Raising a dog alongside your kids is a great way to teach them about responsibility—and a way to prevent them from being bored! However, just like every child is different, so is every dog. When it comes down to it, not all breeds are created equal.
We're not just talking about temperament. Any dog can be bad-tempered if it's poorly trained. On the other hand, if a dog is more prone to protective or energetic behavior, it's likely because it was bred that way.
Similarly, size matters, and not always in the way you think! While big dogs can at risk for knocking over or injuring little kids, anyone who's ever encountered a Chihuahua knows that smaller dogs can have the personality (and defense mechanisms) of dogs ten times their size. More personality isn't always a good thing.
Lastly, it's important that both you and your child remember that owning a dog is a responsibility. If a dog requires a lot of exercise and grooming on top of training, it may not be the best use of your time to try and balance that while raising a child. This is especially true if you want your dog and child to grow up together; both puppies and newborns are extremely demanding.
With all that out of the way, let's actually get into some breeds who you are better off waiting until the kids are a little older to adopt.
Small Dogs
As we've already said, don't be tricked by a Chihuahua's small size. A Chihuahua's bite is much worse than its' bark, and they aren't shy about defending themselves either. Chihuahuas can also be territorial, both over space and people.
Pekingeses pose similar problems to Chihuahuas. Despite being one of the least threatening creatures on the planet, both visually and size-wise, Pekes are notorious for having Napoleon complexes. Pekingeses prefer to be unbothered and relaxed, which may be hard if there are tots tugging their tails.
Medium Dogs
You may think that shepherds and other working dogs are a natural fit for a home with small children. After all, rounding up kids isn't too different than rounding up sheep. However, these dogs are not only extremely smart, but they're also extremely bossy and can nip your kids if they don't cooperate.
Chow Chows may look like great big teddy bears, but they're bred to be fierce protectors. Chows require extensive training and socialization to make them comfortable with others. Even if you have time to train them, they aren't the most playful breed, which can be disappointing for kids.
Big Dogs
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In general, you should avoid most big dogs while the kids are still young; even the friendliest of breeds may not know their own strength. St Bernards are prime example of this; they're so big that they can play rough without realizing. If a St Bernard wags its tail too hard in a child's vicinity, the child could get hurt.
While Dalmatians may seem sweet and cuddly, they're also smart and energetic. Dalmatians, like other working dogs, do best when they have a job to do. If under-stimulated, they may become aggressive and bite.
