By Langley Cornwell
There is loads of research pointing to how beneficial it is for a child to be raised with pets. As an avid animal lover and lifelong pet owner, I certainly agree. I was raised with a house full of hamsters, turtles, fish, sea monkeys (yep) and the sweetest dog you could ever imagine. I’m certain that living with a menagerie of creatures taught me many things including compassion, responsibility and creativity.
Gail F. Melson, PhD, professor emeritus of developmental studies at Purdue University and the author of Why the Wild Things Are: Animals in the Lives of Children says that an estimated 4 in 10 kids live in a family with domestic animals, and up to 90 percent of all children will live with a pet at some point during their formative years.
With all this in mind, it’s good to know which dog breeds are ideally suited for sharing their lives with children. Here are some of the best small dog breeds for families with children.
Beagle
Snoopy, anyone? There is a good reason Charlie Brown’s smart, stalwart companion was a loveable Beagle; the breed makes a wonderful childhood companion. Their social, gentle nature and love of adventure blend nicely with kids who enjoy being outside playing, hiking and exploring.
Pug
If you’ve ever known anybody with a Pug, you know what an ardent following this breed has, for good reason. Pugs have an abundance of personality. They are funny, goofy, social dogs that fit in perfectly as a family pet. Often called a canine clown, Pugs can be somewhat stubborn, but they are still a great dog breed for children.
Havanese
A sturdy toy breed with an even temperament, the Havanese is great with kids. These dogs form strong and lasting bonds, and do not thrive when left alone often. The breed is best suited for a family lifestyle where someone is home during the day. In fact, these cute, expressive dogs are often referred to as “Velcro dogs” because they seek to be in close proximity to their family members.
Bichon Frisé
These fluffy and small-framed sweeties get along great with other pets and with kids. Known to be easy to train, the even-tempered Bichon Frisé wins the hearts of their family with their affectionate nature and cute expressions. This breed is excellent with children, with the only negative being that the name may be hard for kids to pronounce.
Terriers
The Norfolk terrier, which is often said to be the gentlest tempered terrier in the category, interacts beautifully with young children. Moreover, these social pups are terrific family members, as is the Boston terrier. Initially bred to be a companion dog, the Boston terrier – nicknamed the American Gentleman —is silly, social and fun-loving, and they are an ideal companion for kids. For active families with children, a Border terrier is worth considering. These dogs, true to their nature, do like to chase and hunt, but they are quite soft tempered and easy for children to get along with. Australian terriers, Bedlington terriers, Fox terriers, Lakeland terriers, Norwich terriers, Scottish terriers, Skye terriers, Welsh terriers and Wheaten terriers are also oftentimes mentioned when looking into small to medium dog breeds that are child-friendly.
All of these dog breeds fit nicely into homes with children; they are not easily spooked by loud noises, crazy schedules or scattered toys. Nonetheless, it’s important to teach your child how to properly relate to dogs and please, regardless of the breed, supervise all child and dog interactions.
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