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?

@AliceA2021

Maybe you missed ' I have considered cats and small dogs. I have experience with cats. ' ?

Not really as the OP says she wants a fluffy pet and has already had cats! So thinking about a cat when she doesn't want to meet other dogs that much and lives in a flat without access to the outside isn't weird, an indoor cat like a Ragdoll would be very suitable and avoid some of the socialization/need to walk issues.

Honestly, it doesn't sound like you're confident or knowledgeable enough about dogs to own one. At least, not until you've done a lot more research.

Chihuahuas can be fantastic in the right hands but if you are nervous of bigger dogs and inexperienced with dogs in general, your dog will pick up on that and that's where the problems start.

Not when OP says she's considering a cat herself, no

I have experience with cats and I have considered getting one. But I don't think I want one. So I'm not asking if I should get a cat or a dog. I'm just exploring the possibility of a small dog.

Cities like New York and London are full of dogs who happily live in high rise buildings. I don't know if not having a garden matters.

Cities like New York and London are full of dogs who happily live in high rise buildings. I don't know if not having a garden matters.

As long as you're prepared to get up and take your dog out regularly during the day, as well as first thing in the morning and last thing at night in all weathers, then not having a garden isn't really an issue.

Remember dogs like Chihuahuas only have tiny bladders so will need to go out a lot more often as adults compared to say, a Labrador sized dog.

OMG... don't get a chihuahuas if you live in a flat! Your neighbours will hate you. I know 2 people with chihuahuas and they admit themselves that the yapping is a nightmare!

Yes of course it would need frequent walks and taken outside. I just thought it was a thing that people thought it needed to be able to run around a yard.

Well, personally I wouldn't plan on getting a dog if I didn't have a secure, private outside space for them to toilet in bad weather. We're under an Amber warning this weekend and I'm very glad I can just open the door and let the dog out for a wee instead of having to get changed, put a coat etc. on, get the dog sorted and take him out every few hours.

That doesn't mean it's impossible, of course.

We’ve always gone for chihuahua/jack russel crosses. I found them no yappier than any other breed but I raised and trained them exactly the way I did my other dogs (Doberman). They aren’t snappy and are loved where ever we go, especially by children who are a bit scared of bigger dogs but will ask to stroke ours.

One of the things that attracted me to smaller dogs was the longer life span after the heartbreak if losing our Doberman.

Our old boy is still going strong at 17 years old with no sign of slowing down yet, and our female is two.

I think it makes sense to train a small dog as if it were a doberman or rottweiler... Don't laugh at it when it expresses anxiety and fear by growling or baring teeth. I think when people ignore their boundaries they become more defensive. Well, that's what I would assume.

Ridiculous creatures 😉

mine doesn’t know she’s a chi, thinks she’s normal size.
Fiesty and affectionate and toilet trained. Follows commands and gets walked most days … will NOT walk in the rain …
treat them like a normal dog and it’ll be brilliant

So how do you pet them if you can't bend down and use your hands?

if you are buying a puppy from a breeder & want a sweet small dog that doesn't shed my friend has a powder puff Chinese crested crossed with a poodle & it's so cuddly and clever - a real lap dog. I once got badly bitten by a Chihuahua as a child and I find them dog reactive when I see them out & about - always so yappy. I would personally always adopt a dog and wouldn't get such a small breed myself. They do shed a fair bit too. I met a gorgeous Pomeranian the other day on a walk - so sweet and friendly. You can't guarantee what personality you'll get though with any breed.

Don't do it, get a cat. You can get non shedding ones. Chihuahuas are a little nightmares. The smaller the dog the worse they are.

My mother had a quiet friendly sweet affectionate chi !!

I hope you find your dream dog, OP.

If you want a calm small dog then go for a shih tzu. I have had 4 over the years and they have all been calm chilled dogs. They also don't moult so no hairs although you have to have them groomed.

I have a couple of friends who say, get a cat. (When I'm fretting about the logistics of dog ownership, as I live alone). I like cats, but they definitely aren't by default all cuddly, their hair gets everywhere, they walk and shed hair all over your home including eating areas, they are killing machines of birds and small mammals and they use everyone's gardens as their toilet. I'm gonna be direct, I think the majority of dog owners are far more committed to looking after their pet properly, they even pick up and dispose of the animals poop, whereas the majority of cat owners are "out of sight, out of mind". "My cat shits in your garden, well get your own cat and that will keep them away". Great 🙄 Happy to hear any sensible defence of cat ownership but my points stand firm.

I was a vet nurse for years and we always dreaded the Chihuahuas 🤣
What about a Pomeranian ?

The issue you have is they are absolutely notorious for being quite nasty some people have got lucky I see from the thread but less notorious for being nasty and still very small is a Yorkshire terrier?

A shitzu went for me in the summer. .on a long lead and ripped my trousers and drew

blood.

I think there are a couple of things jumped out at me after reading your post . You live in a flat and Chi barking may become an issue with neighbours . You have people coming to your flat for work , a Chi may become protective of you and its space . House training, some Chi owners have to resort to a ' litter box ' without a garden / open kitchen door in better weather . You may have to be prepared to work with a behaviorist / trainer to overcome issues .Finally , Chi health issues due to skull size , slipping patella , teeth issues so be careful about the breeder you choose .
Lots of mays , hopefully none would occur but better to be aware before the dog arrives . 😊

Chi's are very loving if brought up correctly and socialized. They have the heart of a lion, size has no bearing on their courage. They need a lot more exercise than you would think for a little dog or they become overweight and unhappy. If you can't give the exercise and stimulation they need you should not get a dog at all. They are not just for cuddling.

Just read all of the thread. I think it is cruel for a dog not to have a garden to run around and I would dispute that dogs live "happily" in high rise flats.

Barking wouldn't bother neighbours as we're very well soundproofed. Can't hear anything. But I have to think about how they may react to people coming in - it's only a few times a week but I don't want to hear a dog going crazy and scratching at a closed door and neither would they. Plus that's an unhappy dog.

I have looked at other breeds. None of them make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside just looking at them. There really is something about a short hair chihuahua that melts my heart. But I do think that I would be gaga over a puppy of any breed and would think it's the most beautiful dog in the world - I just keep looking at pictures of chihuahuas!

Lots to think about.