by Sean Reeise

Created on: June 12, 2009   Last Updated: February 24, 2010

Many people have asked this question, and the answer is always going to be no. And unfortunately no dog is safe around children. If you get a small dog, then the child might be to rough with the dog and harm it. If you get a bigger dog, then the dog could harm your child.

Lets take a look at the pug, because the dog is small. Pugs are known for having health issues like luxating patella, which is common in small dogs. Luxating patella is a dislocation of a bone in the dogs knee. When your child is too rough, it could cause it to become dislocated and therefore unsafe, and you would have to pay for surgery for the pug.

So you have a lab mix, and you also happen to have a small child. Lab mixes can be very energetic, and very harmful to a child. As a child, your bones are not fully grown, your small, and your bones could easily chip or brake. Somehow the lab mix got in, or was already in the house with its humongous energy level. Your lab mix jumps on your small child, and you child now has a fractured arm. Then you have to pay for the broken arm, and the issue of what to do with your dog.

Ok, but what if you find a dog that is mid size, is very calm, and non energetic. Then yes it could work, but you child will have to be disciplined on the correct way to pet and play with the dog.

Other small dog health issues are: Eclampsia (in dogs), oral disease, cancer(any dogs), brachiocephalic, collapsed trachea

Health issues with any dog: hip dysplasia, canine arthritis, heart worms, canine osteoarthritis

If you are unsure what to do about small children and dogs then talk to a vet, get advice from an adoption agency, or get some kind of professional help. You do not want to take any chances, and realize you made a bad decision. Remember to feed dogs healthy food and make sure they get exercise. Ask you local vet about dogs, to get more insight and info, so you are prepared.

Just like humans, dogs also get sick from viruses, fungus, or bacteria. These are just a few of common health problems in dogs. When looking for a dog with a small child in the picture, make sure the dog is right and remember to discipline your children correctly. Remember it is you responsibility to make sure your dog is checked by vets, to make sure your dog is healthy. Choose carefully, but openly, and have fun.

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