Do you have a small human who just can not stop asking for a furry four-legged friend even though he becomes a puffy and sneezy mess of allergies when he is around a dog? Hang on a minute! Not all dogs are hypoallergenic, and not all hypoallergenic dogs love kids. Let me help you start your search, here is a starter list for small dogs for kids with allergies.
Related: 5 Best All-Around Small Hypoallergenic Dogs for Families
Best Small Dogs for Kids with Allergies
Bichon Frise: He is ranked #43 for most popular dog breed with the American Kennel Club (AKC). A little white bundle of energy, he will enjoy playing with the kids for hours. Because of his look, he is often mistaken for a Poodle (who is also on this list!) He will still want a daily walk. Some dogs actually do have hair, not fur, and he is one of them. It will get get tangled up like a little girl’s hair, so daily brushing is required. He generally gets along with people, but he will alert you when someone is coming.
Havanese: He is just one of the cutest small dogs for kids with allergies! You may have heard of him referred to as the ‘velcro dog’ because he sticks to your side. There is also a downside to this personality trait and that is anxiety, and how it increases when you leave. He is at his best when he is with his family. He does not do well when left outside alone. A wonderful companion dog! Great for kids, he has a lot of energy in his tiny little body, but he will also be just as happy curled up in your lap at the end of a long playful day. A bonus to this little guy is he is a great competition dog if you want to get into that!
Fox Terrier: He has a wiry coat, and a long broad snout. He is really cute in his own way! He was originally bred for hunting, and while some still utilize his abilities, he is more of a companion dog these days. He loves kids, but can be a little scrappy with other dogs. You can address this early by socialization him with other dogs. He isn’t afraid to pick a fight with a bigger dog! The Fox Terrier is very loyal to his family, looking out for danger. He loves to learn, so make training fun, and involve the kiddos! He needs firm, but not harsh, training. If you are into agility, he is a great dog for that as well, and you will help to keep his mental energy satisfied!
Poodle: The Poodle shows up on so many of my dog lists, he really is an all around good dog! Especially if you have kids. He gets an ‘A’ in trainability! Don’t mistake his (or her) look for living the life of luxury, he was bred for working and is very smart! (Hence his ‘A’ in training!) The Poodle is a loyal family dog who loves to play. Keep him and the kids busy in the yard for hour and tire everyone out! You can feel safe as well, he is protective of his family, so if someone he doesn’t know approaches, he will give a warning bark, but he is not aggressive.
Small dogs are the best! I have one (she isn’t hypoallergenic or I would have gone on and on about her). Just because your mini me has an allergy to K9s doesn’t mean he has to miss out on the greatness that is growing up with a dog. I wasn’t as fortunate, so I am doing that for my kids and let me tell you, that little Lola lets my 6 year old do whatever she wants to her! The bond is priceless.
What sort of small dogs for kids with allergies did you have in mind for your family? Post your favorite kid-loving hypoallergenic dogs below!
