My heart is set on getting a chihuahua... Any advice?

Question

I am absolutely in love with chihuahuas. I am strongly considering getting one within the next six months. I have no other animals and it's just me and my boyfriend in our townhouse. I have heard mixed things about chihuahuas... that they are 'yippy' and bark all the time, that they are mean, that some are so sweet and that they are loyal to their owner, etc... Anyone with a chihuahua able to offer some insight from their own experiences? Any advice, especially how to choose a calm chihuahua and where to buy it, would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

Not only do I own a chihuahua, but my mother rescues them. You sound like the perfect home for this great breed. Some things you do need to know about the breed are:
~ They are a vocal breed, but they are not constant barkers. Of coarse you can get a barker in this breed such as any breed. They do express themselves vocally alot. You will hear them make almost a cooing noise when happy. They will whine when happy or upset. And they are great guard dogs despite thier size.
~ They tend to be a one person dog. The dog will pick their person and that will be it. Some dogs will tend to be aggressive towards other people, but some are affectionate to everyone. My mother's dog PJ is madly in love with her, but loves everyone. Not as much as my mother but very much.
~ Potty training these dogs can be difficult, but it is possiable.
~ These dogs do not get along well with children. They tend to be nervous around fast, jerky moving objects. They are notourious "fear biters" meaning when scared, they bite.
~ Socializing is key with these little tikes. As a pup bring these guys everywhere, the park, the pet store, friends houses, anywhere that is pet friendly. Allow strangers to pet your dog, other dogs (that you know and know they are dog friendly) sniff and play with your puppy. This will not only make your day watching your puppy's personality grow but also you will do your puppy untold good.

The best thing that I can recomend is to do your research. The AKC has an amazing site where you can do your research. Make sure that you are prepared to be a forever home to a dog that can live 15-20 years, and not just getting one because they are Hollywoods newest accessary (which is why most people are getting them right now). As for finding a calm one find a submissive one. Watch the puppies as you walk in, the "shy one" that isn't jumping around like crazy, the one that is easily put on its back and stays there and the one that will let you take away toys, treats and anything else will be calm and easily trained. As for buying it DO NOT BUY FROM A PET STORE!!!! These pet stores that sell pure breds are usually buying them from puppy mills, which I can tell you from experiance, are horrific torture houses for dogs. Not to mention you can't meet the puppy's parents and see what they are like which is a great window into what your puppy will be like. Buy from a newspaper ad or better yet a rescue group. If buying from a newspaper ask to see the parents, all the puppies and their living enviroment. If you would like more information or would like to see what my mother has for dogs e-mail me at [e-mail]

Thanks and good luck!

Answer 2

Chihuahuas are the best pet ever!! I have one and she is 3 years old. They are extremely loyal to their owners and very protective. Mine will bark when someone comes to the house, but as soon as she sees their face and recognizes them, she calms right down. I have never had any problems with her and couldn't imagine life without her. She loves to snuggle and she's so small, that she can easily go everywhere with me. I take her in the car as much as I can. They aren't liable to run off because they don't want to lose their owners. I never have her on a leash because I am that trusting she will never wander off.
Everyone that knows my dog, loves her. She's very cute and lovable.
They are small dogs and I've noticed that mine eats like a cat. She always had food in her dish throughout the day. She doesn't eat regular meals...many chihuahuas are that way.
The only concern you might have is her doing her business in the house. Mine has an accident every now and then still and that's only because her bladder is so small that it's virtually impossible to be home alone for 8 hours while we are at work and not go. I did make some diapers for her though which I highly recommend. I just picked out some fleece fabric and some elastic. It worked really well and she rarely goes in them because she knows she stuck in them for the rest of the day and doesn't want to sit in that mess! They're smart dogs and will become a friend for life...guaranteed.
I hope this helped and if you are serious about getting a chihuahua, I would love to give you some more advice about them if you're interested! Good luck and enjoy your new family member if you decide to get one!

Answer 3

The main thing is to treat it like a dog. Not a baby, not a toy, not an accessory. Socialize it, train it, expect it to behave. Don't allow any behavior you wouldn't accept from a rottweiler.

