best dog breed for small family

DARK-KNIGHT

best dog breed for small family with a 2 year old a 5 year old and a 7 year old..

would like to get a minimum shed dog and a smaller breed to medium breed dog.

any help or advice appreciated

EmzBoBo

Would highly highly highly recommend a Cavalier King Charles!
We always had them at home from the time I was a baby, and they were the most easy going dogs around - nothing any small (or not so small) children did phased them.
You're more likely to find one curled up with someone than getting up to any mischief!
Admittedly, they do shed a bit though, but I wouldn't let that be a deciding factor.

If shedding is a deciding factor though, a few of my friends have Bichon Frise.
They're a small dog, and I don't think they shed?
Not as cuddly as a King Charles though; they're more bone-y.

kylith

While Cavs are gorgeous dogs with lovely personalities, they do tend to be plagued with heart problems.

OP, can you give a bit more information about how much exercise you'd be able to give daily, how much grooming you'd be up to (less shedding = more grooming IME)?

I'm a bit biased, but I've found Greyhounds and lurchers to be very gentle with kids, and big enough not to be sat on by mistake.

Much as I love them, I'd advise you to stay away from most terrier breeds: they can be impatient with small kids.

VonVix

kylith wrote: »

While Cavs are gorgeous dogs with lovely personalities, they do tend to be plagued with heart problems.

OP, can you give a bit more information about how much exercise you'd be able to give daily, how much grooming you'd be up to (less shedding = more grooming IME)?

I'm a bit biased, but I've found Greyhounds and lurchers to be very gentle with kids, and big enough not to be sat on by mistake.

Much as I love them, I'd advise you to stay away from most terrier breeds: they can be impatient with small kids.

You said exactly everything I would have said to the OP. I agree with you 100% in everything here.

Toulouse

+1 for me too, you post screamed Greyhound at me! They curl up small

I'd stay away from both breeds in the second post if it were me, a large proportion of people that I know with them have run into the heartache associated with health problems in those breeds due to poor breeding.

If you're not familiar with greyhounds or lurchers and you're interested in meeting some in a home environment then PM me and I'll give you some info.

Maybe I'm a little biased having being raised with greyhounds but I've never failed to convert any of my friends after they've just met them and spent some time with them.

VonVix

I don't even own any Sighthounds, but I have worked with a LOT of them and have fallen in love every time. The only reason I don't have one is that they're too chilled out for me. :P

infor123

I would go with the Bichon. They are amazing pets, don't shed, we groom ours every 4 months about and he always looks tidy. He loves being played with and is always around kids here, even though we don't have any ourselves. I have lots of nieces and nephews who are always in and out and love him. They range in age from 1 year old to 18. He's so playful and once he has some company he's happy out but also likes to curl up and sleep for himself too.

One_Of_Shanks

Yeah I would 100% echo the post above about a bichon.

Our Millie is a 4 year old maltichon, so a cross between Bichon and Maltese.

We have twin girls aged 2 and she's amazing with them. She'd often go over and give them a quick lick on the hand if they're crying and she bonded with them big them.

Only drawback with a maltichon/bichon/maltese is that they bark a lot if anyone goes by walking their dog or if someone comes to the door but in another way its good security.

I'd highly recommend a maltichon/bichon.

Knine

I think more info is needed such as how much exercise can you give, are you an active family, how much experience have you with dogs.

For example I have kids here but we are very active so the toy breeds mentioned would not be suitable, we also exercise ours with large gundog breeds, so go swimming, hiking, beach a lot. Have a good think about what dog you want especially as the children get older.

I have one of the terrier breeds who are generally fantastic with children & shed minimum but they have other attributes that I always discuss with potential owners.

Another aspect to consider is that you want a healthy family dog who will grow up with your children & not suffer rampant health issues & leave you broke & the children heartbroken.

Then there is reputable breeders, finding one who health tests their breeding dogs & who will give you life time support. I have yet to come across reputable breeders of these fancy crossbreeds as the only reason they breed is to make money. I don't believe in paying money often huge sums for a cross when there are so many in rescue.

Don't rule out a rescue dog either such as the greyhounds mentioned above. A reputable rescue could help set you up with a suitable dog who will make just as good a pet as any pedigree.

Car99

Miniature schnauzer, lovely dogs for kids, little to no shedding . Smart feckers too.

smilerf

Definitely not westies. My fella barks at the sight of anyone even near the house. He'd wake up the children

emmaro

A lot of toy breeds such as maltese are far too small and fragile for young children, and any maltese/bichon mix that's not from a rescue is coming from a not so great breeder.

What about a miniature poodle? They don't shed, but are pretty energetic and active dogs.

ShaShaBear

emmaro wrote: »

A lot of toy breeds such as maltese are far too small and fragile for young children, and any maltese/bichon mix that's not from a rescue is coming from a not so great breeder.

What about a miniature poodle? They don't shed, but are pretty energetic and active dogs.

I've never come across a poodle that would tolerate a 2-year old!

