Small dogs are best for kids because they are not too large and can be easily handled by children. They also have a lot of energy, which is good for active children. Finally, small dogs don’t need as much space to live in or exercise in.
Many people think that the best type of dog is one that’s big and strong enough to defend the family from anything – but this is actually not true! A big dog may look intimidating, but it could also scare your child if they’re not used to seeing them around. Big dogs also require more exercise than a smaller dog would need, so you’ll spend more time walking your pet or taking it out on walks every day to keep them happy and healthy. And finally, a big dog would take up more space in your home.
In comparison, best small dogs for kids are not just easy to train and maintain – they also have a lot of energy that can keep your children active and entertained! Small dogs like Chihuahuas love to play games with their owners, such as fetch or hide-and-seek. They will happily chase after toys if you throw them into the air, and they’ll bring it back when you ask them to do so. Children will learn responsibility by being forced to clean up after their best friend; this is great preparation for later in life (like in college)!
Table of Contents
17 of the Best Small Dogs for Kids
Pin Tzu

I’m a bit biased, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Pin Tzus. Half Shih Tzu, Half Miniature Pinscher – Pin Tzus are a good option as a small dog for kids. They are best friends with energetic children.
The best part about Pin Tzu’s is that they enjoy the company of children and will play with them all day long. Pin Tzus love to fetch and tug-of-war, but they can also be independent when they want to be.
Pin Tzus are best for kids because they provide best friendship and they don’t take up much space.
Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is one of the most recognized purebred dogs in the world. These small, fluffy and inquisitive creatures are the perfect companions for any family. The Shih Tzu can be a great fit for children because they are easy to train, love attention and enjoy playing outside just as much as a child does.
The Shih Tzu is a great dog for children because they are gentle and enjoy cuddling, but still need to be monitored. They do not require a lot of exercise and will happily lay by your child’s side all day if given the chance. They are also easy to train, smart, affectionate and easily trained making them one of the best small dogs for kids. The Shih Tzu takes well to positive reinforcement training making it an ideal dog for kids that want to learn how to train their own pet.
Not only can these little lapdogs be great companions for children, but they also help build self confidence for kids as well. These dogs love attention and will follow around any kid that gives them praise or tells them
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the best type of dog for kids because they are not too large, their energy is best for active children, and the best small dog for kids. All of these things make a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel best for a child: they will not scare the child if they’re not used to seeing them around, can be easily handled by children, and have activity that best suits an active child and they will teach responsibility.
In comparison to other types of dogs that are best for kids like Chihuahuas, Cavaliers don’t require as much space to live in or exercise in- where as most big dogs do- so your home would be easier to maintain.
Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is the best dog for kids because their light energy levels are easy to manage and they have small wish paws that won’t hurt your child. The best part about this type of dog is that a child will never lose touch with one!
The Bichon Frise’s low-shedding coat and hypoallergenic nature make them ideal dogs for families or individuals with allergies. They are great for children because they’re happy lap dogs, but they can also play outside with your children when needed. A lot of these small dogs enjoy playing fetch as well!
Beagle
The Beagle are another great dog breed for kids because they have a high energy level and are playful, which is good for kids. They are small as well, so they won’t scare children away!
Beagles are great with kids because they will follow your child wherever he or she goes in the house. They are also playful which allows for your child to gain skills in providing stimulation and playtime for the dog. These small dogs have medium energy levels, so they can run around with kids when needed, but be calm enough to cuddle up next to your child at night.
Beagles enjoy going on walks and playing outside in fenced areas because of their high energy level. This breed does not recognize a fence as a boundary and will continue running after prey until he or she is very tired. A Beagle’s sense of smell is what makes them such great hunting companions, but it also causes them to bark frequently when something catches their attention! Beagles are not only good puppy dogs for kids, but potentially the best small dog breeds of all time.
Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers make excellent pets for children because they are very friendly and patient. They don’t bark too much and they don’t mind if the child pulls on their ears or tail. Boston Terriers are also great because they love to play, but a good walk will tire them out too.
