Chihuahuas: Input...UPDATE!!

[vettechmomof2]

There a chick... :

Quote:
Another person in the veterinary community...I would second this. Yes, we do see some really nice Chihuahuas, but the majority of them are labeled "caution/muzzle" on their charts. The other thing I will point out is that they can be "fragile" (i.e. we have seen some that have broken their leg just jumping off the couch).

ditto here!​

 

[backyardfarmer83]

Pugs are rather low maintanance dogs. They are very friendly and quiet, and they are the best dog to choose if you have cats. They don't shed much, and only require a quick brushing every couple weeks. The only thing is that (like all dogs) they need to be walked often. If you can't take them for a walk yourself, make sure you give them at least 20 minutes of play time in the house (i.e. fetch, tug-of-war) and see if anyone else would be willing to take them for a 15 minute walk in the evenings or mornings, maybe. They adapt very well to any situation.

 

[BoldogKennel]

It's simple... choose a reputable breeder (and you WILL NOT find that on CL, NO EXCEPTIONS) and meet the animals involved. The parents and other relatives will show you what the pups will be like, with, of course, some differences in personality, of course.

As to Cavaliers, I saw one being dumped on CL this week for biting kids... there are no "nice breeds" and no "bad breeders". There are breeds which better match a person's situation and temperament, and then there are breeds which are targets of the worse sort of backyard breeders (the ones that advertise on CL) who produce unsound dogs and don't care.

With small breeds it is ABSOLUTELY necessary that health checks be done on the breeding stock. THis includes but is not limited to OFA hip, heart, elbow and patella (especially patella) and CERF eyes. ANY BREEDER WHO DOES NOT DO THESE TEST IS PURE AND SIMPLE A BYB." There are NO excuses. None. Hell, I do these test and I don't even sell my dogs, so I don't want to hear people whining about "cost". If you "love" animals you want to protect them from suffering from disease or poor structures... dogs are stoic, but that doesn't mean we get to ignore issues like poor knees.

Chihuahuas are victims of fad breeding right now. Every few years a new breed "gets it" from the fad breeders, like the Doberman in the 70's, the pit bull in the 80's, 90' and 00's, the Jack Russell a few years back, the Bernese Mt Dog and dalmatian... Chihuahuas are a current fad breed and one must use caution when looking for a well bred one. But they are out there - IF you have researched and that is the breed you like. I have never owned one, but have met some that were real charmers.

Good luck, and please support REPUTABLE BREEDERS who health test as mentioned above. When you buy off CL yuo are simply supporting backyard breeders and in the end, the dogs are the ones who really suffer.

 

[wolftracks]

Quote:
X2

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

Quote:
1** What you are describing is NOT a puppy. You are describing an adult dog with some decent training and socialization.

2** Please don't expect any dog, chihuahua or not fit what you said you are looking for. It takes time, training, and scialization.

3** Chihuahuas are known to be defensive dogs due to their size and the fact that MOST people who own them refuse to do basic training and treat them like tiny people.

I have known many sweet Chi's. I have know several nasty one's too. But if you weren't considering this breed to begin with, why not just leave it alone? Its probably smart to just get an older trained dog.

 

[Mak]

Quote:
I agree with all of the above, especially the second point. In all the years and all the dogs I've known, 99% of the time, if there is a problem, it's the owner, not the dog. Whatever age, breed, sex you get, it's the time you take with the dog that will make the difference. Heck, I've got my 9 year old Lab in obedience classes. He's a sweet, gentle, mellow, basically well-behaved dog, but I know he can be better. It's working- he is!

 

[Laurajean]

Quote:
1** What you are describing is NOT a puppy. You are describing an adult dog with some decent training and socialization.

2** Please don't expect any dog, chihuahua or not fit what you said you are looking for. It takes time, training, and scialization.

3** Chihuahuas are known to be defensive dogs due to their size and the fact that MOST people who own them refuse to do basic training and treat them like tiny people.

I have known many sweet Chi's. I have know several nasty one's too. But if you weren't considering this breed to begin with, why not just leave it alone? Its probably smart to just get an older trained dog.

1. I am not looking for a puppy. I didn't specify puppy in my wanted ad, but when someone emailed me with a puppy, I was just taking it into consideration. I have raised puppies before, I'm familiar with the work involved. I'd MUCH prefer an adult, but just wanted to be open minded.

