Although the size of a dog has little correlation with the relationship between dogs that are good and not good with children (well, to be precise, usually larger dogs are better with children than smaller dogs), the size that the puppy will grow to does play an important role when choosing the perfect dog for your family.

Here is our Top Dogs List for Small Dog Breeds.  Please note that the red "NR" denotes Not Recommended for Small Children and the "*" denotes the sources of information on this particular breed are not in agreement. 

Small Breed Rank	Breed	Family Info	Dominance / Obedience / Affection	Temperament with with Dogs/Pets/Strangers	Care Notes	Biting & Barking Notes
01	Beagle (Overall Rank: 004 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Good for apartment living. A small yard is sufficient. Must always be on leash or in a fenced yard.	Dominance: Very Low Obedience: Low Affection: Very High	Dogs: Awesome Pets: Awesome Strangers: Awesome	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Good Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Great Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 10 out of 10
02	Bichon Frise (Overall Rank: 005 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Does all right without a yard.	Dominance: Very Low Obedience: Fair Affection: Very High	Dogs: Great Pets: Great Strangers: Awesome	Exercise Required: Low Jogging Companion: Fair Grooming: Very High	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Great Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
03	Boston Terrier (Overall Rank: 015 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Good for apartment living. Does all right without a yard.	Dominance: Very Low Obedience: Average Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Good Pets: Great Strangers: Good	Exercise Required: Very Low Jogging Companion: Fair Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Excellent Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 8 out of 10
04	Pug (Overall Rank: 021 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Good for apartment living. Does all right without a yard.	Dominance: Very Low Obedience: Fair Affection: High	Dogs: Good Pets: Good Strangers: Not Good	Exercise Required: Low Jogging Companion: Poor Grooming: Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Excellent Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 7 out of 10
05*	Miniature Poodle (Overall Rank: 020 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Excellent With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Good for apartment living. Does all right without a yard.	Dominance: Low Obedience: Awesome Affection: High	Dogs: Great Pets: Good Strangers: Great	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Fair Grooming: Very High	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Excellent Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 9 out of 10
06	Border Terrier (Overall Rank: 032 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Good With Kids Rating 2: Excellent Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. A small yard is sufficient.	Dominance: Low Obedience: Good Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Good Pets: Not Good Strangers: Good	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Good Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Great Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
07*	Smooth Fox Terrier (Overall Rank: 062 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Good Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Best with at least an average sized yard.	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Average Affection: High	Dogs: Good Pets: Not Good Strangers: Great	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Fair Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Excellent Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 8 out of 10
08	Jack (Parson) Russell Terrier (Overall Rank: 075 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Good With Kids Rating 2: Good Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Best with at least an average-size yard.	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Good Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Not Good Pets: Terrible Strangers: Good	Exercise Required: High Jogging Companion: Good Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Fair Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
09	Finnish Spitz (Overall Rank: 081 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Good With Kids Rating 2: Good Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Does all right without a yard.	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Average Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Good Pets: Good Strangers: Terrible	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Fair Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
NR	Shetland Sheepdog (Overall Rank: 046 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Does all right without a yard.	Dominance: Very Low Obedience: Awesome Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Great Pets: Great Strangers: Terrible	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Good Grooming: High	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Excellent Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 8 out of 10
NR	Chinese Crested (Overall Rank: 046 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Good for apartment living. Does all right without a yard.	Dominance: Very Low Obedience: Fair Affection: High	Dogs: Good Pets: Awesome Strangers: Awesome	Exercise Required: Very Low Jogging Companion: Poor Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Great Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 2 out of 10
NR	Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Overall Rank: 059 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Good for apartment living. A small yard is sufficient.	Dominance: Very Low Obedience: Average Affection: Very High	Dogs: Terrible Pets: Great Strangers: Awesome	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Fair Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Good Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 2 out of 10
NR	Pembroke Welsh Corgi (Overall Rank: 066 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Does all right without a yard.	Dominance: Low Obedience: Great Affection: High	Dogs: Good Pets: Great Strangers: Great	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Good Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Poor Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
NR	Miniature Schnauzer (Overall Rank: 075 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home:	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Great Affection: High	Dogs: Good Pets: Good Strangers: Good	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Good Grooming: Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Excellent Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 10 out of 10
