To think chihuahuas are the best dog?

[maybeimbornwithit]

I have never been a lover of small dogs, always imagined myself with a Labrador or two. However, after doing some (lots) of research we thought chihuahuas would be the best fit for our family as first time dog owners. So we brought 2 home six months ago (different litters).

I had the puppy blues for a couple of weeks, really thought I'd made a mistake but as the time has went on I've grown to love them so so much. They are the easiest dogs ever, don't require too much walking, walk great on the lead, lovely temperaments, not destructive, sleep a lot, sleep through the night, excellent recall, easy to obedience train, good with the cats and children, the only complaint is they are very hard to toilet train.

I have been treating them like dogs rather than accessories. I love that if there's a day I can't take them their walk they have a massive garden to run about in and play with each other and we do loads of brain games. I am really enjoying being a dog owner and never expected it this much.

I now could never see myself having a big dog, the only downside is I would love to walk them longer and further.

AIBU to think small dogs are easier and less messy than big dogs? Which do you prefer and why?

It's not about size. It's about temperament. In my (albeit limited), chihuahuas are yappy, prone to nipping, and not great with new people. Because of this, I can't see myself getting one.

I have a sheltie. He is by no means the perfect dog he's an annoying little shit with hair bloody everywhere, but he fits well in our family and we wouldn't be without him!

I had two big dogs, and as fabulous as they were, if I have a dog again one day, I would probably go smaller, though perhaps not as tiny as you. I have 4 children, and space is definitely a consideration these days!

I have known a fair few chihuahuas, and all have been terribly behaved with awful temperament. I get the impression that people don't train them properly as they think they are harmless due to being so small.

My golden retriever is the same, you put in the work you get back the rewards no matter the breed. My sister has a chihuahua and he’s a dreamy boy, she also has bigger dogs also well behaved and demo dogs for her training business.

I've never met a chihuahua I found pleasant, sorry OP

I prefer medium/giant breeds.

Agreed! I have a chihuahua and although he has his moments of being a grumpy git with little man syndrome he is also incredibly loving, loves a cuddle and is an absolute melt when it comes to belly strokes from new people!

100% would get a chihuahua again!

I far prefer bigger dogs, chihuahuas really aren’t my cup of tea, none of the toy breeds are. But to each their own.

I want a dog that can go miles and miles, that’s known for their intelligence, that won’t get right under my feet.

I prefer bigger dogs, especially gundog breeds. I have a German shorthaired pointer. He's gorgeous! A smaller dog would undoubtedly be easier, less messy and not so strong to walk on the lead, but I don't want one! I like spaniels, but wouldn't want anything smaller than that.

I think you've hit the nail on the head. It's much easier to just pick them up when they're doing something you don't want instead of actually training them. I have been conscious not to do that and to train them like I would a bigger dog.

I honestly used to not like chihuahuas myself but these two have totally changed my mind. They are great with new people etc however I took them with me absolutely everywhere even before they got their jags so they are used to people.

However, I wish they were a bit bigger just for walks sake.

YABUAYANBU (that's 'You are being unreasonable and you are not being unreasonable')- you are perfectly entitled to prefer whichever breed you like and dogs are just the best!

I do really love big dogs that you can hug (although apparently dogs hate hugs!). but like all affectionate dogs. My favourite breeds are labradors, golden retrievers and spaniels as they just seem to shower you with love but then I have never met a chihuahua!

YABU, gundogs are best

Seriously though, I’ve met a fair few chi’s in my time and on the whole they’ve lived up to their fragile, nervy, fear aggressive, over-pampered stereotype. The exceptions were the polar opposite and absolute little charmers.

We have a lab which we love the size and temperament, but if we went again I would look carefully to see what breeds were cheaper to "run". Insurance costs etc are much higher for a lab and a smaller dog might be cheaper.

But you couldn't pay me to try a chihuahua, might be the owners that are the problem as a lot they treat them like babies/dolls rather than dogs, but never met one that wasnt yappy, nippy and with terrible manners around other dogs.

Yours is still young op hope you manage to keep up the training and good behaviour has they go through maturity.

My aunt always had chihuahuas and they smelled fucking rancid. Plus they have creepy bulbous eyes and are always trembling. Not for me! But then I’m not really a dog person <runs for the hills!>

Oh mines get a shower once a month and smell like digestive biscuits 🍪

God no, terribly yapping things

Everyone knows the best family dogs are greyhounds😬

I have two chihuahuas. One is nearly three and he's so well behaved. He is very chilled also.

I have another chihuahua who is now 8 months. He is a dick at the moment.

Very yappy. Talks to us and my other dog like a high pitched yap like a baby. It goes right through my head. He's a chewer of the most random things if it's not nailed down.

Struggling with toilet training slightly with him.

They are so nice together though, they clearly love each other and are protective over my Dd if we go out walking they will not let her out of their sight.

We walk about five miles every other day and a short walk on the other days.

They are both very playful with each other and with us.

I inherited a long haired chihuahua 5 years ago. He’s a nob head. No manners, runs away every chance he gets. I love him, but he’s so naughty. Wees in the house unless he’s crates at night.

i also have a show type cocker spaniel. Same age. She’s obedient, easy to train, doesn’t she’d much. She needs quite a lot of grooming but I enjoy doing that. Her temperament is amazing and she’s just all round perfect. I’d love another.

Yabu. I grew up with them and do love them. We never had a nasty one. But then mum trained them like a dog. Not an accessory, like you said.

However, they often age very quickly. Even when from reputable breeders. Many lines are not healthy and it starts impacting them from around 5. And it’s really upsetting. Mum died Last year, so dad has the last chihuahua and at 7 he is like an old dog. Lots of joint problems, sight problems etc.

still a lovely dog, but I find it incredibly sad so see so many issues so young.

obviously this is not all chihuahuas but a lot of them.

Also mine are deer headed chihuahuas not the tiny tiny ones.

So maybe that's why one is good and ones a dick but not a full on dick.

Yes! I have a greyhound (who was almost chased out the local park by an out of control chi lately.)

Here they are

Fellow chihuahua owner here, he's 14 now and still plodding on. I also treat him like I would any other dog and he has absolutely no vices. My 8month old Italian greyhound on the other hand....

Yappy little rat-dogs, can’t think of many breeds I’d rather have less. All sighthounds FTW!

The only dog I've ever been bitten by is a chichihua 😂

Here are my duo 😍