To find a good breeder, try the Chihuahua club of America
http://www.chihuahuaclubofamerica.com/

They have a breeder's directory. It's not a guarantee, but at least these people have gone to the trouble of joining the club and signing the code of ethics.

Learn everything you can about the breed BEFORE you get one.

The more effort you put in to a dog, especially when it's a puppy, the better companion it will be.

Answer 4

Go for it !!! I have two. They are wonderful dogs. Mine are NOT yippy, they do not bark a lot, nor are they mean. They are total lap dogs and are very loyal to me. If this is the kind of dog you are looking for I say go for it. I would recommend them to anyone. I mean Im sure there are chihuahuas who fit the stereotype but mine sure dont.

If you are worried about how it may behave take it to some puppy training classes as soon as you get it. This may help as well.

On choosing a calm one, not to sure. I guess I just got lucky 2 times. I have heard though that if you take a pup and lay it on its back and if it stays calm it may end up being a calm dog (No clue if this is true though).

Good luck and if you have your heart set on it, I would go with that!

Answer 5

The biggest factor in getting a chihuahua that is "yippy" or aggressive is YOU. When that sweet little puppy growls at someone the first time and you say "aww it's that cute", you are allowing the dog to take control. However with rules, boundries and limitations, you can make a chihuahua into what it is supposed to be, a healthy balanced dog.

I have 5 chis myself and not one is aggressive to people or what I'd consider yappy (they do bark some outside but then they aren't outside for very long everyday either). I have two that are positively friendly to strangers, and one of those didn't start out that way. I've also raised chi puppies and of those one one is aggressive because he rules the people who own him and they WANT him like that.

Now some chis are calmer from birth. Make sure you get to visit the litter when choosing a puppy. You'll be looking for the puppy that either tires more easily or decides to climb into a lap for a rest while the others are still tearing around. That one will likely be the calmest of the litter.

Since you've given yourself time before you get this little dog, please research technics for potty training, socalization and other ascpects of raising and living with dogs. This is a great breed and they need lots of love and affection as well as rules. If you take your time and focus on what you want to get out of having this little one, you will have no problems with a "yappy" or aggressive chi.

Oh and about them not being good with children... They can be if they are brought up with them. My neighbors have 2 chis I raised and they have 2 year old. One lets the little girl drag her around. My friend has a 3 year old granddaughter who can approach and hold her chi. I have 2 kids 10 and 12 and we have had chis for 9 years. And while most of mine simply avoid my young neices and nephews, my youngest chi will play with my 2 year old nephew. It is really important to know what you need and want from a chi as far as behavor.

Answer 6

chihuahuas are wonderful i have two they do get really cold easy and need a sweater in the winter but are very loving dogs if they are raised right they need lots of attention and are very faithful they are almost like humans i believe that they [all dogs] can understand us and chihuahuas can get their feelings hurt really easy and get stressed really easy but they are also very loving and will make very good companion dogs they may be tiny and bark alot but they try their best to protect their owners i think you are great for choosing this breed good luck to you and have a great day

Answer 7

before i had to get rid of my old chihuahua, he barked a lot when some one came to the door but the are also nice and defenitly loyal! GET ONE

if you get a puppy and need to know how to potty train it e-mail me [e-mail]

Answer 8

okay,, why chihuahua? is your decision based on looks, size, temperament? once you have decided that and still want to geta chi -- i would suggest you go to the ack.org website and ask for chi breed club in your area,, from there, someone will be able to put you in touch with repsonsible breeders in your area.. make sure you meet the breeder a few times,, get to know them and their dogs,, and i am sure you will be happy once you make your decision.. good luck,,, don't rush things.. do your homework.

Answer 9

Obtain info. about refutable breeders by going to akc.org. Any dog can be good or bad, be sure to start training early (puppy kindergarten), and you can have a best friend for life.

Answer 10

Consider a rescue. Just be sure to handle him/her first to be sure they are not irate. Chihuahuas can be very sweet if raised properly. ;) Good luck!