what dogs are best with small children?

We've never had a dog before and I'm looking into getting one next spring maybe. I'm thinking of a soft coated wheaten terrier. Anyone else recommend a breed good around small kids? How do you know where to go for a dog?

Re: what dogs are best with small children?

i can tell you from my grooming experience and knowing someone who had a wheaton, they are VERY hyper so you have to be careful with them. are you looking for a small, medium, large dog? with hair? fur? are there allergies? what type of lifestyle do you have? do you have time to exercise a dog quite often throughout the day? do you want a lap dog?

Re: what dogs are best with small children?

We have a boxer. The breed is great with kids. DD is 3 months old and the dog is 1year old. He loves her!
I know several people with boxers and small children and there has never been an issue of any kind.

Re: what dogs are best with small children?

A Wheaton would NOT be my pick.

Labs are awesome with kids and babies. But they are big and strong. And you have to get from a reputable breeder as there has been quite a bit of cross-breeding with pit bulls.

Re: what dogs are best with small children?

okay...so more about my preferences...i do NOT want a big dog. A lab would be too big for me. I don't want a teeny tiny lap dog either. I would prefer a dog with little to no shedding and would take if for walks pretty often.

Re: what dogs are best with small children?

Re: what dogs are best with small children?

we have a cava poo, she is great with anthony.

Re: what dogs are best with small children?

I've had dogs of all kinds and I think puggles are wonderful!

- They are small enough to manage. Eventually you child could walk them on a leash without being pulled
- durable enough for a kid. They don't have thin legs that break or long thick tails that can wack a kid on accident
- good temperment loves to play but is also a cuddler.

FM me with any questions about puggles, they are such wonderful animals.


I had a golden retriever and cairin terrier growing up. Both were great, but I think the puggle beats the terrier who could get moody as he aged.

Right now I have a toy fox terrier and a pit bull. The pit bull is WONDERFUL with our baby. We adopted her as an adult dog 1.5 years ago. I don't recommend pitt bulls to anyone that really isn't an experienced dog owner. Our dog is a wonderful animal, but if I was not as serious and experienced dog owner I would imagine she would run our house!

Re: what dogs are best with small children?

Try this quiz:

Breed Selector Quiz

Re: what dogs are best with small children?

Okay, first i need to tell you that as i type this my 1.5 yr old female soft coated wheaten is asleep @ my feet.. Hyper, not the right adjective.. Annie is a wonderful dog that plays beautifully with my 5 yr old & allows my 5 month old to pet her! she does do the whole wheaten greet when you come in my house, but after a few mins she lays under the table. i grew up with airedales my whole life, but felt they were too large for my house so we went with a wheaten because they are SO good.. i get her groomed once a month..if you have any questions FM me.. GL

Re: what dogs are best with small children?

My inlaws have a West Hyland Terrier and she is so good with my kids.
Very loveable affectionate dog.

Re: what dogs are best with small children?

We have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She is a wonderful dog and is great with my DS. My aunt works at a vet office and said they always recommends a Cavalier to people when they ask what is a good small dog breed.

The breed does shed, not sure if that would be a problem. My dog is 15lbs. There are pictures in my album. I have a great breeder if you are interested.

Re: what dogs are best with small children?

as a mom to a 6wk old with a 4yo lab i'dhave to say lab

i put my Ds on the floor (supervised of course)
and my lab either ignires hom or lays next to him. my vet says that a lab is the closest dog to a teddy bear!

Re: what dogs are best with small children?

We have a beagle and she is wonderful with DS

Re: what dogs are best with small children?

Golden Retriever

But it's really about the training. All dogs should be trained properly either by the owner or a professional. If you lack significant experience, I would urge you to use a professional.

Re: what dogs are best with small children?

Any dog can be well behaved with small children if properly raised/socialized. A medium sized (30-40 lb dog) that sheds little to none would be a mini golden/doodle (cross of a miniature poodle and golden retriever). They tend to have very good personalities... Just remember you will pay a lot due to the "fad" dog issue and like any other purebred/linebred dog find a reputable breeder. Other options would be to go through a rescue group where the dogs have been fostered with kids and they are already aware of their personalities! Good luck.

Re: what dogs are best with small children?

Re: what dogs are best with small children?

We have a lab and he is so gentle and well behaved. Only downside is I have a big dog living in my house that sheds and gets the house dirty. I'm not a dog person, my dog came with the husband , but if i had to choose a lab is a great dog!

Re: what dogs are best with small children?

I have two medium size dogs I rescued from North Shore Animal League who are great with DD. One is an ultra hyper Border Collie and the other a Collie/Sheltie mix.

There is no way to know from a dogs breed how they will be with Children. Yes some have better reputations but just like humans thay all have different personalities. Make sure you choose your dog wisely and spend as much time as possible getting to know the dog before taking it home. Once it is home it is your job to train it and give it discipline along with time to play and love.