Families
Small family dogs that are good with children
A smaller dog fits more easily into a family car, a busy hallway and a tighter budget. These small breeds score well for life with children in our data. Small comes with its own care, though: little bodies need gentle handling from little hands.
- Every breed here is small and scores at least 4 out of 5 for being good with children.
- We sorted by how good they are with children first, then by size.
Small breeds that suit family life
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
A small, soft-natured companion that wants to be wherever you are. Calm company rather than a project.
- Good with children
- Very high
- Size
- Very low
- Energy
- Low
- Barking
- Low
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,200–€2,000
Cavapoo
Small, affectionate and easy to carry into everyday life. Most Cavapoos want far more human company than solitude.
- Good with children
- Very high
- Size
- Very low
- Energy
- Moderate
- Barking
- Moderate
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,300–€2,300
Havanese
Sociable, funny and adaptable, provided company is part of the deal. The long coat is a choice between daily work and regular clipping.
- Good with children
- Very high
- Size
- Very low
- Energy
- Moderate
- Barking
- Moderate
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,200–€2,100
Pug
Comic, affectionate and shadow-close. A Pug asks for company far more than exercise.
- Good with children
- Very high
- Size
- Very low
- Energy
- Low
- Barking
- Low
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,200–€2,100
Beagle
A nose on four legs. Cheerful, sociable and almost impossible to talk out of a good smell.
- Good with children
- Very high
- Size
- Low
- Energy
- High
- Barking
- Very high
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,100–€1,800
Shetland Sheepdog
Sensitive, clever and tuned into every household movement. A Sheltie learns beautifully and reports every sound.
- Good with children
- Very high
- Size
- Low
- Energy
- High
- Barking
- Very high
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,300–€2,200
Bichon Frise
A small white cloud with a cheerful streak. Sociable, bright and happiest with people around.
- Good with children
- High
- Size
- Very low
- Energy
- Moderate
- Barking
- Moderate
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,200–€2,000
Maltipoo
A tiny, sociable companion that likes learning and being included. Fragility, barking and coat care are the practical realities.
- Good with children
- High
- Size
- Very low
- Energy
- Moderate
- Barking
- High
- Typical yearly cost
- €1,200–€2,100
Small dog, real commitment
Small doesn't mean less time. The Cavapoo, Maltipoo, Bichon Frise and Havanese are companion breeds that want to be with their people and need regular grooming; the Beagle and Shetland Sheepdog are small but busy and can be vocal. Teach children to sit down to hold a small dog, never to carry it around.
They're among the gentler options on cost: roughly €1,100–2,300 a year in our data, with professional grooming for the fluffy coats making up a good part of that.
Please don't choose from this list if…
- Your children are very young and a small dog would be picked up and carried a lot.
- You want a quiet dog — several small breeds bark readily.
- Regular grooming or groomer visits aren't realistic for your family.
Questions people ask us
What is the best small dog for a family with children?
In our data the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cavapoo and Havanese have the top score with children among small breeds. The Beagle is a sturdier, more active choice.
Are small dogs good with toddlers?
They can be, but toddlers can hurt small dogs without meaning to, and a hurt dog may snap. Sturdier small breeds and close supervision make it much safer.
Which small family dogs don't shed much?
The Bichon Frise, Havanese and Maltipoo shed little in our data, but they need regular brushing and professional trims instead.
Your week is the other half of the match
A list can only get you so far. The Find My Dog quiz sets your home, your hours and your limits against every breed, and shows you the reasoning behind each score so you can judge it for yourself. It takes two minutes and it's free.
For when your dog comes home
DoggMatch+ helps with the practical side of the first year: training week by week, food portions worked out from your dog's weight, a care calendar and a printable Dog Pack. It's entirely optional, and everything on this page stays free.
See what DoggMatch+ includes