The only downside of owning a Boston Terrier is that the kids may give it a hard time with tug-of-war games, chasing, or other activities. For these reasons, some people prefer more energetic puppies.
Poodle
Poodles are great dogs for children because they love to play games with you and are very energetic. They can keep up with whatever your child has in mind, like a game of fetch or chase and catch. Poodles are also good dogs for kids because their coat is hypoallergenic so if your child is allergic to the dog this won’t be an issue.
A big problem that some parents may run into when having poodle puppies around their kids is getting them used to humans touching them since they have been bred to be companions over the centuries instead of just pets. These small dog breeds are sometimes hard to train on leash walks as well, but once trained properly they will walk nicely without pulling along side you
Cairn Terrier
Cairn Terriers are great dogs for kids because they have a lot of energy, which is good for kids. They can run around and play with your child all day long! Another reason Cairn Terriers make great puppy dogs for kids is that they don’t shed very much so their hair won’t cover everything in sight like some other small dog breeds do.
Cairn Terriers are also great dogs for kids because their small size makes them easy to travel with and take places. They’re not too much of a burden on your child, but big enough that they won’t be stepped on or ignored either!
Cockapoo
Cockapoo’s are awesome dogs for kids because they’re very laid back and love to cuddle up with you at night. They don’t bark or jump on your child when they come home from school like some other small dog breeds do. [Their] coat is hypoallergenic so if your child is allergic it won’t be a problem, but [it will be] hypoallergenic.
A big issue that some parents may run into with Cockapoo puppies while trying to raise them around their children is the fact that they can be stubborn! This breed tends to want things there way, which can make training hard sometimes, but when trained right this puppy will become a great companion for your family!
Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels are adorable small dogs for kids because they love to play, but calm down quick enough when your child goes inside to do homework. They’re also good small dog breeds for kids because [they] don’t shed very much either making them a good family pet overall.
The only problem you may run into with raising Cocker Spaniel puppies around kids is that since they have long ears and hair that’s easy to catch on things when jumping it could easily get hurt every now and again! However, this breed of puppy excels in many other aspects making them one of the best small dogs for children out there!
Dachshund
Dachshunds are great dog breeds for kids because they have a lot of energy and don’t mind if the child pulls on their ears or tail. Dachshunds also love to run around with your child all day long, making them very playful too! Another reason why Dachshunds make good family pets is that their small size makes it easy for them to go places and be taken out more often than some other small dog breeds.
The only problem you may run into with raising Dachshund puppies around children is that since they have longer legs which kids sometimes like to play “chase” with this breed could easily get hurt in the process! However, a little extra caution makes up for this dogs minor flaw making them one of the best small dogs for kids out there!
French Bulldog
French bulldogs or Frenchies are great small dog breeds for kids because they have a lot of energy and love to play! French bulldogs also enjoy being around children and playing with them all day long. Another reason why frenchies make good family pets is that their small size makes them easy to take places, especially compared to other small dog breeds. There is no problem you may run into with raising french bulldog puppies around children except for the fact that they might be stubborn when it comes to training which can sometimes make things hard. However, this breed of puppy has many other qualities that make them one of the best small dogs for kids out there!
Havanese
Havanese dogs are one of the best small breeds for children because they are very gentle and love to cuddle up with them at night. They have a lot of energy too which make them perfect playmates for your kids! They also don’t shed very much which makes them one of the best dog breeds for children because you won’t need to vacuum as often.
The only thing that might cause a problem when raising Havanese puppies around kids is that since their hair can be easily tangled and knotted it could become a big hassle or even painful if poked by little fingers, but this breed has so many other qualities making them great family pets that you should still consider bringing one home!
Pug
Pugs are one of the best small dogs for kids! With a docile disposition and protective nature, pugs will win over children in no time. Kids and toddlers will love hugging this pint sized pup, who won’t even complain when they get jumped on like other larger breeds. Pugs are also great lapdogs, so that means kids can cuddle up to them when they’re reading a book or watching TV.
