| Typically, dogs are valued for their obedience and | | | | To reiterate, a child who grows up without a pet is said |
| usefulness. Many dog breeds have been raised for | | | | to be missing a lot. But to select a good toy dog for |
| sport and for their qualities as hunters, herders and | | | | your child and ensure a good match and healthy |
| workers. Most of us, however, love dogs for the way | | | | relationship between them, you will need to consider |
| they are so friendly, attentive and cuddlesome. Kids, | | | | first whether the child is allergic to fur, and whether the |
| especially, are gifted with pet dogs to be their toy or | | | | dog should be kept indoors or should live outside. If |
| companion dogs. In fact, nowadays having a pet dog is | | | | your dwelling is rented, does the landlord allow pet |
| considered a normal part of childhood in nearly all parts | | | | dogs? Your choice of pet should consider the |
| of the world. | | | | well-being of both your child and the dog by matching |
| There are several breeds of small dogs and puppies | | | | their respective natures or personality traits. |
| that are regarded as good companions for children. | | | | A second thing to look out for is the health of the pet. |
| These are dogs that are kept not for the purpose of | | | | A healthy dog is generally happy and of peaceable |
| doing specific tasks but simply for the pleasure of their | | | | temperament. It has a good appetite and its |
| friendly company. These breeds typically have | | | | movements are full of energy and without pain. It has |
| characteristic traits of being submissive or docile, | | | | clear and bright eyes, a dry nose that is free of |
| attractive and pleasing to the eye, playful, affectionate | | | | discharge, and a coat that is glossy and full. In time, you |
| and loyal. | | | | and your child will be able to tell when the dog is |
| Companion dogs can be large or small, but "toy" dogs | | | | displaying a physical or behavioral abnormality and you |
| are typically small. The practice of breeding and | | | | should take proper action immediately. |
| keeping small pretty dogs as pets can be traced back | | | | Vaccinations are of course a necessity. They should |
| many centuries to the nobility in China who used them | | | | be kept track of because the intended immunity will |
| as court ornaments, as status symbols, and as gifts | | | | greatly diminish with time. Dogs also can carry |
| and tokens of goodwill between fiefdoms. These dogs | | | | hereditary diseases that will not be detected until they |
| were usually the Pekingese and the pug. | | | | have reached the age of 18 months. |
| In more recent centuries, toy dogs became the house | | | | Then there is the matter of house-training and |
| pets and children's companions that they are now. | | | | potty-training the dog, which you will need to take care |
| They are sometimes referred to generically as "lap | | | | of as well. Furthermore, in order to avoid having a |
| dogs" because they are suitably small to be held in a | | | | reticent and unruly pet, you will need to impart some |
| person's arms or to lie on one's lap. (According to | | | | form of obedience training, and it needs to be done in |
| legend, lap dogs also were used as "comforters"-to | | | | such a way that the dog will take your child's |
| give warmth to a person's abdomen and help | | | | commands, not only yours. Obedience training is said to |
| digestion.) | | | | be the foundation for solving almost any behavior |
| Some of the more popular toy dog breeds are the | | | | problem and is recommended when a bond with the |
| following: basset hound, poodle, beagle, boxer, bulldog, | | | | pet has been established. As a general rule, refer |
| Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, Pomeranian, Yorkie, Maltese, | | | | specific training needs to a professional dog trainer. |
| Bichon Frise, pit bull terrier, Tibetan spaniel, fox terrier, | | | | By showing your child that pet care is more than taking |
| miniature schnauzer, and so forth. These dogs are also | | | | long walks together and feeding and grooming the dog, |
| convenient to care for because they don't need | | | | you will help your child gradually develop his or her |
| vigorous exercise and can be taken almost anywhere. | | | | sense of responsibility. When the child learns to ensure |
| Note, though, that there are breeds that are small but | | | | that the physical and emotional needs of his or her pet |
| are not very tolerant of children. These include the | | | | are met, it will contribute to the child's own emotional |
| dachshund, Pekingese, Rottweiler and Chow Chow, | | | | growth and learning about life. |
| which tend to have domineering temperaments. | | | | |