I've never had a dog in my life, but I'm looking at chihuahuas

[AgingDisgracefullyHere]

I have never been a dog person. I am generally mildly afraid of them or just a big anxious. If a dog doesn't want to jump on me and lick me then I can get used to it and come to really like it.

But I have always kinda liked chihuahuas. I used to joke that it was because they're not really like dogs, but I do understand they're very much dogs. Even the yappy aggressive ones I've encountered haven't upset me because I know they can't jump up and get me. I have met some really lovely ones, too. A couple who right off the bat wanted to sit in my lap calmly and be stroked.

I live alone in a flat and I've wanted a cuddly pet for a while. I have considered cats and small dogs. I have experience with cats.

But I keep thinking about getting a small dog and chihuahuas really appeal to me.

I have promised myself not to get anything this year - I don't want to rush. But I look at chihuahuas online all the time and read about them. I do worry about having the patience and experience to properly train and socialise a dog. I also worry about health problems and how to find a good, healthy dog.

Has anyone else gotten a chi as their first dog?
Does anyone have some good ideas for getting more real world information about them? Are there other small breeds I might consider?

We’ve got a small mixed dog who has chi in her and she is very loving.

but can you spare the time to exercise it? Really really properly every day come hell or high water??

I'm not a chi fan. All those I've ever met have been quite snappy and happy. I've been around dogs and people with dogs most of my life and that's pretty much a consensus.

Not happy. Fat fingers. That was meant to be yappy. But maybe they were happy too.

Please get a cat !

There is a huge difference between a cat and a dog.

You do not get a dog because you want a cuddly pet !

What would you do if your dog wasn't of a cuddly nature ?

Two cats are better than one, double love ! and they will also love each other and play with each other and keep you amused at their antics.

I have found 2 boy kittens ( brothers ) work well.

and this is from someone who has dog no 10 on my knee right now and 62 years of living with cats.
(So many cats I would need paper and pen to count them over the years)

Personally I like chihuahuas and have had several over the past 10 years, including mixes with JRT's, however if you are mildly afraid of dogs I personally wouldn't recommend a chihuahua. All of mine have had a severe case of 'small dog syndrome' which made them very yappy and confrontational with other dogs, no matter the size. I also found that my pure bred chihuahua, although I loved her dearly, she was the angriest, moodiest, feistiest little madam and nipped at me several times during her life.

Wouldn't change them for the world but in my experience they aren't the cuddly, handbag dogs they are often portrayed as.

Yes I can exercise it. One of the appeals of chihuahuas is they don't need to be walked for miles. I don't drive and live in a town centre so I go out to shops and errands regularly. I live in a pedestrianized scheme of flats and shops so plenty of space right here suitable for short walks at any time. And of course longer walks.

I have a couple of reservations about getting a cat, including the issue of allergies affecting the clients who come to my home office. Of course chihuahuas aren't hypoallergenic, but I think I could keep up with their hair better. And I can take a small dog out with me or travel better than a cat.

I believe that the breed is known for being cuddly and affectionate. That's a good part of the appeal.

I'm only afraid of dogs capable of jumping up to about my waist. And it's only a slight anxiety now compared to when I was young. I just worry they'll jump on me now until they don't and then I'm not bothered.

Very small dogs have never bothered me.

I have a chihuahua and she’s fab. She does have a tendency to be yappy around dogs which is annoying but she makes up for it by being really cuddly - she spends most of the day when I working from home curled up on my lap.

One thing though is she needs walking far more than you might think. I take her out for an hour at lunch and then again for 20 mins in the evening.

There's a huge number of dogs that won't reach waist height if they jump up - and that's just a matter of training anyway. A chihuahua would be the last choice for me. They're snappy and aggressive because owners often baby them and pick them up when around other dogs, so they lose the dog mentality. Consider cavapoos, Jack Russells, poodles, westies etc

A relative of mine has one and she’s an absolute dote, not happy as I’d expected (I stayed in their house for a few days). Definitely fall down a rabbit hole about them online so you can suss out disadvantages though, adore our dog but we hadn’t a clue about some of the nuances of the breed we have (cocker spaniel) and it we only after that everyone said ‘oh god yes, our dog does that too!!)

They are notorious for being poorly house trained. Sorry but that is my experience of a fair few of them. And I say that as a dog owner and lover of all dogs. They can be very sweet and easy little dogs though. Only met one angry one. Generally they have been very social.

Ive got a Chi. He is lovely and cuddly and loving but he is a dog just like any other. Chi's don't have to be yappy. It's up to the owner really. My little fella runs with my other dogs (pugs) and behaves like they do. I think tiny dogs dislike people bending over to pet them as they do not like things such as great big hands in their tiny faces. Treat him/her like you would any other dog and you will have a friend for life. I would get another if I could but my family all say I'm becoming like a crazy dog lady.. but I so would......

