What should I know about Chihuahuas?

Starting again said:

Wow, lots of info, thank you, that is very helpful, your dog sounds like my cat, my cat has this little cough, it's really annoying, and if she is left alone for too long she runs around the house, and then she'll stop in the hallway like she's listening, and if she doesn't hear anything she starts meowing, which sounds like a really sick baby cry

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Hi Starting Again,

You are welcome! There are many positive qualities in the breed too. I think it's important to consider first if we can provide a safe and secure home for the total lifespan of the pet. Almost every dog my parents have owned has needed expensive vet care at one point or another, so that seems to be something all pets require. I try to keep a savings at all times but it's hard if you live on your own.

Some of the negative traits of the dog are really positives if they match up to your lifestyle and personality. Like for example, if you like a small dog that is attached at the hip and needs you a lot, then you've got a great pet in a chihuahua (or many other small dog breeds). I don't have any children and I'm stuck at home with a health problem, so my chihuahua is great for me. She's like my baby that never grows up. I also find her "bad" behaviors kind of endearing.

I believe the other people who replied to this message. If you get the dog young, you can socialize it and train it better. You could probably get a dog with better temperment from a good breeder too, since they should breed with temperment in mind. I heard that when you do pick out a puppy, you can ask to see the parents to see how they behave and if they tolerate, for instance, a stranger being in the room and perhaps even petting them.

Since you are doing such a good job thinking before you buy a dog, you'll be a great owner. There are a ton of great books out there about how to pick out a perfect dog for you, if you want to really think it out and prepare for training your puppy.

but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.​

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Chihuahuas rule We have five lovely ones. They're very friendly and cuddly, and the perfect house dog, I think, because they're so compact lol. They can be very yappy but this can be minimised as you train them. So, yeah, I love them!

Starting again said:

I'm thinking of getting a chihuahua, and I was just wondering if there are a few things I should know about the dogs, also I'd like to hear about some advantages and disadvantages of the little things.
If anyone has had one before, or has worked with them, I would like to know a bit about them.
Also I'd like to know from people that hate them so I get both sides.

- Alot of people have told me they are quite yappy dogs, but I have only heard that from people that haven't liked them.

- Someone onces told me they climb trees, they were kidding me right?!

-Are they easy to discipline?

- Are they playful dogs?

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Just be careful with ur step coz they're very little.
Cihuahua have a bad character when was a kid, he/she sometimes likes to eat all things. :mess:
I prefer Gold Ret as my pet rather than Chihuahua.

We have 2 Chihuahuas and they are great. They are very protective and playful. They like to root under the covers and they do bark a lot. They have the valor of a big dog and don't seem to realize how small they are.

Down sides are they are very fragile and tempermental so they aren't the best choice to have around children. They also aren't very particular about what they eat so you may not want to let them give you kisses if you have a cat that uses a litter box.

I have a chihuahua named Minnie. She always has to be in someones arms or she'll start whining. She is really cute though. She has to be wrapped up too or else she'll shiver. I live in Florida and she even shivers here! The only bad thing is she goes to the bathroom A LOT! It seems like right after you pick up one mess, they've made another! I do love her though.

I have a chihuahua, and he's the best! The only thing that is a big problem is they're really, really hard to housebreak. My baby is 3 years old and he's not housebroken. I'm not sure if that's because he's a male, or what. I've seen some females that do better, don't ask me why. Good luck and get yourself the best chihuahua out there!

My Grandma had chihuahuas. One was mean. The other was fair tempered.

Hi there!


I have a chihuahua named Tiny(how origional, eh?) He is a very good little fella. SO cuddly and minds pretty well. Now he has his days like anything or anyone. He dont like the rain, mainly because he dont like it splashing up on his tummy and hes so close to the ground. Ive not had the aggression issues that others have and he loves other dogs and people. I got treats and have trained him pretty good too, and he was easy to train as they love to please ya.
You will need to get it a sweater for the cold and maybe a little t-shirt for the summer as they get cold even if its hot outside if a breeze comes up. One word of warning.....DO not get them used to sleeping on your chest,,,,when they are babies its so cute and they love it because of the warmth and your heartbeat, but when they are 5-6 lbs it is not so cute. I cannot seem to break him of this and Im runnning out of chest room. LOL.

Ange

Chihuahuas can never be left alone outside. They get cold too easily and need to lay next to your body to maintain their body heat. Also, because of their size, they are at risk to be attacked by another dog or a predator, or even to be snatched by someone since they are so incredibly cute. I wouldn't get a chihuahua unless there was always someone home, or at least people aren't gone very long. I think a chihuahua is a bad dog to have when their are small kids in the house too, due to the snappishness, and also I have heard of kids hurting small dogs accidently. A toddler tried to sit on a chihuahua to play horsey, and ended up breaking both the dogs front legs! A chihuahua is definitely a special needs dog in my opinion.

Starting again said:

[font=&quot]You guys have all been so helpful - I still haven't been able to get one, mostly because we can't get the yard fenced yet, I feel like I'm never going to get one - I'm 18 and I don't want to wait too long to get one, because I don't really want to have one when I'm ready to settle down and start having children.
Ah well… We will see.
Thanks again all
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Aww, I'm sure God will give you a chihuahua when the right time comes. I wanted a dog ever since I was a kid, but I didn't get one until recently, and he's such a blessing. Just trust God's timing! I just want to let you know, after I got the dog I kind of feel like there's less time to do other things, like go shopping, so yeah... I've read the other posts where it says it's very important to socialize your chihuahua, and that's so true because mine doesn't like strangers at all, and he barks so much at them...I guess he doesn't mind other dogs as much. I heard the best time to socialize them is 9 weeks.

