Chihuahua- good pet for 9 year old?

[whydontkidscomewithauserguide]

Hi everyone

It's our daughters birthday coming up and she would love a puppy which we are happy to get for her. She's sensible and responsible, and will be thrilled to bits bless her.
Can anyone lend any advice regarding chihuahua's as a family pet?
Thanks x

I got 2 chihuahuas and they can snap but once - they settled used to them
As family they fine!

@TheFoxAndTheMole most rescues will not allow a family with children to adopt though, certainly with under 10's almost none will.

Completely unsuitable pet for a young child. Don’t buy any pet to get a child to be more responsible. The child isn’t home all day. Won’t toilet train. Could even leave home before the end of the dog’s life.
You’ve mentioned nothing about training or walking or grooming or your house or garden. No breed of dog is a cute little one. It’s a dog. You don’t seem to have a sense of what that means at all.

@happycamper11 really? I didn't know that.

I bet the are lots of smaller rescues who would with the right dog, though. Mine is a rescue, initially rehomed to a family with an 8 year old. Dog was rehomed from first family to me for reasons other than the child.

I have 3. I wouldn't recommend them for first time dog owners and I'd be wary with younger children. Chi's don't like sudden, unexpected movements and they are more fragile especially as puppies. Each chi is completely unique. However they are all very attention demanding, it's like having 3 permanent furry toddlers who never grow up.
They aren't always the best at toilet training, 2 of mine are mostly fine, both girls but the boy is a bit of a nightmare in that department!
Some can be quite barky, others are not. It's pot luck what you get as each one is so unique in personality. One of mine loves people, the other two don't like strangers or other dogs despite tons of socialisation which is a must with chi's.

Wouldn't change them for the world though, they are so loving, so smart, best breed for me.

What about a dachshund as a smaller dog? I only know of 2 people who’ve had them but they both seem much calmer (prepared to be told not!).

@Janus absolutely not a better option. Tend to be feisty. Plus delicate due to back issues.

What about a dachshund as a smaller dog? the only other breed also predisposed to human directed aggression.
Also MANY health problems

Agree with Wolfie’s earlier post - you need to think about your time and resources and what you can offer a dog then research a breed that is compatible with your lifestyle. This is a 10-15 year commitment, not a birthday toy

Sorry to jump on the nay-saying bandwagon, but how soon is your DD's birthday? Most reputable breeders /non puppy-farmers will have waiting lists of at least a few months, often the waiting list is full before the litter is even conceived. I think it's particularly crucial to take your time finding a really good breeder who properly health tests etc. if you are looking at a toy breed as they tend to have lots of health issues.

So if you are hoping to present her with pup on her birthday you may need to think again - perhaps her present could be a book on puppy training and a collar/lead or similar with the promise you'll be getting a puppy in the next 6 months or so? It's also probably better if puppy arrives at a quieter/calmer time for your family when you can all dedicate your full attention to him/her rather than when there may be lots of excitement, noise, family and friends around etc?

Breed wise, perhaps consider a Bichon Frise (if you can commit to lots of grooming), a Mini Schnauzer (barky) or a Lhasa Apso (bit bigger, sheddy and can be barky)?

Hi I have a chihuahua who is 9 she is the most loving and laid back dog . She loves anyone who will cuddle her . So I would say go for it just not a teacup one . I also had a papillon for 17 years he was amazing with my kids. Very intelligent and loving have you considered one of them.

Dachshunds are another one not at all good for children due to being very delicate. Their long spines are so easily damaged accidentally so great care needed

Sorry, ignore my suggestion of a dachshund!!
I think you need to do some research on robust small dogs, I don’t have experience of smaller dogs at all.

Thanks everyone for your feedback and insights. We have been looking for a while but haven't found the right one yet. Appreciate your comments!

Not found the right breed?

Have you thought about a pomeranian? Similar size to a chi, but usually friendly bundles of fun! Every year at the discover dogs section of Crufts the Pomeranian club hand them out for people of all ages to cuddle and they lap it up! (I can't think of another toy breed that would do this!)

A little bit bigger is the cavalier king charles spaniel (not to be confused with the king charles spaniel) which makes a lovely family pet.

I would be thinking about all the normal questions:

• How much exercise (and what type of exercise) do you want to do everyday? e.g. 2 x 20min walk around a park or 2 x 1hr across fields or something else, e.g. running?

• How much grooming do you want to do? How much do you want to pay for grooming?

• How much training do you want to do? What types? e.g. do you just want to train the basics like sit and stay or do you want to train throughout the dog's life doing things like agility?

• What dog behaviours can you absolutely not cope with? Digging? Chewing? Aggression? Barking? Not liking to be left alone? Needy?

• How much dog experience do you have?

• How much learning about dog behaviour do you want to (have to) do?

On top of that, in your spec ific sitiuation:

• what realistically do you hope your daughter will do in terms of dog care? Take on full repsonsibility for walking and training and feeding? Just provide cuddles?

• what happens in 9 years time when your DD goes to uni? Who looks after the dog then and how many years of that do you want? e.g. do you not mind taking on an elderly dog for a couple of years or are you happy for the dog to live another 5-10 years after that?

All of that will help shape what (if any) is the best breed/dog for you.

Horrible happy little things. Get a cat instead. Much easier to look after.

Yappy, not happy