What puppies are great with kids? Small, Tea cup, Toy!?

Question

I have a toddler he is a boy. But we really want a dog my fiance wants a pit or some huge protective dog but i dnt approve with my son those type of dogs arent kid friendly to me they will turn on you! I want a toy dog the kind thats easy around kids and adorable. I want a yorkie but they are pricey and extremely tiny so im afraid of they bones breaking but they are cute. So any ideas on which puppy will be great?

Remember I want a small dog that stays small!

Thank You...

Answer 1

well i suggest getting a dog from a shelter, they are great there, especially the OLDER, smaller ones. thats where we got my pup (chihuahua mix) and even as a little puppy she was SO FRIENDLY, and still is. although, not many young little dogs are like that......slim chances.



also: i know that you DON'T WANT a big dog, BUT can i make a teensy suggestion? just an idea.....but there is an AMAZING breed of dog out there. kid proof. i'm telling you, the GOLDEN RETRIEVER is THE kid dog. i have had them my entire life (before the chihuahua) and i pulled on their hair as a child and they just lugged me around. at the end of the day, they love to curl up by your feet, considering they are VERY velcro-meaning they will bond quickly with their owners. also, the Golden Retriever is considered a TERRIBLE breed for guarding houses, because if an intruder comes in they will bark for a second, then lick the intruder's hand! that just shows how friendly they are. CONSIDER THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER! thanks. haha.

Answer 2

One, there is no such thing as a "teacup", that term is only used by backyard breeders or puppy mills. No reputable breeder will use the term "teacup". Two, pitbulls were considered "nanny dogs" in England. Fun fact: Jon Stewart of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart owns two pit bulls: Shamsky & Monkey.

The majority (not all) pitbulls are great with children, but a pitbull is not for everyone because they are considered very energetic dogs! A bad dog is caused by irresponsible ownership. Attacks happen when you leave a child alone with the dog, never do that! Always watch your child when they are around a dog.



The majority of the toy breeds are not kid-friendly because most children do not know how to handle a dog properly and will not go well with energetic children.



Just go to a good shelter and ask for a dog that's kid-friendly and I'm sure they will find one for you.

Answer 3

Small dogs do not do well with toddlers. As they are more delicate and easily injured, they are more easily threatened by normal toddler behavior- like running, screaming, petting too hard, clumsy handling, etc. And they are far more likely to bite as a result.



Pits can be wonderful with children, and were nicknamed the "nanny dog" at one time. They will not "turn" on you. That's a myth, and totally untrue. With responsible handling and socialization, they make wonderful family dogs. A medium sized dog would be a far better choice for a family with a younger child than a small dog would be.



Add: While a lot of people will suggest Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, USE CAUTION as they are NOT all good choices for families. There are a lot of horrible breeders out there due to their popularity, producing dogs with horrid temperaments. I've only been seriously bitten by one dog in my lifetime- it was a Labrador. I have only had one dog seriously attempt to kill one of my dogs- it was a Labrador. A co-worker has a Golden Retriever that despite her extensive efforts to train and socialize would just as soon take your head off as look at you. While a well-bred member of either breed could be wonderful with children, unfortunately there are a lot of them out there that are NOT. In addition, both breeds (but especially Labradors) are large dogs and quite high energy and boisterous and can easily unintentionally injure a small child. Any dog you choose should either be temperament tested and adopted from a reputable rescue or shelter, or purchased from a very reputable breeder, from temperament tested parents.

Answer 4

None then. No small dog is going to stand up to the abuse of a toddler. If you want a small dog, wait until your son is at least 5.



No dog "turns on you" without some sort of medical problem.



Im afraid if you want a dog you are either going to have to get the idea of a toy breed out of your head (btw, no such thing as a teacup anything) or go for a medium to large sized dog.

Answer 5

ALL puppies are great with kids if trained properly :)

Although like the others said smaller dogs are actually more un-suitable ,they are more fragile and as you know kids treat everything like toys.. screaming,tugging,pulling. So smaller dogs are not a good idea, although my neighbour's jack russell terrier is adorable and so patient.

Your fiance does have a good idea, big dogs are only dangerous if they are raised to be dangerous ! :) I have owned lots of bullies and staffies and they were always so good behaved and wouldn't hurt a fly.

I've grown up around dogs and my parents always taught me that no dog is dangerous becasue of itself but becasue of the owner and like the saying goes "we should never judge a book by its cover".

BIg dogs are very lovable and if you discipline them they will be loyal and love you forever and protect you from strangers (bad strangers), becasue what could a chihuahua do ? Lick an attacker to death ?

You should be looking for a dog becasue you truly want one, remember dogs live up to 15 years or more and they will always depend on you. You should read on forums about dogs, preferably find a different forum for each breed eg a great dane forum for great danes, an irish setter forum for irish setters becasue many people are VERY judgemental (sp?)



"Your fiance' is an idiot. Pit Bulls have been know to maul toddlers to death.A small toy type of dog is way to small and their temperment is not good for a child as young as yours. Look for medium sized dogs like Springer Spaniels which are protective and gentle with kids.Do not get any type of terrier.they are too full of energy and don't care for kids much. I am really not sure that a child you boys age and a small dog is a good idea.I think you should wait and don't listen to your fiance'."



Listen to yourself, that's the image that the media created and planted into naive people's minds like yours, I bet there are just as many dog attack on toddlers by labradors or other "friendly" dogs, just the media doesn't tell us about it. You must have 30 years of experience with tiny dogs becasue no true dog lover/breeder would ever say that.

ANd you know why ?

