Each mother thinks about whether to give her child a pet. After all, there are always many concerns about the appearance of a new family member. Experts say that the puppy will be the best friend for the baby. You just need to wisely approach the choice of the right breed of dog for a small child.
Weighted and deliberate step
Very often a four-legged friend appears in the family after urgent requests of the child. When deciding to get a dog, you need to really evaluate your capabilities. Can you provide decent care? A four-legged friend will teach your child responsibility. But do not rely on the fact that the baby will completely take care of him. You cannot rely on teenagers in this, and there is no need to talk about the younger age of children. Therefore, parents should be prepared to care for the pet. Keeping a dog is an additional expense for the family budget, since you have to buy food, feed, accessories, and visit a veterinarian. After weighing the pros and cons, you can begin to choose a good breed of dog for a small child.
Deciding on a pet is not so simple. In the world there are 400 breeds registered with the International Association of Cynologists, and another 100 breeds have not yet been officially recognized. Sorting out so many offers is difficult. We will try to bring about the best dog breeds for young children.
The best age for acquiring a pet for a baby
Dogs are best friends, companions and nannies for children. Psychologists believe that more responsible, cheerful and sociable people grow out of kids who lived with pets. Parents often have a question, and when is it best to start a dog? Until the baby is two or three years old, it is hardly worth acquiring a dog. It is better to wait until the child grows up and will be more conscious about the animal. Kids can help take care of a pet from 6-7 years. At this time, you can already get a dog.
Choosing a pet follows from your preferences and the age of the children. For older children, you can purchase a representative of a larger breed of dog. For a small child, it is better to choose a more miniature animal.
Selection tips
However, the size and weight of the pet is not the most important criterion when choosing. Of course, experts recommend acquiring an animal whose weight does not exceed the mass of the child, but the rule does not always work. Small breeds of dogs for families with children are not always good, because small pets do not always like to be pulled and squeezed, which is characteristic of young creatures. Such dogs are intolerant of childish pranks. Breeds such as Pomeranian, Chihuahua, Pekingese, miniature pincher can bite and growl. Representatives of the smallest breeds have another drawback - it is fragility. They must be handled with care so as not to be injured.
Another disadvantage of dogs of small breeds is that they are very fragile, it is enough for them to just do harm by negligence. Therefore, you should stop your choice on more persistent species.
Golden retriever
One of the best dog breeds for young children is the Golden Retriever. The hunting breed was bred in the nineteenth century in the UK. Nowadays, retriever is the second most popular in Europe. The breed has its own characteristics. A dog usually does not choose one owner in a family; it treats all members equally. With each he is ready to play and endure hygiene procedures.
Retriever Characteristics
Adults reach a height of 56-60 cm, females can be 5 cm lower. Animals are very good-natured and fully human oriented. Dogs are ready at any time to prove their allegiance and love. They well feel the mood of the owners. This is a good dog breed for a small child.
Retrievers have an excellent scent and excellent training abilities. Dog can be kept in a private house and apartment. The dog feels good in company, it is not worth it to leave alone for a long time, because it starts to get bored. She is great for babies. This is one of the breeds of dogs that love small children.
Welsh Corgi
Among small dog breeds for apartments and children, Welsh Corgi deserve attention. There are two types: cardigan and pembroke. The main feature of the breed, bred in Wales, is an excellent sense of humor. By the way, this quality is even inscribed in the standard. Dogs love fun and are ready to have fun all day to make others laugh.
At the same time, Corgi are not noisy dogs. Dogs reach a height of 25-30 centimeters. The weight of the largest specimens does not exceed 13.6 kg. Pets have a soft character. Cute dogs are unpretentious and faithful. The breed is fully human oriented. Its representatives are well aware of the mood of the owner, they can support in case of need. Dogs get along well even with cats and other pets. Corgi is a breed of dog that loves young children. Dogs are very kind to babies, protecting them. Representatives of the breed have proven themselves from the best side. They are ideal companions for urban families. Animals move quickly and deftly. They are able to develop good speed and swim great. The dog will joyfully keep company during the morning run. Animals are well trained and quickly grasp everything new. Welsh Corgi is a good breed for beginner breeders. Animals are undemanding to care and quickly adapt to any climate.
West Highland White Terrier
West Highland White Terrier is a lovely little dog breed for apartment and kids. It was bred in ancient times in Scotland. Gradually, cute creatures turned into faithful companions. Dogs love to bark loudly and delve into the garden, they say hunting instincts.
The growth of the dog reaches 25-28 centimeters. In this case, the animal weighs from 6 to 10 kg. Funny and restless dogs are very fond of attention to themselves. They are very playful and peaceful, but at the same time they are always ready to protect the owners, despite their modest size. The breed requires education and training. Animals are easy to learn, but sometimes they can be stubborn, which is characteristic of all terriers.
Due to modest parameters, dogs can become inhabitants of a city apartment. But at the same time they still need active loads and walks. Dogs occupy a leading position among small dog breeds for children. Animals are so restless that they are ready to play with the kids all the time. The breed is ideal for inexperienced owners, because it is unpretentious.
