My oldest daughter wants a chihuahua but I have a 5 yesr old and a 3 year old. Should I get one?
2006-06-29 18:31:56 · 20 answers · asked by Sofija 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I raise Chihuahuas, and as much as I hate to hear all the complaints against my choice of pet.......with a 3 and 5 year old. I tend to agree, a smaller Chihuahua will not be a good choice.
You will have to trust the breeder a lot on what she tells you.
I have raised some that will let the kids drag them all over the house (now these are my bigger 7lb dogs) in cloths and socks and all things that can be worn attached to their little bodies, and it all be done without a sound of complaint from the dog.
I make a point of handling my puppies constantly from the time they are born, but some of them are just going to be too fragile and tiny to be around a small child.
Even well behaved children will run through the house and kick the puppy across the floor before they even see it.
The smaller ones have very fragile bones. It is very easy for a fall to break their little legs.
A dog can be small and fragile without having any genetic problems. For some reason people automatically think tiny means a sick, weak runt.
If you want to get a Chihuahua dog for you oldest daughter, get one that is going to be the bigger (7 to 9lb) size.
2006-06-29 19:09:11 · answer #1 · answered by Chihuahua Magic 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on how old your eldest is, I would still say probably not. Chihuahuas are extremely tempermental and high maintance. They get into everything and don't like to be messed with and can bite at the slightest irritation. They bark constantly at the slightest provoction. A more family fun dog would be a beagle. One the whole family can enjoy.
2006-06-29 19:31:34 · answer #2 · answered by gyspy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Small dogs with delicate legs (chihuahuas, minpins, etc) are not good dogs to have around small children. They could fall on the pet and easily break their legs, among other things. Also, small children tend to be rough with their pets and these little dogs aren't sturdy enough to handle it. I'd either get a different breed, or wait until the children are a bit older.
2006-06-29 18:37:15 · answer #3 · answered by blondeqtpie13 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My chi would bite you 62 times on a good day. They are too fragile for young children and will break the skin when they bite a child. I will stick with my APBT's - rock solid. No fear biting.
I would recommend going down to your local shelter and rolling up your sleeves test driving some dogs down there. Try a female dog as they are usually more easy to train and control.
Rescue one until there's none!
2006-06-29 18:59:18 · answer #4 · answered by mdemo1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO. chihuahuas have somehow escaped the "aggressive" repuation and are wildly popluar, when they are in fact one of the most aggressive breeds out there. if you do get one, GET IT SPAYED/NEUTERED before it is 6 months old and get it in a training class. Chi's are extremely dominant and should be trained properly at the beginning.
Even if you do all this, it is still a genetic problem in the Chihuahua makeup that makes them aggressive.
2006-06-29 18:36:21 · answer #5 · answered by DFA79 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. They are fragile. They bark alot. They fear bite. They are fragile (I know I already said this, but with young children, it needs to be repeated). They look like a toy and this can lead to problems with kids.
Consider possibly a chi mix of some sort. There are many long-legged chi mixed breeds that are much sturdier and more family friendly. Look at your local rescue groups for more info. Good luck! : )
2006-06-29 18:42:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All dogs have different personalities but chihuahuas have a tendency to be hyper and they bark a lot and sometimes they even have a tendency to nip when the get excited. That type of dog wouldn't be my first choice, family or not.
2006-06-29 18:35:05 · answer #7 · answered by Martin S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
afraid so they are known to be yappers. some will nip as well. if your really worried once you have the pup take it to puppy pre school. This will give you and the pup the knowlage on how to get on top and never let develop any problems.
good luck.
PS If you are after a alternative do some reaserch on the West highland terrier fantastic small dogs and not yappers great with kids.
2006-06-29 18:42:00 · answer #8 · answered by karen33382000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are very protective of the family. they are a loving dog, also because they are small, the children have to learn to be careful with them. chihuahuas were bred by the Aztec royalty to protect against scorpions and rattle snakes, that's why they have such a nervous personality. they can move fast,
2006-06-29 18:42:26 · answer #9 · answered by oldguy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes
2006-06-29 18:34:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