligent. They are known for their high intelligence, and their ability to learn tricks and commands quickly. Poodles are also very loyal. They can be very loving and gentle, but they can also be very protective of their owners. They are also very obedient and trustworthy, making them a good pet for children.
12. American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo Dog is one of the oldest breeds of dogs in North America with over 200 years of history. They were first bred by a Native kid friendly breed. The American Eskimo Dog is a very loyal, kid friendly dog and it is good at guarding the house.
The American Eskimo Dog is a very good guard dog as it has been used by the natives to guard their homes against wild animals. The American Eskimo Dog also helps the hunters by finding their prey that has gone missing.
13. Maltese
This is another small dog breed that makes a good family pet because it loves being around people and gets along very well with children. It is affectionate, loyal, and playful with children. They do not need a lot of exercises, so you can keep them indoors without any problems. They have a tendency to bark a lot, so you might want to train them not to do so.
14. Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are great companions for children of all ages. If you take the time to properly train and socialize your dog, they can perform well with children, even though they aren’t suitable for families with newborns.
Chihuahuas are prone to snapping at children, and they are delicate and can be easily injured by a child who is rough with them. Children aged 10 and up do well with Chihuahuas as long as they are respectful and do not hurt your toddlers.
15. Dachshund
Dachshunds are a great breed of dog. They are very affectionate, playful, and friendly with kids. The breed is also known for its long life span and ability to adapt to various environments.
They are very loyal and protective. They love their owners and will go to great lengths to protect them. Dachshunds are also very fast, both on the ground and in water.
Here Are Some Other Popular Small Dog Breeds for Kids
- Rat Terrier
- Welsh Terrier
- Australian Terrier
- Basset Hound
- Brussels Griffon
- Papillon
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Pomeranian
- Labradoodle
- Chihuahua
- Chug
- Bolognese
- German Spitz
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Pumi
- Norwegian Lundehund
Conclusion:
The best small dog breeds for kids are those that can be very social and playful. This way, they’ll be able to interact with other children in a fun and friendly manner. Small dogs are also good for families as they can fit in a variety of different environments without causing too much disruption.
It’s important to choose the right dog breed for your family. Small dogs are great for children because they’re more manageable and easier to care for than big dogs.
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