Poodle
Among small dog breeds for children (photo is given in the article), it is recommended to pay attention to poodles. This is one of the most popular species. Some mistakenly believe that poodles are female dogs. This is actually not the case. Sports dogs have long won the fame of intelligent and loyal animals. The advantage of poodles is a large selection of color options and sizes. This is the only breed in which there are:
- Large animals up to 45-60 cm tall.
- Small and medium - 35-45 cm.
- Dwarf - 28-35 cm.
- Toy poodles - 24-28 cm.
Regardless of size, absolutely all varieties meet the standards. Large representatives of the breed need regular exercise. And dwarf pets are very active, they like long walks. They need constant communication with the owners. The best pet for games is simply not to be found. Animals love being in company, love praise and active entertainment. In general, the animal is incredibly social. The dog is happy to imitate the actions of the owner. Pets are especially fond of children. They allow them to do absolutely everything. In addition, dogs willingly play any games with the kids.
Moving animals have a wonderful scent. They are easy to train. Among the small dog breeds suitable for children, toy poodles and dwarf representatives are a great choice. They are hardy, resilient, unlike other miniature species. In addition, they require a little space in the apartment. Another valuable quality of the breed is the lack of molting. Even allergy sufferers can contain poodles.
Bichon Frize
If you are busy choosing a small dog breed for children (photos of some animals suitable for this purpose are given in the article), pay attention to the Bichon Frize. Miniature dogs belong to the group of lapdogs. A huge advantage of the breed is the lack of molting and odor. Such pets are good for allergy sufferers. Animals have modest parameters. In height, they reach 24-29 centimeters. And the weight of the pets ranges from 3-6 kg.
Dogs do not tolerate loneliness. If they are alone for a long time, then they can chew their own wool or skin from anxiety. Bichon Frize often barks, so you should be prepared for noise. Dogs have excellent hearing. They are well trained and always try to please the owner. However, accustoming to cleanliness in the walls of an apartment is sometimes difficult. Nevertheless, experts recommend the representatives of the breed as excellent family dogs.
Bichon Frize adapts well to new conditions. Animals respond very calmly to heat or cold. Their coat requires constant care, as it is constantly growing. It is necessary to cut the pet every six to eight weeks. In addition, the hair must be combed regularly.
Beagle
Miniature representatives of the Beagle breed are distinguished by decisiveness, courage and friendliness. Pets can be aggressive only to small animals, because they perceive them as prey. Therefore, you should not keep the dog in the same apartment with ferrets, rabbits and chinchillas. Representatives of the breed are characterized by small sizes. But at the same time they have a strong physique. Dogs reach a height of 33-40 cm. Good-natured dogs are always active and cheerful. They are the best entertainers for children’s games. Dogs can tinker with kids for hours, allowing them any pranks. Pets are very attached to the owners. Animals do not have the instinct of dominance, so even a cute little pean will become their authority. It is children who most often choose dogs as the main thing in the house.
Beagle breed characteristics
The breed is smart and smart. Animals are incredibly curious and adore the attention of the owners. However, training such dogs is not easy. They don’t really want to obey the rules. They are difficult to teach to sleep in their place, dogs can lie wherever they want. There is no limit to the curiosity of dogs, they stick their nose in everything, so it’s sometimes difficult to leave such a pet alone in the house.
A beagle is a hound dog that requires jogging loads. It’s not a problem for them to overcome up to 20 kilometers a day. If you want your beagle not to be coded in the apartment, you need to walk it regularly, giving good loads. Then at home the animal will no longer have the strength to seek adventure. Pets are good for families with children, but when choosing a breed, it is worth remembering that you will have to deal with a dog every day. Long runs are important for a dog’s health.
Cavalier king charles spaniel
The breed is good as a companion for families with children. Animals are flexible. They are completely non-aggressive and always adapt to the owners and their rhythm of life. The British believe that such dogs relieve stress. At the royal court of Great Britain and Holland, it is customary to keep dogs of this breed. Once upon a time, animals were used in hunting. But later they became a purely decorative look.
Pets have a sociable and loving character. A dog guard will not work, because for her absolutely all people are friends. But the companion from such a dog is just wonderful. In the center of interest, the little dog is talking with his family. Without the attention of the owners, the pet can even get sick.
Animals are quick-witted. They like to take part in children's games and allow children any pranks. Dogs are incredibly patient with kids. Dogs adapt to the rhythm of people's lives. Sometimes animals become shy with strangers. But after meeting they show playfulness and interest.
Pets are very easy to maintain and care. They do not need long loads, daily walks are enough for them. Dog coat must be combed daily. Ears also require attention, they require regular care, because the breed is prone to otitis. The rest of the dogs do not cause trouble.
Instead of an afterword
In our article we have presented only some small breeds of dogs for families with children. However, it is worth noting that a larger animal can become an equally successful option. For example, the Airedale Terriers, Labradors, Giant Schnauzers and many other breeds have proven themselves well.