2. I totally disagree with saying no dog will suit my needs. I had a wonderful mixed breed who I had from 9 weeks old to 13 years old, but she finally died of cancer. She lived a very happy life. It's been a few years now and I'm ready for another dog after mourning her loss. Unless I am misunderstand you, which I might be, it sounds like you're saying I wouldn't be a good dog owner because of my low energy lifestyle. Would you tell a senior they shouldn't get a dog too? I never said I didn't have time, in fact, I'm at home and have nothing but time to devote to a dog. I never said I wasn't willing to train, I was a training assistant for a police dog trainer a number of years ago, and am fully capable and willing to train. And I certainly am planning to socialize the dog as much as possible, knowing socialization is the key to a happy healthy dog mentality. Don't think for a second that because I have some physical limitations and because I don't go running every day that I can't be a wonderful dog owner. I'm extremely responsible, have my own home with a great yard to play in, live in a country environment, have patience and a lot of time and love to offer. I simply have a few limitations, that's all. I need to be able to lift the dog, and I'm asking for a lower-level energy dog deliberately to be fair to the dog. Getting a high energy Shetland Sheepdog or the sorts would be foolish, and they would suffer from the lack of vigorous exercise. But there are plenty of mellow dogs out there that would appreciate a lower level of activity. It doesn't mean I wouldn't walk them daily, put time into training, play, etc.

3. I asked about Chihuahuas fully expecting to hear what I did, that they are not compatible for me. I just wanted some input from others, but they confirmed my suspicions. I've ruled out Chihuahuas at this point, they clearly aren't for me.

I think I was a wonderful dog owner and would be again. I think the fact that I'm putting so much consideration and research into this for the last couple of years, if nothing else proves that. I just want a dog compatible with my lifestyle, and think that's a very reasonable request.

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

Quote:
Laurajean -- I am so sorry. I obviously came across wrong, and a condecending/harsh tone wasn't what I wanted to convey at all.

Please take that to heart.

I have seen plenty of very low activity owners with very well adjusted, nice, well trained dogs. The thought that you couldn't be a good owner or find a dog to fit your needs never crossed my mind!

What I was trying to say was this: Please don't consider a brand new puppy for what you have said you need. Not saying there isn't ANY puppy that would be easy for you, I am just more apt to stack odds in your favor by only considering adult dogs. Adult dogs are very much "what you see is what you get" -- both good and bad behaviors. Puppies you have to mold into what you want, it takes a lot of time and training. I am not saying you can't train a puppy, I was just going off of what you had said you stated in your Craigslist ad, and a puppy wasn't what I "heard" you talking about. I hope you understand.

You are absolutely correct, too, that there are plenty of low energy dogs out there that could fit your wants and needs to a "T".

I guess I was trying to shy you away from a puppy, but my method of communication here wasn't effective, in fact was offensive. Certainly not how I try and talk to anyone

(well..unless I'm having PMS..thats another story LOL). I am sure you are and have been a wonderful owner, and I wish you the very best finding the dog you want.

 

[Mak]

Laurajean-

Did you contact Manchester about that Pap/King Charles? (Yeah, I looked her up! She sounds adorable!) I checked around here, too, but mostly seeing either large or not what you want. Geez, with all the stuff you hear about the number of animals that need homes, you'd think it'd be easier, wouldn't you?

 

[Laurajean]

Quote:
Laurajean -- I am so sorry. I obviously came across wrong, and a condecending/harsh tone wasn't what I wanted to convey at all.

Please take that to heart.

I have seen plenty of very low activity owners with very well adjusted, nice, well trained dogs. The thought that you couldn't be a good owner or find a dog to fit your needs never crossed my mind!

What I was trying to say was this: Please don't consider a brand new puppy for what you have said you need. Not saying there isn't ANY puppy that would be easy for you, I am just more apt to stack odds in your favor by only considering adult dogs. Adult dogs are very much "what you see is what you get" -- both good and bad behaviors. Puppies you have to mold into what you want, it takes a lot of time and training. I am not saying you can't train a puppy, I was just going off of what you had said you stated in your Craigslist ad, and a puppy wasn't what I "heard" you talking about. I hope you understand.

You are absolutely correct, too, that there are plenty of low energy dogs out there that could fit your wants and needs to a "T".

I guess I was trying to shy you away from a puppy, but my method of communication here wasn't effective, in fact was offensive. Certainly not how I try and talk to anyone

(well..unless I'm having PMS..thats another story LOL). I am sure you are and have been a wonderful owner, and I wish you the very best finding the dog you want.

Thank you, I understand now. I did think you were saying I should not have a dog at all, so I was a bit taken aback for sure! But yes, a puppy is far more of a challenge and I understand what you are saying now. Although I could handle a puppy, I really would prefer an adult dog anyway, I was just trying to be open to options. But thank you so much for clarifying, I appreciate it!