chihuahua dogs

brokenarms

I'm thinking of getting a wee dog .

Have a small home with a closed back garden . So was thinking one these small dogs would be perfect for that type of doggy.
My 9 year old is old enough now now to over do it with play.



Has any of you got one? What should I be checking for? Do they destroy the place?

mel.b

My mum has a chihuahua. I don't like little dogs (and if i was considering a little dog they wouldn't be my first choice) but she is cute enough - she has longer hair. Beware they bark (and bark and bark) when anyone comes near the house, so good as watch dog, but not so much if you can't stand the barking. Molly never destroyed the house and she loves to play with the cat. Some can be a bit flighty and snappy so make sure you get one that has been well socialised with kids and continue to do so. Also my mum's is quite a fussy eater, but don't know if that is a feature or just her dog!

brokenarms

mel.b wrote: »

My mum has a chihuahua. I don't like little dogs (and if i was considering a little dog they wouldn't be my first choice) but she is cute enough - she has longer hair. Beware they bark (and bark and bark) when anyone comes near the house, so good as watch dog, but not so much if you can't stand the barking. Molly never destroyed the house and she loves to play with the cat. Some can be a bit flighty and snappy so make sure you get one that has been well socialised with kids and continue to do so. Also my mum's is quite a fussy eater, but don't know if that is a feature or just her dog!

Thanks for your reply.

Can the snappyness and barking be trained out of them?
I was brought up with labs in the house but have no clue how to train a dog..

I seen loads of them on gumtree and donedeal for 200euro.
I have loads of questions about vet care and costs as well.

I am pie

Please don't buy one from gumtree or donedeal. Have a bit of look on the web about puppy farms. It's an unpleasant business and there are better ways of getting hold of one.

andreac

brokenarms wrote: »

Thanks for your reply.

Can the snappyness and barking be trained out of them?
I was brought up with labs in the house but have no clue how to train a dog..

I seen loads of them on gumtree and donedeal for 200euro.
I have loads of questions about vet care and costs as well.

Stay away from gumtree and donedeal!! Its the last place you should buy a dog, esp a pedigree one. If they are 200 then there is either something wrong or the breeder is very much a back yard breeder.

mel.b

With regards to temperment i would really be looking at the dogs parents and the home it is raised in before you get it. Therefore as I am pie mentioned, don't get one theugh donedeal and the likes. Spend the extra and get a puppy with a good temperment. This is what the wikipedia page says...

The temperament of its owner can make a difference in the temperament of the pup. Tempered Chihuahuas can be easily provoked to attack, and are therefore generally unsuitable for homes with small children.[15] The breed tends to be fiercely loyal to one particular owner and in some cases may become over protective of the person, especially around other people or animals. If properly managed by older children, 13 and up, they can adapt to this kind of living with a dedicated owner. They do not always get along with other breeds,[15] and tend to have a "clannish" nature, often preferring the companionship of other Chihuahuas or Chihuahua mixes over other dogs.[16] These traits generally make them unsuitable for households with children that are not patient and calm.[12] Chihuahuas love their dens and will often burrow themselves in pillows, clothes hampers, and blankets. They are often found under the covers or at the bottom of the bed, deep in the dark and safety of what they believe is their den.

I don't know if the barking can be reduced - i've always thought of them as a territorial dog, but it doesn't say that on the wiki page. At my parents house, someone only has to walk past o. The footpath (which is a good 10-15m from the front of the house) and she will run to lounge room and bark until she can't see them anymore. If any people come to the house again she barks and barks...drives me crazy but then i don't like barking dogs.

borderlinemeath

Don't assume because you have a small garden you have to get a small dog, you can have any sized dog with a small back garden, they still need to be walked every day and if you aren't in the garden interacting with the dog it can be postage stamp sized or acre sized, the dog will still want to be where you are!

I've never owned a chihuahua but having met a few they seem like feisty little dogs! They don't tolerate cold easily, very light fur and not much body fat so when you see these little dogs dressed in coats, it's essential,(well, for 3 seasons of the year in Ireland:D) rather than just fashionable. They have a few health issues, so health tested parents are a must. Pups can cost a fair bit as a lot of births are C-section rather than straightforward, due to the large head size of the dog being unable to fit through the birth canal. Litters can be relatively small as well, pushing costs up further.

