Buying a Chihuahua! Help convince me this is a GREAT breed!?

Question

This is my first time on the message board and I am excited to see the responses to my question! My boyfriend and I already own a Blue Heeler (Australian Cattle Dog) and she is nearing 9 months old. We recently decided that we'd like to purchase a smaller dog. We live in different cities (apartments, not homes) and our Cattle dog lives with him. We want something that can live with me and be slightly less hyper and more of a snuggler. :-) I have heard great things about Chi's and I am so excited about getting one!

However, my good girlfriend is having a litter in a few months and I went to see the mother of her future pups and the mother bit me. I wait tables (law student) and might have been carrying the scent of a ton of people... I hate making excuses for the mother though. My boyfriend thinks that it bit me because she is pregnant and protective. I can't have a dog that bites!

Tell me this was a weird thing for the mother to do. I want my search for the perfect pup to be over!:-)

Answer 1

I have to agree with Stephanie. My brother and sister in law have 2 of these and they are awful dogs. They strictly stick with my sister in law and no one else can go near her when you are in the house or they will bite you. They are also bad with kids. One of her dogs bit both of my boys on the same day and neither of the kids did anything to her except ask my sister in law something. Sorry to be so negative but I have had nothing but bad experiences with these breeds. I would also say go to a shelter and get one there are so many there looking for homes.

Answer 2

Is she already pregnant? Pregnancy in dogs last just about 2 months. If she is pregnant, that could be why she bit you. However, she may also have a temperment problem. I wasn't able to spend any time with one of my dog's mother because she was very defensive of her puppies and had to be taken out of the room (she only allowed the breeder to handle them when she was around). But that puppy is a great little dog that like most people and is very cuddly.

I love this breed (I have 5) but I have one concern about your situation. Blue Heelers are herding dogs and they like to herd anything. I hope you and your BF are working on her need to nip and chase things (you don't want her to do that to the chihuahua).

I would look at the puppies from this dog though. What you should look for (based on what you said) is the puppy who stops playing first, who walks away from the others to see you (though if your friend raises them right, you may be covered in puppies when you walk in LOL). And make sure you ask your friend about personalities. She should be able to point you to a calmer dog. Also encourage her to keep the puppies until 12 weeks. They benefit from contact with adult dogs (I breed and raise chihuahuas myself).

Good luck and remember all this is the stuff is good, but in the end it's up to you to make the dog social and to behave. You are just looking for easy material to start with (it makes a difference). There are some hyper chihuahuas and that part doesn't change as much (they do often calm down after a 1 year old but will still be high enery dogs).

BTW: I have 5 chihuahuas a husband and 2 kids (now 10 and 12) and the dogs get along with all of just fine, though I am the primary caretaker and some of the girls only go out to potty for me.

Answer 3

Chihuahua's are good dogs if you don't plan to have children or let your boyfriend too close! Chihuahua's are one-on-one dogs and HATE people getting too close to his owner. They aren't very hyper dogs but they are yappy, nippy and can be very aggressive if not socialized. Chihuahua's can NOT be babied, they can not be clothed, they can not hang out in a purse or handbag and you can't carry them everywhere. You need to show him that you are in control of him. They need very thorough socialization - something the mother of that litter is not!

If you still plan on getting a Chihuahua, do NOT buy a puppy from your friend - even though it may seem the "kind" thing to do. She is an aggressive, un-socialized dog. Even if she was pregnant, if she should not have been aggressive if she was socialized. Most likely, if she was was temperamental, most or all of her pups will be the same. It makes it worse that you don't get to see the temperament of the sire (dad).

You should find a reputable breeder, either in your state or not. The sire and dam (mum) should both be tested for hereditary diseases that Chihuahua's are prone to (patella, eyes, etc.).

You can take a look at http://www.petfinder.com . It is a website with shelter dogs. Just put in your zip code or state and the breed that you want and search. Please consider adoption. They have puppies all through to adults and seniors. All the dogs there have been desexed, temperament tested, wormed, flead, vaccinated etc.

Good luck and if you still plan to get a Chihuahua, find a good breeder via the Chihuahua Club USA - http://www.chihuahuaclubofamerica.com .

