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?

You can (and should) do both.

Pet shops are great places for controlled socialisation - there are lots of friendly staff who will be tolerant of puppy behaviour, for starters!

Agree, my saluki is not off lead daily as he has zero recall. And he can find a lot to sniff on a pavement!

We have a chi as our first dog. No problems with house training and not yappy. However they are totally one person dogs. I am his person and although he will put up with other family members he is pretty unhappy without me. This obviously has implications for holidays and overnights and even just going to the shops.

They need walked like any other dog , ours walks for miles.
If you can be there 24/7 for your chi you will have a wonderful friend

iv only seen two both angry and yappy.
one tried to bite my shihtzu and the other barks like a feral loon every time she sees my dog.
consider the loud constant barking if you have clients and the dog doesn’t like them in the house.

Dog Behaviourist of 14 years here!
Yes Chi’s have a reputation but it’s mostly down to how they are treated/brought up. Unfortunately, most small dogs are not taken seriously by the general population when they don’t want to be approached/picked up/stroked by them etc. so they learn quickly that barking/growling/snapping is the only way to be listened to.

Any breed can have its problems, which is why it’s important to ensure you’ve done your research on puppy training, dog ownership, breed traits etc.

Lots of people don’t like Chi’s because of their reputation even though they haven’t owned one! In my experience they are very clever and love training. They are loving and sociable given the right opportunity to socialise from a young age.

My advice is take advice about the breed from people who actually own them. Join chi groups on Facebook etc.
Getting the right advice on the internet is a minefield and this page is a prime example of that! (Even with my qualifications and experience I’m sure I’ll get at least one negative comment on this response saying I’m wrong or something 🙄)

Make sure you find a good breeder or do a few meetings with a rescued dog.

Enrol in a good puppy course where the trainer can give you lots of advice and support you if things do go a bit wrong.
Make sure they have good qualifications and used reward based methods.
The industry is unregulated so anyone can become a dog trainer!
(I have a degree in canine behaviour btw!)

Get a good dog walker at least twice a week for socialising as well as exercise.

Let them be dogs. Teach them to enjoy being approached/handled. Make sure they are mentally and physically exercised.

If you’re still unsure about dog ownership hang around with someone with a dog you feel comfortable with. Offer to look after them if you feel up to it. Don’t rush into it.
I’m a firm believer in ‘the dog chooses you.’

Just remember most dogs want to jump up and lick you because it’s how they say hello.
The can learn that you don’t like it though - it just takes some time.

Everyone starts somewhere. My sister was never a dog person and she has a staffy now!

Dog ownership can be hard and requires a lot of commitment but it's very rewarding when done right.

Many years ago, I did an online Q&A designed to tell you which dog would best suit your lifestyle. It was pretty in-depth, not just a basic quiz. Anyway, my result was Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and I wasn’t too enthusiastic about the idea. Most of the cavs I saw out and about were fat. They have bulging eyes and just seemed a bit wet.

Shortly thereafter an opportunity arose for me to adopt an older cav. I decided that getting the right dog was more important than how the dog looked so we brought Rosy home and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve since had several cavs, including puppies and they’re a wonderful breed - perfect for our family and we’ve loved them all dearly.

The point I’m making is that the heart melting feeling about the dog’s looks is really a fleeting factor. I honestly wouldn’t even consider it now.

Chihuahuas are yappy, nippy dogs. You can tell me all you like about how it’s the owners’ fault and what a shame it is that people laugh at them, but I’ve never met one that isn’t an a-hole. My friend has one and you can’t even walk in the door without it losing its mind. It’s a horrible wee thing and my concern about your situation is that you mentioned clients. I would avoid making appointments with any professional that had a Chihuahua. The idea of sitting through an appointment where the professional has a yapping, snapping dog in their lap - or where the same dog is yapping/howling outside the door is seriously off putting.

I think you should put aside all thoughts of what the dog looks like and consider more important factors like socialisation, shedding (for the comfort of clients, as you mentioned above) and whether the breed can be left at home alone.

Don’t assume you’ll get the breed standard. We (experienced dog owners) went for a Cavapoo this time partly because they’re a ‘1’ on barking supposedly and our little guy is a VERY BARKY LAD 11/10 do not believe the ‘standards’.

@cockadoodledandy That’s because you got a horribly bred mutt. There’s no standard for them they’re unethical and unpredictable. Ethical breeders stick to the standard.

There's no such thing as a "breed standard" for a cavapoo.

There’s an awful lot of people speaking shite in this post 😂 I have owned lots of different animals from sheep to snakes chihuahuas are fab wee dogs. I have two just now Lola is a long haired cross from Romania and Henry is a older boy short haired from a breeder as a puppy. They are just normal dogs like any other in a tiny body they don’t need special treatment. Train them like you would any dog, mines run free on the beach with much bigger dogs and everyone gets along fine if someone with an aggressive dog came along they would run by me for safety and I certainly would pick them up because a big dog biting me seems a lot better than ripping them apart. Lola is a bit funny about strange men and does bark at them but I assume that’s from something that happened to her before she got here. Henry is much more chill he does have a bark if someone passes the gate. I lived in flats before I moved to this house and we had a rotty and a lab( I had a husband then too so took it in turns letting them out) but you can get pee posts and things for litter training them if that’s the way you want to go. Not all chis are angry aggressive or yappy it’s all about how they are trained any dog can be a prick just like any human it’s all to do with upbringing. They are clever and affectionate dogs who love nothing more than a warm place to lie and a cuddle. They are very much one man dogs though and much to her disappointment have zero interest in my daughter when I’m around just want to be with me. I work and not from home either and when I’m out they go in their crate happily as they use it all the time when I’m home, they’re lying cuddled up right now in it with the door open. They don’t do walks in the rain and Henry’s been struggling this week with the snow it was so deep his wee Willy was getting cold 😂😂 so many folk saying they’re all aggressive or wee rats honestly just annoys me, they have a lot of personality and too many people baby them that’s why they behave that way. I see nothing wrong with you having one in a city in a flat millions of people make it work all over the world if that’s what you decide. your doing your research and being sensible looking up vets and classes and things I see no reason it can’t work for you. Bonus picture that always makes me laugh henry proper slapping her playing 😂