Because many attacks are unreported

Many see some pitbull similar breed and they're like "omg a pitbull attack !" when it's not a pitbull.



Here are some quotes :



"Some dogs that have a bad image and are considered aggressive are the Boxer, Bulldogs, Pit Bull Terriers, Great Danes, Mastiffs, German Shepherds and Rottweilers. According to this study this is how they ranked:

Great Dane: 9. This breed is actually very patient, gentle and affectionate. Although its size can be an issue with small children, it gets on well with children.

Rottweilers: 15. This dog is very loyal and can be fiercely protective which may cause it to be aggressive. However, it is a hard working, powerful, devoted dog that gets on well with children if they are brought up with them.

Boxer: 16. These dogs are actually good with children. They make good watchdogs. As they have a protective nature; they may be aggressive if they feel their owner is being threatened.

German Shepherds (Alsatians): 17. An alert, loyal, courageous and intelligent breed. These dogs are good with children and they are very protective making them effective watchdogs.

Mastiffs: 21. These dogs are very dignified, loyal creatures with a pleasant nature, resembling gentle giants. Their size means they can be a problem with small children, but they get on well with children."



See all are good with children ? :) Just a matter of how you raise them , so don't worry about a rottweiler ,it will actually be a very good choice !

Answer 6

I would suggest a medium sized dog. While pits are good dogs with good owners, they are also very strong and can unintentionally hurt a small child. Same with any large or particularly strong dogs. For example, we had a Rottweiler when I was little that dislocated my shoulder just by standing up while I was holding on to the collar.



Small dogs on the other hand are often very fragile and can be hurt by the child, especially toy sized (and "tea cups" die if they fall off the couch). Best I can think of is adopting a medium sized dog used to being around children from a shelter or something.

Answer 7

Almost all small dogs are totally unsuitable when you have young kids. Not only are they all super fragile, except maybe Jack Russel terriers, little dogs have little dog mentalities- they tend to get very jealous even when they are brought into a family as a pup. Why not consider a compromise such as a whippet or a beagle, a medium size, family oriented and still protective dog? I suggest you check out Dogs101 online for buying advice!

Answer 8

For starters, don't get ANYTHING labeled as "tea cup". You're going to get a poorly bred dog with behavior issues. Secondly, small dogs are notoriously bad with kids. I think the go to dog for kids are Goldens and Labs. But whatever dog you decide on, NEVER leave the dog alone with the child. No matter how well behaved it is when you are around.

Answer 9

I just want to make a few points here.



Small dogs aren't very good with children as they are hurt easily, and a hurt dog may lash out.



Most dog breeds are fine, it is how you train them and how you treat them which determines their mentality. I would go for a pit bull or a German Shepherd, as these are both protective and very good pets.



I would suggest going to your local animal shelter and getting a slightly older dog which won't mind being tugged and pulled on.

Answer 10

That is a myth pits are amazing people loving dogs and make great pets for people who know how to treat them. If you beat a dog expect to be attacked! No bad Dogs Only Bad Owners...



But as for your question on a small dog I would say a pug or Boston terrier, My grandmother has these two breeds and they are amazing with our younger kids(2 and 4)

Answer 11

Toy dogs are NOT kid friendly. They have little tolerance for them. I would get a Golden Retriever. They like kids and can take all the rough handling a kid would give it. A toy would bite!!

Answer 12

i have 2 dogs, a black lab and a shih tzu x maltese

both are VERY sweet and snuggly and lovable



for your situation, a black lab would be a good compromise --> known to be great with kids, very sweet and loyal, but also will act to defend their family (my lab barks and howls whenever someone comes to the door) but keep in mind labs shed



if you're 100% sure you want a small dog then, there isn't a whole lot to discuss, but small breed dogs are a lot like young kids, they get upset when they arent the centre of attention, and they have SO much energy and tend to be yappy for no good reason

Answer 13

Your fiance' is an idiot. Pit Bulls have been know to maul toddlers to death.A small toy type of dog is way to small and their temperment is not good for a child as young as yours. Look for medium sized dogs like Springer Spaniels which are protective and gentle with kids.Do not get any type of terrier.they are too full of energy and don't care for kids much. I am really not sure that a child you boys age and a small dog is a good idea.I think you should wait and don't listen to your fiance'.

Answer 14

I'd say you should go for either a Cocker Spaniel or a Poodle

they are both AMAZING dogs ! they grow up to be smaller than medium but bigger than small ;)

they are both super loyal and super sweet and great with people (as long as you keep them socialized)

I used to have both breeds as I was growing up and they are amazing (i even had a mix of the two)

seriously amazing dogs :)

i hope you consider :3

Answer 15

Possibly a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They are gentle and sweet dogs and they love kids. Here's a picture of them:



http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/dogbreeds/photos/cavalierkingcharlesspanielsf2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/cavalierkingcharlesspaniels.html&usg=__flUBRn5kHFKvvy29pNGEg7i73XY=&h=327&w=230&sz=24&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=K4HQMQWX22EkRM:&tbnh=138&tbnw=111&ei=kqEHTtrDGcTbgQeFjKHfDQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dcavalier%2Bking%2Bcharles%2Bspaniel%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Den%26biw%3D1046%26bih%3D889%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=253&page=1&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0&tx=71&ty=58&biw=1046&bih=889



Here's a good informative website on them too: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/cavalierkingcharlesspaniel.htm



PS: Aren't they just so cute?

Answer 16

a Pomeranian

Shitzu

Cockier spaniel

pugs

chihuahua mix

Norfolk Terrier

Beagle

Puggle

those are some nice protective dogs

by the way dogs don't turn on you only if you treat them wrong