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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Chihuahua

95 replies

CleverQuacks · 29/04/2018 18:41

Hi all,
I am currently in the early stages of considering getting a dog. I am doing lots of research. I want a small breed dog and having been looking at a chihuahua. I would love to hear people’s real life experiences with chihuahuas. What are the pros and cons? As I say I am only in the very early stages of considering this so all advice would be brilliant!
Thanks

OP posts:
Thread gallery
14
bunnygeek · 30/04/2018 15:25

A LOT of Chihuahua and Chi crosses end up in rescue as people get them as "handbag" accessories then realise that they've got a loony little dog that needs actual work. You also see a lot of older Chis and Chi pairs come in after elderly owners can't look after them anymore.

Worth a look.
www.pinterest.co.uk/rescuemebunny/dogs-chihuahuas-in-rescue/

pigsDOfly · 30/04/2018 16:50

Never owned one but used to meet loads where I used to live - doesn't seem to be many where I am now - and all the ones I used to know were great little dogs.

Treat them and train them like you would any bigger dog and you'll have a feisty little champion.

Breaks my heart to see the way some people use them as a fashion accessory. They are full of character and the last thing they need is being dressed in frilly skirts, stuck in someone's bag and carried around like a stuffed toy.

Treat them like that and you end up with a dog that's neurotic, barky and very angry.

WeAllHaveWings · 30/04/2018 22:55

Our local Facebook page has post which made me think of this thread today. An off lead chi was picked up by an off lead greyhound on a local beach and died Sad. Greyhound owner disappeared and poster is trying to track them down.

Obviously the greyhound owners actions are beyond despicable, but it is a good example of how chi owners need to be aware of how vulnerable their tiny dogs are and always carefully think of the risks. Having a chi offlead in an area full of large unknown offlead dogs was too risky.

FallenAngel89 · 01/05/2018 10:18

I always say my chi has little man syndrome, he's a rottweiler trapped in a small body with chicken legs 😂

TopBitchoftheWitches · 01/05/2018 10:22

My friend has one and he is lovely !

I kept saying to her I will steal him one day. He really is so laid back and friendly.

BiteyShark · 01/05/2018 10:24

WeAllHaveWings I thought that is why greyhound owners muzzle their dogs due to their prey drive. I feel very sorry for the chi owner Sad

SwimmingInTheBlueLagoon · 01/05/2018 11:19

Op, pp are right to raise the safety issue for chis. They are so small they can be seriously harmed by another dog playing gently and can trigger other dogs prey drive. So you do have to be cautious with them when our and about but at the same time you can't mollycoddle them.

WeAllHaveWings · 01/05/2018 12:46

WeAllHaveWings I thought that is why greyhound owners muzzle their dogs due to their prey drive. I feel very sorry for the chi owner

Yes, it must be devastating for the chi owner, but it could have been any large dog. Our neighbours staff cross also picked up and shook a chi. They are very small and so vulnerable and their owners have a responsibility to consider the risks of where they walk them off lead.

Owning a chi will be a very different experience to owning your average sized dog.

Original poster
CleverQuacks · 01/05/2018 18:38

That story is so sad! It sounds like it’s a balancing act between keeping a chi safe but also allowing them to be a dog and not mollycoddling them.

OP posts:
wheelwarrior · 04/05/2018 15:41

Couple here are yappy snarly dogs and owners say oh it is OK thry only small

But is one who walks in woods locally is lovely well trained etc owner attitude is key and his owner feels that if behaviour not acceptable in large dog it is not acceptable in small .His chi loves a good walk and plays with my lab (mine is pretty calm though

MaureenSowerbutts · 04/05/2018 16:06

I have had mine since 8 weeks, he is 10 months old now.

He has a lovely nature not snappy or yappy. He loves a fuss and to curl up on you and sleep. He's very clever and has learnt lots of commands.

He hates the vet but never barks or snaps he just trembles. We put a jumper on him when it's colder as they can shiver.

Never had any problems with him settling at all...he does sometimes eat his own mess thought but apparently that is common in all dogs and he has improved massively on that front recently!

He's my best mate and I would highly recommend the breed.

Still in touch with my breeder who has just had more pups. Happy to recommended her if you're near Sussex, she is brilliant.

Chihuahua
FluffyPineapple · 06/05/2018 20:43

I can honestly say I have never met a nice chi. Nasty, snappy, barky fuckers!