Answer 4

Nipping can be a problem for small dogs usually because they are baby-ed too much and/or they are not socialized enough but it can be genetic. Chihuahuas bond with one person and can be very unfriendly to strangers. As for the dog biting because it is pregnant or because of the scent of many people, that is false and not an excuse, I have been around many pregnant dogs, that did not belong to me and I have not been bitten it might be a plausible excuse if the pups were already born but they are not. What is she protecting? The dog has poor temperament and is a nipper and she will pass this to the pups.

Answer 5

My mother has a chihuahua and she is a great snuggler. She is also however a barker and we have to be careful around her because she will nip at my daughter if she gets too close. I have seen other chi's though that let my daughter come right up to them to be petted. I think a lot of it has to do with the parents etc. If the mama is a barker/biter it is more possible that the babies will as well. Also do a lot of research online about the kind of dog you are wanting you can find out all kind of information that when you read about it will tell you whether the dog will be a fit with you or now. I personally would never have a chihuahua because I have seen more of them that do nip than that don't and I have kids.

Answer 6

Chihuahuas have the tendency to nip. It's just the way things work. They have to be trained well, otherwise they can be protective of things very easily, or can be very skittish.

The mother probably was being protective.

You cannot spoil a chihuahua. You cannot let it own you; you have to be its alpha. Otherwise, they are notorious for biting people trying to get close to their owners, their toys, their food. This can happen with any spoiled or badly trained dog, though.

Just be a good owner, a firm alpha, and train the dog well. You shouldn't have any problems.

However, I would be sure to socialize it extensively at a very young age. Get it used to strangers, to children, to older people, to other dogs, to cats if you can. Don't pick it up if it is scared of something or someone; this will only tell them that the behavior is ok, and can lead to aggression or a very skittish pet. While you hold the pup, get it used to being touched in strange ways. Tug its ears gently, its tail, its paws. This can help prevent aggression towards curious children's hands and veterinary visits. Also, trying feeding it from your hand, or taking the bowl from them while they are eating. Let them know that you are in control of food, toys, etc. Do not let them be aggressive over anything, or they will grow up that way.

If you train it well, any dog can be a good dog, so if you have the patience to train a puppy and deal with any issues it may have, I'd say to go for it.

However, if you want something laid-back, try a pug. They are so loving, and very calm and obedient. They get along great with other people, and with children. Also, they are not very noisy.

Or try a mutt. Terrier mixes tend to be very smart, and loving.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Well I disagree with all theses answers I had a chihuahua for 15yrs and he never once attempted to bite anyone they will bark if strangers come around but then most dogs do and really that is not a bad thing they have a great personality and love to sleep on your bed like to eat human food mine only ever ate chicken, steak. cheese,fish, oh and loved whiskers dry cat food they show a lot of love and love cuddles and to be on your lap I lost my best friend when he passed away and even now after 8yrs I still shed a tear when I think about him he was a lovely little dog I think you have made a good choice and I hope you enjoy your new dog for many years to come and I know he will love you very much.

Answer 8

Chihuahuas are GREAT snugglers! They are also one people dogs. There is no excuse for the mother dog biting you, but they do get a little snappish with people they don't know. If you take steps to socialize your new little one and give it obedience training, it should be just fine. I have three chihuahuas and adore the breed. I also have two shih tzus. They are wonderful dogs too. Just higher maintenance with the long hair.
I think you'll be very happy with a chihuahua companion. They're sweet, smart, funny little snuggle bugs!

Answer 9

Pregnant mothers will do that. You can train your pup not to bite people - so that's not something that should make your decision for you.
Do you really want a chihuahua though? They're yappy. They have a tendency to not be friendly to strangers. There's a lot of great cuddly small breeds out there!

Answer 10

Pregnant mothers can be nippy ecspeacially if she isnt really use to having you around.chi's are awsome dogs, we have a little chi and she is the most loving and sweetest girl around, doesnt bark doesnt bite just cuddles me all the time. we also own/breed the chinese shar-pei and they all seem to do well together.
good luck and congrats !!!