[cos]

Id be worried about blending a small breed dog with a toddler who may be clumsy and crush the dog, or not know how to properly handle a dog. You mentioned you have a cat and JRs can be very prey driven. My boyfriend has two, and once his sister got a bunny and let her outside to hop around in the backyard. The dogs both got out somehow (not sure how as the details are a little fuzzy) and they both charged the bunny, picked it up, and shook/pulled it in all sorts of directions. The bunny lived but was horrified and went into shock as well as obtained some physical injuries.

I'd be careful with JRs and small animals. I personally don't think they're the best candidate for children either. Shih tzus are generally sweet, tolerant, and well rounded dogs ime.

Honestly if you're looking for a mutt puppy I would suggest going to a shelter and asking if you and your daughter can meet the dogs and walk them/play with them first. Most shelters let you and mine has a place to walk them, a fenced run to play, and a room set up like a livingroom you can sit with them to see how they might be in a living environment.

There's tons of wonderful mix breed puppies in shelters