Not all adorable breeds are easy to keep. That’s not necessarily a recommendation against them but for those who aren’t sure there’s some education required. If you’re looking at dogs sheerly for cute factor you need to be aware that some have special needs or qualities that can make it a bit more difficult to integrate them into your family.
Read on and we’ll cover some breeds that fantastic breeds and briefly go over some of the issues you may run abreast of.
1. Australian Shepherds
Australian Shepherds are a beautiful, medium-sized breed of cattle dog. Their general happy demeanor and enormously fluffy bodies are the kind of things that most people think would go well with children.
While they’re not the most surprising on this list, Australian Shepherds have a few traits which can make mingling them with young children difficult.
Don’t take this to mean they don’t like children. Australian Shepherds are very friendly with people and have no problems dealing with our young ones. The problem comes in two ways.
The first is simple: these dogs are extremely energetic and they’re big enough to do a bit of harm to small kids. The second reason is their herding instinct, which can manifest at times as nipping heels which isn’t something a child should deal with.
If you’re looking to add one to the family then the children involved should probably be at least 8 years old or more. They’re not all bad but you should definitely do your research before introducing one to your kids.
2. Chihuahua
While their small size and reputation for docility can make you think that Chihuahua are the right breed to mix in with your family, that’s not always the case.
Chihuahua are the smallest purebred dogs but they’re also quite fragile. Children playing too roughly can mean a trip to the veterinarian in short order.
They can also be quite aggressive when cornered or hurt. While an older child may do just fine with one of these dogs they should be avoided if your kids are under the age of 8 years old or so. It puts both the dog and the child at risk, which is a two-fold reason not to bring one into the picture until your children are old enough to understand how to be careful and avoid harming the dog.
3. English Toy Spaniels
Also known as the King Charles Spaniel, the English Toy Spaniel is a dog with a small size, big personality, and a reputation for being super friendly. Their friendly reputation is to the point where they’re not considered suitable as watchdogs.
There is one huge problem: these dogs do not appreciate rough handling. They’re liable to snap at children who aren’t careful or just begin to avoid them entirely.
They’re also quite needy and emotionally sensitive. That’s a bad combination.
Like the first two on our list, they’re not a terrible idea to keep with children but you should definitely make sure that you dig extra deep in your research to make sure that they’re suitable for your family.
4. Jack Russell Terriers
Jack Russells are an adorable small breed but those unfamiliar with dogs don’t realize that the breed is really unsuitable for children.
They’re extremely high-energy, which can be a plus for getting the kids tired, the real problem is the fact that they’re working dogs. It also doesn’t help that they’re often attached to just one person.
Jack Russells are great dogs but the breed isn’t far removed from it’s hunting origin. They’re assertive for such small canines and don’t accept any harm, even if it’s done unintentionally. They’re fierce little guys and just not a suitable dog for children.
It’s not impossible, a well-socialized Jack Russell can form a strong bond with an older child, but for toddlers, they’re exactly the wrong kind of dog despite their diminutive size.
5. Dalmations
Dalmatians are another breed to dig into some research on before you bring one into a home with kids. These dogs are adorable and their Disney movie has only added to the fame of the breed but they’re often just too high-energy to play with kids safely.
Dalmatians are a relatively large breed of dog but they can have as much energy as many much smaller breeds. All of that jumping around and playfulness is great for an adult who can handle it but it can easily overstimulate a younger child.
Due to their greater size, it’s recommended that your kids be at least pre-teens if you adopt a dalmatian. Keep in mind that dalmatians stay rambunctious well into their lifespan, so this isn’t just a matter of puppies being puppies.
The good news is that they’re actually good with kids who can handle their size and energy, however so keep those toys at a ready.
6. Dachsunds
Dachshunds are often seen as completely harmless, but the truth is that they’re not a good fit for a home with small children. While some of the dogs higher on the list can make a good match if the right dog is found, the temperament of the breed makes them a particularly poor fit.
Dachsund actually has a reputation for aggression among those who work with dogs professionally. A pup raised with children may be fine, or it may not, but it also puts the smaller dog at risk due to the vulnerable nature of the dog’s back.
They can also present a risk to your children’s friends, even if the dog is just fine with your own children. They can get nippy with strangers and that’s not going to make you the favorite mom on the block.
Always Research Your Dogs
There are tons of adorable dog breeds out there, but not all of them are suitable in a home with children. For a mom, this presents a conundrum but unless you’re quite experienced with canines you may want to consider carefully before adding any of the adorable pups above to your home.
The truth is that most dogs will be fine with children as long as common sense is followed and the dog is well-socialized but it depends on everyone involved and care should be taken when selecting the right companion.
So, don’t get scared, just make sure you do your research before you bring home that cute pup!
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