The Best Lap Dogs for Families

Many families like to add dogs to their homes to give their children a playmate and enrich their lives. Due to their manageable size, lap dogs, or dogs small enough to sit in a person̵7;s lap, are a popular choice for families. When choosing the breed of lap dog to join the family, it is important to consider the dog's temperament and other characteristics.

  1. Pugs

    • Pugs are excitable, smaller dogs that are usually about 15 pounds when fully grown. Known for their playfulness and loving personalities, pugs are a great family solution. Pugs also have a distinctive look, and they almost appear to have a little black mask on their face. They have an easygoing attitude and get along well with children.

    Poodles

    • Poodles are a great choice for a family dog. Poodles enjoy playtime with all ages of people, and they are intelligent enough to adapt their style of play to the person they are playing with. Poodles do require a good amount of attention or they can sometimes get bored and cause trouble. Due to this, poodles would be better pets for families who are going to be at home much of the time.

    Papillons

    • Very intelligent and easy to train, papillons are a good option as a family dog. Papillons are very athletic and playful, and they usually don̵7;t grow beyond eight or nine pounds. Papillons have a beautiful coat and a unique facial structure. It is best to socialize papillons well at an early age, as well as ensure they are not spoiled, so they know who is boss.

    Shih tzus

    • Shih tzus are very loyal dogs that love and stand by their families. Very small and blessed with a cute and unusual look, shih tzus almost never show any aggressive behavior and are even kind to strangers. Due to their peaceful temperament and small size, shih tzus are never in danger of overpowering even small children. The only real drawback to shih tzus is that they can be tough to potty train, which can mean plenty of accidents until they fully learn and develop.

    Dachshunds

    • Another small and unique dog is the miniature dachshund--a kind and gentle dog with short legs. Dachshunds enjoying a playful lifestyle and grow to become very attached to their families. It is important to be careful with dachshunds, though, as they do not enjoy rough playing. Dachshunds also require frequent attention, so they are best for families who are home often.