Chihuahuas or Lhasa apso or mix with young kids

[runikka]

Good afternoon

I have recently seen a lovely chihuahua Lhasa apso cross bitch aged five months that I would love to join us. We have a male pug who is very docile and child friendly and having read up on chihuahua and Lhasa temperaments am concerned about possible aggression towards our youngest. She is 2.5 yrs and excellent with our pug but does like to stroke him. She is sometimes a little heavy handed but always supervised and reminded or removed if we feel the dog is at risk. I took both children to see the chi and they both stroked her and she was fine, seemed lovely. However, she did suddenly start barking at my older daughter (age 6) and having read up again, a lot of reviews seem quite negative.

Any comments welcomed. I am aware that there isn't such a thing as a 100%
Child friendly breed and a lot is down to socialisation and training, however if this mix is more prone to not being good with children, I'd rather walk away now.

[toomuchtoyoung]

Well a couple of things to think about, why are they getting rid of her at 5 months old? The poor pup has only had 2-3 months to settle at one home before before they are getting rid of her.

As you have said all dogs are different, I have seen many friendly trustworthy rotties and aggressive poodles!

However that combination has lots of potential to be snappy. Both Lhasa apsis and chihuahuas are suspicious dogs. They need a lot of early socialisation to get them used to all different situations, has this pup had that?

Chihuahuas are often barky dogs and barking at a child could show the dog felt threatened. If in looks wise she is more chihuahua size then they are so fragile, we see them injured by being accidentally dropped and accidents that wouldnt damage a sturdier dog.

They are not really breeds I'd say were suited to young children.

[bochead]

I chose not to get another Chi when my old one died at 18 due to the risk of kids being too rough. It wasn't my own child I was worried about but visitors to the home on play dates etc. (DS had grown up with my then geratric blind Chi from birth & they adored each other).

I just decided I didn't want the responsibility of supervising other people's brats to the close degree needed to keep the dog safe, or to have to turf the dog into another room every time DS had a friend round. When they start school there's a flurry of playdates with strangers ill-mannered brats to endure for the dog . I have an iron will re imposing the "dog rules" with visiting chidren in relation to our whippet, but she's big enough that I can see what's going on.

I'm not sure re temperment as our Chi had been badly abused so wasn't the ideal representative of the breed, but I will say he stopped me getting mugged once so the potential to be pretty viscous is there. (On the other hand he was temporariy adopted when my 7 year old cousin's Mum died as a comforter & performed in this role admirably). It wouldn't be my first choice of breed for young kids by a long shot I'm afraid.

There are lots of sturdier small cute dog breeds around to choose from. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are adorable for instance & there is a batch of pups on the Many Tears website at the moment. Very gentle natured breed, we pet sit a local CKS when the owner takes his hols & he seems to enjoy being around kids in a way I haven't noticed Chi's do as a general rule.

Honest opinion is that I'd walk away & I speak as someone who gazes longingly at Chis in the park.