Smaller dogs tend to have dental issues because of all those small teeth in a compact space, and chihuahuas can be prone to needing a good bit of dental treatment, cleaning, polishing, and in later life, extractions). All expensive as GAs are required so insurance would be a cost efficient way to offset the costs)

Added: Buying a pup from the likes of Gumtree or DD, in particular, ones that are advertised at €200 is just fuelling the puppy farm/back yard breeding industry in this country. I couldn't with a clear conscience buy a pup like that. And you will be tricked and conned into thinking that what you are buying is the real deal, when you will more than likely be setting yourself up for a lifetime of expensive vets fees and heartache. Don't believe a word they tell you, don't believe that the pup you see is from the adult dog they might have, don't even believe the 'paperwork' they might produce. At €200 it's dodgy as hell. You may as well buy from 'the back of a lorry'

brokenarms

Thanks for the info.
Where would be a reputable place to be looking?

. To be honest I like the way they look and thats all im going on here. I really fancy a toy sized dog as they seem easier to control, clean and can go thundering around my house without knocking everything over.

Would the breed be similar to yorkshire terriers ? A neighbour had one of those and I have an idea what they are like and care needed. His one is quite good and only barks when provoked to do so.

lauren14

Please consider rescuing a dog. There are plenty of dogs of all kinds, including toy dogs, in rescues all over the country such as <snip>

brokenarms

lauren14 wrote: »

Please consider rescuing a dog. There are plenty of dogs of all kinds, including toy dogs, in rescues all over the country such as the <snip>.

Link me up there Lauren.



brokenarms we do not allow naming or linking to individual rescues or charities in this forum. Please see our Charter for an "umbrella" list of rescues and agencies that you can contact. Posters are free to contact you by PM with any info they would like to share with you. anniehoo

lauren14

<snip>

Lauren you probably didnt get a chance to read my edit there, but we don't allow linking to individual rescues or charities unless through our "umbrella" link in our Charter here. We cannot be seen to be biased towards certain rescues so therefore can only link to all of them so the person can choose themselves. Thanks

kylith

brokenarms wrote: »

Thanks for the info.
Where would be a reputable place to be looking?

. To be honest I like the way they look and thats all im going on here. I really fancy a toy sized dog as they seem easier to control, clean and can go thundering around my house without knocking everything over.

Would the breed be similar to yorkshire terriers ? A neighbour had one of those and I have an idea what they are like and care needed. His one is quite good and only barks when provoked to do so.

The part I've bolded is completely the wrong reason to get a dog. A smaller dog does not mean easier to look after.

I urge you to do some research to make sure that you're getting the right dog for your situation, energy levels, and time.

ShaShaBear

The one question I always consider vitally important when people say they want a small/toy dog is as follows:

How often (and for how long) will you be walking your dog?

Obviously this applies to large dogs too, but people looking a large dog in general are aware they will be walking it at least twice daily. But so many people seem to think that a small dog will exercise itself in a garden with no issue. If your idea is as above, then forget about it - you will be left with a very high-strung, energetic, hyper and possibly nippy dog because it is not getting the stimulation it needs. This rings true for all understimulated breeds, but I find the toy and small breeds tend to be more vocal and grumpy about it than larger breeds, which tend to be more hyperactive around the house.

brokenarms

Point noted Kylith.
Good advice for sure. Not going to rush into this at all.

Starting my research here. So any advise is greatly recieved.

Our situation is this

My son keeps asking for a dog and we have a quiet 2 bed mid terrace home.
I also would love a dog running around the house as my mother also has a dog in her home and i love the thing.
As stated im after a toy sized or small dog which will bark at strangers but not all day. My young lad has his friends over most days to play video games so I need a dog that wont attack them.(or our 3 year old hamsters)
Also one that will tear the home apart. I work nights and my partner works days . With one son in school so there will be someone home 90% of the time for company.

The three of us go out for cycles and walks daily so there will be shortage of exercise. I just hope the chosen dog can keep up.