Bolognese
The Bolognese is one of the best small dog breeds for kids because they make great lap dogs and are loving and gentle. This breed will also never complain when a child gets too rough playing with them. These friendly dogs are perfect for children who like to cuddle, as well as toddlers.
Bolognese dogs are one of the best small breeds for children because they make great lap dogs and are loving and gentle. This breed will also never complain when a child gets too rough playing with them. These friendly dogs are perfect for children who like to cuddle, as well as toddlers.
The only problem you may run into with raising Bolognese puppies around children is that since their hair can be easily tangled and knotted it could become a big hassle or even painful if poked by little fingers, but this breed has so many other qualities making them great family pets that you should still consider bringing one home!
Australian Terrier
Australian Terriers are one of the best small dogs for kids. They are playful, energetic and full of life. Australian Terriers have a lot of energy and they will keep up with even the most active children! These little guys love to play fetch, go on long walks or just hang out in your backyard. Your child can teach an australian terrier tricks too! Aussies make excellent companions for kids as they’re very obedient and always want to please their owners. If you live in a big house with lots of room to run around, then an australian terrier is perfect because they don’t need much space at all! They can do well living in apartments too if you give them lots of attention throughout the day.
If your child has a fear of dogs, then you should look into some breeders that specialize in australian terriers! These little guys shed very little hair and they don’t have much of a doggy odor so they’re perfect for kids with allergies or asthma. Australian Terriers love to be around children so training them is really easy! Aussies can be taught basic commands like “sit”, “stay” and “come”. With proper training, most australian terriers can learn to walk nicely on a leash too. An australian terrier makes a great family pet because they get along well with other pets in the household (as long
Border Terrier
Border terriers are just the right size for kids. They’re fairly low maintenance to take care of, and they don’t shed that much. Border terriers are also very active early in the morning, which can make them a good companion for your energetic youngster.
Border terriers are known for being an excellent companion for a family with children. They’re incredibly easy to maintain, and they don’t shed that often- which makes them a good option if you have kids who are allergic to animal hair. Border terriers also tend to be very active early in the morning, which can be useful for the energetic toddler who is constantly on the go!
Conclusion
So, if you’re looking for a new furry friend to add to your family, consider one of these top dogs for kids! They’ll love waking up every morning with their favorite little pooch by their side.
It’s important not to forget about the basics too. Before bringing home a small dog breed, make sure that it has all of its shots and is healthy enough to live indoors without much space. Also remember to purchase the right kind of small dog harness. You should also avoid breeds that are very yappy or bark frequently because this can be very annoying when you have toddlers running around the house! Remember that your child will likely do things like poke the dog with sticks or even pull his tail and ears- which can cause injury if done improperly.
We’ve covered some of the best small dog breeds for kids, but don’t forget to give it a little thought before you bring one home! Your pet deserves a loving and safe environment.
FAQ
Can I expect my dog to be safe and not get injured if I have a child?
Most small dogs can easily tolerate children poking them with sticks or pulling their tails, but this doesn't mean that they won't get hurt. It's important to supervise your pet around your child so you can keep them from hurting each other. Just remember that a dog is much stronger than a child, and their size gives them the advantage. Be aware of your own limitations as well!
I already have children at home. Is it realistic to add a small dog breed?
If you already have children running all over the house, puppies may not be right for your family because they need lots of attention and care during the first few months of life. Your vet will likely recommend an adult dog for adoption! It's also important to consider whether or not you'll have enough time in the day to take care of another living being before bringing one home. There are many responsibilities that come with owning a pet- including feeding, keeping him clean and spending plenty of quality time with him.
What dog breed is the right size for me?
If you have a small yard with limited space, then you should think about getting a smaller dog variety! Because of their compact size, the best dogs for kids are also some of the best options if you live in an apartment building or on a boat! Just make sure to bring your dog out to potty often because they can't hold their bladders as long as adult dogs.