OP I have 6 chihuahuas and people can’t believe how much the stereotype is blown apart when they meet mine. I live in a very rural area (Scottish Island) and would never let mine off lead even on the beach because of birds of prey etc. 3 of mine are from the same family and it’s very clear how much genes play as important a part as environment in their personalities, if both mum and dad are very chilled it’s highly likely their offspring will be too so if looking at a puppy rather than a rescue (mine are a mix of both) you want recommendations of a reputable breeder whereby you can get to know the parents too. Please feel free to PM me if you’d like me to answer any questions / want advice but I can honestly say if you decide on one you won’t regret it!

My first dog is a chihuahua. I love him so much but he can be aggressive and he's the alpha between him and my medium size rescue mongrel. He is exercised every day, never off lead because he's reactionary. He's big for a chihuahua, but still small in relation to other breeds.

I think having any dog requires a lot of prior research. Would you adopt? Would you buy from a breeder? Living in a flat alone has many boundaries for adoption, especially from the rspca.

Ask yourself these questions;
Are you financially stable enough to support a dog?
Are you in a position to walk the dog numerous times per day? (if you're in a flat without a garden, it'll need to be walked considerably more than if you do have a garden)
Do you have the genuine time to give the dog?

Then decide from there, rather than just "because I want one"

I was always a cat person, but my daughter got a lovely Lab, and she is soo sweet. wonderful nature. Cuddly though quite big, and very quiet..Seems to me is the x wee dogs that are crabby and snappy.

I have money and I work from home. I can give a dog plenty of time. One thing I like about a very small dog is they're easier to take about, especially for travelling. I hear they're popular with lorry drivers in the US lol.

I would be willing to adopt but I think most rescues wouldn't be keen on an inexperienced apartment dweller.

Yes you’re quite correct re rescues they also insist on a 6ft fence…. For a Chihuahua that’s always a bizarre requirement I’ve never met an Olympian Chi yet! I looked after my friends pregnant Chi while she was away for the night on New Years Eve…. Got up New Year’s Day wondered why her dog wasn’t coming out to the garden with the others when I called her and realised she’d delivered 3 puppies on my sofa!! Cue lots of swear words and panic! Moved her safely with pups into my office with lots of blankets/ towels and had the privilege of seeing the fourth being born 🥰 I’ve never wanted to breed off mine (too many risks involved) so it was an amazing, lucky experience!!

I guess the 6' fence is to keep bad dogs out?

I am tired of being put off by strange dogs. I used to be worse - particularly when my kids were little (they're grown now.) They're everywhere and I might as well like them. I am making an effort to interact with dogs whenever possible. I can now pet them without immediately wanting to go wash my hands.

No, the suitable height fencing is to keep the dog safe in it's garden from escaping and becoming lost.
You would be very surprised how some dogs can take a running jump and scramble up a fence when it is trying to escape it's environment.
Dogs can also jump up onto garden furniture and get over a fence, they can get under fences / gates etc.
there are so many gardens that are unsafe for a new or a rescue dog.
Hence so many dog rescue charities carry out home checks.

You probably should want to go and wash your hands after you pet dogs tbh - that has nothing to do with nerves and everything to do with basic hygiene…

Obviously I wash my hands before eating - I habitually wash my hands whenever I get home. I just no longer feel uncomfortable about having touched a dog when I'm out and about.

Your dog needs to go to the park and have a run around and some social time with other dogs. You wouldn't keep a child in solitary confinement, never meeting other children, and completely isolating a dog from its own species is cruel (unless the dog has severe behaviour issues - that's a different kettle of fish).

It may be a small dog, but it's a dog all the same and it has the same psychosocial needs as any other dog.

If you keep the dog separated from other dogs, only a brief meeting on lead in the street, you can guarantee that it will develop behaviour problems and it won't manage to behave civilly in the company of other dogs.

If the thought of a random husky in the park staring to snuffle around your pockets for treats is horrific to you then don't get a dog because it will happen to you, and fairly frequently.

I never said there was. I’m very clued up on my dogs, thanks. The mention of breed standard was with reference to chihuahuas. Cavapoos do, however, have known regular or predictable characteristics.

Are you allowed a dog or cat in your flat? Might be worth checking the lease. Having said that, we had a cat in ours for years and no one noticed. Dogs however can be more annoying and therefore people are more likely to
complain.

And I’m not sure where you live, but I wouldn’t be worrying about birds of prey. If you mean the Red Kites, they have very weak claws so can’t carry much weight, they tend to eat carrion.

We're allowed to have pets, yes.

A lot of people with very small dogs/chihuahuas don't trust other dogs in public, but there are those anti-coyote vests that look kinda cute in a punk rock way lol