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?

I like all dogs but a chihuahua would be bottom of my list.

Anything with that shrill yap is not the "best dog" by a long way.

Its not like the dogs are sat reading this

Aw, i love them! There are three amongst family and friends currently and I've known some others over the years. Such little cuddly things. I don't think the rat comment is wildly off base given their natural habitat and living conditions, but they are definitely not rat like! They're so elegantly shaped and perky little things. I really wanted a dog when i lived in a city, but had a house without any real garden so i didn't, but i considered getting chi's then. I worked and travelled too much. Nowadays, living in a small village and no longer travelling we do have dogs, rescues that make their way to us via a connection we have to a rescue, so we get what needs a home, but in our old age i think these little souls will be just the thing for us.

A chi had a go at my dog recently. The owner took control by picking up their dog. It should not have even got to that point. Tiny dog owners don't seem to train their dogs as they think they can just scoop them up and avoid all the confrontation.

Oh @tedgran, lucky you; Great Danes are so gorgeous! They seem like such gentle giants 💚

@XenoBitch because if your dog retaliated and bit their dog, their dog can end up dead. I honestly don't give a shit if you think it's the right thing or not, my first priority is the safety of my dog. My point was that some dogs (not just chihuahuas) are anxious because of trauma.

I don't particularly like staffie type dogs, I'm not going to insult/stereotype an entire breed because they aren't my cup of tea.

Not a breed I would ever own.

I always said that I didn't like small dogs but my daughter has recently bought a cavapoo and we are all in love. He is adorable, very chilled, intelligent, house trained within 24 hours and loves everyone he meets. Doesn't yap either.

Also I'd like to point out that owners are the problem. I've had so many off lead dogs come get in my dogs face and then when I try to remove my dog from the situation they are like "don't worry, she's friendly". Okay but my dog might not be? (She isn't unfriendly, she's just terrified of bigger dogs due to her past), please get your dog away from mine.

I have three chihuahuas.... I agree 100%!

Chihuahua are the best!!

Smart, loving, funny, portable and brave.

I agree, imagine if we went on the internet and started calling all staffys council house chav dogs. Don't get offended, it's not like the staffys can read.

I'll be honest, I never liked them. DD blindsided with me hers, asking for permission when I was drunk and promising me I could buy it a sombrero (I was very drunk).

She'd wanted one since she was three and have saved money for around two years, eventually asking me if she was allowed her own dog when she was two weeks shy of 18.

Now we have her the breed has grown on me. I'm 40 now and my big dog is a pup. I'll likely be 50+ once he is no longer with us so he will probably be my last "big" dog. I'd always thought a greyhound would be my "retirement" dog but I'd consider a chi now too.

Your "anxious" chi should not be coming up to my dog and yapping to start with. Keep it under control.

I am sick of of strange dogs coming up to mine, yapping or whatever.. and the owner says "it is ok, they are just gobby" or some shit. I can understand that. My dog can not.

Some of these are so cute! My cousin has a bulgy eyed trembler that I'm always terrified of stepping on. It's actually a sweet little thing, but it does look like it's wishing for the end

Here's our fat long haired beauty.

That was me and my Mum! She really didn't like them but then fell in love and refused to let me take my first chi when I moved out. When my first little one passed away, mum got another chihuahua and now she wouldn't have any other breed.

Their loyalty is unmatched in my honest opinion.

I have known two Chihuahuas - one is a dream and one was absolutely possessed.

@XenoBitch my dog does not go up to random dogs. She's always on a lead. Not sure why you are putting anxious in quotation marks and not sure why you have to be so unpleasant in general.

😂

No, they are absolutely not. God they're ugly, with they bulging eyes and stupid little legs, and don't get me started on that yap

I have a chi/JR cross. Pic is her as a puppy, she's 18 months now, and I think about the same size as an average cat. She does literally look half chi, half Jack Russell!

She's very well trained, and very well socialised. She doesn't "yap", she loves other dogs, she's got brilliant recall, she loves the cats (who bully her a little bit), she has load of energy and loves walking but doesn't need super long walks, she's obedient, affectionate and playful.

Downsides are that it definitely took longer to toilet train her - she was probably about 8 or 9 months before being completely reliable. She's decided must sleep in or on our bed every night, and we just can't train her to sleep anywhere else. And she won't, just won't, go for a walk if its really cold or rainy. But apart from that pretty spot on perfect.

She's very much a regular dog in miniature, rather than an accessory. We treated her that way and trained her that way and I think it shows, because she acts like a regular dog rather than a lap dog. Or maybe we just got lucky. She's amazing and I wouldn't be without her.

They're fine depending on the owner, but I wouldn't have one - I think they're very overbred and quite unhealthy as a breed.

I love dogs and they usually love me.

I have only ever been snarled at twice, each time for no discernible reason. Both times it was a chihuahua.

Give me a medium to large dog anytime.

Surely most people think their own dog is the best and prefer the breed/s that they are familiar with. I have a golden retriever and a Labrador and think they are the best breeds, but that is because my dogs are awesome and I am familiar with their ways.

Re rats - we had 2 Yorkies when I was a kid and people often referred to them as 'rats', rats on a rope, hairy maggots...we just laughed it off.