My mum adored hers. Feisty, but fun. No issues with training etc, including house training. Her previous dogs included German shepherds, an Afghan, a border collie and several proper mutts - all family dogs I grew up with, mostly rescues. She wanted a chihuahua for herself.

I think you need to truly understand that they are proper dogs, if teeny, and bring them up that way.

(or wot @Rosiem2808 just said!)

It's a bloody shame the size is wrong, cause I tell you a retired greyhound would suit you perfectly! 😂 generally chill, very affectionate, beautiful natured calm dogs. Ours like to stretch his legs for 10 mins twice a day but sometimes would refuse to go for a walk.

You lose your sofa though.

I have a chihuahua after 20 years of purely having yorkies, I too was worried about the yappy,possessive reputations they have but .... we have had little Ronnie the teacup chihuahua for 4 months now he has settled really well with my 5 year old Yorkie female .He was very easy to toilet train and was very easy to do so. He loves a good walk but build up to longer ones I took the poor wee man out one day and he walked so much his pads bled a little as they weren't tough enough, he loves a good snuggle and is very calm most of the time , he has a mad hour playing with his toys but I feel by socializing him from a young age he is used to seeing other dogs and people. Go for it here is a picture of little Ronnie and Roma of course x

' I go out to shops and errands regularly. I live in a pedestrianized scheme of flats and shops so plenty of space right here suitable for short walks at any time '

The above is not ' walking a dog ' the dog wants / needs to be walked somewhere it can sniff the grass / meet other dogs / roll on the grass / run off lead / play with other dogs / sniff the other dogs bottoms etc. Every day, prob twice a day. In all weathers. No matter what.

Oh give over @OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon not all dogs need to be run off lead! My dog would give the lead back to me! And also as for all weathers - no chance. Mild and cold is ok, rain and wind is a definite no no

An awful lot of Chis are yappy and horrrid because they aren’t treated like dogs, and not exercising them properly is part of the problem. While they don’t need miles of running pottering to the shops is not likely to be enough.

They are notoriously VERY hard to housetrain too. Which will be even harder in a flat, so I’d have a real think if you want to be cleaning up piss and shit for potentially several months months

I’ve had jack russells and currently have a jack/Pomeranian cross. Loves cuddles, has been great with the grandchildren. He’s old now so not up for madly long walks- won’t want to go out if it’s rainy or too windy. Do you have a small garden

They are sweet and clever. Definitely train to stimulate their brains. They are a proper 'little dog' and not to be treated like a toy. Not saying you will by the way, but some people think of them as not a dog! They really are.

They suffer separation anxiety so socialise well and get a puppy used to being in a little bag 🥰

We have a chihuahua and are experienced chihuahua owners.
They need to be treated like dogs, not babies, but you do need to bear in mind their small size - they can be aggressive due to fear and this needs to be addressed in the training you should do with them. They generally get along better with other chihuahuas or other small dogs.
They don’t need off lead walks or play with other dogs. Two half hour on-lead walks a day are fine, although they won’t appreciate walks in the rain! They need enrichment and play with you like any other dog.
Its also a myth that they are hard to house train. It’s down to the effort the owner puts in and the individual dog.
They love warmth and laps and are the perfect choice if that is what you want!

I would not have a chi as a first dog. They are little but they are notoriously aggressive and yappy as well as hard to train and shed a ton. If you are worried about your ability to manage as a first time owner - 1. commit to training classes with someone who can do Kennel Club training with you and your dog. They are very helpful and will set you up for good success. 2. Consider getting an older dog through a rescue. Although I would never buy a pug puppy, I have a rescue pug and she is very cuddly, affectionate and very easy.

Definitely get a car, not one of those horrible little rats on stilts.

I love chihuahuas, though prefer them crossed so they come slightly larger.

They are wonderful dogs if you don’t make the mistake of wrapping them in cotton wool when they are tiny. It can be easy to just keep them wrapped up in your arms. Our have always loved ‘uppies ’ and cuddles but they also need to be exposed to lots of experiences.

Focus on lots of socialisation and reassurance that the world isn’t that scary (we did a lot of positive rewards involving people touching her head - big hands can seem scary to a very tiny puppy!) while they are young.

Do that and you will have the most loving wonderful little dog. We often get compliments on ours and people adoring her while saying they usually hate little dogs!

Edited to add that our current girl is best friends with a Great Dane and all the local cats who like to share her sun bathing spot.

Ignore those who are silly enough to think all little dogs are nasty. They just tend to be because people who don’t know what they are doing will get a small dog and assume they don’t need to bother training/socialising it.