Kids And Toy Dogs

Topic: Dogs and Kids

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Despite the common belief that toy dog breeds and kids simply don’t mix, there are some toy breeds that can do very well in a household with children. There is an increased risk in having children and toy dogs together, mostly due to the concern that children simply don’t know how to properly handle and work with these tiny pets. In reality kids of almost any age can be taught or can be properly supervised around any type of pet and learn how to correctly interact with the dog without causing any injury. Of course toddlers are often the exception as they simply don't have the coordination to be able to steady enough on their own legs let alone being careful about something else.

While the above statement is certainly true, many toy dog breeders won’t sell puppies or dogs to families that have children under the age of six to eight years old. Again this is a bit of a broad stroke against families with young kids, however there have been horrific instances of toy breeds being severely injured or ever killed by children that inappropriately and incorrectly handled these very tiny puppies. Keep in mind that some toy breeds, especially the very small teacup or mini varieties can be extremely small, weighing just a few ounces for the first few weeks of life. Even at the eight week mark when they are going off to their new homes they can easily weigh under a pound and be small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Puppies this small can easily be stepped on, fallen on or dropped by very young children. These injuries are usually fatal to the puppies and breeders are very hesitant to put their puppies in any household that is not safe. It cannot be stressed enough that toddlers and young children don’t do this on purpose, it is just a lack of understanding and attention by the kids. Very young children are more likely to fall down, drop what they are carrying, forget to close doors and even grab at small things like the puppy.

Many toy breed puppies are very fragile and cannot handle rough play or treatment, even when they are adult dogs. This doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy a game of fetch or be a great companion dog for a child, but they certainly aren’t the rough and tumble dog that a Labrador, Bulldog or a sturdy terrier breed will be. Kids that are older and are more understanding of the physical size and ability of the toy breeds will learn to enjoy the dog for what they can do, making an excellent combination. Often toy dogs are much more cuddly and affectionate than the larger breeds, plus they often are more practical to have in a house, apartment or smaller living space.
Some toy breeds will bond very closely with the people in the family that spend the most time with them. This may be the children or it may be the adults in the family, depending on the lifestyle and schedule of the household. When these toy dogs bond with one member they do need to be obedience trained and not allowed to growl or snap at other family members. Sometimes children misunderstand this dominant type of behavior and actually reward this aggression as the dog protecting them. Unfortunately many adults do the same thing, spoiling the toy dog and allowing the dog to run the family. If the adults in the family make sure that the toy dog is well trained and socialized and encourage the child to also work with the pet this doesn’t have to become a problem or concern.

Toy breeds that typically will respond relatively well to most ages of children include the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Havanese, Pug and most hybrids that include these breeds. Some of the Toy Poodles are extremely affectionate towards even small children but not all are a perfect match. These toy dogs do need special care by the adults in the family and the children have to be taught how to properly handle, care for and interact with these smaller canines.

Breeds of toy dogs that tend to get along well with older children that are less likely to make loud noises, suddenly run or jump around or do something completely unexpected are more numerous. These breeds include breeds such as the Pekingese, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu, Maltese, Papillon, Toy Fox Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier and the Japanese Chin. These dogs typically respond well to children, especially if they have been raised in a household with calm, respectful and responsible kids. If you are considering adopting an older toy breed be sure to ask the rescue staff if the dog is socialized with children as they sometimes have difficult in adjusting to houses with children.

There is really no breed of dog that simply cannot be socialized and raised with children in a positive fashion. However there are some toy breeds that as a very general statement tend to prefer adults to children. These breeds are often the more timid and nervous tiny dogs that don’t adjust well to sudden movements and sounds that are often associated with having kids in the house. These breeds include the Chihuahua and the Italian Greyhound as well as the Miniature Pinscher and the Manchester Terrier. The Chihuahua and the Italian Greyhound tend to be frightened by children if they are not socialized with kids and the Miniature Pinscher and the Manchester are more likely to be dominant towards younger kids. Either of these two temperaments can result in the dog snapping, snarling and barking at the children.

Adults that provide supervision with their children and their toy dogs will have few problems in either socialization or interactions between the two. Just keep in mind that many purebred breeders do not sell puppies to families with kids under six. If you are considering a toy breed and have children under the age of six you may want to wait a few years for your children to mature before deciding on the tiny pet. If you do choose a puppy be sure to socialize them well with the children and always supervise the interactions. Choosing an older toy dog from a rescue will allow you to choose a dog that is already comfortable and familiar with kids, ensuring a good match right from the start.

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