I don't like really hairy or shaved dogs.

I am open to suggestions to which breed would suit. I know ultimately I will have to feed, water and exercise the dog as the other two I live with wont.

borderlinemeath

brokenarms wrote: »

Point noted Kylith.
Good advice for sure. Not going to rush into this at all.

Starting my research here. So any advise is greatly recieved.

Our situation is this

My son keeps asking for a dog and we have a quiet 2 bed mid terrace home.
I also would love a dog running around the house as my mother also has a dog in her home and i love the thing.
As stated im after a toy sized or small dog which will bark at strangers but not all day. My young lad has his friends over most days to play video games so I need a dog that wont attack them.(or our 3 year old hamsters)
Also one that will tear the home apart. I work nights and my partner works days . With one son in school so there will be someone home 90% of the time for company.

The three of us go out for cycles and walks daily so there will be shortage of exercise. I just hope the chosen dog can keep up.

I don't like really hairy or shaved dogs.

I am open to suggestions to which breed would suit. I know ultimately I will have to feed, water and exercise the dog as the other two I live with wont.

Ok, I would have thought maybe a JRT but he would want to kill the hamsters. Most terriers would. Unless you keep the hamsters maybe upstairs and not let the dog upstairs?

Whippets are wonderful little dogs, I've met loads of them recently and adore every single one, they're just like a greyhound but in a compact little body with lots of love and affection to give. Great bursts of speed but will sleep all day once exercised.

kylith

brokenarms wrote: »

My son keeps asking for a dog and we have a quiet 2 bed mid terrace home.
I also would love a dog running around the house as my mother also has a dog in her home and i love the thing.
As stated im after a toy sized or small dog which will bark at strangers but not all day. My young lad has his friends over most days to play video games so I need a dog that wont attack them.(or our 3 year old hamsters)
Also one that will tear the home apart. I work nights and my partner works days . With one son in school so there will be someone home 90% of the time for company.

The three of us go out for cycles and walks daily so there will be shortage of exercise. I just hope the chosen dog can keep up.

I don't like really hairy or shaved dogs.

I am open to suggestions to which breed would suit. I know ultimately I will have to feed, water and exercise the dog as the other two I live with wont.

In the interest of full disclosure, I don't have Chi's myself so I'm mostly going off what I've read in the past, I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Chihuahuas are not robust dogs; they are tiny and fragile. If the idea is that you want your son to have a dog to play with a Chi is probably not the best choice. They are prone to be nippy and, if not brought up and trained properly, can have real problems with people aggression. They are known to be one-person dogs. I've seen a guy with a pack of Chis down the sandhills in Waterford; a walk of about 3km, but you'd have to bear in mind that they are small so it would take them some time to cover the distance. With the hamsters you may run into problems with just about any breed, but a pup brought up with them might be ok.

My advice is to forget all about what the dog looks like. Seriously think about whose dog this will be, what it will be doing, and who will be responsible for cleaning up after it. Think about how much exercise, and of what type, you would be willing to do, and bear in mind that smaller dogs often need as much as bigger ones. Think about how much grooming you are prepared to do, or whether or not you would be prepared to pay a groomer every 8 weeks or so. Consider the type of family you have; are children constantly running around? Would a small dog be likely to get trodden on? Picking a dog because you think it's cute is the surest way to get a dog that's completely wrong for you; about 6 months after every Disney movie with a dog rescues tend to get flooded with that particular breed because people get it because it looks good.

I am pie

Sounds like your dog will be well exercised, you are nearly better getting a dog you can really tire out on your daily bike rides. It will sleep like a log when you get back in, and will be less nippy and agressive round your boy and his pals.

Anyway a well exercised dog, shouldn't be too much of a handful at home, but I would look at something bigger than a chihuauhua which are maybe a bit fragile for your bike rides and something a little more gentle natured. Have never met one which wasn't yappy and territorial. We have a mini schnauzer, she's a little bit similar. She is the self appointed head of security and takes her job very seriously. If it moves and she doesn't recognise it she will bark at it until I can convince her I have saw whatever it is and that I am ok with it.

