There are dogs for different times in people’s lives, and not all dog breeds are up to the job. Getting the wrong breed of dog may very well place either the dog or the children in danger.
Chihuahuas- I LOVE chihuahuas, I really do. Long before the Paris Hilton crowd began using them as purses I always had a chihuahua or two. They are amazingly good watch dogs, they are cute, loyal, and let’s face it- their poop is very small. But what worked as a single person and as part of a couple did not work when babies and toddlers entered the picture. Chihuahuas need in many ways to be the babies of the family. They get jealous and depressed when the attention is turned away from them. They are also smaller than a newborn, which means that by the time a baby is mobile the dog will be cowering in fear. These are one of the worst breeds to have with young children in the house, and would be better off placed elsewhere if you are planning one or more babies.
Toy poodles, mini pinchers, Maltese- One word- yippy. These are yippy dogs, like it or not. Having a sleeping baby in the house while a dog yaps for an hour about a falling leaf in the yard is hard on the nerves. They are also not the most patient breeds and may nip at a child that reaches out and grabs a tail. When the kids are older, they will love a tiny dog, but having one with an infant is not fair to either the dog or the baby.
Boston terriers- These are fantastically intelligent dogs, and have a lot of patience with strangers and children. Boston terriers are not known for being rough with kids and are not big enough to pose much danger to a toddler even if they should happen to play a little rough. Boston terriers are considered one of the best breeds to have with young kids.
Rat terriers- These guys are stubborn and territorial. They have been bred to hunt small things, making them a bad idea in a house with babies. I saw one of these bite a toddler once and can not recommend them to anyone with younger children.
German Shepherds- These can really go either way, depending on how they are raised. German Shepherds are generally known for their loyalty and intelligence, but they can also become aggressive with little warning. There are cases of children being seriously injured by German Shepherds who were family pets, and taking that chance is probably not worth it.
Standard poodles- These are one of the smartest dog breeds in the world, and are patient, loyal and show remarkable patience with young children. I recommend this breed highly for any home with babies and toddlers.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel These usually get the top marks for safety with young kids, due to their dependable nature and good personalities. They are smart and well-tempered dogs, as well as being pretty to look at. Sounds great, doesn’t it? I thought so too- until I called around to try to find one. There is one breeder in my state, and I was told by that one breeder that I could be put on a 6-8 month waiting list, after which time I could buy one for $1,600. These are fabulous dogs, but they are rare and extremely expensive.
There are undoubtedly other good and bad breeds out there for children, but these are the ones that warranted this list. There will be members of any breed that behave differently from the breed standard, but generally, a dog’s temperament can be foretold by its breeding.
