by Barbara Cox

Created on: January 23, 2008

Some people think you should match the size of the dog to the size of the child. Small child-small dog or larger kid-larger dog. However, this may actually be totally wrong. Small dogs are not necessarily safer than large dogs around children. Small children have a difficult time differentiating real dogs from stuffed toys. They have a tendency to forget these furry little things are not toys. It may actually be better to reserve the smaller dogs for older children who can be more restrained around small dogs.

In my experience, its not always the dog's size that matters, its the child's temperament. When my son was young he was very hyperactive. We tried to keep a dog as a pet, but my son would wrestle with the dogs, even though I tried very hard to keep him from doing that. The dog would play rough in response to my son's play level and more than once he got bitten. After three dogs, we finally decided to get a cat. As for considering the size of the dog. I think the larger the dog, the calmer. Smaller dogs are more hyperactive, which in my son's case, only fed my son's hyperactivity. The combination is scary at least.

Breeds such as Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Labs, Border Collies, and Eskimos can be very good around small children. They seem to be a lot more tolerant of tail pulling, loud noises, hyperactivity in children, and can be wonderful play pals for small children.

Breeds such as Jack Russell Terriers, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, and Pekingese can actually feed on a child's hyperactivity and may be a poor choice. They are quicker to react to noises and sudden moves, often biting as their first act.

Its important to teach children how to behave around dogs. They need to respect their pets. And they especially need to be taught to be really careful around strange dogs. If they want to pet a strange dog, they need to always ask the owner first if it is okay to do so. If the owner says no, they need to stand away from the dog. If the owner says yes, always approach slowly, then only touch them on the shoulder or back area.

A dog can be a great friend for your child, but only if they both learn to respect each other. It isn't size that matters. Its matching the child to the pet, and vice versa.

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