Are small dogs safer pets around children? – Part 2

I don’t think small dogs are necessarily safer pets to have around children. I don’t think that the size of the dog is the issue here. I think if you've a dog regardless of the size of the dog or the breed of the dog you have to be be careful when the dog and the child are together. Certainly young children should never be left alone with a dog regardless of the size of the dog or how friendly you believe the dog to be. Children can be unpredictable as can the dog, a certain movement, cry or an action from the child might be misinterpreted by the dog and the dog could attack. I would never leave a small child and a dog together.

The only time I think a smaller dog is safer around children is that a bigger dog might be more prone to knock a small child off their feet. I've quite a big dog and he is quite strong. When he runs around the house he does get quite and speed and if he knocked into a small child then he would certainly knock them off their feet. On the other hand if you hand a tiny dog its unlikely to knock a child off their feet, more likely they might stand on the dog!

I think people have to be careful not to use stereotypical assumptions that small dogs are safer around children. Or that certain breeds are fine with children. Any dog has the potential to be dangerous. Care should be taken to allow the child to get used to the dog and for the dog to adjust to the child.

Children should learn that even though they can play with the dog they should also respect the dog. They should learn not to pull the dogs ears or tail, also not to steal the dogs toys or to tease the dog. Children and dogs have the potential to be the ideal of friends and have the greatest adventures and fun together if they learn to respect each other and learn what behaviour is acceptable and what is not.