Are Poodles Good With Children?

When a family with children begins thinking about getting a pet, the first thing the family must consider is what breeds of dogs are typically good with children. If you are considering bringing a purebred poodle home, you should first ask yourself if your children are old enough to learn how to properly treat a family pet and if you are ready to handle the learning curve of both your children and your new dog. In general, poodles are good with children, but their general traits should be considered before making a final decision.

  1. General Behavior

    • Poodles in general are well-rounded dogs. They enjoy their people and like to be included in family activities. These dogs tend to have an acute sense of what is going on and will not hesitate to bark to alert their families of the possibility of danger, making them good watchdogs. They are surprisingly powerfully built, especially the regal standard poodle, and they are fearlessly faithful to their families. Poodles are extremely intelligent, learning and showing off tricks with ease, and always ready to play. Their intelligence also makes for easy behavioral training and housebreaking.

    Toy Poodles

    • Toy poodles deviate slightly from the general behavior of most poodles. Poodles tend to become agitated with a disruption in their routine and can be extremely sensitive to the goings on of a household. Toy poodles exemplify this, becoming hyper-sensitive if not properly handled and cared for. Toy poodles especially do not like loud noises and the rough-housing of young children. Therefore, toy poodles are not recommended for children.

    Downside of Poodles

    • Poodles of all types generally demand a lot of attention from their families. They want to be included in all family activities and may become upset if left out. Because poodles are powerhouses of energy and athletics, they need a lot of exercise and attention. If they are not sufficiently exercised and included, they may develop negative behaviors. Poodles may also be high-strung, especially if they are not properly socialized as puppies. This can be detrimental to a family with young children, as high-strung poodles are more demanding, may become overly sensitive to new sounds and people and may incessantly bark at disturbances. Neglected or ignored poodles have also been known to "nip" at their families as part of their developed bad behaviors.

    Poodles with Children

    • Poodles, with the exception of many toy poodles, are generally good dogs with children. It is recommended that any family interested in bringing a dog into the home have children who are at minimum 4 to 6 years old, the age when most children can understand how to properly interact and treat their new member of the family. Poodles have lots of energy and will love to play with your children, and their sensitivity gives them the added bonus of sensing how rough or gentle they need to be with the children. Poodles' ability to bond closely with their family also make them great watchdogs. Physically, poodles may also be a good fit for a family with children because they are one of the lightest shedding breeds and most hypo-allergenic of coated dog breeds.