chihuahua questions?

Question

1. how much on average do they cost per week?
2. are they nice to live with?
3. would they be ok in an apartment/flat/small house/normal sized house?
4. what are their down sides?
5. do they need lots of exercise?
6. if you were to lift them up and compare them in their weight to something else, what would it be?
7. how much do they need to be fed?
8. do they bark alot?

i have been doing my research but some things say different things.

HELP ME!

Answer 1

1. I have 2 and I would say that on average I spend maybe 20- 30 a week, but that would be with averaging in vet cost, flea meds, heartworm meds, food, treats, sweaters and jackets for cold months, collars, leashes, and carring bags. My pups are spoiled rotten. I do not even spend money on them most weeks. I buy their flea and heartworm meds in a six month supply. They only go to the vet for a yearly examine unless one gets sick. I buy my food in a 20lb. bag and it last about 1 1/2 months and I buy their treats then too. I buy things when I see them Ilike, but that is not every week. I would say they are very inexpensive as far as average cost to keep them.
2. I love mine to death, and enjoy living with them very much. They are always happy to see me, and they never back talk unlike my children and husband. They are always doing something funny and they are so cute. They are my favorite dog breed.
3. Yes. They make wonderful apartment or small house dogs. They are very small, and can usually get their exercise in an apartment without being walked, and you can train them to use a puppy pad or a litter box. I would still suggest a walk, because they need to be socialized with other animals and people, or they will get yappy and snappy with people and animals they do not know.
4. They can be yappy and snappy without proper socialization. My 2 are not but they live with lots of other animals and my 4 small children, and I also take them to a lot of places to play with other animals and where other people are. They are fine as long as you let them around other people and animals, and do not try to shelter them from everything because they are small. That is what makes them afraid of everything and that is when they become yappy and snappy. They are scared of everything but their owner because they were taught to be. They maybe small but they are pretty sturdy. The only thing to watch for is not to let super small kids carry them, because they can be hurt if they are dropped or picked up the wrong way. They have very small bones in their legs and a soft spot on top their head. That does not mean they can not be played with just make sure the child is sitting with the dog, and watch them.
They can also be hard to train, but I did not have any problems with that. I would crate them when you are gone or can not be with them, and put the in a blocked off room to be with you for a while. That way the dog can not hide to go potty, and they love to do this, and when you see it start to go say no and take them where they are to go. When they go in the right spot praise and give them a treat. You can use a spray bottle for other types of training, but never hit them. They are so small that it can hurt them badly. They can also be a little hyper active sometime, and they need loads of attention. The more attention the better.
5. They are active, but like I stated early they are so small they can usually move around enough in a small apartment or house to get all the exercise they need. They are not always active though. There will be times during the day that they will not want to move, especially if they are sitting on their owner.
6. I would say a 5lb. weight. They should be between 2-6lbs, and are usually around the 4-5lb range. My boy weighs 3lbs and 2 ounces and my girl weighs 3lbs and 7 ounces.
7. I leave food and water out constently for mine, and they only go through a 20lb. bag about 1 every 4-6 weeks. They eat very little because they are so small.
8. They will if you do not train and socialize them. I can not stress how important it is to socialize this dog breed. They will become frightened of everthing but their owner, and then you will have a snappy yappy little dog. That is not pleasent to be around. They are great dogs and will enrich your life with just a little socialization and training. You also want to tell them no and I squirted mine with a water bottle every time they barked and I did not want them too. You hardly ever hear a peep out of mine now.
I have also taught mine not to lick in the face or get up in your face, to sit, lay,down,and a few other tricks. I think they are great dogs and I love mine. They also tend to bond more with one person, and if you have a family, you do not know who it will pick. I got my first one and he bonded with my 3 year old son, and he would follow him around. When my son was gone he would lay in his bed and wait for him to come home. The rest of us could pet and love him, but it wasn't the same. I was upset about it for a while, because he was supposed to be my dog, but I got over it. We have one who prefers me now, and that makes me happy. I think they are great little dogs and I hoped I helped. I would try Chicken Soup for the Puppy/Dog Lovers Soul if you get a dog it is a great food.

