In order to be a good family dog, a dog must get along with all the others members of the family unit. In the case of toy poodles we must ask first if they are good family dogs and then if they get along with kids. This article will cover both these topics.
The Family Dog
Toy Poodles, in general, make good pets. They enjoy spending time outdoors but would rather be inside getting attention from their owners. This versatility is helpful when you want a dog that will both play outside when you feel like getting some fresh air and stay inside when you just want some four legged company. On the other hand, the toy poodle is high maintenance. It requires regular grooming. This means that they get partial clippings every few weeks as they adjust to the process and then a full haircut every six to eight weeks, depending on your toy poodle's needs, after that. The cost of all this grooming can add up so you should be aware that this will have to be factored in to the family finances. Still, they are small and precious. There is nothing quite like holding a toy poodle and experiencing the love that something so small can give. There are many breeds that may not require such involved upkeep, but for some owners only a toy poodle will do.
What Will The Kids Think?
Many families would benefit greatly from having a toy poodle. The joy of having a pet is well known. There is, however, and exception in the case of having a toy poodle as a pet. Families with small children would probably be better off with another breed. It is necessary to be very careful with toy poodles because of their small stature, and small children may not always understand or remember this. It can take some of the fun out of having a pet when you cannot play with him or, when you do, constantly being told to play with him very gently. Also, there is always the chance that small children will place your toy poodle up on some raised surface such as a bed. If a toy poodle decides to jump down off the bed then this can result in a broken leg. A broken leg on a toy poodle can be painful for the dog and quite expensive for its owner. It is for these reasons that families with small children may want to steer clear of this particular breed, at least until the children are old enough to handle such a delicate pet.
There are many things that go into making a dog a good family dog. We've learned that toy poodles can make good family dogs as a general rule, but may not be the best choice right now if you have small children in the home. Don't worry. Toy poodles aren't going anywhere.
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