A puppy farmers dream at the moment. If you are going to get one take a look at rescue centres. There are lots up for re-homing - unsurprisingly 😑

parklives · 06/05/2018 20:56

Was going to say, look at a rescue, SilverFox rescue has a couple at the moment, and so does the dogs trust.

FluffyPineapple · 06/05/2018 21:37

www.pets4homes.co.uk/adoption/dogs/chihua

Plenty for re-homing here ^

Wolfiefan · 06/05/2018 21:54

Don't go to pets 4 homes. Nothing but puppy farmers and disreputable back yard breeders. You don't want a dog from there. Angry

Snappymcsnappy · 06/05/2018 22:30

My sister has one.

Very anxious little dog with issues; resource guards toys, food, sofas etc.
No self control, barks excessively, poorly trained and will snatch food.

I am yet to meet one without issues and think their small size borders on cruelty given they can't interact safely with other dogs (unless also toy breeds) due to the risk of being injured or killed by accident if stepped on/knocked or on purpose by larger, highly prey driven dogs

Snappymcsnappy · 06/05/2018 22:45

I would also say, that while pets4homes is frequently used by puppy farmers, it is also used by excellent breeders who are not council licensed, have only one litter a year, do all the recommended health checks etc etc.

Just like a breeder listed on the kennel club accredited scheme isn't guaranteed to be great, pets4homes breeders are not guaranteed to be poor.

FluffyPineapple · 06/05/2018 22:53

I have to agree with Snappy. Not all ads on pets4homes are from puppy farms. Some are.... Its up to the individual puppy/dog/pet buyer to know the signs and walk away from puppy farmers. Then report! Puppy Farming is not legal!

RedRosie · 06/05/2018 23:00

My Mum had a chihuahua... and it was probably the love of her life for 15 years (I loved my Dad but he wasn't good husband material!). Lovely dog. Full of character ... It had no idea how small it was so was pretty feisty.

If you must have a puppy find a good breeder. A rescue would be better.

Always remember that despite its diminutive size it's a dog! Mum's chihuahua was all dog.

QueenOfMyWorld · 06/05/2018 23:04

I adore my Chihuahua I wanted a dog I could baby and he's perfect he gets on well with my ds4 too.He is my first ever small dog and I wouldn't change him for the world

Chihuahua
Wolfiefan · 06/05/2018 23:12

Puppy farming isn't actually illegal.
But no reputable breeder would advertise online. Many have waiting lists.
Go through the breed club or society.
One litter a year? So multiple bitches or breeding far too many times from only a couple. Not reputable.

Snappymcsnappy · 06/05/2018 23:58

There ARE good breeders on pets4homes.
Some excellent breeders do indeed advertise online and some excellent breeders do not have waiting lists.

Why do you assume that one litter per year must mean multiple bitches?
Some breeders on there have a couple of bitches, that live in the home, that are fully health tested that produce puppies registered with breeding exemption that are not first come first served..

Whilst a breed club can be a valuable source, it can also have poor breeders whose only interest lies in medals and titles.
Ditto for kennel club.

There are MANY cases of 'reputable' crufts breeders with cages of filthy, sick, miserable dogs.

There is nowhere guaranteed to be poor breeder free. Nowhere.
They lurk in the working dog circuit and the show circuit.
On pets4homes, the kennel club, Champdogs and the breed clubs.
They are unavoidable.

To put a blanket ban on pets4homes because it's often, not always, often, used by puppy farmers is silly when excellent breeders are easily found on there.

Wolfiefan · 07/05/2018 00:17

My dog has two seasons a year. To breed from her once a year? Really?
Pets for homes is full of puppy farmers and back yard breeders. Decent breeders spend so much time, care, effort and money on health tests and research and finding the right mates that they won't sell to unknown strangers over a website. Because they care about their dogs.
People breeding indiscriminately will sell via such sites.

FluffyPineapple · 07/05/2018 02:02

So if a reputable breeder has a litter of 10, and 8 puppies are sold before advertising - before they reach 8 weeks old - what do you suggest they do with the other 2 pups that are left at 8 weeks old? Drown them or advertise them?

Wolfiefan · 07/05/2018 08:31

Contact other breeders and the breed club.
Most really good breeders will keep at least one of every litter.
My girl came from a bigger litter than that. All were reserved by 5 weeks.
TBH I am starting to think you're a BYB or puppy farmer Fluffy.

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