Chihuahuas: Input...UPDATE!!

My experience ranges from having one to three dogs at a time.

Pros:

The dogs have each other to play with, so if there's a day when you don't have the time/energy/health to exercise them, they will exercise each other. (Note: This is not to say that they don't NEED exercise and interaction with their owner, just that it's an added benefit for them to have each other.)

If you have to be gone, they still have a member of their "pack" to hang out with, thus reducing or eliminating separation anxiety.

Cons:

Added expense.

Two dogs may be more likely to hurt a cat/chicken/rabbit than one dog; pack mentality and all that.

You will need to divide your attention between them, since both dogs need one on one time with their owner.


Personally - I like having two dogs at a time. One seems like not enough, and three seems like one too many!
 
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Hi,
I have two chihuahuas that I have had since they were 12 weeks old. Mine do NOT bite, are not yappy, and are not hyper. They only bark briefly when the bell rings, and love kids. When they were puppies, they would occasionally run around and chase each other for a few minutes, but then it was back to lap dog. They do want to be ON you every minute that you are sitting down, but you can train them to get up. Mine know lots of commands, but along this line: lets get up, down, go kennel. Mine have been well socialized sine I got them, and I chose a breeder that had lots of activity and lots of kids in her house, so they were also well socialized in their first home. One thing that is really important, when the doorbell rings, you need to ignore your chihuahua, or kennel them if they bark. If you pick them up to stop doorbell barking, you are just reinforcing that it is the right thing to do to bark until someone picks you up. Your reaction to barking should be neutral or removing rewards. Most chihuahuas are pretty licky, so if you don't want that, don't allow it from the beginning. Mine are the best dogs!!! Pros of small dogs - you can wash them in the sink, they don't have much hair so when they shed you don't even notice it, they are not in the way when they follow you around (unlike our lab who tailgates you and you practically trip over the lug), they are great snugglers, oh they love to sunbathe too - they lie so still they look dead out there baking in the sun. If you get two at a time, they bond to you and each other, so they don't tend to get over protective of their people.
Some cons: potty training - you will probably need a portable fence around a dog door ... at least for the first year or two, for them to be in when you can't watch them ... also if you have a really teeny chihuahua, it might be trained perfectly when it is warm out, and the minute it gets cold you might need the portable fence again so it HAS to go outside to potty - they are cold wusses. My vet tells me that many do bite at the vets office, ours are the nicest ones they have ever met ... but I think it is because they are socialized - they go to Petsmart and Petco with us, and go on walks and meet everyone in the neighborhood.
Mine are my favorite dogs I've ever had, and my first small dogs. My other dogs prior to this were Springer Spaniel, Sheepdog mix, Old English Sheepdog, Lab, English Setters. Now we have two chihuahuas (2.8 lbs and 5 lbs) and a big lab (91lbs).
I will always have a chihuahua
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If you look for one that is well socialized by it's family and friendly and outgoing, you will get a good dog!
 
Hmm, I'd think having two well-behaved dogs would not be too much different than one. The requirements are the same: food, water, exercise, grooming. If you're going thru that for one, I don't see it taking all that much more time for two. After all, they can be walked and played with together, so that takes no more time, really. The key, I think, is well-behaved and trained, which it certainly sounds like these two are. But the only way to tell for sure is to meet them in person.

There is also double expense to think about- double food, double vet bills, double groomer if you go that route.

And then, if you do get them, expect some difficult days as they adjust. They may even backtrack on some training, purely out of confusion and stress. Patience would be key. But I'm sure you know that.

They are gorgeous looking dogs!
 
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It is very traumatic for a dog to be rehomed but 2 dogs that have always been together it will be even harder if separated. I think the transistion will go smoother if they are rehomed together. Also there will be a period of greiving for the old owner where they will not act quite like themselves. Keep that in mind when bringing them home. Lots of love and patience. Also they will keep each other company when there are times you cant be there. Like chickens dogs are pack animals they do better with more than 1. I have 4 and its not any harder to keep 4 then it is to keep 1 just more food.
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I'd take them both in a heart beat. They will both adjust better having each other and without anthropomorphizing them, they will be GRATEFUL to go to a new home together.

They are used to each other, they will be a comfort to each other, and will entertain each other and keep each other company. There won't be any dominance issues, as they have already worked out who is top dog already. You might have issues with that if you got to dogs who are strangers to one another.

They sound like a well trained, sweet, HOUSE BROKEN pair. As the owner of 8 dogs, I say go for it....before she gives them to someone else!
 
Good Luck in finding the right dog/s for you. I LOVE my cavalier AND my cavachons make me laugh all the time.

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I'd be inclined to say go for it on the two spaniels. The one has done some VERY high energy competitions, the free style "dancing" and the Rally are both extremely high energy sports for a dog, so I'd make sure that she doesn't require that type of high energy excercise now that she's older, and I could see some potential for a longer adjustment period for Haley, since she's so attached to the current owner, but it will be much easier for her if they stay together. I think you'll be happy with them once you have them. Just keep a very regular "routine" for them, especially for the first couple of weeks, and that will make their adjustment period MUCH easier for all of you.
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