Answer 2

Hi There.
1.) Chihuahuas do not cost too much per week. Your main cost will be food. A 5 lb bag of Wellness food (which is v. high quality) is about $14.00, and should last you for a month if you only have one chihuahua. You have to remember though, you will have start up costs (beds, bowls, collar, etc etc).
2.) Chihuahuas are very great to live with. Chihuahuas are a companion breed, and they love to be around humans.
3.) Chihuahuas can live in any of those conditions. Just make sure you keep a moderate temperature, since chihuahuas hate the cold.
4.) Chihuahuas don't really have "downsides". They are more prone to a few specific health problems, such as patellar luxation. Make sure you puppy-proof the house so they dont jump on very high things.
5.) Chihuahuas do not need alot of exercise. Two 15-20 minute walks a day should be fine, and as long as you play with them, they should be ok.
6.) Chihuahuas can weigh from about 3 lbs to 8 lbs. Some can be very small, some can be a little larger.
7.) It depends on the size and age of the chihuahua. Usually about 1/4 cup twice a day is MORE than enough. It also depends on what kind of food (wet or dry) you are giving it.
8.) All dogs bark alot. this is their way of "talking". chihuahuas will mostly bark when someone new is at the door. With proper training, you can minimize on the barking.

I've owned chihuahuas all my life, and also work at a dog daycare. They are great little dogs and very loving! good luck!

Answer 3

1. It cost very little per week to care for a chihuahua. Since they are so small, they eat very little. Of course at first you have the expense of the shots and checkups, but they are very important to make sure your puppy stays healthy.
2. Chihuahuas are wonderful dogs. If you want a best friend, a lap dog, get a chihuahua. You won't be sorry.
3. Chihuahuas can do well in any size house. Maybe not so well in an apartment because they do tend to bark a lot.
4. down sides, they do tend to bark a lot....lol They require a lot of attention, very needy dogs but so loving.
5. Not much exercise at all. .They can get plenty just running around the house and yard.
6. a 5 lb chihuahua would be the same as a 5 lb bag of sugar. Some chis are smaller, some are bigger.
7. we free feed our dogs, specially the pups. Food is out for them all the time.
8. Most chis do bark a lot/

Answer 4

1. I buy a high priced dog food ($38 for 30 pounds) for my five chihuahuas and they go through that in about 6 weeks (I do have some larger ones that eat more though). Also think about treats and chews. A medium sized chihuahua (6 pounds) probably wouldn't cost more that a few dollars a week (even on a high priced dog food).

2. I love living with mine. They are short coated and a breeze to take care of. Some people train them to potty inside (on pads or litter), some train to go outside (I do the outside thing). They are highly affectionate dogs that love attention. If you sit down, expect to have a chihuahua in your lap here (most often more than one LOL).

3. They are fine in any of the settings you describe. Remember though they are inside dogs. They do not have the fur to live outside in the winter. They do best when they are inside with people. They are very social dogs (meaning they need contact with people, such as their owner and other family members).

4. They can be territorial. They can have a few health problems such as luxating patella, heart mummers/ CHF etc. They do shed. They want a lot of attention (may be a downside to some people). Can be aggressive if not properly socialized. Prefer Chihuahuas to other breeds.

5. Most chihuahuas can get enough exercise running around the house but they do appreciate a walk like any other dog. Most are in the medium to low engery level but there are some high energy chihuahuas.

6. About the weight of a bag of potatos (the smaller one).

7. A six pound chihuahua on a high quality diet will probably eat about 1/2 cup of dog food.

8. Only if you let them. In the house mine bark if they hear something (like a car door), but are easily queited down (my training). Outside they like to bark at the neighbor's dog (still trying to cut that out). On walks, most of my are very quiet, a few would bark if I let them but I don't.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

1. not alot, because they are so small, they dont eat very much. it is important to feed them a healthy diet, (for example science diet is a wonderful dog food, not affected by the recall)
2.they typically bond with one person, and for that person, they are very nice to live with. not good at all with kids!!
3.they are perfect for apartments, because they are so small. they can be trained to "puppy pads" easily, instead of taking outside to potty
4......not good with kids...
5.not alot of exercise is needed, they can usually get that just playing in a small apartment
6.average weight recognized by a.k.c is up to 10 pounds, however 10 pounds is alot for a chihuahua
7.feed them twice a day, at least, giving them as much food as they can eat in 10 minuutes, whatever is left over, thats what you fed to much
8.kinda "yappy", but they have no fear, and even though they have a small size, they will definately let you know when someone is up to no good!!

Answer 6

In any given situation, focus on what you do want your dog to do instead of on whatever he’s doing wrong. Learn how to train your dog https://tr.im/BIncI

For example, suppose that on many evenings, your young dog gets busy looking for trouble just as you’re digesting your dinner. He grabs a boot from the mat by the front door and gallops through the house with it. You yell at him and take it away. He grabs its mate. You yell and take it away. He heads for the kitchen and starts checking out the counters in case something tasty’s been left behind. You chase him away. And on and on, until you’ve lost your temper and torn out clumps of hair you can ill afford to lose.

Answer 7

Yeah it would be a good idea to get along to a dog show. Talk with some owners and observe the little dogs.

You can also find some Chi information here http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/how-to-train-a-chihuahua.html

Good luck!