Bells21

Would you consider approaching a rescue who may be able to pair you up with a dog/temperament that's suits your needs? They usually have a very good idea of which individual dog is good/not so tolerant of kids and could pair to your exercise requirements too.

wally1990

Bichion or Maltese

Paullimerick

Maltese are fantastic dogs. People say they too small and fragile is bull in my eyes. I have 4 children and a Maltese and no problems. They are quick to get outta the way. And extremely loyal

CeilingFly

wally1990 wrote: »

Bichion or Maltese

Maltese with small children is not great. Maltese are quite fragile and generally quite active and barky.

As per another poster a Bichon maltese cross would be excellent choice. Generally good temperament, non shed, "cute", easily trained, don't need huge amount of exercise as they are quite active anyway and don't eat a huge amount.

emmaro

Paullimerick wrote: »

Maltese are fantastic dogs. People say they too small and fragile is bull in my eyes. I have 4 children and a Maltese and no problems. They are quick to get outta the way. And extremely loyal

In general they are not suitable for young children, and a lot of reputable breeders will not sell to families with small kids.

Paullimerick

Well I was only giving an opinion as I have one with 4 kids all under 9. Nothing has ever happened her and she is very well breed dog.

wally1990

Bichon Maltese cross is an excellent Choice
Great dog for children

Mooooo

Most dogs would be fine once introduced as pups and trained around the kids early, have a mini jack russel here and she is excellent with smallies, the collie is a bit too energetic but has responded well to down commands from the kids she is only 18 months and the gsd cross is excellent just sits or lies down alongside them but he is 6 now and was always more of an observer. What we found was the existing dog seemed to help with the temperament of the new ones. May take more work when a dog is new and no existing one. If buying try see the dogs parents and their temperaments as well, genetics can have an influence as well

John_Rambo

I'd avoid fashionable "Thoroughbred or purebred" dogs or IKC dogs with papers. (regrettably guilty of that one myself)

I'd avoid any dog if there's nobody at home for more than three or for hours a day.

I'd avoid any dog if you're thinking of an "outdoors" family dog that's left alone outside (or inside). No such thing.

If there's someone at home to be with the dog I'd echo previous posters regarding the sight hounds. Lurchers and greyhounds from shelters.

CeilingFly

Paullimerick wrote: »

Well I was only giving an opinion as I have one with 4 kids all under 9. Nothing has ever happened her and she is very well breed dog.

Maltese are superb and if children are used to dogs, not a major issue. But they are a terrier breed and my own opinion is it would not suit the op. I have both Maltese and Maltese /bichon cross and when kids are about the bichon cross is drawn to them and loves the attention whilst the Maltese is barky and standoff-ish, and that's the terrier breeding. - Or maybe she just takes after me

Bells21

Op, please bear in mind that the breed type will only give you part of an answer as to whether or not the dog is good with children. It will also depend on the temperament of the parent dogs and how well socialized the pup is. Unfortunately there are unscrupulous breeders who ignore these points and churn out pups for profit, who, may not conform to the generalisations of that breed.

undecided

We have a maltichon and ds (3) adores her. She is an absolute pleasure to have in the house. She only 5months but for a pup so easy. Doesnt shed either and doesnt affect asthma sufferers.

wotzgoingon

American pit bull terrier. Excellent with kids and can also ward off dangerous foes

Knine

CeilingFly wrote: »

Maltese are superb and if children are used to dogs, not a major issue. But they are a terrier breed and my own opinion is it would not suit the op.

No they are certainly not a terrier breed. They are not anything like a terrier.

Knine

John_Rambo wrote: »

I'd avoid fashionable "Thoroughbred or purebred" dogs or IKC dogs with papers. (regrettably guilty of that one myself)
.

Seriously? I have 5 dogs with IKC papers. 2 of which I bred myself.

Would you suggest a purebred dog with no papers from a puppy farmer would be a better alternative? Do you have any idea what a reputable breeder is?

John_Rambo

Knine wrote: »

Seriously? I have 5 dogs with IKC papers. 2 of which I bred myself.

Would you suggest a purebred dog with no papers from a puppy farmer would be a better alternative?

Of course not. I said in my post to avoid purebred dogs. Doesn't matter who bred them or how reputable they are.

Go back to my old post and read it again for my suggestions.

Lu Tze

Just on the greyhounds, i have met quite a few out walking at this stage, they really are gentle giants. And apparently dont require that much exercise compared to other dogs with much higher endurance. If you were looking for something smaller, whippets are very similar but smaller. We booked time off work before getting a dog, booked at the start of the summer last year for easier toilet training etc. and we were looking for a whippet. Unfortunately there were no recent litters that we could find and the ones in the <snip> at the time were quite a bit older. Ended up getting a labrador, she is lovely, but bundles of energy and very excitable around kids where she is in danger of knocking them over almost constantly.

We've had pet greyhounds for the past 35 years. They are perfect for a family pet. As long as they're fed and have a comfy bed (Couch) they'll just laze around. I've just been looking back on my 30 year olds baby photos and there's a greyhound in most. Snuggled up together on the floor or couch. Exercise can be what you want. They don't need much. They can vary from 50 pound weight to 70 ish. We've had all sizes!