Good dog for children  

In our newspaper people advertise these dogs named as "Shih-'Tzu. I was hoping you know what I meant!

I would highly recommend a ShihTzu too ... we have a Malteste ShihTzu who my 3 year old loves to death. I was very worried about having her around him [we've only had her a year] but she doesn't seem to mind being dragged around and hugged to death.

I know each dog is different and have their own personality despite their breed ... but I've found this breed to be perfect for a very active little boy!

LOL ... and yes they can look like a mop if you don't get their hair cut regularly. That's probably the only drawback - the cost of grooming! But on the plus side they don't malt or shed hair at all.

My cousin had a shi-tzu for years, and he was very moody and a little bit irritable even since he was a puppy. Of course, I realize, like you said, that all dogs have their own personality, and he might have been the exception rather than the rule. I have seen some shi-tzu's that are mixed with other breeds, and they are very good with children, from what I have seen. Thanks for the suggestion!

I agree with you on the minpins! My friend had one, and they had to keep him in his room when they had anyone over because he would bite their guests. He made one of my friends bleed! Thanks for the input!

That's what we plan on doing, but some breeds just grow up with children better than others. Also, we only have one child now but plan on having at least one more in the future.

I've looked on some websites, and the only small dog they tend to recommend is the poodle. I just wish I could find a small dog with the boxer's personality.

Funny, because my boxer has never seemed to have felt threatened by my daughter. My sisters and I grew up with larger dogs outside, and they were great learning lessons for us, as far as friendship, companionship, and life and death are concerned.

But your boxer is bigger than your daughter...

Yes, but many large dogs do not like children, and a child could still harm or "threaten" a large dog. Boxers, as a general breed, respond well to children, and I believe that some small dog breeds would do the same.

I agree that big dogs probably are better because they don't have the same defensive attitude that smaller dogs have. Still I would like a smaller one to keep in the house and we'll probably have to be in an apartment soon, so my parents will keep my boxer, as they have a farm. Just hoping that there would be some small breed which would be acceptable for an apartment with children.

This is what I am trying to say - dogs will defend themselves if they feel threatened. If you are a big dog, and a small child is bothering you, you probably won't feel really threatened. However, if you are a small dog, and a child that is four times your size is messing with you, you'll probably nip to protect yourself.

I recommended that the original poster wait until the child is older to consider getting another animal - so they can teach the child how to properly treat and respect a pet.

The only problem is that labs are a little too big for an apartment, and when I move, I can't even take my boxer wtih me.