People talk about rescues a lot, the benefit to the dog is obvious, your benefit could be taking in an older dog (1 to 2 maybe) which would be less jittery around kids and also more able for your active lifestyle.

brokenarms

Really strange how things come together.

Was on the way home with the kid tonight from the chipper.

Bumped into a workmate walking her new wee terrier X. A little 1 year old from a rescue center . It was exactly what I think i'm after. Barked once at me until I petted it. My child really loved it.

Now all I have to do is convince the missis that she wants a dog. The tricky part.

ShaShaBear

brokenarms wrote: »

Really strange how things come together.

Was on the way home with the kid tonight from the chipper.

Bumped into a workmate walking her new wee terrier X. A little 1 year old from a rescue center . It was exactly what I think i'm after. Barked once at me until I petted it. My child really loved it.

Now all I have to do is convince the missis that she wants a dog. The tricky part.

If a young terrier cross is what you are after, give us an idea of your location so we can PM you with rescue options in your area. This is such a common breed and mix in pounds and rescues, and explaining to the missus that you will be getting a young dog who is probably neutered, vaccinated, microchipped as well as possibly house-trained and socialised with children, as well as rescuing the dog from either death in the pound or a life in kennels wondering what they did wrong, she'll likely soften up

brokenarms

All PMs welcome. Thanks.

The girl I was talking to suggested that a x breed may less trouble with regards to health and behavior . Is this true?

Toulouse

It depends!

The pup could have none of the genetic illnesses that either parent are prone to or it could have both sets.

In the same vein, please steer clear of people advertising silly designer pooches with cutesy sounding names like cavachon and maltipoo. These are back-yard breeders - only interested in making money and they don't really care what health problems the owners of the dog are going to get landed with down the road.

If you're going for a x-breed then rescue is the way to go. Yes the dog could still develop health issues as you probably won't have any idea of the parents but at least you're saving a life and not giving your hard-earned money to a puppy farmer or a byb and that's what insurance is for.

Just make sure everyone in the family is on board with it, this is something a rescue will want to see.

borderlinemeath

brokenarms wrote: »

All PMs welcome. Thanks.

The girl I was talking to suggested that a x breed may less trouble with regards to health and behavior . Is this true?

Not necessarily. While it's true to certain degree that pure breeds have been interbred and caused a number of genetic diseases to become inherent within a certain breed, it doesn't necessarily tranlate that if you cross 2 dogs that they automatically breed healthier pups. If both dogs have similar weaknesses then the chances are that the weaknesses will be passed on to the pups regardless of breed.

As an example take a chihuahua crossed with a jack russell, commonly enough done by back yard breeders looking to make what they call 'miniature' jack russells or 'jack-chis', stupid designer names to make the unsuspecting punter think they're buying an actual breed. :mad:. Anyhow, both these breeds can suffer from luxating patella, also known as 'floating kneecap', a condition which is mainly hereditary and a painful condition which can lead to osteoarthritis and lameness. If both of the dogs that were crossed came from lines that had examples of it, then it is likely that it will be passed on to the pups.

As regards behaviour, some is nature (from the parents traits) and some is nurture, ie how the pup is raised by it's owner. Again it's not just straightforward to assume that a cross breed will be a better behaved dog just because it's a cross! Certain breed attributes may be evident but it's never the case for 100% of chihuahuas to be barkers, or 100% of jack russells to be good territorial guarders and bark at strangers. There's always exceptions and the way in which a pup is raised will be formative on his overall behaviour.

jjdub1

BEWARE - THESE DOGS WILL WIN YOUR HEART

This is my little one and while I would never have thought it was a breed I'd choose I can't imagine not having this guy around. One thing I have learned is that there are so many variations of this breed and the so-called standard can be tiny fragile, sickly looking things in comparison. I would streer clear of anything labelled 'teacup' or 'minature'. Mine came from a rescue as some are dumped that don't meet that 'standard'.

Mine is a fussy git when it comes to food and would starve himself for days on end if he thought he'd get something more appetizing than his kibbles at the end of it - so you need to be strong and not give into the little angel eyes that plead 'feed me now or I will faint with hunger'.

