by Jennifer Arthur

Created on: May 31, 2009   Last Updated: June 13, 2009

Small dogs are very misunderstood, there are many people that will purchase a small dog for this very reason. As they will be mislead and they will also be thinking that a small dog will be a better purchase for children.

I have to make it very clear that it is not so black and white. "Small" does not mean safe, it does not mean a good loyal friend for children.

As a child l was always around a family dog . Never a pedigree. We always had a local free pup or a heinz from the pound. We never had a dog which was snappy, never had any of these dogs turn on anyone in the family (adult or child). While l was growing up we never had a small dog, mostly they were medium in size.

After my own dog bit my son's face. I must explain here that it was an accident, my son was being hurtful to my old dog . This dog was very old. I turned my back for a matter of minutes, child hurt dog, dog bit child.

It was something l would hope no one had to experience, heart breaking . The child screaming. The blood everywhere, The look in the eyes of my dog. I could see that she new it was all going to be bad.

My son was scared inside and out. We had to work with him very hard so he could gain trust back in dogs. I studied all breeds of dogs for a very long time. These breeds were small, medium, and large.

The breed of dog l selected to join our family was a medium size dog and l have each day has been good for the last 24 years. My son has grown and does not recall a thing concerning the dog bite. He does also have the same love as myself for dogs.

We now share a mutual interest, for training and breeding dogs. We all have to be responsible for breeding the best natural family dog we can no matter the size. A small dog can do a lot of damage to a child as well as a medium or large dog.

When ever you are looking a pet joining your family , always look at pros and cons . Please no matter what never leave a child unattended with any dog . No matter how much you think you can trust this animal . You must never tempt it .

You do not have to pay a lot of money getting someone to advise what is best suited to you and your family. If you do not have that sort of money to spend, visit your local library, visit the net, "Google" the information you require. Sit down with it all take your time and never rush a selection .

Try and make an educated decision. We can never always make the correct decision. We can only do our best.

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