You don't need a yard fence for a chihhuahua, just take it on a short walk everyday. It would probably excape anyway.

I know you already have enough information, but my my sister has a Chi (names Chico) and I really do think that he is the strangest dog in the world. His face is so expressive. All you need to do is look at him and you can instantly tell whether he's bored, sad, mad, happy, or scared. I s'pose they are pretty sweet with their owners. Me and him don't along well, but the moment my sister leaves the house you can tell right away how stressful he is. And when his owner comes back, he is the happiest little dog. I think its their loyaltie that makes them worth your while.

Chi's learn fast, but they're disobeidiant. They wont do what you want them to do unless theres something in it for them. For instance, a chi might obey your "sit" command for you if you offer him a treat or hes waiting to go outside for a walk. They're also very vengeful. One time Chico really wanted to go for a ride in the car, but my sister wouldn't take him, so he went and pee'd right in the middle of her bed, when he's usually very secretive about his peeing.

Chi's are very, very playful. Chico can go for hours playing tag around the house and fetching a toy. They also have a lot of energy. And if you let your chi out of the house without a leash, be prepared for a few hours of running. He will never come to you, and the only way to catch him is to outsmart him.

I think most Chihhuahua's are very reserved toward strangers, and most even bite, but Chico is very good with people. He barks a lot and is afraid of most men, but he settles well with everyone, and has never bitten. He's very respectful of strangers and well mannered to strangers, and he loves kids because he knows they like to play.

So if you want a very sweet and loyal, but disobediant dog, than a Chi is right for you!

Seonta said:

One time Chico really wanted to go for a ride in the car, but my sister wouldn't take him, so he went and pee'd right in the middle of her bed, when he's usually very secretive about his peeing.

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haha! That is so true! It's funny hearing someone else tell a story about a chihuahua that did that. My chihuahua is well known for retaliating with her poo. One time she was mad at me and so she pooped on my pillow! My husband said that before he met me, she did the same thing to him once. I have never heard of a dog doing that except in the case of this breed. One time, I pulled a prank on my husband because I had been given one of those plastic dog poops ( a really small one that looked like her poop). I put it on his pillow. But I forgot about it, and so when he got home and saw it, he started scolding the dog. I felt really bad for getting her in trouble. haha

i have never owned a chihuahua before, but the fact little dogs actually bite, also if you do decide to own a chihuahua, you will have to dig proof your fence. they are so small, they can easily excape

They are small, playful dogs that are protective of there owners and have a high-pitched barks.

Sounds like you want a "tea-cup" Chi. Ours are larger. One is about 6 lbs and the other is 8 lbs. The larger one is not a pure breed, though she looks it. Her father was only like 1/4 Chi and was very muscular so she isn't as dainty as her mother, who is AKC Chi.

Starting again said:

The other day I went to a dog show in hopes of finding a Chihuahua breeder, I did, and I got to hold some puppy Chihuahuas and an adult, they were all very nice and most of them friendly and so cute! But unfortunately not what I was looking for:o, they were too big, after holding one for 5 mins I felt like my arm was going to drop off, and an adult would never fit in a carry bag!

I’m looking for the really tiny ones with short hair those really big eyes and ears; I have only seen them on TV and magazines, and I’m getting the feeling that I might have to go to Australia to get one.[font=&quot]
[/font]I was pretty sure, and still are pretty sure that they are Chihuahuas maybe just a different breed? If anyone has any idea what I’m talking about PLEASE let me know where I can get more information about them – and if they are not Chihuahuas, please can you let me know what it is I’m thinking of

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How big were these Chihuahuas? You can find Chihuahuas that weigh just two pounds. You may want to call around to breeders and see about the adults weights.

Also, you really don't NEED a fenced yard for a Chihuahua. You can take it for a walk and it'll be fine with that excerise.

You can litter box train them, too. http://www.kturby.com/litter/litter.htm ... Italian Greyhounds there but you can still read about it if you're interested.

According to the AKC, the breed standard limits a chihuahua to weigh 6 pounds. Those dogs you were holding were probably 5 or 6 pounds, unless the breed standard allows heavier chi's. This is not a big dog by any means!

You should know that if you use the phrase "teacup" with any reputable breeder, you might get your ears ripped off. Conscientous breeders who love the breed chihuahua are very offended by the term because it is not official, and no living animal should be described to fit inside of a ridiculously small object. Because of all the pressure from unprofessional backyard breeders advertising "Tiny! Teacup Chihuahuas!" and all the people who want to buy a smaller and smaller dog, this is a bad trend for the chihuahua. Because crummy back yard breeders are trying to breed a smaller and smaller chihuhua. It is just not healthy for a chihuahua to weigh 1 or 2 pounds. If you want an animal that small, get a pet rat. I have pet rats and they do weigh between 1 and 2 pounds. I hope that puts it in to perspective!

I have heard that because of the pressure to breed smaller dogs, 2 abuses are happening. First of all, the small chihuahuas tend to have tragic internal defects. Who wants to have a sick dog with thousand dollar vet bills that doesn't live as long as it should. (A healthy chihuahua will outlive a cat! You want your dog to live that long! 18-23 years+)

Second of all, I have heard that some of the really disreputable breeders, in order to get the business, are actually starving pups to make them appear to be tiny! This has been known to happen. Maybe where you live, you don't have the worst breeders like we do in Southern California, but we have areas where people are not affluent and the thinking about animals is very backwards.

Find out what the breed standard is for your area's dog club. Also, ask to see the parents of the pup so you can get an idea for size, appearance and temperment. You might just ask what the average size of the pups will be. It's not all about weight but height too. On the other hand, why fake out the breeder? If you care about weight, ask about that. The breeders care about their dogs and want them placed with people who love them even if they get big.