They do bark but not for the sake of it - they'll let you know if there's anyone around. Mine isn't the best with other dogs but is a lot better when off lead so lots of socializing is the key from an early age.

They may be small but they need a couple of walks a day and a chase around after a ball or favourite toy - they are fairly needly little things and like seeing you - so if you leave a room even for a minute you'll have a shadow.

They are inquisitive (very feckin' nosey) and want to be in the middle of everything. But they are loyal and loveable and give you a wag of tail if they didn't happen to see you for more than 2 minutes - and they like nothing better than to snuggle up beside you on the couch.

carlowplayer

Am wondering if getting a chihuahua would be a great idea as I currently have a Corgie/Jack Russel cross bred dog and am wondering if i get a chihuahua pup would there be any conflict between them.Also what would be the cost in maintaining them ie how much do they eat in comparison to other dogs and also how often do they require exercise
Would i be better getting a finnish lapphund

Juniexd

Hi!

Well,first of all it's hard for me to know whether or not your current dog would get along with a new pup as you haven't said if they get along with other dogs in your area. If your dog seems to welcome interaction from unfamiliar dogs that's a good sign.

I have two Chihuahuas and a Bichon and they get on really well for the most part. Chihuahuas seem to prefer the company of smaller dogs. Chihuahuas are mostly a "one person" dog,they do not like to share their person. They get on well with people and other animals if socialised from an early age. They require little exercise,alot less than your JRT/Corgi. My Chihuahuas have the run of a half an acre garden and usually tire out within a good 20 minute play session. They eat very little,I give them a handful of "small puppy" kibble left to soak in cool boiled water.


Finnish Lapphunds are very rare in Ireland, I actually was thinking of getting one recently but most breeders are in the UK and have waiting lists of up to two years. They are very particular about who they sell to,so expect to be asked to fly over and see their homes and dogs well in advanced before your potential pups lineage is even considered!


Hope this has helped you! Any more questions just shoot!

June

*picture of my two Chihuahuas.

Juniexd

brokenarms wrote: »

I'm thinking of getting a wee dog .

Have a small home with a closed back garden . So was thinking one these small dogs would be perfect for that type of doggy.
My 9 year old is old enough now now to over do it with play.



Has any of you got one? What should I be checking for? Do they destroy the place?

Hi!

Chihuahuas are indoor dogs and absolutely despise being left outside!
I have two female Chihuahuas whom I adore! But beware Chihuahuas are not for everyone,they tend to be a "one person" dog. They tend to fear bite - due to their small size. They bark - ALOT!
As pups they tend to chew pretty much anything so make sure you buy a few chew toys and other things to stimulate their brains. They enjoy going for nice brisk walks. 20 minutes everyday is plenty. Please,please use a harness as a collar will damage their fragile necks and they could easily slip out of a collar while being walked!


I would also like to add in that male Chihuahuas tend to be more sweet natured than the females. I had a male Chi and he was a dream to live with! Very affectionate. The girls are more independent and prefer to do their own thing than be constantly petted and handled.

Have you your heart set on a Chihuahua or are you open to suggestions? Well I personally would not recommend that you get a Chihuahua if you have children,they are so fragile and if accidentally dropped it could kill them or if someone falls over them they could be hurt. I would 100% recommend a Bichon Frise, I have had Bichons for over 10 years and I have never ever had any problems aggression wise with them! Fantastic dogs!


Hope I have helped you! Anymore questions let me know!

June

alroley

brokenarms wrote: »

All PMs welcome. Thanks.

The girl I was talking to suggested that a x breed may less trouble with regards to health and behavior . Is this true?

Definitely not.

Any dog can have health problems, but when going to a reputable breeder - the chances of that go down. I don't see how a cross breed would have better behaviour?

If you do want a cross breed - please rescue. Any "breeder" that breeds mixed breeds is bad news.

anniehoo

Threads merged.

meisha

Amazing dogs but as said before they are very vocal and quite needy my one is constantly stuck to me she really is a one person dog,nobody can walk her or feed her except me which is quite hard to deal with when im not around,she was hard enough to toilet train and still wont do any tricks shes a real little boss woman