Whenever families make the noble choice of welcoming a pet into their home, more often than not, their initial concern is "will this dog get along well with the kids?" Well based on the common nature of dogs, larger breeds tend to be more tolerant of children rather than smaller breeds. But of course there are always exceptions to the rule.

In the past, Miniature Schnauzers were originally bred as watchdogs and ratters. They would easily rid yards of rodents; at times they were even brought on hunting trips. But being that dogs of this breed are so incredibly intelligent, they slowly made their way into the homes of many as respectable pet companions.

Due to their energy and enthusiasm, Miniature Schnauzers have great potential for being good playmates to children. However, on the other hand, they have big personalities and can be quite stubborn as well just like most dogs of toy breeds are.

In such cases, your best bet to help your kids and Schnauzer develop a good relationship is to make sure that both respect each other's boundaries. Socialize your Miniature Schnauzer; it's always better to start young. Get it used to new sights, sounds, places, other dogs, and people. As for the kids, make sure to let them know that dogs have feelings and tempers too.

Always make sure that smaller kids remain supervised in the presence of your Schnauzer. Once dogs get used to the presence of their little companions, things can be a breeze. The problem is, sometimes children don't understand enough about their pet companions to be able to respect their boundaries. Your Miniature may get a bit confused if children in the house playfully hit it with their toys. Dogs don't like it either when others try to take away their chew toys while they're using it.

Once you go by these rules, you can expect your kids and Miniature Schnauzer to develop a distinct bond. Once Schnauzers get comfortable enough in their environment, they can be extremely affectionate. So to answer that burning question at the beginning of this article, yes, Miniature Schnauzers can be good with respectful and considerate children.

Whenever welcoming a pet into the family, dog breeds shouldn't play that big a part in your selection. What's more important is taking the time to make sure that the adjustment process goes by smoothly. As always, socialization is key.