So, any family with children shouldn't own anything under 40 lbs? Do you say the same thing about cats? Cats could get hurt, too. So could another baby, so perhaps people should stick to one child. Come to think of it, my husband and I have stepped on the cat before. Maybe adults shouldn't own small dogs, either.
Yes, accidents can happen, and kids can be wild. But, I was a vet tech for 13 years. I saw lots of families with small dogs, and the vast majority of them somehow live lives without getting broken by the kids in the house.
Curious, have you ever actually spent time around children that were raised in homes where they were taught to behave properly?
You're being a little over dramatic.... Just wee bit...
I have spent lots of time with lots of kids well behaved and otherwise. TYVM. Kids at some point in the day will behave like children, sometimes they might even break something, they might disobey you, even if you say the word careful they might be clumsy. *shock and horror* I guess my warning is to just be realistic about who your kid is and how your dog perceives it. The kid should be allowed to make a mistake without it being the end of the world, breaking your dog's leg because of the minor mistake of stepping on his foot to some, might be a pretty big event. I know for the small dog it certainly would be.
I didn't say under 40 lbs. I said small. I mean small. As in small with fine bone. Papillons, chihuahuas, yorkies, italian greyhounds, etc.
As far as cats until recently I didn't live with them. I haven't really formulated an opinion one way or the other about it. Fendi is a pretty tough big gnarly cat, really she's about double the size of Vinnie in all directions.
I know you're a vet tech. I can tell you how many papillon breeders in the last 3 years I've known where dogs/puppies are returned to them with broken legs that the new owner couldn't afford to fix or long term care after an "incident" but that's not what this is about. It's about setting yourself up for success and IMO getting a dog that matches the job/lifestyle. IMO a papillon isn't it, imo a beagle, a teckel, a cocker, or even a shiba would be a better choice for a smaller size dog with a kid in mind. I just don't think it's a great idea because that small isn't really THAT necessary. There are a ton of slightly larger options that are just as trainable, just as fun, and not as traumatically easily breakable. But hey, do what you want - this one disagreeing voice on the internet isn't going to stop you.