NR	West Highland White Terrier (Overall Rank: 081 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Will be okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Best with at least an average sized yard.	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Average Affection: Very High	Dogs: Good Pets: Good Strangers: Great	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Poor Grooming: High	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Great Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 10 out of 10
NR	Sealyham Terrier (Overall Rank: 087 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Good for apartment living. Does all right without a yard.	Dominance: Low Obedience: Fair Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Good Pets: Good Strangers: Good	Exercise Required: Low Jogging Companion: Good Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Great Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 8 out of 10
NR	Lhasa Apso (Overall Rank: 090 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Good for apartment living. Does all right without a yard.	Dominance: Low Obedience: Fair Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Good Pets: Good Strangers: Terrible	Exercise Required: Very Low Jogging Companion: Fair Grooming: High	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Excellent Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 8 out of 10
NR	Cardigan Welsh Corgi (Overall Rank: 090 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Does all right without a yard.	Dominance: Low Obedience: Great Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Terrible Pets: Great Strangers: Good	Exercise Required: Low Jogging Companion: Good Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Poor Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
NR	Tibetan Terrier (Overall Rank: 095 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. A small yard is sufficient.	Dominance: Moderate High Obedience: Fair Affection: High	Dogs: Good Pets: Good Strangers: Not Good	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Good Grooming: High	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Great Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 8 out of 10
NR	Wire Fox Terrier (Overall Rank: 096 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. A small yard is sufficient.	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Average Affection: High	Dogs: Terrible Pets: Not Good Strangers: Great	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Fair Grooming: High	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Excellent Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 8 out of 10
NR	Dandie Dinmont Terrier (Overall Rank: 096 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Good for apartment living. A small yard is sufficient.	Dominance: Low Obedience: Low Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Good Pets: Good Strangers: Terrible	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Fair Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Great Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 8 out of 10
NR	Skye Terrier (Overall Rank: 106 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Good for apartment living. Does all right without a yard.	Dominance: Very Low Obedience: Fair Affection: High	Dogs: Terrible Pets: Terrible Strangers: Terrible	Exercise Required: Low Jogging Companion: Fair Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Excellent Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 8 out of 10
NR	French Bulldog (Overall Rank: 109 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Good for apartment living. Does all right without a yard.	Dominance: Low Obedience: Fair Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Good Pets: Great Strangers: Terrible	Exercise Required: Very Low Jogging Companion: Poor Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Fair Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
NR	Scottish Terrier (Overall Rank: 109 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. OK without a yard.	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Fair Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Good Pets: Good Strangers: Good	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Fair Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Great Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 7 out of 10
NR	Dachshund (Overall Rank: 113 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Good for apartment living. Does all right without a yard.	Dominance: Moderate High Obedience: Average Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Good Pets: Not Good Strangers: Terrible	Exercise Required: Low Jogging Companion: Poor Grooming: Moderate	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Great Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 7 out of 10
NR	Lakeland Terrier (Overall Rank: 117 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Good for apartment living. Does all right without a yard.	Dominance: Low Obedience: Fair Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Terrible Pets: Terrible Strangers: Terrible	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: High	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Excellent Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
NR	Schipperke (Overall Rank: 117 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Good for apartment living. OK without a yard.	Dominance: Moderate High Obedience: Great Affection: Low	Dogs: Good Pets: Good Strangers: Terrible	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Good Grooming: Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Poor Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
NR	Basenji (Overall Rank: 131 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. A small yard is sufficient	Dominance: Moderate High Obedience: Low Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Terrible Pets: Terrible Strangers: Good	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: Very Low	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Terrible Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 2 out of 10
NR	Irish Terrier (Overall Rank: 133 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. A small yard is sufficient.	Dominance: Extremely High Obedience: Average Affection: Low	Dogs: Terrible Pets: Terrible Strangers: Not Good	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Good Grooming: High	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Poor Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 5 out of 10
NR	Welsh Terrier (Overall Rank: 133 out of 136)	With Kids Rating 1: Recommended for Older Children With Kids Rating 2: Recommended for Older Children Home: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. A small yard is sufficient.	Dominance: Moderate High Obedience: Average Affection: Moderate	Dogs: Good Pets: Terrible Strangers: Terrible	Exercise Required: Moderate Jogging Companion: Excellent Grooming: High	Dog Bite Free: Excellent Bark Over Bite: Excellent Likelihood to Bark for No Reason: 8 out of 10