Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[beach chick]

my youngest, who is 11, is desperate for a Chihuahua, and has been for about 18 months now. I wouldnt mind having another dog, and quite accept that I would be the one doing the walkies, the poop-scooping, the feeding etc etc. I've met a couple of Chihuahuahuas and quite like their character - feistier than one would expect based on their appearance I think!

 

BUT... what are they really like about exercise? we have Ozzie the Lab, who expects 45 mins twice a day, preferably including a swim in the sea and/or a muddy canal/river/or just a puddle if there's nothing else available. could a Chihuahua keep up with that? because I couldnt walk them separately, dont have the time. (obviously the Chihuahua wouldnt HAVE to swim...)

 

the other downside is of course the cost, they are VERY expensive and you dont get many in rescue unless they are old which kind of defeats the point for an 11 year old I think.

[Chucky Mama]

I knew someone who had about 6 GSD's and 1 chihuahua. It used to rough it with the big boys and was a fabulous little dog. There are some designer crosses around now that are cracking little dogs. I have a friend with a chihuahua x yorkie who is fab. They are as tough as you let them be really. They are big dogs in little bodies. Trouble is people insist on treating them like toys. They are prone to dental health issues so you will have to keep on top of their teeth.

[beach chick]

yes I know about the dental stuff Chuckymama (I work for a pet food firm!!) but 1 Chi and 6 GSDs must have been a fab combination. I'm not so keen on the Yorkie type if I'm honest, I have an aversion to their coats.

the 11 y o wants a Chi, so its a question if I want one and am prepared to look after along with the Lab I guess.

[Chucky Mama]

yes I know about the dental stuff Chuckymama (I work for a pet food firm!!)

 

Ahh

My OH loves Pugs but our current dog goes on bike rides etc with us and no way could a pug manage with that sort of livestyle.

[winterwren]

I fostered a Chihuahua for a local animal rescue, he was about 4 years old and during the time I had him we had some lovely long walks! In my experience they enjoy long walks if they get used to them at the beginning. They often have softer pads on their feet so if you are a VERY althletic family who hitch hike I would use some paw wax. They are really full of character and are increasingly coming into rescue more often.

 

The reasons they are coming into rescue are that often people want a little dog and then get a bit puzzled by the fact that the smaller the dog the bigger the character! Most of the chihuahuas I have met in rescue are quite young but have not had the best training put down very fiesty little beings they are. The funniest thing was watching my 6ft 3 OH walking this teeny chihuahua down the road!! I hope this helps

 

Good luck in finding your next companion!

[beach chick]

interesting that they are coming in to rescue winterwren. so many people think small dog=naturally biddable but of course that's not true! and so many owners pander to a little dog in the way they wouldnt to a bigger one, so they can easily get above themselves.

I am still mulling over the idea, tbh probably not at the moment - money and all that, do I really need the cost of another dog?

[winterwren]

I am always thinking that too beach chick. I desperatly wanted to adopt one of our foster dogs (a lovely big pointy faced greyhound) but after working out all the insurance and cost in food I had to admit to myself that I couldnt afford it He did go to a lovely home in the end though!

 

Trouble is with chihuahuas is that a lot of people are not being very selective when breeding so your getting mixed temprement dogs, herediatary diseases etc. I was on a well known puppy web site the other day and they had over 100 pages of people selling chihuahas! I couldnt believe it

 

It may be worth hanging on to go through a rescue or put your name down on a waitng list at a chihuahua breed rescue club.

 

Ive got a jack russell and a doberman and I can say now that without a doubt my small jack russell runs the place lol.

[Rhapsody]

Follow this link there are some Chi crosses in your part of the world

 

http://www.dogsblog.com/category/chihuahua-cross/

[Chucky Mama]

Great link Bobby looks very sweet as do soooo many others

[Rhapsody]

Sorry about that!

[Seagazer]

There is one who walks in our local park and he scared the living daylights out of Cookie (who is standard poodle sized!) He was a rescue chihuahua and he has a big dog attitude. Cookie and Marnie tend to ignore each other now. He is gorgeous looking though.

 

Edited to add: oh my goodness just looked at the dog rescue - I would get little Mimi in a flash, she looks so sweet, poor little thing.

[craftyhunnypie]

We've had lots of Chihuahuas when I lived at home. I love the short haired best, but we also had long haired ones too. Some were quite large & porky in proportion, but now mum has Ozzie & he is small & slender. They tend to be so full of energy & dance a lot on their hind legs. If you train from a puppy, they walk beautiful on a lead, like little twinkle toe fairies!

Hmm exercise - my parents live near a field & used to let them off the lead on walks. However, these days the field has a play ground & attracts a lot more dog walkers, so they stay on the lead for safety.

They have the run of the garden & shoot down the garden like rockets!

All my mums Chihuahuas have been softies & loveable. She also has one that is now 17. He is partially blind and has days where his legs are a bit stiff, but he gets up & down the step & still asks to go out etc. He also likes his bed.

Beautiful little dogs - I love their characters!

 

Emma.x

[beach chick]

I am NOT looking at that link, I am NOT looking at that link, I am NOT looking at that link *yet*!

[Groovychook]

We adopted a Chihuahua/ Jack Russell x back in February!

We'd never considered rescuing such a small dog but we're so glad we did- he's such a great little chap!

 

He's brilliant with other dogs, cats and fine with the chooks too. He loves long walks and is very affectionate and playful... everybody loves him!

The one thing we have to watch is that he doesn't eat too much and that can be tricky as he's so greedy- the cats have to be fed in a separate place because he'd snaffle the lot if he could . That may be to do with him being a rescue dog though- he came from a home with loads of animals and I think he probably had to grab his food wherever he could...

 

I'm so glad we took the plunge- one of the best things we've ever done!

Just trying not to look at that link now!

[beach chick]

we are just back from a long weekend in Bruges - there are so many chis there you wouldnt believe it!! youngest was in 7th heaven, and I must admit they are so cute. but so tiny, maybe a cross would be better.... just a bit worried I would stand on it, or the Lab would bowl it over... still havent clicked on that link tho!

[Powerlady]

Go on..click on it!!

I have a Chi with a chocolate Lab..and they are absolutely bestest friends..when walking, little un could go on for longer than the dopey lab..and little un is in charge of her! They really do love each other despite being an odd combo.

 

I'd go for it!!

[beach chick]

OH has put his foot down.... oh well, do I REALLY need another dog??! no, dont answer that.